Bicycle Club of Philadelphia
Less injury-inducing than touch football and less awkward than dodgeball with co-workers is this band of 1,200 cyclists who offer camaraderie, a perfect way to blow off some steam after a long workday, and the chance to explore unknown corners of the city and 'burbs. Group rides are organized by skill level, and the membership fee is only $15 a year. All you have to do is show up with your bike and a helmet. Ride on. 00000, phillybikeclub.org.
Zinc Home + Garden
Husband-and-wife owners Tracy and Rod Berkowitz are Hunterdon Countys very own version of American Pickers. They scour flea markets, estate sales, warehouses and antiques shows for authentic industrial and farmhouse furniture and quirky home accents. (One recent find: a metal-and-glass cabinet plucked straight from Ralph Laurens office.) Then they haul it all back and display it with Anthro-level amazingness. 74 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530, facebook.com/pages/Zinc-Home-Garden/159901867374394.
Linden Hill Gardens
Combining subtle luxury with an other worldly stock of flora and fauna, Linden Hill is a garden center that is just plain gorgeous. The place looks like an English village, with a thatched-burlap-roofed stop, a lovely greenhouse and a serious selevtion of plants. Owner Jerry Fitz, a veritable garden whisperer, has even shared his flower tips on The Martha Stewart Show. 8230 Easton Road, Ottsville, PA 18942, lindenhillgardens.com.
Joe Beddia at Pizzeria Beddia
We were lining up in Fishtown for his pies way before Bon Appétit named his pizza the best in America. But now the world knows, and with his new smash-hit cookbook, he’s been showing the rest of the country that guys from New York aren’t the only ones who know dough. 115 East Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, pizzeriabeddia.com.
Plant & People
Mother-daughter duo Cherron Perry-Thomas and Amma Thomas have a combined 53 years of experience in the plant-focused lifestyle, and it shows in the multi-faceted nature of their colorful indoor/outdoor space, which functions as an educational oasis, a wellness center and a nursery. Stop by the Black-owned spot for all your greenery needs as well as hemp-derived goods and free clippings, like Swedish ivy, that you can propagate in water or soil to create your own plant pals. 1431 North 52nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19131, plantandpeople.com.
Brooklyn Bowl
Because why wouldn’t we want our bowling with a side of live music — not to mention fried chicken and boozy milkshakes? This month, look for the Adult Swim Festival Block Party with RJD2 and Hop Along, but keep your eyes open for weekend matinees for the whole family with the Rock and Roll Playhouse, which specializes in kids’ shows featuring music you’ll enjoy as well, like Bob Marley and David Bowie. 1009 Canal Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, brooklynbowl.com/philadelphia.
James Ijames
Ijames has been on the Philadelphia theater circuit for nearly two decades, writing and directing plays across town. His reward? Just a little moment in the spotlight in the form of a Pulitzer Prize for his latest opus, Fat Ham, a reimagining of Hamlet set in the South. The show just capped a three-month run at New York’s Public Theater — the place that once put on a plucky little production called Hamilton — but nothing will change the fact that the premiere was here, at the Wilma Theatre, where Ijames serves as an artistic director. jamesijames.com.
Walls For Justice
During the civil unrest of 2020, Walls For Justice began painting murals and messages on the plywood that covered up so many storefronts. Fast-forward two years, and the group has now expanded its footprint, pairing artists with businesses, schools, and other public spaces that are looking for a unique way to show support for their communities (and maybe spruce up a plain brick wall in the process). wallsforjustice.org.
The Clay Studio
When the Clay Studio moved from its longtime Old City home to a new four-story facility in South Kensington, it didn’t just expand its footprint. With gallery shows, free community Saturday art workshops, kids’ summer camps and adult classes, plus way more studio space and pottery wheels, there are now more opportunities for all of us to muck up our mitts. 1425 North American Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, theclaystudio.org.
Arch Enemy Arts
When the folks at this Old City space claim that their gallery is Philadelphias freshest new venue for the new contemporary art scene, theyre really not lying. The one-year-old gallery exhibits some wonderful works in genres from realism to figurative to pop surrealism, and the art is priced to sell. This month, check out the newest show, Semiotic Weapons, featuring works by 11 local artists. 109 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, archenemyarts.com.
Delco Quarantine Open Mic
Musicians love to play for other people, but once bars and music venues closed, that wasn’t exactly possible. Enter the Facebook group Delco Quarantine Open Mic, which quickly grew to more than 14,800 members — many from Delco, but plenty from other areas, too. The page hosts several shows a week and features some seriously talented people who might make you think about pulling that old guitar of yours out of the attic. facebook.com/groups/524677775121227.
The Arden Theatre Company's Children's Theatre
Ask any first-grader: The show that really took the local theater scene by storm this year was the Arden's production of Beauty and the Beast. The year before that, it was Sideways Stories from Wayside School; before that, it was Cinderella. The truth is, the Arden always nails it, telling wonderful stories in creative ways, speaking directly to pint-size audience members without dumbing anything down, and stacking the stage with real talent that takes its viewing public seriously. 40 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, ardentheatre.org.
John Goldthorp
Goldthorp's back-to-the-basics approach shows you don't have to lace up your sneakers to improve your stride. Focusing on strengthening your weak spots—do you have rock-hard calves and a less-than-firm core?—he'll up your running game. And at the end of your next big race, you'll have the PR to prove it. fixyourrun.com.
The Painted Mug
Most people like to throw a few back before getting behind the microphone and belting out “Don’t Stop Believing” or “Sweet Caroline,” but it’s quite the opposite at this new queer-owned community performance space, which hosts a monthly sober karaoke night at which mocktails are on the menu and the show is still tons of fun. 1527 Jackson Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145, thepaintedmugcafe.com.
Next In Line Comedy
If you want to see the best up-and-coming local comedians paired with out-of-town jokesters who’ve appeared on Comedy Central, Netflix and HBO, look no further than this collective, which stages its shows at chill venues like Franky Bradley’s and Tattooed Mom each month — all for $20, with no drink minimum. A nice change of pace from places like Helium. instagram.com/nextinlinecomedy.