Tuesday Night Story Slam and Crepes for Dessert

July 3, 2010
Tuesday Night Story Slam and Crepes for Dessert

Last Tuesday night, my date and I went to a Story Slam, a unique event sponsored by First Person Arts that is part theater, part stand-up comedy, part open-mic, and part game show. Ten volunteer contestants each vie to be named best storyteller of the night by regaling the audience with personal tales related to a predetermined theme.  Each story must be less than five minutes in length, and Judges award points for content and delivery.  Between sets, we were kept well entertained by quick-witted host Eric Thomas, who at one point put on a t-shirt bearing the slogan “I did Justin Three Times” and explained that — although he had bought the shirt for Justin Timberlake —  it had become very awkward for him to wear the shirt ever since the ascent of Justin Beiber because, in his words, “Bieber is a 15 year old lesbian.” That was only one of the many laughs my date...

Read more »

$6 Movies at the Ritz and Happy Hour at Zahav

June 24, 2010
$6 Movies at the Ritz and Happy Hour at Zahav

Every Wednesday, the Ritz theaters in Old City reduce rates on all shows to an amazingly affordable $6. The Ritz are good “date-movie” theaters because there is always something interesting/stimulating/artsy/educational/foreign/award-winning showing (i.e. you can generally avoid the cheesy romcoms and lame studio blockbusters which can be date-movie disasters, trust me). There are 3 Ritz theatres all within walking distance of one another, but the Ritz Five at 214 Walnut Street is the closest to Zahav, a “modern Israeli” restaurant with a comfortable atmosphere, an elegant bar, and an outstanding happy hour from 5-7pm.  Be warned, however; the Lemonnanas at Zahav are so delicious, you may end up ditching the movie and ordering another round instead. How cheap we talkin’: Admittedly, this date cuts it close, but $15 per person should get you 2 theatre tickets, 2 Lemonnana cocktails, and one order of half-price hummus to share, including tax and...

Read more »

Magazines and Munchies at Rittenhouse Square

June 13, 2010
Magazines and Munchies at Rittenhouse Square

Rittenhouse Square park, between 18th and 19th streets on Walnut, is a tree-filled haven of green in the middle of Center City’s busy downtown shopping district.  It is also a centrally located and easily accessible place to bring a blanket and some snacks and have a picnic.  But before setting up camp, stop in across the street at Barnes and Noble and pick out some fun magazines to read from or a book of crossword puzzles to work on together after you get bored of people and/or cloud watching. How cheap we talkin’: $30 or less. Magazines, $12-$15, for 3.  Snacks: $15 or less. Why this will impress your date: Good elocution skills are sexy. The Inside Game: Cherries are portable and delicious, but they are not an ideal date food, because, well, they inevitably involve spitting.  Also, do not picnic on fleece blankets if you can help it....

Read more »

Make a Meal with Finds from the Asian Supermarket

June 5, 2010
Make a Meal with Finds from the Asian Supermarket

First Oriental is a full-service grocery store at 6th and Washington streets, but in addition to its wide selection of ordinary foodstuffs, it also stocks tons of fascinating products that you can’t find in the average supermarket: lychee, jackfruit and other exotic produce, every kind of rice and noodle imaginable, an entire aisle of imported candies and cookies, quail eggs by the dozen, vats of seaweed crusted with salt, tripe, pig’s feet, frogs, eels, frozen fish (whole), and dozens of varieties of dumplings, fish balls, gyoza, and shumai.  In other words, it makes shopping for a dinner date into an adventure of its own. How cheap we talkin’: $10-$15 per person.   Our total came to roughly $20, which included frozen dumplings, ingredients for noodle soup, and dessert. Why this will impress your date: Did I mention the live frogs? The Inside Game: Buy at least one thing you’ve never seen/eaten/cooked with before....

Read more »

Monday Movie Night at the Troc

May 26, 2010
The Trocadero Theatre

The Trocadero Theatre, located at 1003 Arch street in Chinatown, is probably best known as a live concert venue, but on Monday nights, the balcony plays host to a lively movie night featuring classic B movies or popular flicks such as Zombieland, Purple Rain, Goonies, and – the film we saw – Black Dynamite, a Blaxploitation spoof released in 2008.  Without the usual distraction of a band, erratic stage lighting, and a packed house, I was able to appreciate what a beautiful theatre the Troc really is.  The ornate gold proscenium arch framing the screen made it almost ironic that we were there to see such a low-brow film.  But in a good way. How cheap we talkin’: $3 admission comes with a coupon for $3 toward a drink.  And if you arrive before 7pm (the show generally starts arounds 8pm), you also get a FREE beer and a bag of popcorn.  And a...

Read more »

Street Fairs and Neighborhood Festivals

May 12, 2010
Street Fairs and Neighborhood Festivals

Come summertime, it seems like every Philadelphia neighborhood throws down block party style with a neighborhood festival or street fair.  Providing a full day of live music to listen to, vendors’ wares to peruse, yummy treats to try, and in most cases, green space to camp out on, these events make great dates because there’s a lot to see, a lot to do, and a little something for everybody. How cheap we talkin’: FREE plus the (optional) cost of food, which could be very little, but could run you up to the budget if you decide you just have to get ice cream, and kettle corn, and funnel cake… Why this will impress your date: Because you also look good in daylight. The Inside Game: Bring your own water.  Bottled water will be overpriced, and you could spend your whole day in line for it.  Also, take public transportation...

Read more »