Romeo and Juliet: The Killers, Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler

Great song. Feedback on your favorite?

Youtube videos. Because I can.

Love Lily Allen.

Slackin' in the 215

2013.

The year of the dragon.

You know what?

I'm not a dragon.

I'm a cock, and this year's been a beast.



Self-perpetuated deadlines just didn't seem to happen.

Fulfilling my need to write took a back seat, as I find it does every once in a while. When the things I want to write begin to centralize around a few apocalyptic themes, I take that as a time to be more introspective and quiet the voice outside.

Take this montage of recent youtube videos I've played out over the past year or so as my gift to all of you -- an apology playlist, if you will.

Love you -- Mean it!

I've missed you all.

Time to get back on the horse.

M

Catch Waterfront Wednesday’s Last Show of the Season

This Wednesday, June 29, is the final Waterfront Wednesday concert event of the season at Penn Treaty Park. The music has been chosen and the line-up is set. This week, enjoy the sounds of North Lawrence Midnight Singers, Birdie Busch and The Spinning Leaves at Penn Treaty Park at 6:30pm.

The series will be on hold throughout the month of July, but organizers from the non-profit Friends of Penn Treaty Park are planning to pick back up again in August.

Philly Kick's Off 11 Days of Events at Penn's Landing

Catch a ceremonious balloon cutting at the newly expanded gates of festival pier before The Taste of Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing, beginning tonight, Friday, June 24 at 5pm.

There will be music, food trucks and tables with tastes from some of the city’s best chefs. Entertainment and admission are free, but the food does cost.

Check out the waterfront and enjoy a free jazz concert with a performance by contemporary bassist, Gerald Veasley.

PSA: Front & Chestnut streets will be closed until 9am tomorrow morning, Saturday, June 25.

Tonight’s Outdoor Music Event: A Free Jazz Concert

What better way to spend a beautiful June evening, than sitting outside listening to a free concert. Tonight, Brewerytown is hosting a free jazz concert tonight, Tuesday, June 21, at the newly restored Veterans Memorial Park at 31st & Girard at 7pm.

Tonight’s performer will be Philadelphian and tenor sax player Daniel Loeb and his trio.

Opa Welcomes El Malito for This Week’s Party

Opa’s weekly party series continues this Thursday, June 16, at 10pm with the second installment of Glendi, when Midtown Village’s modern Greek go-to, Opa welcomes DJ Rashaan and El Malito.

Each Thursday throughout the summer, Opa will host different parties featuring fashion, art, music and photography exhibitions. This week’s party isn’t going to block off the street, but it will give you a second chance to check out El Malito’s newest release Platypus, "a genre-busting, bi-lingual, global hodgepodge of deliciousness that is only the beginning."

El Malito will also be playing at Penn Treaty Park the night before for Waterfront Wednesday.

The party goes from 10pm – 2am and after last week’s turnout, I’m sure there’s a bunch of people craving cucumber vodka drinks…so get to Glendi and get your fill for this Thursday night’s party.

Opa 1311 Sansom Street Philadelphia, PA
Past Coverage on GLENDI.

Waterfront Wednesdays at Penn Treaty Park

Though its first event was rained out, the Waterfront Wednesday Series at Penn Treaty Park continued on last week with its first event of the season. This Wednesday, June 15, the concert series continues with a Philebrity Ho Down at 6:30pm.

The concert is free and according to philebrity’s website, they’re “pretty stoked” about the acts including Blayer Pointdujour & Rockers Galore, who have a “dub/punk/live-band-mashup thing happening” and El Malito “the world’s only Puerto Rican grime rapper.”

Not too sure what’s so ho-downy about it, but hey – it sounds interesting.

Where Were You in 2002?

Can’t remember? Doesn’t matter. Relive it this weekend, while awaiting the apocalypse. This Saturday, May 21, upstairs at Johnny Brenda’s DJ's Emynd & Bo Bliz will be spinning all that was 2002 from 9pm – 2pm. Entry is $7, but for the memories, I’m sure it will be worth it.

And with that, here are some videos from 2002.

Everyone’s Italian at the Italian Market Festival

Generations of supporters and patrons will fill the streets in celebration of the nation’s oldest outdoor market and one of Philadelphia’s most notable attractions (thanks Rocky) during The Italian Market Festival this Saturday and Sunday, May 14 – 15. From 10am – 5pm, rain or shine, come out to celebrate and appreciate the history and impact that the Italian Market has made over the past 100 years. There will be food, drinks, music and most importantly, families.

As a kid who grew up in South Philly, there’s something very special about the Italian Market, aka 9th Street. Wandering the crowded market on the weekends with my grandparents – the smells, the sights, and the sounds will be forever branded into my memory. As will trying to choke down a hunk of cheese without a drink at the tender age of nine.

Some things never change; they just become appreciated. And for those who grew up shopping for cleaning supplies and produce with their families, choking down cheeses and pointing at dead fish, this weekend is for you.

This year, there will be three stages set up along 9th street with music for all ages. The festival’s Main Stage will be set up at 9th & Washington where WMGK will be pumping out classic rock. On 9th & Christian, DJs will be spinning 9th Street dance and party favorites – a little Sinatra and Dean Martin are probably a solid bet. And on 9th & Federal, expect a mix of music and entertainment.

A new addition to the festivities this year will be the Half Ball Tournament to benefit The Mummer’s Fancy Brigades. Three-man teams will compete in elimination rounds at the Christopher Columbus Charter School at 9th and Christian.

And this year, the party doesn’t end at 5pm; keep the party going at South Philly Bar & Grill on 9th and Passyunk. SPB&G will be featuring an Italian tasting menu as well as Italian drink specials including $3 anisette shots, $4 Peronis, $4 sambuca shots, $4 Limoni Di Sicilia shots, $5 Sangrias. There will be Italian music, entertainment, prizes and give-aways.


Check out the Italian Market Festival website for more information.

BBQ Throwdown & Music Festival In NoLibs This Saturday

Chances are, if you were to ask two people their recipe for BBQ you will get two completely different answers. Some like it dry, some like it wet, some get a little smoky while others let it rest overnight and go at it in the morning.

Everyone’s got their own style but no matter if they are professional pit masters or weekend warriors, slow and low seems to be the winning technique. This Saturday, September 11, A Full Plate Café’ is hosting its 4th Annual Rib Cook Off to try and put this summertime debate to rest – at least until next year.

This finger-lickin’ competition, followed by the Northern Liberties Music Festival will be throwing down at Liberty Lands Park on 3rd between Poplar and Wildey. The doors open at noon and judging begins at 2pm. For a $20 entrance fee, BBQ lovers will get to sample all of the contestant’s dishes.

Each BBQ team, both professional and amateur, can enter to compete in three categories of grilling – ribs, whole organic chicken or a vegetarian item of their choosing. That takes care of the proteins, but what is a BBQ with out the sides? No worries. A Full Plate will be supplementing these soon to be award wining dishes with their vegetarian friendly sides like mac n’ cheese, roasted beets and southern slaw as well as desserts from The Flying Monkey Patisserie.

Winners from last year’s BBQ battle, like Koo Zee Doo, Sonata and Q BBQ, will be back at it again looking to bring home the title of “Best Ribs In The Philadelphia Area.”

After you’ve tasted all the ribs you can stomach and winners are crowned, the live music will keep the party going. The semi – annual Liberty Lands Music Festival goes from 4pm – 10pm, featuring local bands like Black Landlord – in case you missed them at the last BBQ event! And for just $10, get yourself a bottomless cup of beer.

This article was written for and can be viewed at philly2night.com.

Win Tickets to MGMT Live in Concert at The Mann!

MGMT is coming to the The Mann Center in Philadelphia Sunday August 15 and philly2night is giving you the chance to win tickets! Since MGMT is known for bringing the party with their high-energy live shows, send your best party pic to pictures@cities2night.com for your chance to win 2 free tickets to the show!

Coming off of their 2008 debut album release, MGMT kicked off their US tour back in April, touring in support of their latest album, Congratulations. MGMT continue to evolve their style of music and Philly can’t wait to be a part! After traveling the country, MGMT and special guest Violens are going to kill it here in Philadelphia before they keep their tour going strong down South this fall.

So dig through your photo gallery, click through your flicker or even throw a party this weekend and snap some shots of you and your friends. But whatever you do, make sure you send us your pictures. Winners will be notified by email. We’ll pick the best party pic to win 2 tickets to one of the hottest shows this summer!

Doors open at 6 and the show starts at 7:30pm. Tickets are available here or at The Mann box office the day of the show. Submit Your Photos to pictures@cities2night.com Visit the Mann’s website Visit MGMT’s website.

This article was written for and can be viewed at philly2night.com.