Whether your full blown Irish, or just enjoy wearing green, eating corn beef & cabbage, and enjoying a pint of Guinness and a shot of Jameson; Philadelphia has a lot of festive occasions going on that will see you having a festive celebration this St. Patrick’s Day. So without further adieu here’s a look here’s a look at all of the parades, music performances, and bar nights that will have you saying Erin Go Bragh. Slainte!

St. Paddy’s Ghost Tour

An Irish twist to Philadelphia’s rich history of ghost stories, haunted houses and eerie cemeteries, with tales of banshees, bogies and hobgoblins! The Ghost Tour meanders from Old City to South Street on a trail of supernatural tales that just might scare the shamrock out of everyone!
Ghost Tours of Philadelphia
March 12-March 13, 2010
Tickets: $15/person; $8 ages 4-12
Ghost Tours of Philadelphia

Erin Express 2010

ERIN EXPRESS is a bar crawl of some of Philadelphia’s finest Irish establishments. It was started by William Pawliczek of Cavanaugh’s and Paul Ryan, Sr. of Smokey Joe’s over 30 years ago.

There is no cost, no tickets, no reservations, no bracelets and no cover charge while busses are running! There are 10 busses that run from 12:00 PM until 5:30 PM on March 13. They run in a continuous loop so there is no starting point and no ending point!

So show up to any participating bar, get a beverage and when you’re ready to move on, go outside and a bus should arrive every 15-20 minutes to take you to the next bar!

Participating restaurants will feature food specials, as well as Irish Music.
Traditional Irish beers like Harp and Guinness will be available.
Erin Express 2010

Running of the Micks

Philadelphia’s 2010 Running of the Micks is a St. Patrick’s-themed Bus Pub Crawl which includes a ‘RUN’ up The Art Museum steps.

This year’s party starts at 10am at Finnigan’s Wake in Northern Liberties. Pickup your wristbands at the registration table from 10am-2pm. Buses will depart from Finnigan’s at 3:00pm SHARP.

If you live in South Jersey or Manayunk, sign up for our buses leaving from The Pour House in Westmont, NJ or from Kildare’s in Manayunk. We have buses designated on the reservation page providing you round-trip transportation specifically from those bars to Finnigan’s and will join the rest of the Micks on the crawl (buses depart at 2pm from those bars and will return at 7pm).

ORANGE Bus Schedule:

10:00am-3pm: Event Registration (required for all participants). Wristband Pickup. Please bring valid ID and PayPal receipt with you.

3:00pm: Buses depart Finnigan’s Wake for Urban Saloon. $3 Beers, $5 Jameson, Bus Competitions, and DJ Dance Party.

4:30pm: Buses depart Urban Saloon and head to the Art Museum for the ‘2010 Running of the Micks’ up the Art Museum Steps!

4:45pm: Immediately following the run up the Art Museum steps, buses depart for the Field House. $3 Beers, $5 Jameson, and Live Music.

6:30pm: Buses depart Field House and head back to 3rd and Spring Garden Streets. Finnigan’s will honor the wristbands until 8pm. Additional venues to be determined.

GREEN Bus Schedule:

10:00am-3pm: Event Registration (required for all participants). Wristband Pick-up. Please bring valid ID and PayPal receipt with you.

3:30pm: Buses depart Finnigan’s Wake for the Field House. $3 Beers, $5 Jameson, Bus Competitions, and Live Music.

5:00pm: Buses depart Field House and head to the Art Museum for the ‘2010 Running of the Micks’ up the Art Museum Steps!

5:15pm: Immediately following the run up the Art Museum steps, buses depart for the Urban Saloon. $3 Beers, $5 Jameson, and DJ Dance Party.

7:00pm: Buses depart Urban Saloon and and head back to 3rd and Spring Garden Streets. Finnigan’s will honor the wristbands until 8pm. Additional venues to be determined.
Tickets
Running of the Micks

The Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The Irish in Philadelphia first celebrated St. Patrick’s Day 1771, five years before the Declaration of Independence was signed! The first documented St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Parade in Philadelphia was held in 1771, celebrating over 240 continuous years of celebrations. This parade is the 2nd oldest Parade in the Country, topped only by the New York City Parade which started in 1766. The Philadelphia St Patrick’s Day Parade, which is hosted by the St. Patrick’s Day Observance Association, was incorporated as a non profit organization in 1952.

Each year the St. Patrick’s Day Observance Association hosts the parade on the Sunday prior to St. Patrick’s Day unless March 17th falls on Sunday. When March 17th falls on a Sunday, the parade is held on March 17th, St. Patrick’s Feast Day.

Throughout the years this celebration has honored this religious and cultural celebration. Thousands of marchers and spectators in their green bedecked finery, the bands and floats, the flags and music highlight one of the grandest parades in a city that loves parades.

On Sunday, March 14, 2010, at 9:00 AM, the Commemorative Parade Mass is in Saint Patrick’s Church at 20th and Locust Streets in Center City. Prior to the Mass, at 8:45 AM, the Procession of the Grand Marshal (Seamus Boyle) and the Board Members will be led by the Emerald Society Pipe Band. The National Anthem of Ireland will be sung by Karen Boyce McCollum ,and the National Anthem of The United States will be sung by Frank Gallagher. If you plan to attend the Mass, please arrive prior to 8:40 AM.

The Principal Celebrant of the Mass is Cardinal Justin Rigali with Chaplains Bishop Joseph P McFadden, Fr. Kevin Gallagher and Fr. Chris Walsh as concelebrants. The Responsorial Psalm is being sung by Karen Boyce McCollum.

After Mass, there will be refreshments served at the School Hall and then we leave for the Parade. If any group would like to reserve pews, please notify Leonard Armstrong by March 1, at 215-834-2047.
Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Black 47 at World Cafe Live

Black 47 will celebrate their 20th Anniversary in 2010. Back in the early 90’s Black 47 helped create the modern Irish Festival. They had recently appeared on Leno, Letterman & O’Brien and introduced a whole new generation of Irish-Americans to their roots.

Black 47 has always been more than just a band. When they formed in 1989, one of their missions was to help bring an end to violence in Northern Ireland. Along with the AOH and other organizations, they worked to include Sinn Fein in the political process by keeping Irish issues to the fore of American consciousness. Their songs about James Connolly, Michael Collins, Bobby Sands are now standards and used in hundreds of college and high school courses; while their biggest hit, Funky Céili, has caused hundreds of young ladies to be christened Kaylee and other derivatives.

With their exciting live shows, Black 47 paved the way for bands like Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys. They have appeared on all the major TV shows; released ten critically acclaimed CDs and played well over two thousand shows. They have been profiled by every major national magazine and newspaper. But more than anything, Black 47 has come to epitomize the newfound confidence in Irish-America.
Sunday, March 14, 2010 | Doors 5pm | Show 6:30pm | Downstairs Live

Advance Tickets:
Floor/Loge Standing Room: $21 ($17 ticket + $4 processing fee)
Floor/Loge Reserved Seating: $21 ($17 ticket + $4 processing fee)
Mezzanine (Reserved Seating): $31 ($17 + $14 premium service*/processing fee)

Day of Show Tickets:
Floor/Loge Standing Room: $24 ($20 ticket + $4 processing fee)
Floor/Loge Reserved Seating: $24 ($20 ticket + $4 processing fee)
Mezzanine (Reserved Seating): $34 ($20 + $14 premium service / processing fee)
*priority seating and VIP amenities/service
Black 47
Tickets
40 Shades of Blue

The Irish Rovers at Keswick Theatre

With over 40 years of rovin’, they have captured the hearts of fans worldwide. Launch your St. Patty’s Day celebration early with the beloved international ambassadors of Irish music!

Will Millar had been singing in Ireland with his sister since he was 10. After he arrived in Calgary, Canada he met Les Weinstein, who arranged for him to appear on television show, and would later manage the group throughout the group’s career. Will’s younger brother George Millar and his friend Jimmy Ferguson came out from Toronto for a two-week holiday with Will. They had been singing as a weekend hobby with Will’s father and sister, and so Will invited the two young travellers to sing on his TV show. When the holiday was over, George and Jimmy asked if they could stay on, and so Will enrolled George in a local high school and got Jimmy a job.

Will then invited his cousin Joe to join the group. Later, the boys became part of a popular folk club of the time called the Depression, a club that also kick-started the career of Joni Mitchell.

Will had the idea for the Irish Rovers to relocate to California in the USA, which at the time was the focus of many folk singers. On the journey there their car broke down in Northern California, which is when they met some Irish pub owners and an agent who helped them secure a gig at the popular Purple Onion in San Francisco. The group subsequently began performing in folk clubs all over California. Wilcil McDowell joined the band in 1966, around the time the group was signed by Decca Records, when “The Unicorn” became a global success.

The group is best known for their recording of Shel Silverstein’s “The Unicorn” (1967) and Irish ditties “The Orange and the Green” / “Whiskey on a Sunday” (1968). They also hosted several variety TV programs in the 1970s on Canadian television. Although they recorded many albums after that, they weren’t as successful commercially as “The Unicorn” until 1980, when the band had a crossover hit with a cover of Tom Paxton’s “Wasn’t That a Party.” The success of this, which was performed in a country-rock style rather than the band’s familiar folk style, led to the band rebranding itself as The Rovers and changing styles for the remainder of the 1980s, scoring follow-up hits with songs such as “Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy,” “No More Bread and Butter,” and the Christmas hit “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer.” By the 1990s, however, the band was once again known as the Irish Rovers.

Will Millar left the group in 1995; he subsequently recorded solo works and also wrote a book entitled Messing Around in Boats. He later did some acting, including playing postal carrier and boat owner Jimmy McVeigh on the Canadian comedy program The Red Green Show, and Jimmy, the crusty handyman in the 2005 Canadian slasher film Sleepover Nightmare. Millar, a neighbour and good friend of writer-director Boon Collins, was also the production designer of the film, along with his wife, Catherine Millar. The bulk of the film was shot on Millar’s property and in his home.

Founding member Jimmy Ferguson died in 1997. The remaining members of the group, augmented by new musicians, continue to tour as the Irish Rovers.
The Irish Rovers
Tickets
Mick McGuire Sit Down

Movie Monday at The Trocadero featuring Boondock Saints 2: All Saints Day

For the last 8 years the MacManus Brothers have been living with their father on a sheep farm deep in isolated Ireland. One day their uncle tells them that they have been framed for the murder of a Bostonian Catholic priest. The boys must return to Boston to not only clear their names but find the men who framed them.

St. Patrick’s Day Party!
Special : Arrive before 7pm, get a FREE beer & a bag of popcorn
$3 gets you in & goes towards a drink
Boondock Saints 2
The Trocadero

Belles of Dublin

Belles of Dublin interlaces stories of coming of age and illicit love affairs gone wrong with traditional Irish music featuring vocals, flute, and Celtic harp. According to Tim Treanor of DC Theatre Scene, “The stories are carved and scoured with language like a cascade of diamonds. It is not simply MacIntyre’s brogue which identifies the pieces as Irish. They radiate the sort of liquid cynicism which has marked the Irish literary voice from Swift through Frank McCourt. The protagonist tells her story from the point of view of love, and the opportunity for love, long past. This could be depressing, but MacIntyre makes it sound rueful, wistful, and, with surprising frequency, funny. That’s in large part because she excerpts her content from the writing of the fine, if underappreciated, Irish writer Edna O’Brien. I do not know what O’Brien would sound like reading her stories, but if she doesn’t sound like MacIntyre, I bet she wishes she did.”
Red Room at Society Hill Playhouse
Dates:
March 17-March 21, 2010
Times:
Wednesday-Saturday: 8 pm
Sunday: 3 pm
Tickets: $20 – includes 1 free drink
Tickets

St. Patrick’s Day: After-Work Tour and Toast at Laurel Hill Cemetery

Though dead men tell no tales, there are two places that you can learn much about them: the wake-house and Laurel Hill Cemetery. Join the group at the latter, to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, while honoring the heritage and accomplishments of the proudest Irish souls, now gone to their final reward. ‘Tis a festive occasion to be enjoyed by the living, for earth has no sorrows that heaven cannot heal! So, while you await healing, tip your hats, take your drinks, and expand your minds at Laurel Hill! In the spirit of a unified Ireland, the program will be led by Jerry McCormick of Six Counties’ descent, and his counterpart rebel of native birth, Bill Doran. Afterwards, join Laurel Hill in their historic Gatehouse, where the beer will be plenty and the ‘spirits’ will be merry.
Dates:
March 17, 2010
Times:6 pm
Tickets: $25/person
Laurel Hill Cemetery

St. Patty’s Day Beer Dinner at World Cafe Live

Lager lover, ale enthusiast, and brewmaster extraordinaire Scott Morrison hosts a St. Patty’s Day beer dinner at World Cafe Live. Five terrific American-made craft-brewed Irish-style beers, paired with selections from Executive Chef Mike Breslin’s own family recipes stretching back generations and utilizing the techniques taught to him while at study under Master Chefs in Ireland, will make this dinner feel like a night spent in the heart of the Irish countryside. Top the day off with a night cap of Bushmills 16 year old Irish whiskey (be careful – you know what they say: “beer before liquor”…) and traditional Irish music performed by Trolley Stop. Join us St. Patty’s Day for this truly one of a kind dinner experience!

St. Patty’s Day Menu

Starters
Soft Pretzels
paired with Sly Fox Seamus Irish Red Ale

1st Course
Tangy Irish Artisanal Cheese Plate with soda bread and assorted crackers, jams & fruit
paired with Rogue Kells Irish Lager

2nd Course
Smoked Salmon: Irish smoked salmon over chive potato cake, crème fresh and chive oil
paired with Harpoon Celtic Ale

3rd Course
Corned Beef & Cabbage Sliders on potato rolls with honey Dijon cream
paired with Great Lakes Conways Irish Ale

4th Course
Victory Donny Brook Stout Stew fortified with root vegetables & savory bacon
paired with Donnybrook Stout

5th Course
Shamrock Crème Brulee Cake
paired with Bushmills 16 year old Irish Whiskey

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 | Dinner begins at 7:00pm | Upstairs Live

Tickets: $45.00 each (price includes dinner, beers, tax, gratuity, and live entertainment)
Tickets

But between Irish pubs like Fergie’s, Tir Na Nog, Downey’s, Moriarty’s, and Fado; and a whole lot of events listed on Philly Fun Guide, there are plenty of events worth checking out during St. Patrick’s Day in Philadelphia.

It’s been a rough couple of years for record stores, especially in the DC area — once heavily trafficked retailers like CD Game Exchange and DJ Hut both went the way of the dodo in 2009. Luckily, the international event known as Record Store Day is giving audiophiles good reason to get off the internet and drop their bucks at the handful brick and mortar shops still standing.

Rolling around again on April 17th, 2010, Record Store Day sees most area retailers offering deep discounts on their stock and, for a select participating few, free or limited edition releases from flagship independent labels like Sub Pop, Matador and Vice. (Check back here soon for list of the RSD 2010 goodies that will be up for grabs.)

Even though there’s less than half a dozen proper record stores (Barnes & Noble can suck it) still doing business in the District, they’ve proven that there is power in a union after all. All are within walking distance of one another, so, come April 17th, here’s how to hit all five of DC’s best record stores in one fell swoop starting at 14th & U and terminating in Dupont.

1. Som Records • 1843 14th Street NW

2. Crooked Beat Records • 2318 18th Street NW

3. Smash! Records • 2314 18th Street NW

4. Red Onion Records & Books • 1901 18th Street NW

5. Melody Record Shop • 1623 Connecticut Avenue NW

For more holidays actually worth celebrating, follow us on Twitter or read up on the rest of the CultureMob blog.

Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, we give you this thorough — yet far from comprehensive — list of where to take in both locally brewed suds and hard to come by international brews in the nation’s capital. (Trust us, any of ‘em beats another all you can drink Tuesday at McFadden’s.)

Brickskeller

Every have a really good local brew in some far flung corner of Poland? How about on the beach in Indonesia? The Brickskeller probably has them both…along with about a thousand others.

Dupont Circle • 1523 22nd St NW • (202) 293-1885

Capitol City Brewing Company

One the metro area’s largest local brewers with three locations in DC and Virginia, Cap City has at least five varieties on tap-only suds year ’round (and a tre swank Capitol Hill space in the historic Postal Square Building).

Shirlington • 4001 Campbell Ave. • (703) 578-3888
Capitol Hill • 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE • (202) 842-BEER
Downtown • 1100 New York Ave. NW • (202) 628-2222

ChurchKey

The most recently opened entry of this list, ChurchKey is all about drafts — more than 50 of them, many of which even the most seasoned of beer connoisseurs would have trouble tracking down outside of a bottle. (See their complete beer menu here.)

14th & U • 1337 14th St. NW • (202) 567-2576

District Chophouse & Brewery

It may be (yet another) chain, but the Chophouse at least sets itself apart by giving their DC brewer free reign over two of the breweries taps for his own special concoctions. And did we mention they make a bourbon flavored stout?

Chinatown • 509 7th St. NW • (202) 347-3434

Dogfish Head Ale House

Much worshipped by alco-philes (not a portmanteau of alcoholic and pedophile, promise) outside of its native Delaware, Dogfish Head makes some on the world’s best, strongest and most sought after beers. That makes DC area residents some of the lucky few with year-round access to all of them — on tap and under one roof.

Gaithersburg • 800 West Diamond Ave. • (301) 963-4847
Falls Church • 6220 Leesburg Pike, Seven Corners Shopping Center • (703) 534-3342

Franklin’s Brewery

One part brewery, one part family restaurant, one part general store, Franklin’s is a true original…even if it is in PG County. But they more than make up for it with an ton of brews that don’t reek of by-the-book corporate recipes and a brewer who’s never, ever afraid to do a little experimentation on the side.

Hyattsville • 5121 Baltimore Ave. • (301) 927-2740

Gordon Biersch Brewery

If you’ve been to any city with a major airport, chances are you’ve spotted a Gordon Biersch somewhere in the center of town. They alleviate that chain restaurant tedium, however, near-monthly tapping parties for their latest seasonal brews.

Chinatown • 900 F St. NW • (202) 783-5454
Rockville • 200 East Middle Lane, Unit A • (301) 340-7159
McLean • 7861 Tysons Corner Center • (703) 388-5454

Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar

The sole Northeast entry on this list, this unmarked H St. watering hole is plastered with concert bills from the greatest in underground rock (Cramps, Kyuss, and Rocket from the Crypt, to name a few) and their downstairs bar stocks an equally tasteful selection of more than 50 international beers by bottle. A favorite.

Atlas District • 1104 H St. NE • No Phone!

Old Dominion Brew House

Virginians threw a hissy fit when the old Old Dominion moved out of its native Ashburn. On the other hand, however, the now Delaware-based brewer gave downtown DC residents something to call their own when they opened this spot in the Convention Center in its stead. (And their Spring Buck Blonde Ale kills.)

Shaw • 1219 9th St. NW • (202) 289-8158

Quarry House Tavern

We’ve written about the Quarry House before, but, while it may be a pure rock ‘n’ roll dive from a decor standpoint, their selection of beers reads like a wine list at the Four Seasons. With hundreds of beers to choose from and reasonable prices, this is a must-see (or, rather, a must-drink-then-stagger) joint.

Silver Spring • 8401 Georgia Ave. • (301) 587-8350

Rock Bottom

Why anyone would eat — or make out with a stranger — at a bar called Rock Bottom is still beyond me. The beer, however, isn’t half bad, not to mention extremely cheap come happy hour.

Bethesda • 7900 Norfolk Ave. • (301) 652-1311
Arlington • 4238 Wilson Blvd. Suite 1256 • (703) 516-7688

For more on cold booze and fast music in Washington, follow us on Twitter or read up on the rest of the CultureMob blog.

2010 is the Year of The Tiger.

The Chinese New Year begins on February 14, 2010 and it’s time to celebrate! This year is the year of the Tiger. Watch as lions and dragons roam the streets and firecrackers fill the air with surprise and excitement! Every new year, on the stroke of midnight, the celebration explodes as firecrackers blast and the traditional lion dance begins, spreading happiness throughout the town. So
head out and enjoy all the rich cultural and fun-filled events of this wonderful Chinese New Year celebration!

As 2010 ushers in the Year of The Tiger, There are plenty of opportunities to celebrate this occasion in epic fashion. Here’s a look at where to go to celebrate Chinese New Year 2010 in Philadelphia.

Chinese New Year Banquet at Joesph Poon Chef Kitchen

Master Chef Joseph Poon is known for his Asian Fusion Cuisine. He prepares fresh meals with simple elegance — and a dash of adventure. From his contemporary and quirky new restaurant, called Chef Kitchen, Chef Poon serves prix fixe meals, custom-designed meals, hosts private events, conducts Wok ‘N Walk Tours of Philadelphia Chinatown and teaches cooking classes. In addition, he leads trips to China and participates in dozens of philanthropic events each year. He recently published the inspirational, autobiographical cookbook, Life is Short…Cooking is Fun.

Join Chef Poon for a traditional 10-course Chinese New Year Banquet to ring in the year of the Tiger. The menu will include the following:

1st Course
Lobster Fresh Mango with French Phyllo Dough Samosa in Tangy Garlic Thai Essence

Second Course
Pan-fried Koa Boo Peking Duck foie gras with Pepper Shallot Dumpling

Third Course
Crispy Peking Duck Bun with Merlot Hoisin Jicama Scallion

Fourth Course
Cream Cheese with Crab Meat Crispy Stingray

Fifth Course
Double happiness Fresh Main Lobster with Pad Thai Noodle in Tangy Chili Garlic Tomato Essence

Sixth Course
Happy Family Union Fresh Basil Seafood Combo crab meat, Canadian Little Necks, Ocean Scallop, Tiger Jumbo Shrimp, New Orleans Crawfish, Jumbo New Zealand Mussels and Crispy Calamari in fresh Ginger Garlic Black Bean essence

Seventh Course
Prosperity Crispy Chilean Sea Bass in Lobster Sauce

Eighth Course
Beef Tenderloin Medallions with Japanese Eggplant in Demi glace Szechuan Garlic Bean Essence

Ninth Course
Healthy General Joe’s White Meat Chicken with Fresh Ginger, Garlic Soy Tangy Sauce

Tenth Course
Indonesian Golden Egg Fried Rice with Bar-B-Q Pork and Shrimp

Eleventh Happy Ending Sweet
Crispy Cinnamon Apple with Marshmallow Polaki, Chocolate and Condensed Milk served with fresh healthy Fruit.

Chinese New Year banquet menu is available Monday to Sunday nights for groups of six or more
January 1st through March 31, 2010
Choice of dinner seating at 5:30 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.

$36.50 per person plus beverages, tax and gratuity
Joseph Poon

Lunar New Year Celebration at Independence Seaport Museum

Celebrate the Year of the Tiger with a host of Asian cultural activities, crafts, demonstrations, and performances. Make a Chinese zodiac necklace, Vietnamese dragon puppet, Japanese “Lucky Cat,” and Korean kite; enjoy demonstrations of origami, calligraphy, and Tai Chi; and watch a spectacular performance of Asian dance, including the exciting lion dance.
Saturday, February 6
12-4 pm; Performance at 2 pm
FREE with Membership or Museum admission.

Chinese New Year Celebration from Media Business Authority

Come on out to State Street during the day to see the annual Media Chinese New Year Parade, February 13th, 11:30am. You can continue the celebration during the evening arts stroll with Margaret Kou’s “Year of the Tiger Gourmet Dinner ” and enjoy Hammered Dulcimer by Heidi Hammel 6:30-9:30pm.

Media is proud to play host to another year-long series of diverse and exciting events. The season begins with the Chinese New Year Celebration in February, and will culminate as always with the New Year’s Eve Celebration & Ball Drop… where else can you ring in the new year with a real ball drop?
Media PA

8th Annual Chinese New Year Celebration at International House

Celebrate The Year of the Tiger at this annual event. With entertainment by Penn Lions, Robert Xue, Ruixiang Chen, Yiming Xue, Gene He + Melina Zhang, Pan-Asian Dance Troup and The Philadelphia Suns along with traditional cuisine. Stay for the Film @ International House screening of Red Heroine (Hong Xia) with Live Musical Score by Devil Music Ensemble.

Celebration only – Free admission IHouse alumni + members; $5 guests; $8 general admission. Film + Celebration – $3 Attache members and above; $10 other members; $15 general admission. In advance at Ticketweb or 1/2 hour before showtime at The Ibrahim Theater Box Office.

Culture and Cuisine

Sponsored by IHP’s Board of Delegates

We should look for someone to eat and drink with before looking for something to eat and drink… Epicurus

Join us for dinner and explore the wonderful diversity and culinary treasures in Philadelphia. Each month we visit an ethnic restaurant for an authentic experience. The restaurant’s host selects our menu and beverages and presents a short overview of the food and culture of the region. Bring your friends and enjoy new tastes from around the world!

Red Heroine (Hong Xia) with Live Musical Score by Devil Music Ensemble – Brendon Wood, electric guitar, lap steel, synthesizer; Jonah Rapino, electric violin, erhu (two string Chinese violin), lapsteel, synthesizer, vibraphone; Tim Nylander, drums, Chinese percussion. Episode six of Red Heroine (aka Red Knight-Errant), the only surviving episode of the 13-part serial, is also one of the few complete and earliest extant silent martial arts films. Made at the height of the martial arts craze of 1920s Shanghai, this lively tale about the rise of a woman warrior features the genre?s characteristic blend of pulp and mystical derring-do. A rampaging army raids a village and kidnaps a maiden, causing the death of the young woman?s grandmother. At the general?s lair, the captive girl faces imminent rape, but is rescued by the mysterious Daoist hermit, White Monkey. Three years later, Yun Mei (Yun Ko in the English intertitles) reemerges as a full-fledged warrior, ready to deploy the magic powers learned from White Monkey to avenge her grandmother?s death. Devil Music Ensemble (DME) began in 1999 as a tool to explore as many facets of musical performance as possible. Based in Boston, DME has been a rock trio, a Eastern European folk band, a 40 piece modern orchestral ensemble, a country music revue, a house band for live theater; and its most recent incarnation, performing original soundtracks for silent film.
International House

Chinese New Year occurs annually around January/February, and 2010 is the Year of the Tiger. Each Chinese Zodiac symbol has different meaning for those born during that year, and for what the year represents. In 2010, the Chinese New Year will be celebrated on February 14th. Both Chinese and non-Chinese alike celebrate with festivities for young and old and this year, the Cultural Center of Taipei Economic and Culture in Chamblee is hosting a two-day event to ring in the new year.

The Tiger, in Chinese astrology – much like the Lion in Western culture and astrology – symbolizes a dynamic force of nature. Strength, fearlessness, generosity, and tending to the home and hearth are among their characteristics. Interestingly, however, the Tiger is also recognized by its symbolic stripes as a “balance” of yin and yang – as can be demonstrated when a “Tiger” may suddenly change course and pick up to travel around the world or make seemingly unpredictable (to others) decisions. Few other signs think on their feet or act on an innate desire for action and adventure like the Tiger does.

Local Atlanta/Chamblee businesses, schools and social organizations will participate in the celebration, February 13-14th, from 10 am to 4 pm. Traditional dragon dance, lion dance and drum performance, authentic Chinese food, music and more will be on hand for all to enjoy. Tickets are $5 per person, which includes a $2 vendor coupon.

For more information, call (770) 451-4456. The Cultural Center of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office is located at 5377 New Peachtree Rd.

Philebrity hosts The Enchantment Under The Sea Dance at 2424 Studios on February 13th

Whether you’re part of a happy couple, or single and cursing the Hallmark Holiday, Valentine’s Day Weekend in Philadelphia is going to lead to a lot of interesting events that are pretty hard to pass up. So here’s a look at what’s going on.

KARAOKE GONG SHOW and ROCK BAND 2: Valentine’s Edition at the Trocadero Balcony

Hosted by Skeletor. Sing your fav karaoke songs (we have over 6,000 titles) but beware, Skeletor may gong you before you are through! Plus ROCK BAND 2 on XBOX 360! We have a full band (4 player) set up that’s hooked up to the Troc’s full-size movie screen! Drink specials all night long!
Friday February 12 doors 10:30pm / age 21+ / FREE ADMISSION
The Trocadero Calendar

Enchantment Under The Sea Dance at 2424 Studios

Hosted by Philebrity. Hey everybody: We know y’all are staring down a Valentine’s Day this year where there is a real chance that you will be broke and/or alone. For that reason, we have just booked our first-ever Enchantment Under The Sea Dance on Saturday, February 13th at 2424 Studios — based of course on the legendary dance held in the greatest American movie of the last 50 years, Back To The Future. There will be ocean-themed decorations; there will be (spiked) punch; there will be prom pictures; and if there’s a clock tower to be saved at midnight, you can bet we’re gonna try and save it. All in all, this will be a low-cost ADULT PROM that you can take your sweetie to (or find a new a one), and best of all, hot off the heels of their way-sold-out JB’s show, Philebrity Label’s own Blood Feathers will be the house band, playing old time rock ‘n’ roll, with a DJ spinning oldies in between sets. Who knows? Maybe even Marvin Berry will show up. Brought to you by Philebrity, Pabst Blue Ribbon and 2424 Studios.
$10 for stag, $15 per couple. February 13th, 2010 9pm-2am 21+
Enchantment Under the Sea Dance

‘Til Death Do Us Part: The Love Stories of Laurel Hill at Laurel Hill Cemetary

Love and Death…The preferred subjects of poets and philosophers across eras and oceans…Subjects intertwined in their great mystery, in their power to inspire, to destroy, and to change our worlds forever. Some may contend that Death cannot bring an end to true Love, while others deem only Love itself to be colder, more unforgiving than Death. The love stories of Laurel Hill are as varied as the hearts from which they have sprung…Hearts no longer intact, though perhaps still beating…for someone…somewhere. Join Laurel Hill in honoring the “spirit” of Valentines’ Day for The Love Stories of Laurel Hill, a walking tour of Laurel Hill Cemetery to take place on Saturday, February 13th at 4 pm. The event will be guided by Gwen Kaminski, the cemetery’s Director of Development and Programs. While many of the stories we’ll hear may certainly warm our hearts, the rest of our appendages will be subject to the stone-cold of a cemetery winter. Please dress appropriately. Red wine and sultry bites will warm your flesh afterwards.
February 13, 2010 $25/person
‘Til Death Do Us Part

Watson Adventures’ Naked at the Philadelphia Art Museum Scavenger Hunt – Valentine’s Day

Special Valentine’s Day Weekend Events! Join Watson Adventures on a unique scavenger hunt and take an unblushing look at nudity in art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. You’ll scrutinize paintings, sculptures, period rooms, extra-large bathers, a sultry sea monster, saints with shocking piercings, and a Peeping Tom who discovers a new meaning for the term “stag party.” No knowledge of art, or nudity, is required.
February 13-February 14, 2010 $38.50, which includes museum admission
Watson’s Adventures

Valentine’s Aphrodisiac Dinner Event with City Food Tours

Treat your sweetheart to a seductive yet light-hearted dinner event one block north of Old City, in Northern Liberties! During this 2.5-hour, fun-filled dinner event, you will: Tantalize your tastebuds with a delicious 3-course, casual dinner loaded with ingredients that can get you in the mood, including a complimentary glass of wine, chocolate truffles, and much more; Learn all about the sexy science behind the foods you’ll be tasting; Enjoy entertaining games where you compete for prizes. This dinner event also includes a lively cooking demo by Cafe Estelle’s acclaimed Owner and Head Chef Marshall Green. He’ll prepare a delicious and easy dish loaded with aphrodisiacs–sure to get your motor running! Best of all, you’ll get to taste it! The entire dinner event will take place in the dining room of Cafe Estelle. Make your honey feel extra special by pre-ordering a sweet box of cookie hearts! Each box contains one vanilla and one chocolate shortbread heart cookie with almond royal icing. Artists from Whipped Bakeshop decorate the cookies by hand, so each one is unique. The cookie hearts are just over 3″ each and come individually wrapped, tied with bows and nestled in festive tissue.
February 12-February 13, 2010 $59 per person; pre-ordered sweet box of cookie hearts (for your sweetheart!) available for an additional cost.
City Food Tours

Q-Licious at German Society of Pennsylvania

See previous CultureMob Listing for more. The Fifth Annual Q love fest will feature the Giovanna Robinson Latin Band, a Petticoat Pageant, the Annual Q Awards and of course, Giant Puppets. Go to www.spiralq.org to reserve tickets, give a gift in honor of Q awardees, learn more about the Top Philly Dates Auction, and for details about entering the Pageant!
February 13, 2010 Pair of tickets for $100, One ticket for $65
Spiral Q Puppet Theater

Ride the Love Train – Philadelphia’s Unique Valentine’s Day Experience

Get on board the Love Train – a privately-chartered, slow-speed, guided El train tour of the 50 love-themed rooftop murals that make up the Love Letter. This once-in-a-lifetime special event is sure to impress and will be followed by a private reception at SEPTA’s Grand Mezzanine (1234 Market Street) with hors d’oeuvres and champagne. Departs from LOVE Park, Fairmount Park Visitors Center, 16th Street and JFK Blvd.

The Love Train is a collaboration between the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts
February 14, 2010 Tickets are $40 per person or $75 per couple. Space is limited and reservations are required.
Love Letter
Love Train

Vegan Valentine’s Dance and Drinks at Dark Horse

Presenting Philadelphia’s first-ever Vegan Valentine’s Dance and Drinks event! Featuring DJ and dancing, drink specials (all drinks $1 off!) and delicious vegan appetizers available, and occupying two connected private party rooms! Meet and mingle with sexy vegetarians and vegans, bring a date, or just come to get your dance on and hang out with friends! Just $10 gets you in and gets you the drink specials, with all money collected going to The Humane League of Philadelphia’s life-saving work for animals! Come share the love – Saturday, February 13th!
February 13-February 14, 2010 $10
Vegan Valentine

XPN Welcomes Rufus Wainwright at The Borgata

Affectionately referred to by Elton John as “the greatest songwriter on the planet” and praised by The New York Times for his “genuine originality,” Rufus Wainwright has established himself as one of the great male vocalists and songwriters of his generation. He is the son of folk singers Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, and brother of Martha Wainwright but Rufus has achieved his success by carving out his own singular sound in the worlds of rock, opera, theater, dance and film.
February 14, 2010 $65
Rufus Wainwright
event listing
The One You Love

Fast, Cheap and Outta Control at Fluid Nightclub

The perfect club event for if you’re single and looking to take care of the Hallmark Holiday doldrums in style. Psydde Delicious’ FAST, CHEAP & OUT OF CONTROL is Philadelphia’s original rock ‘n’ roll, amateur go-go party. Long before the slews of imitators there was Fast Cheap… the dirty grandfather of the Philly punk rock and Rock & Roll party! Drink specials include $1 pbr’s before midnight, $2 after $2 lagers before midnight $3 Jager shots before midnight, and $4 lager & shot of Jim Beam all night long!
Every Sunday with DJ MAJOR WOOD 10pm / $5
Fluid Nightclub
Fast, Cheap and Outta Control

Just when you thought public transportation was still safe, here come the DC Defenestrators to ruin your day.

That old Improv Everywhere flashmob chestnut — known to Washingtonians as the No Pants Metro Ride — will be marking its third anniversary in the nation’s capitol this January 10th. But first a bunch of strangers will need to get together to “act completely casual or unknowing that [their] pants are missing.”

The target of this year’s festivities — L’Enfant Plaza Station at 7th and D Sts. SW — was chosen well before the recent Christmas Day “underwear bomber” incident, but it’s actually proven quite fortuitous as it happens to be, I dunno, a hundred yards or so from the Department of Transportation. Got to love it when well-planned irony inadvertently gets more ironic.

Willing participants should congregate — with pants — at 3 pm at C St. Park before disrobing in the Metro entrance below. As always, there is an open call out for photographers and videographers looking to document the happening and, post-Pants Ride, Dupont’s Cobalt nightclub will be hosting an after party for all unknowing collaborators. Get the whole skinny (and probably some cellulite too) right here.

For more on the world that’s coming in 2010, read up on the CultureMob blog or follow us on Twitter.

Per the marketing juggernaut behind the DVD release of The Hangover, the Arlington Cinema N Drafthouse is offering a free New Year’s Day screening of 2009’s number one, hard R hit comedy. But you’ll need to be a bona fide follower of the Drafthouse’s newly minted Twitter account to make it in for what their calling “National Hangover Day.”

Early tomorrow morning, the Drafthouse will tweet a password and admit the first 75 customers who show first come, first serve style. As an extra added bonus for Hangover Day traditionalists, the venue says the first 10 people who in their pajamas or sweatpants will get a bag full of Hangover-branded swag.

Warner Bros. has pulled out all the stops to create a little New Year’s sales synergy for their modestly budgeted mega-hit that could. This is just one of dozens of similar events taking place on January 1st, care of the move giant (folks outside of the DC area can find the nearest participating venue here) and created a fistful of parody PSAs from the films supporting cast members, including Rob Riggle, Rachael Harris and The Dan Band, along with director Todd Phillips.

None of of whom will actually be in attendance tomorrow — but at least the movie’s free and the beer will be cold. Happy New Year all.

For more on DC arts and nightlife in 2010, follow us too on Twitter or check out the rest of the CultureMob blog.

New Year's Eve fireworks at the Space Needle

And if you’ really want to go but don’t know what to do with the kids, the Pacific Science Center is having a New Year’s Eve Sleepover from 7 pm to 9 am January 1st for kids in grades 2 through 6. “Fill your final hours of 2009 with blasts of fiery science, illuminating experiments and an explosively amazing race through hidden passageways and mysterious obstacles. When the sky is ablaze with the Space Needle fireworks show you’ll have the best view in town!”

If you have the “been there, done that” attitude a lot of us have, or just want to spend New Year’s Eve in Seattle wearing something a little less bulky than a parka, you have plenty of options.

CAKE is holding at concert at the Moore Theatre and Minus The Bear will be holding court at the Showbox at the Market with The Lonely Forest and Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground thanks to KEXP. And really, almost every area club has something going on. The following is just a sample.

The Ian McFeron Band at the Conor Byrne Pub
The Stevedores and Guns and Rossetti at the Skylark Cafe & Club
Fall of Troy at El Corazon

So, ok, you want something different. Don’t fret, there are events for you too.

Benaroya Hall has a New Year’s Eve Concert, Countdown and Celebration that starts with the Seattle Symphony and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony featuring “Ode to Joy,” and ends with a midnight countdown and a salsa orchestra.

Disco anyone? You don’t have to be a member of the Columbia Tower Club to attend their annual New Years in the Sky Celebration, it will just cost you a little more. This year’s theme is Disco Ball and features a palm reader, tarot reader, photo booth and a disco band. You can see the fireworks from the Club.

You can have glogg, Swedish pancakes and champagne at the Swedish Cultural Center, with plenty of music, dancing and meatballs.

EMP is holding a big bash, called Indulgence 2010 at the EMP. Three dance floors, four entertainment areas, 25 bars, comedians and much more.

If you’re in a more contemplative mood, St. James Cathedral will be holding a New Year’s Eve Gala Concert starting at 11 pm.

Looking for a little humor? For the 7th year in a row, Jet City Improv will be throwing its New Years Eve Extravaganza starting at 8 pm in the Historic University Theater in the U District. They invite you to “join us at this all-ages event for an end-of-the-year comedy show, hot hors d’oeuvres… dessert by The Confectional, Satellite feeds from different time zones each hour, champagne toast at midnight with the Space Needle fireworks on our big screen, a party after midnight, two cash bars, and more!”

Failing all of the above you can always stay home, gather some friends, tune the TV to the celebrations and open a bottle or ten of champagne. Hard to go wrong with that.

Come Christmas season or an all too soon birthday, chances are that gift card from grandma has already depreciated in value (thank you, monthly maintenance charges, “offer not valid in” exclusions, and the like). Not so at CultureMob favorite, the H Street Country Club. For this week only, all $50 HSCC gift certificates are going for half off — giving you and yours twice the purchasing power once you’ve come calling for mini-golf and margaritas.

Late minute shopping alert is right. Here’s what the HSCC’s partner in gift giving, LivingSocial.com, have to say on the matter:

Who says you can’t play golf in the winter? For just $25, you can get $50 to spend on food, drinks, and games (including indoor mini golf) at the hippest country club in town, H Street Country Club. An Editor’s Pick in Washington Post’s Going Out Guide, HSCC is one of the most innovative concepts in Washington. And all for 50% off with today’s LivingSocial Deal!

Buy in for a deal on your bar tab here.

For the rest of the beat that’s fit to tweet, follow us on Twitter or check out the rest of the CultureMob blog.