Athleta, the Sonoma based premium fitness and lifestyle brand for women, teamed up with Philadelphia magazine for a packed opening night in early November. Located in the space previously occupied by The Children’s Place at 1722 Walnut Street, the store features a broad assortment of apparel for run, yoga, gym/training, swim, hike/explore and more. With a focus on customer experience and impeccable service, the store offers free alterations in store, kiosks that link directly to the website offering customers access to additional product and sizes, free fitness classes and in-store discounts for fitness professionals. http://athleta.gap.com/
Langhorne’s dining scene now has a new hot spot in town as Bonefish Grill opened its doors at 500 Oxford Valley Road. (Off Route 95, Exit 46A. Just before Sesame Place in the Plaza at Oxford Valley). The ZAGAT award-winning restaurant brings its wood-grilled fish, seafood and chops, innovative sauces and indulgent desserts to Bucks County. The restaurant features great-tasting food, extensive craft beer selections, and an adventurous wine list. http://www.bonefishgrill.com/
Dick Oelbaum, Founder and CEO of the new So Fun! Frozen Yogurt brand announced the opening of the second So Fun! location at 315 East Lancaster Avenue, in Wayne Shopping Center, next to Five Guys Burgers and Fries. The store is scheduled to open to the public in mid-December. Oelbaum’s background is in apparel retail as President of the Pennsylvania region for 20 Casual Corner women’s stores and So Fun Kids stores. He has developed So Fun! Frozen Yogurt as a combination meal replacement and healthy treat. "At So Fun! Frozen Yogurt, we’re not just selling yogurt, we’re selling smiles," said Oelbaum. "Our stores are designed to serve as community gathering places and have a festive energy that will make customers of all ages very happy while they enjoy. Our motto is pick it, weigh it, love it." http://www.sofunyogurt.com/
In celebration of National Sandwich Day on November 3rd, Primo Hoagies hosted the With Love Primo Hoagies Invitational to determine what ingredients will be used to build Primo’s new With Love hoagie. This new hoagie will be available at all 80-plus stores across the region for one year. Prior to the invitational, hoagie enthusiasts submitted their sandwich recipes using a list of Primo Hoagies-approved ingredients at philly.com. Representatives from Primo’s selected their five top finalists from 107 submissions, and the hoagie makers met at The Shops at Liberty Placetoshow off their creations and vie for three honors: People’s Choice (public vote), Reader’s Choice (determined by Philly.com/Food) and the With Love hoagie winner. The Minetti With Love:Michael Minetti, a resident of Conshohocken, won all three competitions. His recipe included hot capacola, Thumann’s Homestyle turkey breast, thinly sliced pepperoni, hot pepper cheese and mozzarella cheese. The hoagie is topped with lettuce, tomato, light oil and salt, pepper and oregano. http://primohoagies.com/main/
Meet face to face with Artists, Craft Exhibitors and Jewelers at the Mt Airy Marketplace at 7165 Lounge from November 25th through December 24th. Every Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10 am to 6 pm. 7165 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19119, 215-629-3939. http://www.octobergallery.com
For World AIDS Day on December 1, over twenty local organizations have banded together to create a community event, "It Takes A Village," that both remembers the lives lost to this disease, as well as celebrates the lives of those living with HIV and AIDS. The Philadelphia World AIDS Day event will combine artistic performances, HIV/AIDS timeline, commemorative ceremonies, and FREE HIV counseling and rapid tests. Rapid HIV tests provide a result in 20 minutes. Information about HIV and AIDS services in the Philadelphia region will also be available. Rev. Bill Golderer, the convening minister of Broad Street Ministry, stresses that while the venue is indeed a church hall, this event is strictly a secular one. Also included in the evening is a FREE dinner for all guests. Performances by the Smoke, Lilies and Jade; Joanna Pacitti; Kharisma McIlwaine; and Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus will be highlights of the evening. Broad Street Ministry, 315 S. Broad St. Thursday, December 1, 2011, 5:30 – 7:30 pm http://www.aidsfundphilly.org or 215-731-9255
A Networking Tailgate Party Presented By Paperstone Financial Group. Thursday, December 1, 2011, 6-8pm Mcfadden’s Ballpark, Philadelphia, Pa. $20/Person. Select Open Bar, Buffet And Tailgate Games Mix And Mingle With Others In Your Industry. The Perfect Event For: Realtors, Real Estate Attorneys, Accountants, Financial Advisors, Investors And Real Estate Developers. Grow Your Bottom Line. Show Us Your Real Estate Industry Business Card And Be Elegible To Win One Of Our Awesome Prizes And Giveaways Sponsored By Paperstone Financial Group. Kindly Rsvp At Rsvp@Jessicascottllc.Com
Mannheim Steamroller continues to be America’s favorite Christmas music artist with their spectacular and beloved holiday show. The group will perform live for two performances only in Philadelphia at the Academy of Music on December 3rd, 2011 at 2pm and 8pm. Tickets are available for Mannheim Steamroller from $20 to $100 by calling 215-893-1999, online at kimmelcenter.org or at the Kimmel Center Box Office located on Broad and Spruce streets, Philadelphia, PA 19102 (open daily from 10am to 6pm, later on performance evenings. Grammy Award winner and mastermind behind the group, Chip Davis will direct and co-produce the performances with Magicspace Entertainment. There are now two tour ensembles of Mannheim Steamroller to meet the continued and increasing demand for the annual holiday celebration. The shows will feature the favorite Christmas music of Mannheim Steamroller along with state-of-the-art multimedia effects in an intimate setting.
http://www.kimmelcenter.org/events/?id=4164
Just in time for the holiday season, "Rock Star of the Art World" Michael Godard, will return to the Oh My Godard Gallery at the Pier Shops at Caesars for a special in-store appearance on December 3th and 4th. This event is the perfect place to purchase one-of-a-kind gifts for art enthusiasts and Godard fans alike. At his holiday Atlantic City appearance, fans will be able to meet Godard, purchase original works and his top-selling book, Don’t Drink & Draw. The oversized, coffee-table book covers Godard’s journey from his troubled childhood to his life as a number one best-selling artist. Godard will sign and dedicate those books purchased as a special keepsake for fans. In addition to the book signing, Godard is available to work with collectors to create original sketches. Those interested in the opportunity to work with Godard to infuse an original idea with his traditional characters and style may purchase a blank canvas. The canvasses are available for preorder in three sizes and are priced from $2,500.00 to $4,500.00. http://www.facebook.com/Michael.Godard.Gallery
Wednesday, December 7th, 7-9pm. "My Philadelphia" Art Exhibition Reception. Featuring works by Student & Recent-Graduate Emerging Fine Artists. 1st, 2nd and 3rd Prize Winners will be announced. http://www.preludegallery.com/events/events.
Celebrate the holidays "Running of the Santas" style – just grab your favorite Santa suit and join this one-day mega event, slated for Saturday, December 10. This year’s bash, sponsored by 95.7 WBEN FM, 102.9 WMGK, Steven Singer Jewelers, and Monster Energy Drinks, will include charity benefits, great drink specials, live music and (of course) the infamous parade where thousands of red-and-white-clad Santas make the three block trek from Finnigan’s Wake (537 N. 3rd Street) ("The South Pole") to Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing (corner of Spring Garden and Columbus Boulevard – aka "The North Pole"). Ages 21+. The party kicks-off at noon, where Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing will feature ten live bands, including Go Go Gadjet and Split Decision under giant heated tents. You’ll also find action at fourteen lucky watering holes throughout Philadelphia and South Jersey, which will prep locals for the South Pole’s 2pm Sexiest Santa contest at Finnigan’s Wake (537 N. 3rd Street) followed by a parade at 3pm from Finnigans to Festival Pier. At 4pm, SHARP, thousands of Santas will make the three-block run through the streets of Philadelphia from Finnigan’s to Festival Pier, simultaneous with the Santa "run" that has expanded to 25 other cities. A ‘Guinness’ record number of participants are expected to attend this event that includes a giant heated tent and (of course) access to Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing. A portion of the ticket sales will go to The Ellie Koerner Leukemia Foundation and the FOP Survivors Fund. Festival tickets are $15 in advance. http://www.runningofthesantas.com.
Twenty-one students from across the state have been selected as division winners in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s aviation art contest. The contest theme was "Aviation’s Value to My Community." "These students came up with very creative ways to show why aviation is important in Pennsylvania," said PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch. "Considering we received more than 900 entries this year, these winners should be extra proud to be chosen as the best. I thank all of the students, parents and teachers who made this contest a success." Entries were judged in two divisions: first through third grades, and fourth and fifth grades. One winner was chosen from each division in each of PennDOT’s 11 district offices, with the exception of the Oil City-based district that received entries in only in one division. Winners will receive a mounted, 16-by-20-inch copy of their entry, and a certificate signed by Sec. Schoch. The students’ schools will also receive a mounted copy of the artwork for display. The winning entries will be on display in the state Capitol’s East Wing in Harrisburg from Dec. 12 – 16. For more information or to see the winning entries, visit http://www.dot.state.pa.us and click on "Aviation & Rail Freight," then the bureau of aviation.
The 2009 Tony Award Winning Musical Revival HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical, will play at Philadelphia’s Academy of Music for a limited engagement Jan. 3 – 8 as part of the Broadway Season, which is presented by The Kimmel Center and The Shubert Organization. The press opening is Tues. Jan. 3 at 7:30 pm. Tickets ranging in price from $20 to $100 are now on sale. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online at http://www.kimmelcenter.org/broadway, at the Kimmel Center box office, Broad & Spruce Sts. (open daily 10 am to 6 pm) or at the Academy of Music box office, Broad & Locust Sts. (open during performances only). Groups of 10 or more will receive discounts for select performances by calling 215-790-5883 or 866-276-2947. Performances include: Tuesday – Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm; Friday & Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm; and matinees Saturday at 2:00 pm and Sunday at 1:00 pm.
Philadelphia-based rapper AsherRoth has announced that his sophomore album will drop on the legendary DefJam Recordings in March of 2012. The follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2008 debut album Asleep In The Bread Aisle, Roth’s first Def Jam offering promises to be a significant step for the young star. "Def Jam is a great place to call home," said Roth. "I’m excited to get back to the basics with good, honest music." His most recent project is the Pabst & Jazz Sessions, a collection of tracks by Asher, The Cool Kids’ Chuck Inglish, and production duo BlendedBabies. The sessions collection will go on sale at iTunes December20th with Asher’s proceeds going to The Philadelphia Hunger Coalition. For more on The Philadelphia Hunger Coalition: http://www.hungercoalition.org/
Rock and Pop Icon Neil Diamond, a 2011 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee and 2011 Kennedy Center Honoree, will take his greatest hits on the road on a much-anticipated North American tour kicking off in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on June 1st and closing in Las Vegas on September 1st. The 2012 tour, which includes a stop at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Monday, June 18, will feature all of Neil Diamond’s classic favorites. Tickets for the performance at Wells Fargo Center go on sale Monday, December 5 at 10 a.m. For tickets go to http://www.NeilDiamond.com, call 800-298-4200, or purchase at the Wells Fargo Center box office.
Brett Silver
BrettSilver.com
