Philadelphia / S. Jersey

May is a busy month for live music and touring bands. Philadelphia has a lot of music venues from corporate, concrete auditoriums to grandiose concert halls to dive bars and basements, but something was missing: a midsized concert hall with character. Four Corners Management, R5 Productions and New York's, Bowery Present's, has come together to fill that void. Union Transfer is a beautifully designed indie-rock-centric theatre that boasts "the best and biggest PA/sound System in Philadelphia." If you haven't checked it out yet this the time whether you prefer folk music, indie rock or rap. On May 5^th see uber-talented, multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird. Celebrate Philly rapper Meek Mill's birthday on May 6^th, or check out electronic indie darlings, M83, perform on the 11th.

There are over 500 coffee shops to choose from in Philadelphia. Some have great coffee, but lousy food; some have cute décor but rude service.  Some are too noisy, too cold, or too dark. It takes a lot to get it just right. The perfect coffee shop should obviously have amazing coffee and decent food options, but equally important are the atmosphere and ambiance. Coffee shops are places to work and to meet up, to concentrate or to socialize. The very best coffee shops should produce the perfect environment to be inspired. One Shot is a truly inspired place, from the décor to the drinks. With a full and varied menu, you should add One Shot to list of Philadelphia's best brunch spots. Read the full guide review here.

This week I had the chance to visit Steven's Starr's newish restaurant Route 6.  Route 6 serves classic New England style seafood in a beautiful space that will transport you from North Broad Street to a lakeside cabin in Maine. The restaurant is delicious and the ambiance is unbeatable. As expected, Route 6 is not cheap, but you can get in one some newly introduced specials. There's a new happy hour running Monday through Friday, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Pick up $1 oysters, $4 draft beers, $5 wines and $6 cocktails. Check out the full guide review here.

Italian Market festival are this month. Revelers are permitted to imbibe in the sun and sample Philly's deliciousness. There is also a crop of creative new must see's like the Art Star Craft Bazaar and the Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby which are as fun as they are inspiring. Check the May Events Calendar for details.

There is an amazing exhibit at the Institute of Contemporary Art, now through August 12, that combines graphic design, psychology and philosophy .  Stefan Sagmeister, an designer renowned for his album art, explores themes of happiness through bold, interactive design. The works are inspired by Sagmeister's experiment with meditation, cognitive therapy and mood-altering pharmaceuticals. The purpose of his experiement was to train his mind, in the way you can train your body, to produce an overall sense of well-being. Using typography and bright imagery Sagemeister relays messages of encouragement and positivity. You are invited to position your face in a smile meter, the bigger your smile, the brighter the phrase "step up to it" lights up. Pedal the stationary platform bike and a maxim for productivity inspired satisfaction appears. You will likely walk away likely show inspired and uplifted. The ICA is at 36^th and Sansom and is a free musuem.

Spring has arrived and April is full of ways to enjoy it.  There are lots of great events this month, from the Philly Farm and Food Fest, to the Easter Zombie Pub Crawl. One of the most exciting things happening is the second annual Philadelphia Science Festival. For two weeks, philadelphia's schools, universities, cultural institutions, scientists and engineers come together to engage the city with fun and interactive programs. Be sure to check the April Events Calendar so you don't miss out.

On May 21^st, The Historical Society of Pennsylvania is hosting a walking tour of South Philadelphia and Northern Liberties. This is a great opportunity to experience these neighborhoods in a new way -through the stories and memories of the immigrants, mill workers, merchants, and others who once lived here. The tour of South Philadelphia "Territory of Dreams" will begin at Christian Street and Delaware Avenue in front of Shank's at 10 a.m. The tour of the Northern Liberties "Building on 'Ruins'" will begin in front of the Edgar Allen Poe House at 7th and Spring Garden Streets at 1:30 p.m., and the tour will end around 3:30 p.m. Tours are $15 for members of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and $20 for nonmembers. To register click here.

Anticipation is building for XFINITY Live!, South Philadelphia's New Mega Sports and Entertainment Venue. Slated to open March 30^th, 2012, XFINITY Live! (don't forget the exclamation point) will be a sports bar on steroids. The state-of-the-art entertainment center will open just in time for the Phillies first game. The complex will show non-stop sporting events on giant indoor and outdoor LED screens. Dining, drinking and entertainment options abound. There will be an upscale steak house, a beer hall, a 300-foot turf field, a mechanical bull and much, much more. Stay tuned for updates.

Happy March! Check out the March events calendar! It's packed with ideas and outings from the flower show to the grand opening of Xfinity Live. And it's not too early to start making plans for St. Patty's Day. We have plenty of ideas for how to celebrate in the spirit of the Irish this month.