Taste of Philadelphia: Reading Terminal Market Tours

Every Wednesday & Saturday Learn the story behind cheese steaks, hoagies, pretzels and other Philly food favorites, and the 114-year history of the vibrant Reading Terminal Market where they’re sold during this 75-minute, food-writer-led walking tour.

The tour leaves from the Market information desk at 12th and Filbert streets in the heart of downtown Philadelphia at 10 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday. Reservations Required.

Cost is $15.95 for adults and $8.95 for children ages 7 to 11. Private tours also available.

Call 215-545-8007×3 or visit http://www.tasteofphillyfoodtour.com/ for information and to make reservations.

FREE Philadelphia Attractions

Christ Church - This is "the nation's church" where George Washington, Betsy Ross, and Benjamin Franklin worshipped. 2nd and Market Streets, 215-922-1695, oldchristchurch.org

Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site - Some of the author's most famous works were written here. 532 N. 7th Street, 215-597-8780, nps.gov/edal

Elfreth's Alley - Step back into the 1700's on the oldest continuously occupied residential street in the United States. 2nd Street, between Arch and Race Streets, 215-574-0560, Elfreth's Alley

Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church - The oldest piece of property continuously owned by African Americans. A small museum is located on the lower level, which contains the tomb of Richard Allen. 419 Richard Allen Avenue, 215-925-0616, motherbethel.org

Rodin Museum - This museum houses the largest collection of Rodin scultures and drawings outside Paris. 22nd Street and Ben Franklin Parkway, 215-568-6026, rodinmuseum.org

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - The only tomb in the United States built in memory of unknown Revolutionary War soldiers. Washington Sqaure, between 6th and 7th streets on Walnut Street

Chinatown's Friendship Gate - Experience the four-story symbol of the cultural exchange and friendship between Philadelphia and its sister city, Tianjin, China. The recently renovated Friendship Gate is the first authentic Chinese gate built in America by artisans from China. 10th and Arch Streets

Masonic Temple - The birthplace of freemasonry in America, the towering temple is the home of The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania. Ths majestic temple attracts thousands of visitors each year with its bronze sphinxes, grand foyer, and Tennessee-marble staircase. Tours are available. 1 N. Broad Street, 215-988-1900, Masonic Temple

Carpenter's Hall

Carpenters' Hall is a treasure in historic Philadelphia. It hosted the First Continental Congress in 1774 and was home to Franklin's Library Company, The American Philosophical Society, and the First and Second Banks of the United States.

Today, Carpenters' Hall is open to the public and welcomes over 150,000 world-wide visitors to this wonderful Georgian building.

Set humbly back from Chestnut Street, the Hall has been continuously owned and operated by The Carpenters' Company of the City and County of Philadelphia, the oldest trade guild in America, since 1770. Today it is also part of Independence National Historical Park.

Location:
Carpenters' Hall
320 Chestnut Street (between Third and Fourth Streets)
Philadelphia, PA 19106-2708
215-925-0167

Admission: Free

Free performance at the Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre: Henry IV, Part 1

Don’t miss this exquisite coming of age story that traces Prince Hal’s journey from a young irresponsible man, frequenting bars with the irresistible Falstaff, to his true position on the English throne as Henry V.

This production is offered FREE to the public and features our most talented young professionals.

Tickets are first come, first serve. Tickets are available three hours before show time, the day of performance.

Date: August 19 - 30, 2009
Location: 2111 Sansom Street (21st and Sansom)
For more information call 215.496.8001

Curtis Institute of Music- Student Recital Series

Considered one of the finest music conservatories in the world, The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia educates and trains exceptionally gifted young musicians for careers as performing artists on the highest professional level.

ABOUT THE CURTIS STUDENT RECITAL SERIES
Recitals are an integral part of every Curtis student's education. In keeping with Curtis's mission, it is essential that all students have the opportunity to perform, and perform often, in public. Come hear free solo and chamber music: more than one hundred recitals annually.

October 13-May 15
Most Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 8 p.m., with additional recitals in the spring.

Field Concert Hall, 1726 Locust Street, Philadelphia
Recitals are open to the public free of charge; seating is on a first-come-first-served basis.

Students perform both as soloists and as members of chamber music ensembles. A special feature of the Student Recital Series is the graduation recital, which all piano, violin, viola, cello, timpani and percussion, and composition students are required to give; many other students do, as well.

Highlights from the student recitals are featured occasionally on radio stations WHYY-FM in Philadelphia and WITF-FM in Harrisburg, and on Y Arts, the digital cable service of Philadelphia public television station WHYY (Y Arts Schedule).

For a complete listing of the week's performances, call 215-893-5261.