2008 Woodie Awards
Local venues a stepping stone for artists
Adrienne Mauro '09
Issue date: 2/14/07 Section: Entertainment
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Looking for something different to do this weekend or maybe an alternative to flowers and chocolates for Valentine's Day? Local venues are the answer. Providing food and entertainment at only a fraction of the cost of regular Philadelphia and Manayunk restaurants and mainstream concerts, these close-by favorites will impress and amuse your date without draining your laundry or beer funds.
Milkboy Coffee, toting the tagline "Great coffee. Great music." is located less than five miles away from St. Joseph's campus. Right on Lancaster Avenue, Milkboy promises open mic nights, live music, local Indie movie premiers, art exhibits, theater performances, First Friday celebrations, DJ's, Play Station tournaments, and much more. Milkboy also promises to use only locally grown, organic, free-range, hormone-free products in what they prepare, offering a full menu on their website. Every week the venue boasts at least three nights of live music. Mondays are reserved for Jazz open mic and Tuesdays are for the showcasing of all musical talents in a general open mic night. When bigger names (at least in the Indie music circuit) come to town, Milkboy charges a cover, however the price will rarely, if ever, exceed 20 dollars. This month, such names as Derek Chafin, Mia Johnson, Pepper's Ghost, and Jeffrey Gaines will be visiting the musical coffee spot. Along with musical performances, Milkboy also offers an actor's night, writer's workshops, and comedy night this month.
Another nearby acoustic café is Tin Angel, located in the Old City section of Philadelphia. The venue prides itself in featuring a wide variety of national and local acts in an intimate café style setting. Tin Angel provides its music-seeking patrons with coffee, cappuccino, tea, and dessert, as well as liquor, wine, and beer. If you find yourself with more of an appetite, downstairs is Serrano, a Philadelphia restaurant that has been on the dining scene since 1985. The owners Rich Machlin and Jude Erwin offer one promise: to serve "international fare at neighborhood prices." Machlin and Erwin have traversed the globe from Hungary to Thailand, to Malaysia and Morocco and have brought back flavors from each region making the food experience bold, ethnic, and out of the norm. Not forgetting the need for comforting soul-food, the owners have included a spiced up version of American meatloaf on their menu. Once your hunger is satiated, you can travel back upstairs to Tin Angel to hear such acts as Richard Bush and the Peace Creeps, Octane, and Lucky Friday. These performers are for the month of February, with a special tribute to Simon and Garfunkel on Valentine's Day. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or over the phone, but are also available at the door. Reservations are only necessary for Serrano, but reservations do guarantee a seat for the show.
This weekend, instead of going to the regular frat party or sitting in your dorm watching Grey's Anatomy on DVD, try going out and appreciating the local Philadelphia music scene. You get an experience to appease every sense. Your night and your wallet will be full as you make a short trip to enjoy fine cuisine, local art exhibits, and national and local music favorites. Both sites provide full information of their websites, including pictures, performance schedules, ticket information, and full menus.
Milkboy Coffee, toting the tagline "Great coffee. Great music." is located less than five miles away from St. Joseph's campus. Right on Lancaster Avenue, Milkboy promises open mic nights, live music, local Indie movie premiers, art exhibits, theater performances, First Friday celebrations, DJ's, Play Station tournaments, and much more. Milkboy also promises to use only locally grown, organic, free-range, hormone-free products in what they prepare, offering a full menu on their website. Every week the venue boasts at least three nights of live music. Mondays are reserved for Jazz open mic and Tuesdays are for the showcasing of all musical talents in a general open mic night. When bigger names (at least in the Indie music circuit) come to town, Milkboy charges a cover, however the price will rarely, if ever, exceed 20 dollars. This month, such names as Derek Chafin, Mia Johnson, Pepper's Ghost, and Jeffrey Gaines will be visiting the musical coffee spot. Along with musical performances, Milkboy also offers an actor's night, writer's workshops, and comedy night this month.
Another nearby acoustic café is Tin Angel, located in the Old City section of Philadelphia. The venue prides itself in featuring a wide variety of national and local acts in an intimate café style setting. Tin Angel provides its music-seeking patrons with coffee, cappuccino, tea, and dessert, as well as liquor, wine, and beer. If you find yourself with more of an appetite, downstairs is Serrano, a Philadelphia restaurant that has been on the dining scene since 1985. The owners Rich Machlin and Jude Erwin offer one promise: to serve "international fare at neighborhood prices." Machlin and Erwin have traversed the globe from Hungary to Thailand, to Malaysia and Morocco and have brought back flavors from each region making the food experience bold, ethnic, and out of the norm. Not forgetting the need for comforting soul-food, the owners have included a spiced up version of American meatloaf on their menu. Once your hunger is satiated, you can travel back upstairs to Tin Angel to hear such acts as Richard Bush and the Peace Creeps, Octane, and Lucky Friday. These performers are for the month of February, with a special tribute to Simon and Garfunkel on Valentine's Day. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or over the phone, but are also available at the door. Reservations are only necessary for Serrano, but reservations do guarantee a seat for the show.
This weekend, instead of going to the regular frat party or sitting in your dorm watching Grey's Anatomy on DVD, try going out and appreciating the local Philadelphia music scene. You get an experience to appease every sense. Your night and your wallet will be full as you make a short trip to enjoy fine cuisine, local art exhibits, and national and local music favorites. Both sites provide full information of their websites, including pictures, performance schedules, ticket information, and full menus.
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