Trenton Ave Arts Festival & Kinetic Kensington Derby Saturday!

Speaking of the underdogs, the Trenton Ave Arts Festival is also going on this weekend, Saturday, May 21, from 12p.m. – 5p.m. The 6th annual arts fest will feature crafters, vendors, food and the most interesting event of the year – the Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby.

This bicycle powered soap-box race on artistic steroids is one of the most anticipated events of the weekend. The derby starts at 12:30p.m. The human powered design competition is as much about crossing the finish line as it is about how teams look doing it, so come out and support a great neighborhood tradidion.

I’ll be there, hunting down Gritty City for their amazing soy candles. I have to admit, I’m addicted!

(Pictured here is the 2009 winner for Best Art by the Phialdelhpia Brewing Co.
Photo from the Kenetic Kensington Website.)

Get Crafty this Weekend at Penns Landing

In recent years, crafting has taken on a whole new spirit. Gone are the days of macaroni necklaces. Crafters have carved out a niche for their work, somewhere between sustainability and art and the love of all things hand made has been fully embraced by Philadelphians, young and old.

Why buy mega-mart when you can buy a hand-crafted, custom made piece for about the same price? Clothes made of organic materials, jewelry where no two pieces are identical, and home goods, so cleverly designed, you can’t help but have to have one.

This Saturday and Sunday, May 14 – 15, from 11am – 6pm, over 100 local and national artists, crafters and vendors will descend on Penns Landing for the Art Star Craft Bazaar.

There will be housewares, paper goods, dolls, prints, ceramics, clothing, accessories, paintings/drawings, sculpture and many other one-of-a-kind items. Everything is handmade from a variety of mediums that include fabric, clay, glass, wood, paper and more.

There will be music, interactive demonstrations, raffles, food and of course, crafts. And, the first 250 people through the gates will receive a coupon book and magnet! This is a family friendly event and is sure to be a great time.

Check out the complete list of vendors here!

SaVa’s 2nd Annual Spring Fashion Show & Street Fair

Sa Va, the Philadelphia based clothing and accessories brand located on 17th and Sansom will be hosting a free community fashion show and street fair, this evening, Wednesday, May 11, from 6pm – 8pm.

The theme of the event is Sa Va nature WORSHIP, and it will showcase the fair trade, eco-friendly textiles and hand-made products that have come to embody the local brand, including lots of hand dyed garments and dresses.

“We design and manufacture 90% of all of our clothing on the fourth floor of our retail store,” said Marketing Manager, Katie Cohen.

Many of Sa Va’s neighbors will be participating in the street fair with tables and booths to represent their businesses. Look for Slice Pizza, Richard Nicolas Salon, GRID Magazine, the Sustainable Business Network , Vitamin Water, Raven Lounge and others to be out in full force for the 500 – 1000 people expected to stop by tonight’s street fair.

Keep an eye out for the raffle items that will be up for grabs this evening. The event benefits the Career Wardrobe, a Philadelphia based non-profit that is dedicated to assisting women transition into the workforce by providing professional work attire, educational programs and networking tools. All proceeds from the raffle will go to support organization.

Donated raffle prizes include dinner for two at the Sofitel, gift cards to Tequilas and Ruth’s Chris, a one-year supply of Vitamin Water and a two-night stay at the Hotel Palomar.

Sa Va 1700 Sansom St. Philadelphia, PA 19103

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.

It’s Blocktoberfest Baby!

Tis’ the season for outdoor festivities and Blocktoberfest, the annual Christian Street block party is 100% into the festivis spirit. On Saturday, October 16th from 12noon – 8pm, celebrate the food, drinks and music of the fall between 20th and 21st on Christian. Blocktoberfest has been accumulating sponsors and vendors to make this second annual block party one to remember. Here’s a rundown of what to expect.

The Bites These days, every respectable outdoor event must include some of the cities best food trucks. Expect tasty treats from Koja, a U-Penn campus Korean and Japanese food truck, The Dapper Dog, the late night food truck usually stationed on 2nd and Poplar with the creative combo dogs and Coup de Taco another University City transplant. No Twitter stalking will be needed to find Honest Tom’s Taco Truck this Saturday – the coordinates are locked at Blocketoberfest. The Sugar Philly truck will be on location as well to satisfy everybody’s sweet tooth.

The Brews What goes perfectly with a fall festival? Some local brews, of course. With 11 different breweries rep-ing three different brews each and even some gleuten free selections, there will definitely be something for everyone including varieties from Bell’s, Blue Point Brewing Company, Dock Street, Ithaca Beer Co, Ommengang, Sly Fox, Troegs, Victory, Yards, Weyerbacher and more.

Beer passes are required and will be available in advance for $10 ($12 the day of the event) entitling festival-goers to three 12oz drinks - none of that half full, little plastic cup, tasting action. These are full, official, complimentary Blocktoberfest beer steins.

Beer passes can be purchased online or at one of the Blocktoberfest box office locations; Beauty Shop Café at 20th and Fitzwater or Sidecar Bar & Grille at 22nd and Christian.

The Tunes Headlined by The Budos Band, Blocktoberfest is bringing out nationally recognized and emerging artists and musicians including The Love Language, Cozy Galaxies, Allo Darlin’, Strange Engineers, New Pony and DJ Handsome Sam to keep it moving between sets.

Proceeds from Bloktoberfest go toward the architectural preservation of Shiloh Baptist Church at 2040 Christian St, a neighborhood landmark listed in the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places and designed by Frank Furness in 1868.

The event is also bicycle friendly and will offer bike parking via bike racks donated by Bicycle Therapy, at 22nd and South.

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

Mr. Greengenes Brings It To McToberfest!

Having Ocean Drive withdrawals? Haven’t gotten your fix of packed parties and awesome cover bands in a while? This Saturday, October 9, head to McFadden’s for the 7th Annual McToberfest. Doors open at 2pm and the party won’t stop until 2am.

Join philly2night and Coors Light to enjoy some great Oktoberfest foods as well as $3 Coors & Coors Light and $5 Pinnacle Vodka and Red Bulls all day long.

With Kristen and The Noise opening up for headliner Mr. Greengenes, the party under the tent is going to be wild! Plus, a portion of the proceeds goes to the Ronald McDonald House Charity, so you’ll also be doing something good for the world.

Get on the Coors Light VIP Party Guest List to get free admission and two complimentary Coors Lights to start the afternoon off right! But in order to take advantage of this day drinking deal, you have to arrive between 3 and 5pm. Keep your eyes out for the philly2night Street Team for a VIP Admission Pass OR just sign up for the Guest List here!

If you're not on the guest-list and you arrive after 5pm, it is a $15 cover and NO complimentary Coors Light. So, get yourself and your friends on the list, arrive early and DON'T MISS OUT!

McFadden’s Saloon 461 N 3rd Street Philadelphia, PA 215-928-0630

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

Outdoorsy Type? Blocktoberfest & Vendemmia This Weekend!

How would you rather spend this weekend? Drinking wine or drinking beer? Whichever one you choose will allow you hours of outdoor drinking and festivities. Can’t decide which one you like better? How about both.

This Saturday, September 25, celebrate Ocktoberfest with Fado Irish Pub and Misconduct during Blocktoberfest, an all day, outdoor, German beer drinking festival that will block off 15th and Locust. From 11am – 8:30pm enjoy a German beer specials, join in the bratwurst eating contest, enter a strongman stein holding competition and listen to live music including the sounds of a German polka band.

It’s free to enter either bar but to gain access to the tented festivities it’s a $5 cover. There will be German pretzels, bratwurst and wienerschnitzel and the best part is the festival prices - all beer and food costs between $3 and $6 bucks.

On Sunday, September 26, everyone’s got a little Italian in them during the 14th Annual Vendemmia Festival. Wine lovers gather every year to celebrate the harvest with wine, food, live music and wine tasting. Now, everyone knows a guy who makes the best dego-red in the city – myself included. But during Vendemmia, the homemade wine competition puts the debate to rest until next year –foggetaboutit.

Tickets are $40 per person or $50 the day of the event, but for all the red wine and delicious Italian food available, it’s totally worth the ticket price. This year, the event will be held in its new home, moving from Girard Park to Vendemmia Square between Pattison Ave & Hartranft St. at 20th and Broad, north of FDR Park.

Fado Irish Pub 1500 Locust St. Philadelphia, PA 215.893.9700

Misconduct Tavern 1511 Locust St. Philadelphia, PA 215.732.5797

Vendemmia Tickets | 215-551-3859

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