Sunday, November 9, 2008- World Cafe Live
Kate Clark and I had been talking about taking a mural tour in Philadelphia as far back as a year and a half ago. With both of us in Philly, simultaneously, we made it happen, and her parents came too! They were in town visiting, but fortunately they were interested and we got along great so it all worked out. The tour starts from the Independence Visitors Center, which is the tourism center for the Liberty Bell and all the other historical tourist sites, such as where the Declaration of Independence was printed and signed, etc. Somehow it seemed strange to go to a tourism center for art, but I suppose it makes sense.
We were funneled onto a trolley bus, which is definitely a bit more fun than a coach. We thought we were getting a tour of Center City murals but it turns out we had our dates mixed up. The tour was of the North side instead. The North side is generally not a safe place to venture into on your own without knowing your way around. I was driving around there late one night a few years ago a bit lost and heard gun shots ring out a few blocks over. It’s definitely not someplace I’d venture back into unless I was with someone who knew their way around. So it turns out the North side tour was really wonderful because I got to see a part of Philadelphia I never would otherwise.
We started out in Northern Liberties, which is heavily under construction. I’d say about half the real estate is falling apart and the other half was just built new. The real estate market there is staggering. It’s an up and coming spot. The rest of the North side was just like it, except without all the new construction. At one point we were driving through some fairly beat up neighborhoods and the people out on the streets were waving excitedly to us, unsure why but glad tourists were finding their neighborhoods so interesting… pride can be a good thing. The murals themselves spoke to the populations around them. It’s just great to see color everywhere. There were plenty of stories of how at the mural unveiling ceremonies, the locals got to meet each other and make connections… like ex-convicts getting involved in at-risk teen programs and the like… A great tour. I wish for every city to have a similar experience.
Trolley Bus for the Philadelphia Mural Tour with Kate and family in front
This was my favorite mural... Didn't catch the artist's name but it's a recent one of a ferris wheel. It wrapped around the building so there's a lot more of it...
two cool things in one shot... a large mural and the Philly Car Share
Whenever I show up in Phoenixville I’m notorious for trying to talk my dad into doing something… going into Philadelphia, going to a bar, visiting a friend, something… My dad doesn’t get out much except when there’s a boat involved. Usually it takes a bit of arm twisting and even then sometimes I don’t succeed. However, that was not the case this time. In fact, he booked the tickets! He decided to celebrate his birthday he wanted to go to WXPN’s World Cafe Live with me to see Shawn Colvin.
WXPN is Philadelphia’s NPR station and they have a great mix of music they play. Some of their programs, including World Cafe, are broadcast around the country. I hear some of them on the stations in Syracuse. My dad has been a fan for decades. So a few years back someone decided they were such a great station that they needed a good facility. One was constructed containing offices, recording studios and several live performance spaces. There’s a full restaurant and bar set up in each.
I had been there a few years back and was completely impressed, so I had always wanted to go there with my dad. He was into it. It just so happened Shawn Colvin was performing and there were still tickets available to sit at the bar… So that’s what we did and it rocked. I highly recommend seeing a performance at World Cafe Live. It’s more like an intimate night club than it is a theater. Everyone is seated and is waited on. The lighting and sound system are great, although Jeffrey Gaines, who opened for Shawn Colvin, said the lighting made the place look like Metropolis from the stage. I half expected Batman to swoop down from the balcony.
I was really impressed with Jeffrey Gaines. He was sweet, funny, very friendly and his music moved me. My dad said he had met him in the audience of a concert a ways back and he was the same way in person… just very open to life. I’d love to see him perform again someday as a headliner.
For more info about this event and World Cafe Live, visit here: http://tickets.worldcafelive.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=2686
Jeffrey Gaines at World Cafe Live
Jeffrey Gaines promotional image
Shawn Colvin at World Cafe Live
Shawn Colvin promotional image
