Live Entertainment

2012 Street Fairs and Fests!

2012 Street Fairs and Fests!

It’s here! Cheap Date Philadelphia’s extremely handy and quite dandy list of Street Fairs and Fests for summer 2012! As you well know, Cheap Dater is a huge fan of festivals. It gets you outside, there’s lots to see, hear, and talk about, and there’s always plenty of cheap eats and treats. Good for a first date, a friend date or a group date – a win, win, win! Check back often for updates, share with your friends, and let cheapdatephiladelphia@gmail.com know if there’s a festival that should be added! Happy Festing! MAY 26-MAY 27: Sundrop Music and Arts Festival. Live Music all day at the Fire, 412 W. Girard(1-8pm). MAY 28: Memorial Dei Picnic and Music Fest at Old Swede’s Church (noon-6pm – $10 entry). MAY 31-JUNE 3: Greek Festival at St. George’s Cathedral. Enjoy homemade Souvlaki, gyro, mousaka, pastitsio, spanakopita, baklava, play Coach Bag Bingo, listen to Greek music, learn…

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Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll is BACK!

Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll is BACK!

The Dollar Stroll is back for 2012! Starting tonight, July 19th, take your date and a fistfull of dollars to Baltimore Avenue in West Philadelphia for the third annual Dollar Stroll! This event turns Baltimore Avenue into a delightful open-air parade of sights, smells, and sounds, but as I learned last year, the lines do get long.  My advice for making it a great date: (1) go early (the event runs from 5:30-8:30pm), (2) pick a few must-do’s, but don’t expect to hit every single venue, and (3) use this handy vendor list to plan your route! This year there are over 25 businesses participating. You can find everything from $1 patch kits at Firehouse bikes, to $1 grape leaves at Aksum, to $1 yoga classes at Studio 34, and $1 craft beers at Dock Street. Simply put: it’s going to be hard to find more bang for your buck anywhere in the city…

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Top 5 Cheap Date New Year’s Eve Events for 2012

Photo from NakedPhilly.com

Ahhh, New Year’s Eve – a night of resolutions and countdowns, champagne, good cheer and midnight kisses.  Alas, it’s also a night where most clubs and restaurants plan elaborate RSVP events with expensive eats and costly covers.  For those who prefer to party on the cheap, here are Cheap Date Philadelphia’s top picks for New Year’s events that will help you ring in 2013 with a smile, and within budget! 1. Bring a Flask and Friends to see Free Fireworks on the Delaware! New Year’s Eve draws thousands of people to Penn’s Landing and the Delaware River Waterfront every year for the festive fireworks display.  In addition to a family-friendly first show at 6pm, there is also a second show at midnight, “Pop’n on the Delaware,” which will be set to a soundtrack of dance hits.  The show itself only lasts about 15 minutes, so make sure you arrive early…

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It’s back! Hot Chocolate and the Holiday Light Show.

Macy's Holiday Light Show

Traditions are what make holidays special.  (They can play a pretty big part in relationships, too). There is probably no holiday ritual more iconic in Philadelphia than the John Wanamaker (now Macy’s) Christmas Light Show. Since 1955, this dazzling display of lights and music (with narration by the equally iconic Julie Andrews) has delighted children and adults alike. At least it delighted my date and I (two consenting adults) when we went to see it! How cheap we talkin’: The light show is FREE! Hot drinks range from $3-6, as do individual shots for spiking them! Why this will impress your date:  Because nothing beats feeling like a kid again. Except feeling like a kid who’s snuck into the liquor cabinet. The Inside Game: If you can get there on a weekday, Monday through Thursdays are the least crowded shows. Score Extra Points: By planning your visit to coincide with one of the daily concerts on the famous…

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BYO Is the Way to Go! Second Friday Jazz at Moonstone Arts

BYO Is the Way to Go! Second Friday Jazz at Moonstone Arts

Hello readers and friends. Some of you might have noticed that I haven’t been as diligent about bringing you new cheap date ideas quite as often over the last several weeks. I wanted to assure you that there’s a lot more coming your way soon so keep checking back! And once a month look for my column at Drink Philly about a boozy cheap date. This month I wrote about BYO Second Fridays at Moonstone Art Center featuring eclectic and excellent Jazz performances curated by Lucky Old Souls. Read the full review here! Thank you for your continued readership and support! XOXO, J.S. Cheapdater

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Find Lights, Music & Action at Fishtown’s Johnny Brenda’s

Wye Oak

Going to see a band play can make for a great date. It can also make for a very expensive date, depending on the venue and the band. There are times when it’s fun to splurge on $50+ tickets to see a band you love (Phoenix at the Tower last year, anyone?) but that’s certainly not a cheap date. So where can you see consistently good bands at affordable prices that also has a decent date atmosphere? My go-to venue is Fishtown’s Johnny Brenda’s. How cheap we talkin’? Look for a show that’s $10-$12 at the door. True, that won’t leave much leftover for eating or drinking, but there’s always at least the $3 Kenzingers. Why this will impress your date: Show off your good taste by introducing your date to a new band that you think they will love. That’s what happened on this date, and I was definitely impressed.…

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