"2nd Fridays, Left of Center" Kicks Off October 8 in University City

(Philadelphia) -- A collaboration of museums, art galleries, and restaurants located in the Powelton section of University City will host “2nd Fridays, Left of Center” starting October 8, 2004 from 5-11pm. This event welcomes everyone to experience live music, art exhibitions, theater presentations, spoken word performances, and international cuisine every 2nd Friday of the month.

This represents an effort on the part of the businesses to celebrate the wealth of art and culture that exists in this area of Philadelphia. “The goal of the event is to address the needs of the community, businesses, and educational facilities by incorporating the arts and culture as part of the overall strategies for revitalization and economic development in University City,” says David Lawrence, event organizer. There will be something for everyone young and old.

“2nd Fridays” brings the community together for a fun filled festive “Night Life” atmosphere where residents, artists, entertainers, and businesses embrace diversity “Left of Center.”

The participating businesses include: the new Art on 38 Gallery, the Ellen Powell Tiberino Museum of Contemporary Art, the East African Resource Center, Community Education Center / CEC, Vintage 36 Boutique & Gallery, Lawrence Salzman Gallery, Zocalo Mexican Restaurant, Lemon Grass Restaurant, and Mokas Mediterranean Restaurant.

For the kick off celebration on October 8, the FREE events include:

Art on 38 Gallery will host PMTE recording jazz artist pianist Alfie Pollitt and an exhibit featuring the art of Vitus Shell. Art on 38 Gallery is a fine art gallery showcasing classical to contemporary paintings, sculpture, tribal art, textiles, outsider art and mixed media.
The Ellen Powell Tiberino Museum will feature an exhibit entitled “Artists against the End of the World” displaying renowned local and international known artist. 100 distinguished artists bring voice to the hopes and fears of humanity throughout history to question the present state of affairs in the world today.
The Community Education Center (CEC) presents “The Blue Grotto, an art installation to encourage the art lobby to identify itself with the color blue by Randy Dalton. The Blue Grotto, featuring more than 100 blue light beacons, is the headquarters of DO BLUE, Randy Dalton’s multi-year project to get Philadelphia to give itself a blue ribbon for using lights, swimming pools, fabrics, paint, and imagination. Dalton, the artist In-residence at the CEC, has created an exhibition, studio, gathering space to recruit participants to his campaign to brand the city as an art capital.
The East African Resource Center, 3808 Pearl Street; a non-profit cultural education organization presents: An Interactive exhibition of nomadic material culture objects of East Africa. These objects are brought to life through demonstrations, story telling, and performances by the East African Diaspora of West Philadelphia and the founders Bill & Betty Baumann. There will also be on the 2nd floor gallery an exhibition of Contemporary art from the Sudan. Founders Bill and Betty Bauman have traveled the world as living among many nomadic cultures.
Vintage 36 Boutique & Gallery will be showcasing the oil paintings of Alex Cohen, featured in last month’s Philadelphia Inquirer. Opening its doors in July, Vintage 36 is a new member of the University City community specializing in vintage clothing, unique furniture and records. Vintage 36 has already held a successful art exhibit featuring the photography of Michael Koehler, who has recently done work for the City Paper.

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University City District builds effective partnerships to maintain a clean and safe environment and to promote, plan and advocate for University City’s diverse, urban community. For more information about University City District, visit www.ucityphila.org

Release Date: Wednesday, September 22nd 2004