Music
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Belly Dancing is Good for the Body and Good for the Soul!
Story, photos by Jennifer Ferrell “(Belly Cardio) class is a community building experience. As well as making great friends you will learn awesome dance moves and get a life changing workout.”- Erin, Belly Cardio student Belly dance is a traditional dance dated back longer than to what history can attest. What we can gather is that there are many different styles and the dance has persisted over time to be one of the most exotic and adored practices all around the world. In today’s times, there are many different interpretations of the dance called fusion styles but the health benefits remain. Since belly dance is ancient, it is comprised of…
- Animals, Day Trips, Drink, Entertainment, Events, Explore with Cassie, Food, Latest News, Music, Nature, Restaurants, Suburbs, Travel
Tasty Wine, Tempting Cheeses, Music and Even Goat Yoga at 8th Annual Skippack Winetober Festival
Story, photos by Jill Beckel Explore Philly had a blast at Skippack’s 8th Annual Winetober Fest. The event took place on an October weekend and we chose to attend the Saturday daytime session. Skippack, PA is an adorable small town located in Montgomery County. With lots of little shops, restaurants and bars, the quaint town offers a lot of things to check out. We picked up our entrance passes, wine cup (attendees could upgrade to receive a wine glass with the VIP passes) and were off to sample all the wines! Some of the stand-out wines included a large sampling from A’Dello Vineyard & Winery. We love fruit-infused wines and they had several…
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Tune Into the Sounds of the Season at Fairmount Park’s Historic Houses
“Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl. But it warmed more than your body. It warmed your heart … filled it, too, with melody that would last forever.” – Bess Streeter Aldrich Story, photos by Sharon Kozden They came. They toured. They listened. On December 2, in what was part of a 16-day seasonal presentation called A Very Philly Christmas, Fairmount Park’s Historic Houses came alive with the sounds of music during The Sounds of the Season. Philadelphia was well represented by its diverse musical culture and community, which included Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, Choral Arts Philadelphia, Clef Club of Jazz, Opera Philadelphia and PlayOnPhilly.…
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Crawlin’ with the Undead in Northern Libertie’s Zombie Invasion
Professional make-up artist Sonja Century complies with Sharon Kozden’s request to be transformed into a “pretty goth.” Story, photos by Sharon Kozden “It’s so hard to be careful, so easy to be led Somewhere beyond the pavement You’ll find the living dead.” – Tom Petty, “Zombie Zoo” What better way to spend a Friday the 13th evening than in the company of creepy and grotesquely incorporeal beings intent on feeding on my brain? Ironing my underwear? Navel-gazing? Nope and nope: I was out to get me some “organs that serve as the center of the nervous system.” I didn’t have to travel far to find them! The Piazza at The Schmidt’s Commons in Northern Libertie’s…
- Culture, Dessert, Drink, Entertainment, Events, Explore with Cassie, Fashion, Food, Latest News, Music, Restaurants, Style
Mixing and Mingling at the Philadelphia Wine and Cocktail Festival at Sugarhouse Casino
Story, photos by Jill Beckel The Philadelphia Wine & Cocktail Festival was the perfect event for wine connoisseurs, mixologists and just about anyone who loves a great wine or cocktail. The event took place at the brand new Event Center at Sugarhouse Casino. General admission for $40 included dozens of wine and cocktail samples in a custom sampling glass. VIP admission tickets went for $60 and included unlimited wine and cocktail samples, extra VIP-only wines and cocktails, a custom sampling glass and also allowed an hour early entry to the event to beat the rush. All attendees also received $20 in free slot play (new rewards members, $10 current members) at SugarHouse Casino. Event-goers…
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Singer Allie X Talks Katy Perry, COLLXTION II and Philly Performance at The Fillmore
WHAT: Singer/Songwriter Allie X’s – COLLXTION II TOUR WHERE: The Foundry at The Fillmore – Philadelphia, PA WHEN: Saturday, August 29th Allie X’s newest album COLLXTION II was recently released and now she is touring North America with her songs that have caught the eye of major singing sensation Katy Perry. She also co-wrote a single for Troye Sivan and wants fans to know that her music’s meaning is unique to each individual. Her new album is about the loss and reclamation of one’s identity, and taking back what you’ve lost along the way. See what she has to say about her songs, inspirations and even a hidden talent!
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Oh, Ship! Get Boozing, Bites on Board a Shiny New Deck on the Moshulu at Penn’s Landing
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler Get ready to see the nicest and biggest deck in Philly! The Deck at the Moshulu really stepped it up 10 notches. Philadelphia’s Moshulu is the only tall ship in the world with a landmark restaurant. Located on the Delaware River waterfront at Penn’s Landing, The Deck at the Moshulu offers amazing views of the river, the city skyline and the Ben Franklin Bridge. Food, fun and fitness will abound this season as The Deck offers an array of fitness classes to engage, enlighten and inspire with weekly fitness sessions from yoga, to CrossFit to boot camp. The full workout class schedule along with special events and…
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With Burgers, Wings AND Tacos, No One Left Hungry at This Year’s Burger Brawl
Photos, story by Jill Beckel On a hot and humid Sunday, the 7th Annual Philadelphia Burger Brawl took over the parking lot of Xfinity Live. Over 60 local Philly area restaurants competed for the title of best burger, best taco and (for the first time ever), best chicken wing! This year, Explore Philly was excited to be a part of the judging panel! When it comes to food, we are always more than eager to help out. We got to judge the first burger round. Each burger sample was judged on its taste, look, bun, meat and originality. All restaurants were kept anonymous so that the burger tasting would be fair.…
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Celebrating the Kentucky Derby, West Laurel Hill Style
Story by Tiffany C. DuBois, Photos by Eric Morales When one thinks of the Kentucky Derby, you think of mint juleps, good food, bowties, women’s fashion and hats. Especially the hats. West Laurel Hill’s derby day had all this and so much more. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect. West Laurel Hill is a well know cemetery located in Bala Cynwyd. It is the site of many notable burials and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. It also has an arboretum and an outdoor sculpture garden. So, how do you throw a derby party in the middle of a cemetery? Not to worry,…
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Simon’s Soiree, a Heartfelt Evening for a Great Cause at Sheraton Valley Forge Hotel
Story, photos by Jill Beckel This year’s Simon’s Soiree was an elegant, heartfelt affair. The soiree is held annually to benefit Simon’s Fund and this year’s 8th Simon’s Soiree was held at the Sheraton Valley Forge Hotel in February. Simon’s Fund aims to provide free heart screenings at schools and raise awareness for undiagnosed heart conditions. Per their website, “The organization provides free heart screenings to children, advocates for life-saving legislation, hosts awareness events, and promotes research. Its mission is to save a child’s life… and then another, by raising awareness of conditions that lead to sudden cardiac arrest and death.” The evening opened with a cocktail hour and open auction with all proceeds earned going…