December 22, 2011
Think it’s impossible to shop and dance at the same time? Think again. Tomorrow (Dec. 23) you’ll get a chance to do last-minute holiday shopping at VIX Emporium and cut a rug at the Independent Rock school next door with The Last of the Red-Hot Lovers led by IR director and Stinking Lizaveta band member Yanni Papadopoulos (pictured).
The dance show is free and features a full band playing lively swing jazz. Refreshments will be available for a modest donation. The show will run from 6 – 9 p.m.
VIX will be open until 9 for your last-minute gift needs. Also Friday night, don’t miss a presentation of a new “West Philly” graphic, the fourth so far to celebrate this awesome neighborhood. To bring it to life, VIX enlisted the help of local artist Justin Turkus. Justin, who is a tattoo artist and the author and illustrator of picture book “Earth is a Wonderful Place to Be” (available at VIX), will be there to debut his new design. Handprinted notecards and stickers of the new image will be available starting from tomorrow, and totes, t-shirts and hoodies will arrive in the new year.
On December 24 VIX will be open from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (closed December 25 and 26).
December 21, 2011
Kol Tzedek, West Philly’s progressive, Reconstructionist synagogue, will host its annual Hanukkah party (Facebook event page) tonight from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to the synagogue, located in the Calvary Center for Culture and Community (48th and Baltimore).
The party will feature lots of latkes, a vegetarian potluck (you’re encouraged to bring a dish), music by the synagogue’s Simcha Band playing klezmer and all kinds of stuff for kids. If you can swing it, bring your own plates, napkins and silverware and a donation of winter clothing for a local charity. You are also invited to bring a menorah for the table and dreidel and pennies.
Your donation of $5 to $25 at the door goes toward Kol Tzedek’s mission to provide diverse and inclusive Jewish spiritual community in West Philly.
December 17, 2011

Curtis (far left) and his crew are back at 50th and Baltimore dealing Christmas trees with a smile.
If you are out looking for a tree any time between now and Christmas Eve, we highly recommend stopping to see Curtis and his merry crew, who are back again this year at 50th and Baltimore. Like past years, Curtis has a fairly wide selection of trees (we picked up a nice Scotch pine today) at a lot of different prices. They have the string and are really good at tying trees to the tops of cars or wrapping it up to fit in a shopping cart. They also have tree stands.
One of the things we love about Curtis is that he leaves several trees out after he closes up shop each night for those who can’t afford to buy one. Curtis will be on the triangle in front of Dock Street Brewing Co. until Christmas Eve. You can complete the buy local experience by popping in for a beer at Dock Street or crossing the street for a gift at VIX Emporium near the northwest corner of 50th and Baltimore.
December 13, 2011
Here’s a good opportunity to help a local cause and to get your energy back for the holidays. This Friday, Dec. 16 join a fundraising yoga class hosted by Wake Up Yoga (4916 Baltimore Ave.). All proceeds from the class will go to support the Saint Francis de Sales Christmas Outreach program, which provides gifts for children in West and Southwest Philly.
This is a restorative yoga class and it is perfect for beginners. Instructor Alane Benson (pictured) will teach you how to ease away tension, stress and fatigue using gravity as a prop, so you leave feeling rejuvenated and renewed.
The class will run from 7:45 – 9:15 p.m. No pre-registration is required. For more information go here.
December 9, 2011
Two more awesome holiday events are happening in the neighborhood this weekend.
- This Saturday, Dec. 10 come and see what Stanford Thompson (director of Play On, Philly!) and his student musicians at Saint Francis de Sales have achieved when they present their Holiday Concert. Guest conductor is Rossen Milanov, who has conducted the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Mann. The concert begins at 2 p.m. in the school auditorium (917 S. 47th St., at Windsor Ave.). Admission is free.
- Are you up for caroling this weekend? If yes, come to Clark Park “B” (45th & Regent) on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 5:00 p.m. for the annual Clark Park Christmas Caroling. Sing traditional Christmas carols around the Community Christmas tree with your neighbors and enjoy some refreshments afterwards. For more information call 215-222-2255.
December 8, 2011
Have you finished your holiday shopping yet? If not, International House Philly (3701 Chestnut Street) invites you to “shop ‘til you drop” at the International Holiday Bazaar tomorrow, Dec. 9. Come and check out great bargains from around the world at this all-day shopping event running from 1 – 7 p.m. when IHP’s Galleria gets transformed into a holiday village.
There will be something for everyone’s taste and wallet: crafts, food, jewelry, custom prints, toys and fashion from around the world.
Recent Comments