Stomp - Merriam Theater

At Alma De Cuba for Drinks after the show

Making it's one week only engagement in Philly, STOMP at the Merriam Theater Dec. 26 through Jan. 2

It’s always nice to take in a show with a group of friends. So when one of my girlfriends recommended we all get together for dinner, a show and drinks I was like, let’s go.

It was kind of a rough week for me (I was broke) so I skip dinner and met up with them at the theater to see STOMP. A show I been meaning to see ever since it hit Broadway fifteen years ago.

Merriam Theater is a small theater, so I never saw the point in buying front roll tickets, so we got the cheap seats, which were fine. I was able to see everything.

STOMP, is a unique combination of percussion, movement and visual comedy, I enjoyed the show so much, that my girlfriends and I wanted to start up our own show………well sort of.

Only thing about STOMP, it reminded me a lot of the Fraternities Step Shows that have been performed for last 50 or so years by Africans Americans. So it got me to thinking, did the creators of STOMP use the Step Shows as a back drop for their Broadway hit.

Stepping is a rhythmic performance art practiced by black greeks across the nation. It combines intricate footwork, foot stomps, vocals and handclaps. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm!

http://www.mndaily.com/articles/2006/01/31/66890

http://www.stompshow.com/information.php?info_id=3

Winter Months Blues

Unlike the summer months where the city is all a buzz, the winter seems to make people want to hibernate till spring. Well don't pack up and head south just yet. The city is still buzzing, and there is so much to do, while staying warm.

The Academy of Music, Kimmel Center, Walnut, Wilma and Merriam Theatre, just to name a few has fantastic winter line up. After the show why not take advantage of Center City Restaurant Week starting January 27th. Restaurant Week is great opportunity to try those expensive restaurants without breaking the bank.

Ice skating, anyone? UPenn is having their annual Winterfest January 4th, and let's not forget Penn’s Landing River Rink, which remains open seven days a week through March 2, 2008.

How about a winter adventure tours of the Eastern State Penitentiary. Eastern State Penitentiary now offers new Winter Adventure Tours during the ''off season.'' Tours are offered every day at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm.

Winter Adventure Tours consist of a one-hour guided walk through the empty penitentiary complex, and include a cup of hot chocolate in the center surveillance hub. Each small group (limited to 25 people) is paired with an expert Eastern State tour guide.

(View “Event Calendar” below for more guided tours)

Check out the upcoming exhibits at the Pennsylvania Convention Center:
27th Philadelphia Home Show (January 19th-27th)
Philadelphia Auto Show (February 2nd-10th)
and Philadelphia Flower Show (March 2nd -9th).

The museums are always a winter favorite. The Mercer Museum debuts a new exhibit called "Are We Dressed Yet? Accessories and the Stories They Tell", which explores the role that fashion and personal accessories share in our lives. You also won't want to miss Renoir Landscapes at its only U.S. venue, the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Explore new neighborhoods like Northern Liberties. Consider to be one of the upcoming hot spots in Philadelphia. Plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars to explore and home of North Bowl.

Well, I said enough to get you started and before you know it, summer will be here with even more things to do.

Philly Honor Dr. J

I went to a Sixers game on 12/21/07 and was surprise with an extra treat. The 76ers honored members of the 1982-83 Championship Team during half-time. Julius "Dr. J" Erving, Clint Richardson and others were honored for the 25th anniversary of the 1982-83 NBA Championship team.

Sixers were playing Philadelphia-native Kobe Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers.

O by the way, my girlfriend and I couldn’t stop talking about how good Dr. J looked. The man had it going on with the whole gray beard thang… very distinguished looking.