Bucket List July 12 - July 19: Philadelphia, The Greatest City Never Sold

Now It's the summer of free festivals, concerts and event in Philly, and this week it is Global Fusion Week's turn to host the line up (See a full schedule here.) Here's the weekly bucket list for Philadelphia:

Tuesday, July 12: Watch Phillies Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Shane Victorino face off against baseball stars brave enough to play in the All-Star Game at 8 p.m. Hamels is sitting this one out, but ladies - there will be plenty of other hotties in tight pants playing. Also, Global Fusion Week kicked off yesterday - Tonight's pick? Global Fusion's Wine, Dine & Dance at Reef Restaurant and Lounge starts at 9 p.m., and $7 of cover will get you a night of hot Latin beats, a salsa dance lesson and the chance to be swept off your feet, literally. Mmm, spicy!

Wednesday, July 13: A short story about today: 23 long years ago on this day, God blessed the world with a screaming baby. While definitely not immaculately conceived (though when my mother insists on telling me about that time in Vermont, I wish I was) or here to save the world, I arrived none the less to wreak havoc. Happy Birthday, self. Even outside of my birthday, Wednesday promises to be exciting as usual. 1 - Penn Museum's $5 Summer Nights Music Series is going Global with fusion-inspired  New Orleans-style music from Zydeco-A-Go-Go at the UPenn Museum of Archaeology (5-8 p.m.) 2 - Summer is still hot as ever, so you can still abuse Center City Sips from 5-7. (Hint: Their birthday party is at a fantastic location this week, Jolly's Dueling Piano Bar, 1420 Locust St.) 3 -Bastille events start today, check out Know It All Philly for french specials. 4 - Bring the kids to Headhouse Square on South Street: Free admission to see Blender child friendly films produced by animators from around the world.

Thursday, July 14:   Happy Birthday, France - Wahoo it's Bastille Day. With the heavy french influence (marketing) in Philadelhia, there are quite a few special events, drinks or meals going on. Eastern State Penitentiary is encouraging citizens to dress French and descend upon some Fairmount restaurants in the Fairmount French Fling Bar Crawl starting at 7:30. If you want to be cultural but not French (and who can blame you), definitely drop by the Global Fusion Week's Game Night Thursday & Martini Mixer at Reef Restaurant between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.. While it may not be the same as the archery range at the games bar in Buenos Aires I used to frequent, bring a few friends and you're likely to have almost as good a time with board card and group games - the $20 Martini Pitchers will make sure of that. As usual, Old City Social on Thursdays means happy hour from 6-8 p.m. with $3 Hoegaarden, Skyy vodka and Don Q Rum drinks. 

Friday, July 15: From 9 p.. to 2 a.m. check out the Blockley for Rebel Bingo. By The Underground Rebel Bingo Club, it's a one-of-a-kind experience you may never have again - and some will certainly hope they won't have to. Also going on - Bastille Day Weekend? Stop by the London Grille Bar to spin the French wheel and possibly win some prizes, then head over to Mugshots Cafe - they're showing Ratatouille at 7 p.m.! And they have french sodas (the buying of which will score you a free mini cupcake!) If you want to do something mainstream - go see the last installment of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hollows! (And if you think the 'Arry wizarding cult ends with the last movie - you're wrong.)

Saturday, July 16: It's another day of free festivals in Philadelphia, starting with the Global Fusion Festival, 12-8 p.m. with headliner Estelle and many more multi-cultural artists. In the Fairmount neighborhood, the Bastille Day Street Festival is both family and wallet-friendly. Catch some TastyKakes from the towers of the Penitentiary, win a contest, browse the French wares, watch a fashion show and listen to some French tunes. Oh, and at 5:30 storm the "Bastille" for the chance to behead a local expensive restaurant owner, er, Marie Antoinette. Twilight tours of the ancient jail are only $10...

Sunday, July 17: University City Dining Days kicked off on Thursday. What better day than Sunday to get a piece of it? However, the pre-set $15, $25 and $25 menus go on until July 28th, so you have plenty of times to make your move.

Monday, June 18:  Cavanaugh Brew & Chew, $20. Check out Drink Philly's rundown of the event here. The highlights? $20 gets you four cervezas and four tapas-style dishes. Also, if you're looking for a free lunch, defy the laws of economics and score one at Opa today. (Thanks KnowItAllPhilly for the tip!) Stop by for some free bites during lunch and check out their new noontime menu - it starts a $3 so you can't go wrong.

Free-For-Alls On What Could Be Philly's Last Day

There are tons of free festivals on what could be Philly's last day (not to be confused with free-for-alls). Just in case the world ends tomorrow at 6 p.m., here's some ways to make the most of life in Philly for free before you expire - uh, rapture. Also, check out the two beerfests going on (after all, beer is proof that God loves mankind; why else would he give us the nectar of the gods?) I guess if we are all here come Sunday, then they'll just be some quality memories, Y2K style.


RittenHouse Row Spring Festival, 12 pm. to 5 p.m.
From 19th to Broad on Walnut Street
Highlights? Some complimentary tastings of Peroni, fashion stage on the 1500 block, and if the fashion show isn't enough to bring you then you need to read how much fun the free Sa Va Fashion Show was. Oh, and there will be some live music so you don't get to bored. All for free. 


Philadelphia On Parade, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Mann Center, Previously on Bucket List For This Weekend


Delaware River Day, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Penn's Landing Marina
In case you missed the epic Navy commercials, "the future is here" and this is your last chance to sail for free before the rapture. If that doesn't make you want to jump on a boat, during Delaware River Day, just remember that Noah's Ark probably did not have free music by the Navy band "Cruisers" (original) or more importantly, face-painting - but they did survive the flood...and the day ends at 6 p.m., when the rapture is reported to start. Coincidence? I think not.


Trenton Avenue Arts Festival, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Trenton Ave, between E. Norris Street & Frankford Avenue
Enjoy some local craft: artists, musicians, food places offering up their wares for your viewing and buying pleasure. Free to go, listen to some music and buy should you feel so inclined. There's apparently even a mud-pit. So pack your PBR and your hipster outfit, 'cuz it's pretty much like First Friday on crack.