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Rotunda premieres “The Mark of Zorro” with live original score

Posted on 12 April 2012 by emmae

This Friday night, allow yourself to be carried back in time to the days when the movie-going experience always included live music accompaniment. The silent film from 1920 features Douglas Fairbanks portraying the romantic, swashbuckling Zorro, but this special evening will feature an original and live score by West Philadelphia Orchestra member Brendan Cooney, who’s taken his blend of silent classic films and new exciting live music on the road under the name “Not-So-Silent Cinema.”

Brendan Cooney. (Photo by Nikolai Fox)

“I try to bring together players from different corners of the music scene who don’t usually play together to create unique musical collaborations,” says Cooney, who told Metro reporters that this project is a “faux Latin-flamenco-tango-mariachi ensemble.” “The film’s full of adventure, bravura and romance, so I wanted the music to capture that, but also be a little over the top.” Cooney’s band brings together several mainstays of the West Philadelphia music scene including Patrick Hughes, Alban Bailey (Octomonkey), Josh Machiz (TJ Kong & the Atomic Bomb), and Nezih Antakli.

Catch “The Mark of Zorro” this Friday, April 13, at 8 p.m. at The Rotunda (40th and Walnut). $10.

Emma Eisenberg

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Sign of the day

Posted on 12 April 2012 by Mike Lyons

subway

Renovations have begun on the storefront at 4533 Baltimore Ave., which will be the location of a controversial Subway restaurant. Judging by the sign above, some people are still not happy about it.

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West Philly in Pictures: ‘Sunny Day’ by Oxana Miron

Posted on 11 April 2012 by WPL

 

Reader Oxana Miron wanted to make people smile in this cool rainy evening and asked us to post this beautiful photo she took on a very pretty and sunny day around 48th and Osage. Thanks Oxana.

Send your photo of the neighborhood to editor@westphillylocal.com.

 

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West Philly in Pictures: ‘Rainy Day’ by Stephan Heuer

Posted on 11 April 2012 by WPL

 

Stephan Heuer submitted this photo of a rainy day in West Philly. The photo was taken between 47th and 48th Streets, next to Vietnam Cafe.

Send your photo of the neighborhood to editor@westphillylocal.com. Please don’t forget to include your name and photo’s title or caption.

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Buon giorno Il Rimedio! The brunch tradition continues at 45th and Spruce

Posted on 11 April 2012 by jhorner

Il Rimedio (4443 Spruce Street) adds something new to the West Philly scene. The menu offers luxe flavors and a slightly more sophisticated approach to brunch. The food is delicious and carefully prepared, and although the dark wood and white tablecloths bring a more formal feel to the room, the service is friendly and not pretentious in the least.

Two friends and I (with a two-year-old in tow) visited Il Rimedio last week for the Saturday brunch. We each ordered an item from one of three menu categories: Benedicts, Crepes, and Grains. The house smoked trout, grilled asparagus, and wild mushroom hollandaise sauce Benedict ($10) featured perfectly poached eggs anchored by a generous portion of firm, subtly smoked yet fresh-tasting fish. The wild mushroom hollandaise sauce was smooth and infused with flavor. The same sauce accompanied the crepes with egg whites, sauteed spinach, pecorino cheese and turkey bacon. The Parisian among us noted the authenticity of the crepes, which, like the poached eggs, require a close eye and a deft touch.

Although the mascarpone polenta ($6) looked good, from the Grains section we ordered the stuffed Italian bread French toast with whipped molasses cream cheese filling, black currant maple syrup, and honey walnut compound butter ($10). Being skeptical of the concept of “stuffed” french toast, and not a big fan of a sugary breakfast, I expected something beyond my control. Instead I was happy to find that the sweetness of the syrup and molasses was nicely balanced by the salty nut butter and the tangy sesame/sourdough flavor of the seeded Italian bread. Each of the dishes came with a side of herbed new potato hash, which was fine but not remarkable. The side of pork belly ($4) was a disappointment, because I expected something crispier. On this point I defer to those more familiar with the preparation of pork bellies. Next time I’ll opt for bacon ($4) instead.

Il Rimedio is a grown-up place featuring adult tastes, although children might appreciate the crepes with Nutella, fresh strawberries, mascarpone, vanilla bean anglaise, and mint coulis ($8), or the Greek yogurt, berries, and honey ($6). While the staff was certainly pleasant and family-friendly, the acoustics and the set-up are not. Chef Dan Freeman is happy to adapt dishes to meet different dietary requirements, and encourages you to make a request if something doesn’t meet your needs. At this early stage of the business — only a month in — some changes may occur, but the quality of the food and the skill of the chef will no doubt establish Il Rimedio as a strong option for a festive morning meal. We have yet to try dinner, but based on the brunch, our hopes are high.

– Jen

Il Rimedio, 4443 Spruce Street
Modern Northern Italian Cuisine (dinner & brunch)
Hours: Dinner: Tuesday – Sunday 5pm – 10pm; Brunch: Saturday – Sunday 10am – 2pm
BYOB: Yes
Kids-friendly: Yes
 
 


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Adopt-a-Cat: Juniper (aka Butterball)

Posted on 10 April 2012 by WPL

This week’s featured cat is Juniper. She’s available for adoption through Project Meow and is currently at Baltimore Pet Shoppe (4532 Baltimore Ave). Juniper’s foster mom sometimes calls her Butterball because she has a bright orange silky coat of fur (a rare color for a female), and also because she loves getting tummy rubs and simply melts if someone scratches her behind her ears.

Juniper was living on a lady’s porch since last summer, and she lost her litter of kittens, so she might seem shy and timid at first. But she warms up immediately when someone shows her love and affection. She can often be found snuggled into the massive folds of fluffy blankets, or cozying up against her new parent.

Juniper would really like to find a permanent home with a mommy or daddy that can welcome her into their family, because she so desperately wants to be a part of one! Please email projectmeowadoptions@gmail.com for an application or stop by Baltimore Pet Shoppe to fill one out (and to meet Juniper!).

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