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Exercise Like an Acrobat at the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts
Story, photos by Dana J. Prophet From humble beginnings and moving to a brand new location in Mt. Airy, the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts held an open house to invite their new neighbors and curious onlookers to see the magic happen. Inside the church and school, 28,000 square feet will be available for classes, training space, performances, private sessions, rentals and weddings, special events, birthday parties, office space, staff lounge and kitchen, student lounge, storage and more. The 5,000-square-foot sanctuary features a 40 foot high ceiling, stained glass windows, a viewing gallery and additional space for new trampoline classes. Under the sanctuary rests a 5,000-square-foot gymnasium with a 17 foot…
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Discover the Fine Art of Making Limoncello While Eating Amazing Italian Food at Osteria
Story, photos by Dana J. Prophet Made with the simplest ingredients and a wee bit of testing plus patience, Limoncello is a drink most willingly embrace. Delicious and versatile enough to combine into cocktails and even desserts, Osteria’s Sommelier Frank Kinyon showed his eager students how practically anyone can make this refreshing liqueur with a surprising ingredient – Everclear grain alcohol! As Frank demonstrated, the students and myself were delighted to enjoy a full course of the best dishes Osteria had to offer. Some were made from family recipes and it was easy to taste the love and tradition in every morsel. Along with each course, a regional Italian wine…
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Saint Benjamin Brewery Offers Craft Beer with a Side of History
Story, photos by Dana J. Prophet If you drive a bit past Temple University’s Main Campus, you’ll come to a brewery and tap room that’s within the Kensington section of the city. Saint Benjamin Brewery offers modern brewing techniques and also holds onto history that reaches back to the days of prohibition while presenting both distinctive and magical craft brews along with a menu of tantalizing food. The brewery is nestled within the middle of the street and it was also previously a historic carriage house and stables of the defunct Theo Finkenauer Brewery. Sadly, that brewery is now an empty lot. Fear not though because Saint Benjamin has all…
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An Apple a Day Doesn’t Keep the Judges Away: Best In Pomme at Manayunk’s StrEAT Food Festival
Chowing in the StrEAT (sorry, not sorry to Bruce Springsteen’s “Racing in the Street”). Kicking off Restaurant Week is the Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden “Surely the apple is the noblest of fruits.” – Henry David Thoreau Autumn and apples “pear” well together. What can I say about this pun but that I’m fruity? Separating fall from those crisp, pomaceous and antioxidant-laden fruits would be akin to depriving myself of post-meal desserts. So when I was pegged (along with Explore-Philly team member Dana Prophet and Dana’s friend Amy) to spend two hours judging the best apple-themed desserts at Manayunk’s StrEAT Food Festival on the evening of September 14th, I was all in. Arriving at a…
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Taste and Tour at Philadelphia Distilling’s New Location in Fishtown
Photos, story by Dana Prophet Gaining popularity in the 17th century and still going strong today, gin lovers can tell you they appreciate the herbal flavors derived from juniper berries and citrus that make a wonderful array of cocktails. In the past, gin was once used for medicinal reasons. As you devour a cocktail, tell yourself that you are indeed “drinking to your health”. Now you no longer need to rely on imported gin, we can covet our own hometown made, award-winning Bluecoat® American Dry Gin. Philadelphia Distilling relocated to a prime location in Fishtown much to the praise of anyone who truly appreciates a classic cocktail such as Gin…
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Back to School to Solve the Food and Wine Pairing Puzzle at Drexel’s Center for Hospitality
Story, photos by Dana J. Prophet Most people choose a wine that’s their favorite, suggested by a server or sommelier, or whatever is on sale. What most amateur oenophiles don’t know is that the meal’s components (sauce, protein, sweetness, and/or acidity) will affect the taste of the wine. Hannah Bellemare (formerly Dalälva) teaches lovers of wine the intrinsic properties of how one wine should be enjoyed with what type of food. Hannah is a Gastro-Sommelier who currently runs Dalälva Wine Tastings & Consulting in Philadelphia. More than a flow chart of what works and what doesn’t, students learn that where a wine comes from makes a difference as much as how it vinified. Although you…
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Sweets So Good You’ll Swear She’s Psychic – The Pastry Prophet
By: Elizabeth Coffey Your glass of milk will find its match made in heaven when you call up The Pastry Prophet and put your order in for one of Dana Prophet’s delicious and delectable desserts. From cookies and pies to cakes and scones, your taste buds are in for a treat. I recently had the pleasure of asking this super-star chef and Philadelphia small business owner what makes her tick and why you’ll be on the phone ordering yourself a batch of her completely customizable creations sooner than you think. Q: What/who inspired your love of baking? A: Two things: my family and my sweet tooth. I am from a…
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Navigate Towards the Moshulu Ship to Discover Martin Miller’s Gin
Photos, story by Dana Prophet Make some room, high-shelf gin. There is new and major contender in town. Martin Miller’s Gin is here to change your preconception of how gin should taste. Held at Moshulu at Penn’s Landing, the Martin Miller’s Gin Launch made believers out of the doubters and gin fans like myself discover this amazing elixir made into enticing cocktails. Like most amazing things in life, Martin Miller’s Gin was created out of necessity. The gin’s namesake and inventor, Martin Miller weary of lackadaisical gins wanted to show the world how it was done. Martin and his two friends gave themselves a challenge to produce the finest gin in the…
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Only The Hardcore Need to Shop and Sell at the Philly Punk Rock Flea Market
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler It’s been a Philly tradition since punk morphed with goth, much to many mohawk-loving punks dismay. But indie producers R5 Productions have created an amazing monster of food, frenzy, chaos and just general cool shit at the Philly Punk Rock Flea Market. Located at the warehouse across from the former Starlight Ballroom now District N9NE (who used to hold their own flea market sometimes and offer cheap, greasy eats with takeout beer), it’s $3 to get in with a wristband that lasts all weekend. This past December, they decided to extend the hours to include Friday (usually it’s only Saturday and Sunday, 10-5 or whenever you’ve had…
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Saving Furry Friends While Dancing the Night Away at the Annual Morris Animal Refuge for FurBall 2016
Story and Photos by Dana Prophet On March 19th, lovers of animals and devotees of The Morris Animal Refuge‘s dressed in 1950’s dresses and leather jackets to celebrate the love of the four-legged friends and everything MAR stands for. This year’s event took us and the Old Pine Community Center back in time to Prom Night in the 1950’s. It wasn’t just an excuse to wear your hair in a beehive or pompadour, it was to honor people who sacrifice their time to benefit The Morris Animal Refuge and raise funds to allow the organization to do their great works for our canine and feline friends who need a home. Check…