PhilaCulturati

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.

Friday, March 6th, 7pm, Big Ears Philly Composition, Painted Bride

$10/non-members or $5 Bride members

Painted Bride Art Center proudly presents Big Ears, an ambitious residency program that brings together New York-based drummer/composer John Hollenbeck with a dozen Philadelphia jazz musicians. A call to artists, followed by a rigorous selection process, has yielded a group of local artists that transects age, gender, ethnicity, and musical heritage. The program concludes on March 6 with the premiere of new music that Hollenbeck has composed for the group. Discover the process behind Big Ears at BigEarsPhilly.com, where you can watch video interviews with all of the musicians, read their blog posts, listen to audio samples, and submit your own comments. This Friday is also First Friday, so you can walk around the Old City/ Northern Liberties area to check out the gallery openings. I suggest referring to: (once the other sites are updated for march, I’ll include the link here, I promise). DINNER: Triumph Brewing Company is a fave. How could you not love a brewery that has great food and a posh atmosphere? Located right in Old City at 2nd and Chestnut, Triumph is in a great location for bar-hopping and gallery hopping on First Friday. AND with a site like www.phillyhalfoff.com making gift certificates half off, how can you go wrong?

315 Chestnut St., 215-925-2222, chemheritage.org

The words “chemical” and “heritage” don’t usually get us excited — and let’s face it, the combination is worse. But the Chemical Heritage Foundation, which opened the doors to its 17,000-square-foot museum and conference center in Old City earlier this month, is definitely worth a visit. Ten years in the making, this $20 million project uses contemporary art, history, current events, artifacts and technology to examine science in our everyday, beaker-phobic lives.

“A museum is a visual place, and we really wanted this one to be captivating,” says curator Erin McLeary. “Even if you don’t know what something scientific is, you’ll find it interesting here.” From birth control to computers, explosions to pasteurization, the permanent exhibit conveys the roles science has played — and continues to play — in shaping modernity. The first of the changing exhibits, “Molecules That Matter,” takes a look at 10 organic molecules that have influenced the world, including familiar faces such as nylon, DNA and aspirin. “We’re not as interested in teaching science as much as we are exploring how it occurs in our world,” says McLeary.

If the science doesn’t draw you in, the striking renovation of the First National Bank (built in 1865) is worth a look. The large arching windows let in plenty of natural light — a rarity in the museum world — and the eco-friendly construction included wall tiles and floors made from recycled materials. Then, of course, there are our favorite two words: free admission.

When Visiting: so the museum will be closed from Jan 19 – 23rd for construction. Normal hours are Monday to Friday 10-4. Not exactly conducive for a “night out” but listen up: It won’t take you more than an hour to go through the exhibits, so aim to be there around three o’clock and then march over to Second St, do some shopping and hit up the bars for happy hour! Old City is chock full of great places to go for food and libations. Some PhilaCulturati favorites include the church-turned-bar National Mechanics, a local brewery with a contemporary vibe, Triumph Brew Pub,  and the Khyber the city’s best hipster hangout.