Another spring weekend, another set of block parties in South Philly (that’s three weeks in a row, maybe we should diversify).
Nah, these are worth it.
Saturday
South Philly Tap Room, 1509 Mifflin St., is busting outside for a block party, it’s 8th annual wheat beer festival. More than 30 wheat brews will be flowing for only $3 a piece. Plus expect BBQ from chef Scott Schroeder and live music from West Philadelphia Orchestra, Adam and Dave’s Bloodline, Arrah and the Ferns, and Robotrippers.
Want to turn your smallish concrete yard patch into a verdant green oasis? Start with the upcoming free pallet gardening workshop at South Philadelphia High, hosted by the ever-growing South Philly Food Co-op.
This workshop – which comes with a free pallet - is a great way to get a jump on your garden, recycle, and hang out with some fellow green thumbs. Plus, photos of robust pallet gardens are all the rage for followers of garden porn.
Ahhh, so that’s what a pallet garden is. Pics provided by the Co-op
Old Swede’s Church is hosting another one of their fantastic flea markets this Saturday, May 18. Past years have seen the grounds of the church, at Christian Street and Delaware Ave., filled with more than 100 vendors selling jewelry or art, old books, candlesticks, trinkets, etc.
Old Swede’s Flea
The flea market, which runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., also will feature several food trucks plus live music.
For more information, check out Old Swede’s website. Wow, we’re giving the Swedes all kinds of coverage lately…
We noticed recently that a liquor license application asking for outside seating appeared outside 12 Steps Down at 9th and Christian. Before we knew it, those signs were popping up like dandelions in a meadow: Connie’s Ric Rac, Teri’s, Villa Di Roma, Anastasi Seafood…
Connie’s Ric Rac and the telling orange application
No, outside patios aren’t flourishing. Those orange placards were signs that the Italian Market Festival is coming.
This Saturday and Sunday, Philly’s preeminent Italian hotbed is opening its doors to the city. During the two-day event, 9th Street’s shops and restaurants will turn the iconic area into a giant block party, free to everyone looking for a little Mediterranean fun – or, apparently, plenty of booze.
Check out a couple interesting options for things to do this weekend:
Saturday
Block party at Hawthorne’s, 738 S 11th St. Free (except for the beer and food, of course)
From 2 to 8 p.m. head to 11th Street between Fitzwater and Catharine “24 Beers, all $5 each (There will be gluten free and wheat beer options), Live Outdoor Music w/ The Wallace Brothers Band, Over the Top Homemade Street Food! Kid & Pet Friendly – Tables Available”
The 2011 party, pic from Rich on Beer blog
Man, oh man! There’s a lot going on this weekend, and it’s free! Here are a couple picks:
Saturday:
The band The High Five presents the Cinco de High Yo! 2013: A Deep South Philly Block Party Extravaganza at 5th and Sigel streets.
The 2012 party, pic from the event’s Facebook page
Yes, they know Cinco de Mayo is Sunday, but who really cares? Six bands will play from 1-8 p.m.. Expect cheap food and booze, plus local artists, jewelers, and independent businesses vending. Check here for all the info.
Also Saturday:
If you’re looking for something a little more mainstream, the South Street Head House District is throwing its spring festival from noon to 8 p.m. South is closed to cars from 2nd to 8th streets, plus 2nd to Lombard. More bands (at 5th Street), more vendors, more food, more booze! Plus there’s a kids area at 2nd and street performers will be scattered throughout.
Spring is in full swing, and what better way to celebrate the season of life than to help West Passyunk get some new life of its own?
Miss Rachel’s, at 1732 W. Passyunk Ave.
On Thursday, the West Passyunk Neighbors Association is hosting a fundraiser at Miss Rachel’s Pantry (itself a fairly new addition to the neighborhood) for the neighborhood Greening Project, which aims to plant ornamental grasses and other greenery along sections of the newly rebuilt West Passyunk Avenue corridor.
This area of brown will soon be green
Julie Chapman! You are the winner of our Flavors of the Avenue drawing for a $25 gift certificate to the Cantina. Email us at punk@passyunkpost.com to claim your prize.
Looking toward Crafty Balboa at the fountain before things got going
Thanks to the more than 100 people who entered at our table at the festival on Passyunk on Saturday. As a consolation prize, you’ll start receiving our weekly newsletter soon! And those of you who couldn’t make it to the street fair, you can sign up for our newsletter by entering your email address in the gray box at the top left of this page, where you’ll also see all the ways you can find us on social media.
Sure, there will be dozens of booths for food, drink and shopping at Flavors of the Avenue tomorrow, but we’ll be there too!
And since we have nothing to sell, we’re just going to give something away. Stop by our table on the 1600 block of Passyunk Avenue (same one as the food tent) to enter a drawing for a special prize.
Look for a banner than looks just like this…:
Holy crap, that’s a lot of square pizza.
Stogie Joe’s; pic by Adam Zdanavage
Stogie Joe’s at 1801 E Passyunk Ave. has been running a quizzo night every Monday with such a good prize that we had to spotlight it. The winning team gets $100. That’s not a gift certificate or a discount on your current bill.
It’s a bona fide $100 cash. Does anyone out there know of a better quizzo prize in the city?
