One thing you have to keep in mind when you go to see David Copperfield perform is that you're not just there to see David Copperfield, the magician. You're there to see David Copperfield, the franchise.

It is once he finally takes the stage that Copperfield shows why he is the world's most successful magician / illusionist / showman.

Copperfield's show in Philadelphia may be over, but the show is moving to Las Vegas for an extended run and I know how Philadelphians love Las Vegas. So, here's what you'll be able to see this summer in Las Vegas or maybe even sometime again in Philadelphia.

Read our review of David Copperfield - An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusion

_{Photo from Getty Images}

Memorial Day marks the unofficial beginning of the summer. It's a day when many Philadelphia and South Jersey area families go to a parade, hold a family picnic or barbecue, and perhaps attend a local sporting event.

Memorial Day, however, is a day first established after the American Civil War to honor Union soldiers who dies during the conflict. For some it is still known by its original name of Decoration Day. Following World War I, the day was expanded to honor those men and women who have died in any war or conflict while serving the United States.

Check out our Memorial Day Weekend Special and make your plans for the first big weekend of the summer season.

Much to the surprise of no one EarthLink has announced that they are pulling the plug on their still incomplete and poor functioning Philadelphia City-wide Wi-Fi Network. The concept was praised at the time of its original announcement but problems, delays and lack of business finally forced EarthLink to end the venture.

EarthLink has recently abandoned similar systems in Corpus Christi, TX, Milpitas, California and New Orleans, Louisiana. History will likely view this as just another failed program of former Mayor John Street.

The Associated Press reports that EarthLink "said Tuesday that it could not find a buyer for the $17 million network and that talks to give it to either the city or a nonprofit organization had failed." Apparently no one wanted to be saddled with a white elephant. Read more...

The Philadelphia Book Festival, the Free Library of Philadelphia's annual celebration of reading and literacy will be held Saturday and Sunday, May 17 and 18, from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. both days, at the Parkway Central Library, 19th and Vine Streets.

The festival features more than 60 of the nation's top writers. Numerous award-winning authors and poets, including celebrity author Barbara Walters, will gather in a lively atmosphere that combines stimulating book talks with an eclectic blend of music, children's entertainment, and a new gaming gallery for all ages to enjoy.

The festival is a free, public event that connects book lovers throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Last year's inaugural event drew over 25,000 attendees. Read more...

Originally founded as the summer home of the Philadelphia Orchestra, The Mann Center for the Performing Arts is the only outdoor cultural arts venue in the Philadelphia region and one of the largest of its kind in the nation.

This unique open-air theater has hosted some of the world’s best-known artists and performances. Today, The Mann offers a range of arts programs like nowhere else in the area—from orchestra to opera, dance to drumming, pops and jazz to rock and roll.

The Mann Center for the Performing Arts has announced its 2008 schedule of events. We will add information on additional events when they become available. Click on any link for ticket information.

Check out the 2008 Mann Center for the Performing Arts Calendar of Events.

_{Mann Center Photo by M. Kennedy for GPTMC}

The 70th edition of the Dad Vail Regatta will be held this Friday and Saturday, May 9 and 10, 2008.

The Dad Vail Regatta is just one of over 60 regattas scheduled on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia each year, arguably the most of any rowing racing course in the United States.

The Dad Vail Regatta is the largest collegiate regatta in the United States. Hundreds of colleges and their student athletes visit the city of Philadelphia during the second weekend of May every year. Read more about the 2008 Dad Vail Regatta.

View our Gallery of Kelly Drive and Schuylkill River Photos.

Philadelphia resident Anna May Jarvis very close to her mother. When her mother died on the second Sunday in May of 1906, Anna was devastated and became obsessed with creating a day to help people to remember everything that mothers do for their families. Three years later, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania became the first city to proclaim a Mother's Day officially.

There are many choices of things to do in the Philadelphia and South Jersey area to honor the mother in your life whether it's your own mom or the mother of your children. Here are a few suggestions.

There's a lot going on this May in the Greater Philadelphia / South Jersey area.

Whether its going to see a concert, a play or a Phillies game, there is so much to do now that good weather is now here. Mothers Day is on May 11 and you'll find plenty of great choices to make a special day for that very special person.

Check out these calendars of events for May 2008

• Philadelphia Area May 2008 Arts, Events, Exhibits and Festivals
  
  
• South Jersey Area May 2008 Events Calendar
  
  
• Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts / Academy of Music May 2008 Events
  
  
• Philadelphia Theater Guide - A Guide to What's on Stage at Philadelphia Area Theaters
  
  
• National Constitution Center Events and Programs
  
  
• May 2008 Casino Headliners in Atlantic City
  
  

The 16th annual Equality Forum will feature 63 programs including 34 panels, 14 parties and 15 special events. Equality Forum 2008 will be held from Monday, April 28 to Sunday, May 4 in Philadelphia. The largest annual national and international GLBT civil rights forum has no registration fee and all substantive programs are free.

Equality Forum 2008 includes two Governors, three Congressmen, 60 participating nonprofit organizations, 64 leaders, 14 parties and 15 special events. “We are at the epicenter of our civil rights movement with Equality Forum 2008 reflecting our aspirations,” said Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director of Equality Forum. Gays and Lesbians in the Muslim World is the international focus. Read more...

The current season of CBS's Big Brother entitled Big Brother 9 - Till Death Do You Part ends this Sunday when a jury of seven former housemates will choose between the two final residents of the Big Brother House to award $500,000 to the winner and $50,000 to the second place finisher.

The two finalists are 29 year-old former Cherry Hill, NJ resident Adam "Baller" Jasinski and 27 year-old Ohio resident Ryan Quicksall. Both have survived a three month residency inside the Big Brother House in Los Angeles, California where their every move is broadcast live over the Internet and shown three times a week on CBS TV and every night on Showtime.

CBS's Big Brother reality series is never short on controversy. This season's first, and biggest controversy, involved Jasinski and comments he made early on during the show's three month run involving a job he held as public relations manager for the United Autism Foundation in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Read more...