FALL NEIGHBORHOOD TOURS
SPOTLIGHT THE ARTSY, EDGY & CREEPY SIDES OF
PHILLY
Three New Offerings Round Out The Eight-Tour Season
PHILADELPHIA, September 8, 2005
- Philadelphia's Neighborhood Tourism Network
(NTN) will take a walk on the city's artistic, edgy and creepy
sides this fall when it launches another season of its popular
immersive tour program on September 10, 2005. New to the eight-tour
roster this time around are University City: Left of
Center, a jaunt through the funky West Philadelphia enclave;
Philadelphia Open Studios, a sneak peak into the studios
of Philly artists; and Creepy Crypts & Criminals,
featuring stops at two of the city's most interesting (and spooky)
historic sites just in time for Halloween. The tour season rounds
out with familiar favorites, including Latin Soul, Latin
Flavor, Philadelphia's Civil Rights Struggle
and Voices of Chinatown, among others.
Eastern State Penitentiary
Photo by K. Ciappa for GPTMC
The first new tour, University City: Left of
Center,takes a look at Philadelphia's first suburb, recently
dubbed "Left of Center" by the University City District. The
three-hour excursion set for October 8, 2005, features a guided
tour of the Rodney Graham: A Little Thought exhibition at
the Institute for Contemporary Art, a look at the
larger-than-life puppets at the Spiral Q Puppet Theater's
Living Loft Museum and behind-the-scenes access to
WXPN's studios, where the World Cafe contemporary music
radio program is recorded and broadcasted to more than 1 85 radio
stations across the country.
On October 15, 2005 the Philadelphia Open Studios tour
will trek through artist studios in Northern Liberties, Kensington
and Fishtown for a behind-the-scenes look at the city's vibrant art
scene. Not only will participants visit local artists in their
workspace, they'll also see new artworks in progress, learn about
techniques being used and hear about the inspiration behind the
art.
The third new addition, Creepy Crypts & Criminals,
taking place on October 2 9, 2005, is perfect for Halloween
revelers. The tour includes visits to two National Historic
Landmarks, Eastern State Penitentiary, an
abandoned prison where some of America's most notorious criminals
were once held, and Laurel Hill Cemetery, resting
place for a who's who of deceased Philadelphians.
Here's a look at the rest of NTN's fall roster:
- Latin Soul, Latin Flavor (September 10, 2005):
The rhythm is gonna get visitors to El Centro de Oro. While in the
heart of Philadelphia's Latino community, they'll enjoy live Latin
music from the Latin American Musicians Association (AMLA) and
browse the art gallery and bookstore at Taller
Puertorriqueno.
- Philadelphia's Civil Rights Struggle (September 17,
2005): North Philadelphia was the epicenter of
Philadelphia's civil rights struggle. This tour will take visitors
to Girard College, where they'll learn about the
dramatic protests that brought about the integration of a school
that once only admitted poor, white, orphan boys. The three-hour
excursion also includes a stop at Church of the
Advocate for a look at some stunning murals that celebrate
the leadership of local civil rights icons.
- Taking a Stand for Freedom (September 24,
2005): During visits to Mother Bethel AME
Church and the Johnson House Historic
Site, visitors will experience first-person accounts that
evoke the moral and spiritual battles of conscience waged by black
and white Philadelphians who risked their lives and personal
liberty as station masters on the Underground Railroad.
- Fishtown & Kensington: Traditions of Art &
Industry(October 1, 2005): The renewed vitality of
Fishtown and Kensington is on full view during this trip through
the city's River Ward neighborhoods. Guests will visit the artist
studios at the Rocket Cat Cafe, get a
behind-the-scenes look at the operations of Yards Brewing
Company and browse the farmers market of
Greensgrow Farms' hydroponic garden.
- University City : Left of Center (October 8,
2005): See details on page one.
- Philadelphia Open Studio Tour (October 15,
2005): See details on page one.
- Voices of Chinatown (October 22, 2005): During
a stroll through these busy streets, participants will learn about
the political and social forces that shaped the community listen to
music played on traditional Chinese instruments and sample some of
the neighborhood's best dim sum. They'll also view some public
works of art that are part of In/Flux, an exhibition
opening on October 22, 2005, featuring seven site-specific works in
and about Chinatown.
- Creepy Crypts & Criminals (October 9,
2005): See details on page one.
Philadelphia Neighborhood Tours depart from the
Independence Visitor Center, located at 6th and
Market Streets, at 10 a.m. every Saturday from September 10 through
October 29, 2005. Tickets are $30 for adults, $ 25 for students and
seniors over 65 years old, $ 25 for individuals purchasing two or
more tours, $ 20 for children ages 8- 12 and $ 20 per person for
groups of 10 or more. For reservations, call GPTMC at (215) 599-
2295 or e-mail ntn@gophila.com.
The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC)
builds the region's economy and image through destination marketing
to increase the number of visitors, the number of nights they stay
and the number of things they do in the five-county region. For
more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit www.gophila.com or call the
Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National
Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676.
Note to Editors: For photos of Greater
Philadelphia, visit our Photo
Gallery.
CONTACT:
Jeff Guaracino, GPTMC
(215) 599- 2290, jeff@gptmc.com