By AML Publisher
Photos courtesy of Courtney Apple Photography

Bug Fest is Back!

As far as 200th birthdays go, Lorenzo Langstroth doesn’t usually spring to mind like, say, Charles Darwin does. But come August 14th and 15th, the Philadelphia native’s name will be rolling off the tongues of 10-year-olds as easily as T. rex. That’s because Langstroth’s beloved bees will be the center of attention at the Academy of Natural Sciences’ third annual Bug Fest. “It’s such a fun weekend to celebrate all things ‘buggy.’ And, it’s a great opportunity for the kids and the parents to connect with the experts and our Academy scientists. Its always fun to see a world expert at Bug Fest nose-to-nose with a young child having a great conversation,” enthused Barbara Ceiga, the Academy’s vice president for public operations.

“Bees” is the theme of this year’s popular festival, which also celebrates insects of all kinds—yes, even roaches. Langstroth (1810-1895), a clergyman and teacher dubbed the father of American beekeeping, revolutionized the beekeeping industry by determining the amount of space a bee needs to survive and then inventing the movable frame beehive. The Philadelphia Beekeepers Guild is raising funds to place a historical marker at his birthplace at 106 South Front St.
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By AML Publisher
Photos courtesy of Belle Vie Photography
Click here to view our slideshow on our AML Facebook Fan Page

Gorgeous table linens provided by our good friend Cindy Bene of Select Event Rentals. Beautiful floral arrangements courtesy of Paoli’s Flowers by Priscilla.

AroundMainLine.com welcomed over 300 Main Liners and local foodies at Susanna Foo’s Gourmet Kitchen in Radnor on Thursday evening July 22nd for the official launch party of Main Line Restaurant Week. Dozens of local restaurant owners and local chefs attended the magical evening—including many of our participating restaurants.

Special AML VIP guests included Michael Klein of the Philadelphia Inquirer and philly.com, Mickael Decoker, manager of Blackfish BYO in Conshohocken, Ronna Bonds of Chesterbrook’s popular EBar at the Embassy Suites, Prudential Fox Roach realtor Joan Hindin, CEO of Wayne’s popular women’s boutique Fresh Ayer Liz Ayerle, Brian Pieri of Conshohocken’s The Stone Rose, Dr. Catherine Foote of Foote Orthodontics, and AML photographers Heather Berkenstock and Courtney Apple. Read the full story

By AML Publisher
Photography courtesy of Courtney Apple Photography
Click here to view our Facebook slideshow and more photos

What did Cleopatra look like? After her death, the Roman emperor Octavian ordered all images of her destroyed. Of the countless images created of the queen during her lifetime, only a handful of coins and sculptures remain.

Main Liners can walk like an Egyptian with the world premiere of “Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt” at the Franklin Institute now through January 2, 2011.

The world of Cleopatra VII, which has been lost to the sea and sand for nearly 2,000 years, surfaced on June 5th when the incredible exhibit opened its doors to the world for the first time. The new exhibition features nearly 150 artifacts from Cleopatra’s time and takes visitors inside the present-day search for the elusive queen, which extends from the sands of Egypt to the depths of the Bay of Aboukir near Alexandria. The exhibition is organized by National Geographic and Arts and Exhibitions International, with cooperation from the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities and the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM). It features statuary, jewelry, daily items, coins and religious tokens that archaeologists have uncovered from the time surrounding Cleopatra’s rule, all of which are visiting the U.S. for the first time.

Naos of the Decades (387-361 B.C.) This naos-the inner shrine that held the temple god-may be the world’s first astrological chart. The year is divided into 36 decades, or 10-day periods. It is the first U.S. tour of artifacts from two ongoing searches into the life and times of Egypt’s legendary Queen.

Also on display is an original papyrus document from Cleopatra’s time containing an inscription that scientists believe was written in Cleopatra’s own hand. After Egypt succumbed to Roman forces and Cleopatra famously took her own life following the suicide of her lover Mark Antony, the Romans attempted to wipe her legacy from the pages of history. Cleopatra thus has remained one of history’s greatest enigmas, and her final resting place is one of Egypt’s unsolved mysteries. The story of her life and time unfolds in a dramatic setting with high-definition multimedia, original soundscapes and a mobile-based social media experience. Additionally each guest receives an audio tour with admission that provides a rich background to the featured artifacts.
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By AML Publisher
Photos courtesy of Belle Vie Photography
View our slideshow on Facebook.

Costume from the movie: Dr. Doolittle

Icons of Costume: Hollywood’s Golden Era and Beyond presents over 50 items selected from one of the most extensive collections of movie memorabilia, from Marlene Dietrich’s black velvet evening gown from Shanghai Express (1932) to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s black leather jacket from Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991). Rare studio publicity stills, lobby cards and film props augment the experience, and an interactive “Screen Test” area allows visitors to act out their favorite scenes to be uploaded to the museum’s channel on YouTube.com.

“Fabric is very fragile. It is a miracle that any of the early costumes survived at all. Also, showing costumes and dressing them, showing them on mannequins can stress the seams. Preservation is a very complicated process with these costumes-especially since many of these we are approaching almost a hundred years in age,” explained Erika Jaeger-Smith, the Museum’s Associate Curator of Exhibitions. Read the full story

By AML Publisher

Nectar’s beautiful outdoor deck overlooks an Asian garden.
Photo courtesy of Courtney Apple Photography

Ardmore

Plate
www.platerestaurant.com
Ever since Reese (Witherspoon) decided to dine frequently at Plate last summer while filming her movie with Paul Rudd, Plate has enjoyed a very sweet flurry of activity. For those wishing a meal outdoors, Plate offers a full-service outdoor dining area that seats 75. Their chic cedar pergola and café tables and chairs allow diners to savor a good meal while basking in the beautiful weather. Afterwards, take in all the great shopping Suburban Square (Lilly Pulitzer, Blue Mercury, and Ann Taylor) has to offer.

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By AML Publisher
Photos courtesy of Heather Berkenstock, Belle Vie Photography
Click here to view our virtual tour of Susanna Foo’s on AML’s Facebook Fan Page.

"Thank you for organizing such a wonderful event. We are excited to be part of the inaugural Main Line Restaurant Week." Susanna Foo, Susanna Foo's Gourmet Kitchen

AroundMainLine.com is throwing a fantastic launch party for the first ever Main Line Restaurant Week at Susanna Foo’s Gourmet Kitchen in Radnor July 22nd! In what promises to be one of the Main Line’s hottest summer events, guests will be treated to complimentary hors d’oeuvres, amazing drink specials and a festive atmosphere—with the suburbs top chefs and restaurant owners in attendance.

For more than 25 years, Susanna Foo has changed the paradigm of Chinese food melding traditional Chinese foods with classical French techniques. With two cookbooks and two internationally known restaurants, Chef Foo is a two-time James Beard Award winner and is widely recognized as one of America’s top Chinese chefs. Many Asian cuisine aficionados credit Foo with having brought Chinese food into the modern realm. In November 2006, she opened Susanna Foo Gourmet Kitchen in Radnor—now one of the Main Line’s most successful and respected restaurants. Read the full story

By AML Publisher
Photography courtesy of Mark Garvin

People’s Light and Theatre Company presents The Emperor’s New Clothes, through July 11, 2010. A world premiere production, with a script by Richard Hellesen, it is based on the children’s classic tale by Hans Christian Andersen.

People’s Light & Theatre Company presents The Emperor’s New Clothes, from June 16 – July 11, 2010, on the Main Stage. A world premiere production, with a script by Richard Hellesen, it is based on the children’s classic tale by Hans Christian Andersen. Abigail Adams directs.

The Emperor’s New Clothes is a slapstick, mad cap, puppet-romp version of the classic tale of an Emperor with a passion for fashion. In the Empire of Abalonia, the bratty new Royal demands a trendy new wardrobe. Enter two scamming rogues who are only too happy to help while trying to loot the royal treasury.

Artistic Director Abigail Adams says, “This script pays homage to the Marx Brothers and Abbott and Costello—it is wacky and zany and we’ve assembled a very talented cast and artistic team to help tell this familiar tale in a fresh and funny way.”

People’s Light Mary Elizabeth Scallen plays the Policeman in the play and is a puppeteer. “This production is pulling from a lot of classic comedy traditions from the past and, combined with the puppets, it really offers a unique spin on a classic fairytale. Because it’s a slapstick comedy, the play is very fun and surprising. The characters in the play create a lot of mayhem-sort of like rambunctious kids getting in a lot of trouble so the kids will really love it. And the parents will appreciate the quirky tone of the Marx Brothers. The only person in the town who ‘sees the truth’ in the end is the youngest person in the play and there is a neat message in that,” explained Scallen.

The Emperor’s New Clothes, part of the TARGET Family Discovery Series, features Resident Company Members Kevin Bergen, Alda Cortese, Marcia Saunders, Mary Elizabeth Scallen and Tom Teti, who join guest artists Pete Pryor, Andrew Kane and Claire Inie-Richards, in addition to over 50 handmade puppets by Martina Plag. Before each show, children are invited to D.Y.O.B. (Decorate Your Own Boxers) for free. The crafts will begin one hour before each performance in the upstairs lobby. Go to www.peopleslight.org for details.

The play opened on Friday, June 18th at 7pm and runs through July 11th. Audiences are encouraged to join the artists after each performance to discuss the production. People’s Light & Theatre Company is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern. For tickets call 610.644.3500 or visit PeoplesLight.org. This project is supported in part by TARGET.

Single tickets start at $20 for youth and $29 for adults, with special discounts available for students and groups of 10 or more. 10am student group performances, discount meal packages, and talk-backs with the artists are also available. For more information or to purchase group tickets, call 610.647.1900, ext. 134 or email group@peopleslight.org. Actors, prices, performances dates and times are subject to change. Additional service charges may apply.

About People’s Light

People’s Light, a professional theatre founded in 1974 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, makes plays drawn from many sources to entertain, inspire, and engage our community. We extend our mission of making and experiencing theatre through arts education programs that excite curiosity about, and deepen understanding of, the world around us. These plays and programs bring people together and provide opportunities for reflection, discovery, and celebration.

By AML Publisher
Photography courtesy of Belle Vie Photography

The Admiral Fell Inn is a renovated urban inn located on Baltimore’s celebrated waterfront.

AML sent the Berkenstock family of Lansdale for a fun three day summer vacation to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Thinking of taking the kiddos on the road? Don’t worry about figuring it all out—below is the perfect three day Baltimore family experience planned out for you. Want more information on planning a summer family vacation to Baltimore? Check out visitbaltimore.org for a complete guide and details for your Inner Harbor experience. Or, visit their new website—bmorehappy.com.

Safe travels!

Day 1

The Admiral Fell in What?
Admiral Fell Inn
www.admiral-fell-inn.com
888 South Broadway
Baltimore, MD 21231
(410) 522-7377

Located in Baltimore’s historic Fell’s Point, the Admiral Fell Inn is a renovated urban inn located on Baltimore’s celebrated waterfront. The Fell’s Point section of Baltimore is a jaunty water taxi ride across from the more famous section of Inner Harbor, but it’s not to be missed, especially if you prefer your lodging a little subdued. Fell’s Point itself is worth a trip, as its cobblestone streets are brimming with charming shops, boutiques, galleries, pubs, and restaurants. Read the full story

By AML Publisher
Photos courtesy of Belle Vie Photography

With Conshohocken’s only open air dining setting, The Stone Rose Restaurant has become a popular neighborhood destination.

AML’s Monday Night Meetup, our fun, regular social get-together, returns this Monday evening, June 21st, at Conshohocken’s popular Stone Rose Restaurant. Stone Rose opened last October with owner Brian Pieri, a former executive in the financial industry, and executive chef Jason Mase spearheading one of the Philly’s burbs hottest new dining spots.

Stone Rose is tucked away off the main stream of restaurants in Conshohocken near the corner of 9th and Fayette—across from the Conshy Fire Department. The welcoming exterior with outdoor seating gives way to a cozy and sexy upscale neighborhood restaurant inside. The front room boasts a beautiful fifteen seat bar. The ‘Rose’ also has an intimate back room, rustic Italian accents and Conshy’s only open air dining setting.
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By AML Publisher
Photos courtesy of Courtney Apple Photography

Nectar executive chef and partner Patrick Feury is hosting a beer dinner with his brother, chef Terence Feury, and Bill Covalescki of Victory Brewery.

The bad news? Philly Beer Week is coming to an end. The good news? If you have not had time to partake in the hundreds of events across the city and suburbs this week, a fantastic finale is planned this Sunday at Bryn Mawr’s popular pan-Asian restaurant, Nectar.

Executive chef and partner Patrick Feury has teamed up with Downingtown’s Victory Brewery and his brother, Fork executive chef Terence Feury, to launch Fists of Feury. Fists is an English pale ale created via the Victory collaboration. It is only available at Nectar, Old City’s Fork and Victory while the batches last. Sunday both Feury brothers and Victory’s Bill Covaleski will host a special four course beer dinner at Nectar, with one seating, starting at 5 p.m.

AroundMainLine.com: Chef Feury, I love that, as one of the Main Line’s most prestigious and respected chefs, you are vested in beer and food pairings. How did this event and relationship between Nectar and Victory come about?

Patrick Feury: I’ve known Bill (Covaleski) for many years and I’ve been home brewing since I was very young. So we decided to do a beer that was ‘chef driven’ and paired well with food. It’s the perfect marriage and it’s been a great learning experience for Terry and me.

AML: What inspired you to brew an English pale ale specifically?

PF: My mom was born in England and my dad is first generation Irish. We really wanted a brew that was similar to our heritage and so Terry and I took English hops and American hops and came up with Fists.

AML: I guess we can let everyone in on the ‘secret weapon’ in Fists of Feury-rosemary.

PF: I use rosemary a lot in my food at Nectar as a background accent that people may not realize is in their food. Even my citrus vinaigrette that I use for my salads has rosemary. I thought rosemary would be fun in the beer!

AML: Count me in for Sunday night! What can the diners expect with this event?

PF: We designed the dinner to be a loose, fun party atmosphere, with stellar food, for everyone on Sunday. Its not so structured as you would think for a four course dinner. We will also be serving Victory’s Summer Love ale-and Bill has never launched two ales at once which I think beer lovers will appreciate. Its really going to be fun.

Fists of Feury Beer Dinner at Nectar

When: Sunday June 13th 5 p.m. Please arrive by 5 p.m. as there is one seating.

Where: Nectar Restaurant, Bryn Mawr

What: A special four course dinner celebrating the release of Fists of Feury, a limited release English pale ale

Cost: $55 per person, beer included, gratuity is additional

Reservations: Call Nectar for reservations, seating is limited: 610-725-9000

Address: 1091 East Lancaster Avenue, Berwyn

Website: www.tastenectar.com

Facebook Fan Page: Nectar Restaurant and Lounge