Musical Instrument Collection at the Free Library
Thanks to an innovative new program at the Central branch, you can check out all sorts of musical instruments for three weeks, for free. One of our editors borrowed a ukulele, a bass guitar, and a Fender Stratocaster with a surprisingly loud amp. Our apologies to the neighbors. 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, libfreelibrary.org/locations/parkway-central-library.
The Music Box at the Borgata
While most concert venues in Atlantic City are overgrown, impersonal boxes of noise, the Borgata's 1,000-seat concert hall is decidedly more intimate, with lovely acoustics, and the perfect place to see your favorite artists up close and personal. This month: Supertramp's Roger Hodgson (8/18), K.D. Lang (8/24) and Cheap Trick (8/31). Also, look for semi-secret last-minute gigs, like the scintillating performance Fiona Apple gave earlier this year. One Borgata Way, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, theborgata.com/entertain/entertainment-venues/the-music-box.
Settlement Music School
Sure, some of the schools grads go on to Juilliard and Curtis, but for instructors like Soviet-born Dolly Krasnopolsky, it doesnt matter if youre better at practicing Chopsticks than Chopin. The 24-year Settlement vet takes (and loves) all kinds. See website for locations, 00000, smsmusic.org.
<i>A Philly Special Christmas</i>
A Christmas album by members of the Philadelphia Eagles didn’t need to be anywhere near good to make a splash. But A Philly Special Christmas — the passion project of O-linemen Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata, pressed on festive green vinyl and adorned with Peanuts-inspired illos of the lugs — was way better than good; it was transcendent. Guided by vocal coach Eliza Hardy Jones, the center and two tackles sang like angels. Multiple pressings of their burly warblings sold out in minutes, frustrating some Philly audiophiles but raising more than a quarter mil for the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center. phillyspecialchristmas.com.
Drag Queen Story Time at Mister John’s Music
It's a dance party and a story time hosted by a drag queen named Miss Maria TopCatt. If that all sounds like a lot to take in, look at it from a toddler’s perspective: All they see is that it's okay to look different and be different and be friends with people who look different. And actually, that’s pretty awesome. Keep reading here. 904 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, misterjohnsmusic.com.
The Philadelphia Orchestra
The upcoming season is one helluva barn burner, with opera great Placido Domingo kicking things off in September; the new series WomenNOW, featuring female composers, conductors and instrumentalists; and the entirety of Bach’s majestic Mass in B minor. Totally subscription-worthy. philorch.org.
Its 25 Bars
Finally, a music venue figured out how to not have us stand in line for 20 minutes to pay $13 for a domestic beer. The answer was quite simple: Have lots of bars. 858 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130, Themetphilly.com.
L'Angolo
Here are a couple of musts when eating at this South Philly stalwart: You must make reservations. You must bring your own wine. You must order the antipasto, which has a changing selection of heavenly veggies sweet potato souffl, fried eggplant, marinated mushrooms. And you must split everything, so you can try it all: orecchiette with shredded duck, a ravioli special stuffed with broccoli rabe, a succulent breaded pork chop served with a mound of baby greens. (And you must try not to fall in love with the charming Italian-speaking staff.) 1415 West Porter Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145, salentorestaurant.com/langolorest.html.
Tonino Montella
With the patience of a saint and a charming Italian accent -Montella will teach you and yours to play the guitar, banjo, mandolin or electric bass (he plays 'em all, professionally) over a series of laid-back $35-an-hour lessons. It so beats Banjo for Dummies. 806 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, toninomontella.com.
The Borgata’s Event Center
This intimate venue is relatively small–only 2,400 seats–but the acts that perform here are anything but. Last month, headliners included Britney Spears and Barry Manilow. This month: Stevie Wonder and Cher. Good luck getting tickets! 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, theborgata.com/shows/venues/event-center.
"Songs in the Pocket: The Essential Songs of Philadelphia"
Every few months, Hooters drummer and Main Liner David Uosikkinen pairs up with other high-profile Philly musicians to reimagine and record songs from Philadelphia's past, in an awesome collaboration called Songs in the Pocket. A portion of the sales benefit Settlement Music School, and live performances, usually at Ardmore Hall or Phoenixville's Colonial Theatre, rock. songsinthepocket.org.
Union Transfer
The vaulted ceilings that once sheltered the red-sauce carnage of Spaghetti Warehouse are now reverberating with the beats of the city's hottest new mostly-indie music venue. And though with three full bars, a balcony and a sizeable standing-room floor, Union Transfer may seem as cavernous as the restaurant that preceded it, the space feels surprisingly intimate: It's plenty big enough for writhing around to Neon Indian, but also small enough for you to enjoy the folksy delicacy of Gillian Welch. 1026 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, utphilly.com.
World Cafe Live, Wilmington
What founder Hal Real did with the dilapidated (and that's putting it nicely) circa-1915 Queen Theater is nothing short of spectacular. 500 North Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19801, queen.worldcafelive.com.
Johnny Brenda's
Readers' Choice: Since opening up in Fishtown nearly 10 years ago, Johnny Brenda's has clearly been the go-to Philly venue to hear up-and-coming artists. And why not? The sound is crystal clear, the beers are all local, and the room, which holds 250, is comfortable and has plenty of character. And thanks to a dedication to treating both customers and performers with respect, the indie concert hall has more than enough good karma to go around unusual in the normally dirty business of rock-and-roll. 1201 North Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, johnnybrendas.com.
Suzie Brown
Bluesy, folksy, achy, rich, sweet-voiced Suzie Brown: A practicing cardiologist pursuing a career in singing (her own songs) and playing the guitar, she's part Emmylou Harris, part Alison Krauss, and totally worth seeing. (Try Tin Angel.) Or even just hearing her debut album is calledSide Streets. Visit Her Website 00000, suziebrownsongs.com.