Philadelphia International Flower Show 2012

Scenes from the Hawaiian-themed Philadelphia International Flower Show - March 2012.

An Evening With Sandra Bernhard

Had a great time continuing to celebrate my 39th birthday weekend with the one and only Miss Sandra Bernhard at the Painted Bride Arts Center in Philadelphia.  As usual, Sandra served up her usual cocktail of laughs, music (with a tight three-piece band) and searing, insightful "take no prisoners" pop culture commentary.  

BONUS: The encore was a lip-smacking, booty shaking medley of "Pumped Up Kicks / Janie's Got A Gun".  

For this number, Miss Bernhard emerged from the wings doing showgirl high-kicks in a tight white t-shirt, fedora and black panties with sheer leggings and high heels.  

56 years ageless with completely fresh and fearless energy. She STILL walks it and talks it like no other.

ABOVE: The beautiful illuminated junk chandelier in the lobby of the Painted Bride Arts Center.

I had a great time enjoying the energy of Miss Bernhard, a unique venue and the added bonus of getting to enjoy the company of a new friend.  Post-show, on his suggestion, we had some drinks and great conversation amid the gritty, divey, loud and down-home Philly funk of Dirty Frank's... whose jukebox is amazing, by the way.

Yes, the ceiling really is this color. Oh, those poor paper snowflakes... Good times, good times.

Philadelphia On A Saturday Night

Saturday Evening... 

Scott and I head down to Philadelphia.

Some of it whooshes by under under glass.

Some of it is vintage, chrome and powder blue.

Some of South Street sits there as you walk.

Some of it is lit with bulbs and framed with spraypaint.

Some of it is lit with bulbs and framed with snaky lines of hungry patrons.

Some of it looks like it's walking away on its own.

Some of it goes "crash bang boom".

Some of it goes "boom boom" and looks like it goes "bang bang".

...And then there's former student (and graphic designer-to-be) Mike Perrotti.

He's a little bit of all of the above (and he'd be the first to admit it).  It was fun catching up with him.