PhilaCulturati

The Seafarer at the Arden Theatre, 40 N 2nd St., 1/2 price tickets May 14th – 19th. Call 215.922.1122 or visit the box office and mention PhilaCulturati.

10% off dinner at Bistro 7. 7 N 3rd St. Mention PhilaCulturati and Arden Theatre tickets. http://www.bistro7restaurant.com/index.html

The Seafarer On a booze-filled, Christmas Eve in Ireland, a group of misfits get more than they bargained for in a high-stakes game of poker. This hauntingly comedic story challenges the ghosts of the characters’ pasts, aptly played by a cast including Greg Wood (Opus, Wittenberg), William Zielinski (Winesburg, Ohio), and Anthony Lawton (A Prayer for Owen Meany). The Seafarer was nominated for four Tony® Awards during its recent run on Broadway. Mention PhilaCulturati when you call the box office and receive 50% off the ticket price (May 14th – 19th). 215.922.1122

Where am I? Welcome to Old City or Historic Philadelphia. And yes, from the name you can deduce that this is where it all began. Independence Hall is just blocks away at 6th and Chestnut Streets, as is the Liberty Bell. This neighborhood is fascinating it contains the most “historic square mile in the US,” alongside some of the city’s best nightclubs, restaurants and cultural destinations. Easy to access with the El on Market St (stops at 5th and 2nd Streets), Septa busses, and the Phlash Bus. There is metered street parking along Front St and lots throughout the neighborhood.

Bistro 7 Chef/Owner Michael O’Halloran (formerly of Fork and the White Dog Café) relies on local, organic farmers to create the eclectic American menu at Bistro 7. Its chic, minimalist atmosphere and quality entrees, have made it an award-winning BYOB. You’ll want to try the 5 course, $35 Chef’s Tasting Menu, available Tuesday through Thursday, or order from Dinner Menu.

Camelot at Plays and Players, 1714 Delancey St, 1/2 price tickets (full price tickets range from $25-$30). Use code “Culturati” online. May 20th through June 6th.

Pre-fixe dinner at La Fontana della Citta at 1701 Spruce St. Details soon.

It’s the celebrated, chivalrous story of a knight, the sword in the stone, a roundtable and the time-honored characters King Arthur, Lancelot and Lady Guinevere. In this Lerner & Loewe musical version, which first debuted on Broadway in 1960, the hope, the romance and, of course, the melodies live on. Directed by Lance Moore, Camelot stars Ray Croce as King Arthur and Victoria Frings as Guinevere.

WHERE AM I? Welcome to Rittenhouse Square, one of the oldest, most established residential neighborhoods in Philadelphia. Complete with posh bars and restaurants, classy stores and designer boutiques, art galleries, small museums and the Plays and Players Theatre. Its easy to access by bus (the 12, 42, 9 and 21 all run along Walnut St), or parking is available in garages (try Sansom between 16th and 15th) or further south for street parking.

Something Intangible at the Arden Theatre, 40 N 2nd St., $5 off the ticket price (excluding Saturdays). 215.922.1122. Runs through June 7th, 2009.

10% off dinner at Bistro 7. 7 N 3rd St. Mention PhilaCulturati and Arden Theatre tickets. http://www.bistro7restaurant.com/index.html

Something Intangible Its Hollywood in the early 1940’s and two brothers, who are polar opposite, run a movie studio together. Loosely based on Walt and Roy Disney, the brothers’ studio becomes famous for its cartoon dog, Petey Pup (wonder where the inspiration came from). One brother is artsy and creative-minded and loves to dream big; the other is good at management, finances and keeping the duo’s heads above water. The brothers are played by Scott Greer and Ian Merrill Peakes, who were last seen together at the Arden in Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead. Something Intangible, written by celebrated Philadelphia playwright Bruce Graham runs through June 7, 2009. Mention PhilaCulturati when you call the box office and receive $5 off the ticket price (excluding Saturdays). 215.922.1122

Where am I? Welcome to Old City or Historic Philadelphia. And yes, from the name you can deduce that this is where it all began. Independence Hall is just blocks away at 6th and Chestnut Streets, as is the Liberty Bell. This neighborhood is fascinating it contains the most “historic square mile in the US,” alongside some of the city’s best nightclubs, restaurants and cultural destinations. Easy to access with the El on Market St (stops at 5th and 2nd Streets), Septa busses, and the Phlash Bus. There is metered street parking along Front St and lots throughout the neighborhood.

Bistro 7 Chef/Owner Michael O’Halloran (formerly of Fork and the White Dog Café) relies on local, organic farmers to create the eclectic American menu at Bistro 7. Its chic, minimalist atmosphere and quality entrees, have made it an award-winning BYOB. You’ll want to try the 5 course, $35 Chef’s Tasting Menu, available Tuesday through Thursday, or order from Dinner Menu.

First Person Arts’ Story Slam @ L’Etage Cabaret, 6th and Bainbridge. Doors open at 7:30, slam starts at 8:30. $8 21+.

DINNER:  Little Fish, 6th and Catharine St. Reservations recommended, 215-413-3464.

Comical, entertaining and inspiring, First Person Arts’ StorySlams blend open mic comedy with performance art. What is a ‘Story Slam?’ Much like a poetry slam, a story slam is an open competition for people to tell their stories drawn from real life occurrences, performed sans-script, in front of a live audience. Each month has a different theme such as “bad ideas,” “I think we’re alone now,” or “baggage”.

Nestled on the border of Queen’s Village and Bella Vista neighborhoods, L’Etage Cabaret is an awesome venue for these performances. Directly above Beau Monde Creperie, on the northwest corner (think: to your right if you’re walking down 6th from South St) the entrance is marked with a tile mosaic, just after the Creperie’s outdoor seating. During the StorySlam, L’Etage will be offering $4 well drinks.

Still not sure what a story slam is? Check out some of last year’s performances on YouTube:

Make a night of it! Two blocks south from L’Etage at 6th and Catharine, is one of the best, most affordable seafood restaurants you will ever find. Period. AND it’s BYOB! The aptly named Little Fish is a small restaurant run by chef/owner Mike Stollernwerk and his wife, Marilyn. The almost one-room restaurant is open to the kitchen where you can see your fresh fish being prepared to order. Stollernwerk does incredible things with mahi mahi, diver scallops, skate, even surf and turf. And don’t get caught up in just the entrees, the calamari and mussels are superb starters, side dishes are paired with their entrees to perfection (butternut squash, braised collards, sweet potatoe puree), and I’ll be drooling on my keyboard as I list the desserts…star anise creme brulee, chocolate truffle torte… [sigh].

Please do make reservations, as the small restaurant fills quickly. Open 5:30 – 10. Call 215-413-3464 for reservations.  Make sure you stop by the Wine & Spirits store at 724 South Street for libations.

Stay tuned for other places in the vicinity to visit.