Professor's tour: Arts in Berlin

Broke and desperate, our favorite mad professor and professional skinflint parlays his gall and ingenuity into two memorable days of cultural stimulation in Berlin, and urges you to do likewise.

Patrick D. Hazard

Jun 16, 2008 · Essays · 8 minute read

West Philly rediscovered

On the surface, West Philadelphia is a poster child for poverty and crime. But beneath the surface I found a neighborhood that was once designed with aesthetics in mind. I also found, to my astonishment, two of my most distinguished cultural heroes.

Be'eri Moalem

Jun 10, 2008 · Essays · 6 minute read

Gastropubs: Five small wonders

Sometimes a whole wave of delightful food creeps in under the cultural establishment’s radar. This may be the case with Philadelphia’s recent flowering of— forgive the slightly unappetizing term— gastropubs.

Monk’s, Standard Tap, Le Virtù, Memphis Taproom, Devil’s Den. Details below.

Lynn Hoffman

May 27, 2008 · Essays · 5 minute read

Pretensions of "Bigger, Stronger, Faster'

Bodybuilding may indeed be an interesting phenomenon, as Chris Bell contends in Bigger, Stronger, Faster. But please— spare us the half-baked sociological punditry.

Bigger, Stronger, Faster. Documentary film directed by Chris Bell. Beginning May 30, 2008 at Ritz at the Bourse, Fourth and Ludlow Sts. . (215) 925-7900.or www.biggerstrongerfastermovie.com.

Tom Purdom

May 25, 2008 · Essays · 6 minute read

Desert Odyssey, 2008 style

I was feeling sick and miserable on a bus in the middle of the sun-baked Sahara, wishing I were anywhere but there. Then I plugged in my ear buds, and heard the first movement of the Sibelius Violin Concerto. I was healed.

Be'eri Moalem

May 20, 2008 · Essays · 8 minute read

Forgotten women of the Bauhaus

The legendary German Bauhaus school was a haven for revolutionary thinking in design and architecture. It was also a haven for pompous male chauvinists who habitually elbowed aside women of superior talent, not to mention common sense.

Patrick D. Hazard

May 13, 2008 · Essays · 8 minute read

Home design: The personal style

Not long ago, most people were satisfied if their homes were simply beautiful, functional and comfortable. Today every homeowner wants to make a personal statement too. But discovering the “real you” is no simple task. A few suggestions from a home designer.

Caroline Dunlop Millett

Apr 29, 2008 · Essays · 7 minute read

Dining bargains

At these three restaurants, you leave contented but neither stuffed nor strapped.

Lynn Hoffman

Apr 12, 2008 · Essays · 5 minute read

Philadelphia Flower Show

The mobs, themes and commercial promotions at the Philadelphia Flower Show were anything but relaxing. The flower arrangements themselves were anything but relaxing, too.

Philadelphia Flower Show. March 1-8, 2008 at Pennsylvania Convention Center, 13th and Arch Sts. (215) 988-8800 or
www.theflowershow.com.

Be'eri Moalem

Apr 08, 2008 · Essays · 3 minute read

The life of a bugout

I left my last full-time job ten years ago. I make little money and rarely buy anything. And here’s the scary part for you: I’m happy, and I’m not alone.

Rob Laymon

Apr 05, 2008 · Essays · 5 minute read