Dinner and a ???

PhilaCulturati is a website that started about a month ago. I have to admit that I didn't give it much of a second glance when it originally was launched. I recently gave it a second look. I must admit that it's a pretty cool idea. The site pairs cultural and arts events with dining establishments in the area. Sometimes there are deals or coupons. If going to a new neighborhood, it saves you from having to ask where to eat (if you hate talking to people as much as I do, this is a great feature). Even for those familiar with the neighborhood, it offers some nice ideas so you're not always eating at the same spot. Visually it leaves a bit to be desired, but don't let that deter you. It's really worth exploring.

The Devil and SEPTA, or February 20th, 2009

A post by the lovely and wonderful Stephanie Dellavalentina--our newest contributor. Amazing.

So I’m waiting for the bus this morning- bundled up to my eyeholes and hunching against the 12 degrees of whipping awful- when I realize that I’m at the stop early. My breakfast at Vincenzo’s took no time at all and was peacefully cooling in my purse, leaving me ten minutes to spare before the bus. I thought about going home for a minute to warm up, oddly enough the 9th Street bus- which is rarely on time- is early and already down at about Snyder Ave. I take it as Omen: Good and wait. Sipping my tea I was blissfully ignorant that it was really Omen: Richard Donner. Thus began my morning with SEPTA and The Devil.

For your edification: the 9th Street bus is a boutique route. It comes occasionally, stops when it wants to, and really is only present to serve the little old Italian ladies who can’t make it up to 11th or down to 7th. There is a small handful of us who have figured out that the first run of the day gets you into Center City at 9am (give or take) and opt for rouletting it on 9th rather than subjecting ourselves to the horror that is 7th. I can step out my front door and be at the stop, and my office is half a block away on the back end. Despite the unreliability, I love this line.

This morning I noticed right away the large number of new faces occupying the prime real estate that is the elevated rear of the bus. I opt for second best and take up the bank directly opposite the rear doors, and with that decision get a front row seat to the bout.

As the bus rolls through the Italian Market. A passenger requests the next stop and waits at the back door, calling out to the driver. The bus genuflects, lets a woman out the front, takes on another passenger, and rises, preparing to pull away. The guy waiting at the back door calls for the back door again. It plays out something like this:

Guy: “BACK DOOR! YO MAN, CAN I GET THE BACK DOOR?!”

Driver: “Front door:”

Guy: “YO MAN- BAAACK DOOOOR!!! BACK DOOR!”

Driver: “FRONT DOOR.”

I wonder WTF this is all about and curse the early morning pissing contest. I then realize exactly what is going on. The bus is stopped in the Italian Market, meaning there is limited space to maneuver. Looking out the windows on the back door I realize that the back doors are directly next to a burn barrel and flames are licking up the side of the bus. I think I saw one squeeze in the opening between the accordion doors. I then appreciate that the dude in front of me could only be seeing the same thing that I was- if he walked out the back door he’d be walking into fire.

Devil: “MAN, I SAID BACK DOOR!!!”

Driver: “You can come on out the front.”

Devil: (looking longingly at flame): “Ok, ok… I’m not trying to fight today.”

Devil: (under breath) “You’re gonna get your due, though. Tell you that.”

Ok, so the longing look part is embellishment, but the rest is truth- hand to god. He muttered that last part in my direction, shook his head, and walked to the front.

So The Devil gets off the bus and we continue through the Market. Driver is still worked up, so when we get to Christian and there’s a truck blocking part of the street, Driver forgets his responsibility as a SEPTA bus driver. Instead of sticking his head out the window, yelling, and laying on the horn until the other driver is enraged or embarrassed into moving or hustling, Driver whips the bus down Christian.

And the Devil got his due. 7th- cars parked. Nowhere to turn. 5th- blocked off by PGW. 3rd- no dice. I think that’s where Moyamensing comes in and makes that weird triangle. So the 9th Street bus is now forced all the way down to the Delaware River. Front Street did not provide any more opportunity. It wasn’t until Lombard that we were able to right our course. By this time the riders were restless. If you don’t know Philly- I will educate you. The next to last place you want to be is on SEPTA with a bunch of angry mugs. The absolute last place you want to be is in the shoes of the guy causing the frustration.

By the time I got off the bus (oddly on time- because we didn’t have to stop and do all that, y’know, superfluous picking up and dropping off of passengers), Driver had lost much of his swagger. His crap face was gone; left behind was a thin film of sweat and fear. I shouldered my bag and debarked. The cold of the wind hurting my exposed grin, I shook my head and walked to the office.

Man, I always thought The Devil WAS SEPTA, but he’s droppin’ tokens just like the rest of us.Next up- Encounters With

Extraterrestrials In ACME. They’re out there. You know it…

and Scene...

I am not much of a dancer. Really, I'm not at all a dancer. If forced, I can be dragged onto a dance floor and ridiculously attempt to move to the music, but truth be told, I would much rather park my ass on a bar stool than shake it on the dance floor. My lady, on the other hand, has recently remembered that she loves to dance. This started when we ended up at a queer dance party called Fuse for a friends birthday. I didn't hate it and she loved it. She is now on the quest for every possible Lesbian Dance Party she can find. Thus, when we were reading through our trusty South Philly Review last week and found a story about an upcoming party, she couldn't wait to try it. The party was held at Vesuvio, which is a bar located in the Italian Market/Bella Vista area. I'd been there before for a glass of wine with my parents, but I had never seen it like this. It was packed with queer folks from all walks of life. According to estimates, over 400 people came out. There were the Northeast Philly Dykes, the Cherry Hill Lesbians, the West Philly Queers and the list goes on and on. Ages ranged from 21 to 60. There were girls, boys and a few of us inbetween folks. At first it felt a little chaotic, but upon reflection I have to say that I just don't think they were prepared for this wave of party starved queer folk that rolled in that night. I know they had some music troubles and the bar was understaffed which left everyone there seeming a little on edge. I am sure it will thin out a bit as time goes on, and hopefully it won't be quite the crazy drunken booze fest it was since a lot of folks there were pretty angry drunks (I believe i got called a fat fuckin' homo by some girl who later tried to bum a smoke from me.) Still, I think the diversity was great and just goes to show how starved queer people are in this city for something to do. Although it was more of a jostle party than a dance party, I think I would definitely go back. The entertainment value of the people watching was definitely worth it. Also--props to the $2 PBR's.

Click here to see some photos from the event.

Upcoming exhibition

Dear Friends, Please join me:

Eli J. VandenBerg: Prints and Drawings

Opening Reception: January 9, 2009, 6-8pm

The William Way GLBT Community Center

1315 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA

Work will be on view January 5 – February 27, 2009

On view will be prints and drawings from the last five years including work from the Passing Series, Body in Progress and brand new images of Philadelphia from the Place and Home series. Please email me for more information or send me your address if you'd like to receive a postcard for the show.

The curse of Billy Penn

If you've ever watched a Philadelphia sports team blow a championship you've undoubtedly heard about it. In the late 70's and early 80's Philadelphia was a city of champions with the Eagles making a Superbowl appearance, the Flyers winning the Stanley Cup and the Phillies bringing home a World Series Title. Then, in 1987, a gentleman's agreement that had stood since the city's founding was broken and Liberty One and Two extended above the head of the city's founding father. For 20 years these beacons have stood as the tallest points in the city until now. This past year the Comcast Center topped the Liberty buildings and upon the top they placed the hopes that the city will once again win a title.

From the Phillie's Official Website:

Liberty Property Trust, the center's builder, made an effort to mollify the sports gods by affixing a 25-inch statue of William Penn to the structure's highest point. The Penn statue -- albeit a much smaller one than the official City Hall statue -- is once again enjoying the top perch in the city. It was all part of the plan, said Jeanne Leonard, a spokeswoman for Liberty Property Trust.
"To reinforce that the building would lift whatever curse there is, we decided that he would take his rightful place at the top of the city again," Leonard said.

I never thought I'd be giving any praise to Comcast, but this is fantastic.

Pheeling the Pheaver for the Phlaver of the Phillies

To be a true phan, everything "F" must be replaced with a "PH." In the interest of public service I will now recommend places to watch the remainder of the world series.

Sidecar: 22nd and Christian

Good beer, good food but a little pricy for my tastes and not close to my house. When I was there they had the game on, but only a portion of the patrons were actually interested. No smoking (this isn't a value judgement, just a fact). Probably the best spot in the area, but not my favorite.

1601: 1601 south 10th street (at Tasker)

1601 opened a few years ago, probably as a part of the East Passyunk Crossing renaissance. It's a nice place with great beer--many deliciously on tap. Prices are reasonable and happy hour is a great deal. The food went downhill for a while, but the old chef is back and it's on the upswing. Highlights are 25 cent wings on Sunday--not only a great deal but the best wings I think I've ever had. It generally doesn't get too crowded, but if it does it can be a pain in the ass. It's not a very long bar and there is only one smallish TV. The seats are really uncomfortable. You can't smoke inside, which is good and bad, but you can see the TV from the door. All in all, decent if you want good beer and good food but can get a little annoying if you want a little dirt and a comfortable seat.

Rays Happy Birthday Bar: Passyunk and Federal (Near Geno's and Pats)

A depression-Era south philly tavern which got it's name from owner Ray Capozzoli always greeting patrons with "Happy Birthday" when the walked in the door. There's no food at the bar but plenty to eat in the neighborhood including not so good pizza at J&J's, expensive alright Mexican, and Racist cheese steaks at Gino's. All that within a 10 foot radius. If you want to extend to a 20 foot radius you can also hit Pats.

The bar itself is nice good. A sufficiently surly bartender who treats you right if you're not an asshole. The beer is decent--Philadelphia Brewing Company if you want to be a little fancy, PBR is $2.50 if you're on the cheep. You can smoke inside which is nice when you're drunk but you definitely leave smelling like an ashtray. The TV is big and loud and so are the patrons for the most part. The only complaint is the occasional crowd of hipsters that wonder in. Thankfully the Phillies Fans by far outnumbered them. All in all, a nice open room to watch the game with friends.

Bonnies Capistrano Bar: 13th and Dickenson

I'd have to say this was my favorite spot. $2-$3 draft pints of lager, highlife, bud light and miller light. Fancier beer in bottles if that's your preference. It was pretty empty but everyone there was friendly and excited. There's not generally food, but sometimes they make stuff. Even cooler--they have a whole stack of menus and allow you to just order your own meal from the wealth of take out options in the area. There's three TV's so you won't miss a play. You can smoke inside and in this instance we had the whole back room to ourselves. Excellent.

and finally...

My House: Tree Street

They ran out of beer, you have to make the food yourself, you can't smoke inside unless you're really drunk and don't want to get up and the Phillies lost. Although generally a lovely place for a gathering, in this instance it is not recommended.

never mind

Our attempt at nature was a bust. Montgomery County Community College, which seven years ago was in the middle of a lovely patch of nowhere, is now surrounded by awful subdivisions. Linnvilla Orchards was a mad house--full of all the people i was trying to escape. The craft show was mainly a crapt show and none of the people I actually wanted to buy stuff from where there. Michael was very dissapointed as they were also severely lacking in pipe cleaner art. There were a few bright spots on the craft show front. Jungwhon Joo does amazing enameled jewelry and will be at a craft show later on in November in Chestnut Hill. She has no website, but i will try to post the information here. There were also some nice ceramics including one woman that draws beautiful chinese drawings on rice bowls and my favorite--the butter bell--but at that point we had had enough. The major upside to the day was that everything i ate on Sunday was served on a stick. Hurray.