The band Marah has been known to say things like, "Philly's just like any other place. Only 1000 times better." We couldn't agree more. Sure, the Bielanko brothers may have moved their rock ‘n’ roll band (Nick Hornby’s favorite) to New York, but they bring a Philly attitude wherever they go. Case in point: they’re headlining "A Night of Phidelity" at Brooklyn’s North Six bar. Phidelity features Philly bands Slo-Mo, The Shalitas, Adam &... [continue]

Long before music encouraged us to drink Bacardi like it's our birthday, appropriate Birthday music sounded more like... well, Bach. And for the next 10 days, Philadelphians will be celebrating the legendary composer's birthday with myriad musical activities. Bach Festival Week, which starts today and runs through March 26, celebrates Johann with events ranging from a vocal competition to a birthday party for kids to a concert at the Kimmel Center. This year's Festival -... [continue]

Amidst the nonstop Christmas carols, it's easy to forget that some Philadelphians won't be decorating the tree or waiting for an unknown fat stranger to pop in through a chimney. There's still lots to do around Philly for those who celebrate Chanukah, or if the chimney thing just totally creeps you out. Phillyist presents our short list of Chanukah events around Philadelphia: Musical Chanukah Jdub records' approach to Chanukah is "if you don't have a... [continue]

Sure, the Christmas tunes and decorations have already started. But if you're still looking to give thanks, you're in good company. Tuba Christmas hits Philly this weekend! Since 1974, groups of tuba players have gathered in December to give thanks to those who appreciate the tuba. Essentially a large Christmas carol concert by lay tuba players, Tuba Christmas unites the holiday spirit with that plodding brass instrument. Tuba christmas events are held all over... [continue]

The Kimmel Center, that bastion of good taste and excessive use of glass on the Avenue of the Arts, opens its doors to all this November. Their Free in the Plaza! festival brings classical, jazz, world music, and dance to the people without the heart attack-inducing prices. On Sunday, November 13, Svitanya, an Eastern European Women's Vocal Ensemble, will “evoke the spirit of traditional village music” with a cappella songs sung in their original languages.... [continue]

Does going to the orchestra give you the creeps? It will on Monday. The Philadelphia Orchestra presents its annual Halloween concert, replete with scarily dressed orchestra members and “creepy classics.” Drag queen Carlota Ttendant, a regular at Gay BINGO, hosts. Carlota joins her fellow members of Philly’s good-time, badly-behaved Big Mess Vaudevillians, making the show anything but stuffy. Rossen Milanov conducts excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, Stravinsky’s Suite from The Firebird, Humperdinck’s "Witch's Ride," from... [continue]

Waiting to hear award show results? They might not be the Oscars, but the Barrymore Awards, Philadelphia theatre’s answer to the Tonys, were announced last Monday. Both Philadelphia Theatre Company and the Arden did remarkably well this year, each scooping an Outstanding Production award. PTC won Outstanding Production of a Play for their touching rendition of Take Me Out, the Broadway smash about a gay baseball player’s coming out (and did we mention everyone gets... [continue]

With Halloween just a few weeks away, it's time to face facts: you need a costume. No more wearing an overcoat and calling yourself a flasher, or not dressing up and saying you're a disgruntled graduate student. It's time to admit that you want to be the belle of the (costume) ball, and for that, you need a great outfit. Enter Pierre's Costumes on Third Street. Pierre's Costumes is one of those original Philly... [continue]

This weekend, artists in the City of Brotherly Love will begin a series of benefit events for victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Fringe Festival Cabaret will host the first event, a FREE show featuring Fringe favorites the Brothers Suggarillo with Dito van Reigersberg, Dirty Diamond, Rich Wexler, BINGO, Lidia Kaminska, and more. Wait, wait – free? Fundraiser? Yup. And get this – one of the ways this fundraiser will raise money is by getting... [continue]

Yesterday, Phillyist gave you a taste of the Philadelphia Live Arts and Philly Fringe Festivals. There's lots more to say about the Live Arts and Fringe, as they offer some of the most exciting arts events that you’ll see in Philly all year. The festivals are chock full of outrageous and insightful performances and happenings – even if you generally eschew live theatre, dance, and music, we guarantee you’ll find something you’ll love. This week,... [continue]

In every relationship, there comes a point where you need to, as some of our local friends say, "go Amish or go home." It's a Seinfeldian comment about commitment: going to Pennsylvania Dutch country marks a turning point in the relationship. Something about seeing aprons, homemade donuts, and a complete lack of zippers whispers, "I'm ready to get serious." Now, the Classy Date (tm) realizes that you might not be at that delicate relationship... [continue]

You snag a date with that hot bartender; she gets four numbers the same night. You hit a triple at the company softball game; he scores the winning runs. Sure, we're all about the brotherly love, but sometimes your best friend can be the last person you want around. Philly's hilarious 1812 Productions tackles this painfully funny topic in a FREE reading of Itamar Moses' comedy The Four of Us tonight. The Four of Us... [continue]

This weekend, treat your date to some flavor from across the world – and across the river. Taking your date to the other side of the Schyukill may not sound like the setting of a Classy Date (tm), but we assure you that proving you know hot spots on both sides of the river can earn you major date points. The White Dog Cafe's Thirteenth Annual Noche Latina Block Party is a chance to show... [continue]

The latest New York magazine has a feature on cheap eats in the Big Apple... with a special article about Philly cheesesteaks. That's right - New Yorkers are hungry for cheesesteaks, and several sandwich places have popped up in New York claiming to offer the real thing. According to the article, New York cheesesteaks are just as good as their Philly counterparts - though the authors give the Tony Luke's Manhattan outpost a mere 2.5... [continue]

So maybe you went out last Wednesday, Wednesday being the new Saturday, and perhaps you met someone special in between drinks at Striped Bass... or just someone worthy of a few hours of your company. And maybe you want to take them out and act all classy before they figure out that your idea of a good time actually involves air conditioning, your underwear, two six packs of Yuengling and the weekend marathon of Best... [continue]

With a motto like "spread it," we knew that Philth magazine would come on the scene with a bang. Part Paper, part Maxim, Philth gives you the heads-up on where to go and what to wear with an American Apparel-esque sexiness. In their third free issue, the intrepid reporters conquer Philly neighborhoods, one stiletto at a time. From buying sausages in South Philly to um, enjoying some outdoor sports in Love Park, Philth takes readers... [continue]

You've read On the Road. You spend excessive amounts of time looking for high school crushes on Friendster, Myspace, and the Facebook. Ever thought of combining these two hobbies? Two twenty-something Philly artists are taking their show on the road: they'll be making a documentary about relationships in the information age to be filmed on a cross-country road trip called Roadorama. Since making art costs money, they're throwing a fundraiser tonight that looks pretty... [continue]

In this corner, with some of our favorite seasonal beers, Stoudt's! And in this corner, the hometown champ from Philly, Yards! Never thought you'd see beer competing in a wrestling-inspired match, didja? The Royal Stumble's come through for you, my friend: from 1 to 5 pm on Saturday, July 9, brewers from Stoudt's, Yards, Sly Fox, Flying Fish, Independence, Dogfish Head, and more meet at Nodding Head for an all-out bottle. The brewery whose keg... [continue]

Last summer, some friends of ours - let's call them "Mom and Dad" - went to a concert celebrating a variety of Jewish artists. They thought they were going to see a klezmer band. But the show was running late, and what they saw instead was Matisyahu, a Hasidic Reggae artist. Sound a little odd? Mom and Dad were surprised too... at how good he was. Matisyahu’s rap skills are outstanding, and while his... [continue]

The 11th Annual Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival opens today with a plethora of new films that are funny, poignant, campy, and inspirational. Props to Philly's vibrant film community for ensuring a place for independent film of all kinds in our fair city. The in-depth character studies and universal themes of love, hope and identity in the PIGLFF films are sure to make even the most curmudgeonly dates whisper, "pass the tissues,... [continue]