The citywide design celebration DesignPhiladelphia—five days of lectures, workshops, exhibits, fashion shows, parties, house tours and more—starts tomorrow. There are many things to choose from and we urge you to choose them all. Failing that, we urge you to sample a nice variety—from serious to silly to keep you entertained. Our DesignPhiladelphia Heatmap has a few suggestions to get you started.
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DesignPhiladelphia Heatmap: A Hearty Festival Blend
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Art and Urban Change
Are pop-up gardens mere urban ephemera or do they signal longterm change for the city? This talk with Civic Center co-founder Candy Chang investigates "tactical urbanism." Thurs., Oct. 11, 6-8 p.m. Free.
A Sense of Place
Imagine every neighborhood association in Philadelphia holding simultaneous meetings in the same event space. Are you excited or terrified? If you're excited, you need tickets to this fourth citywide conference. Fri., Oct. 12, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. $20.
Qualities of Life in Philadelphia
The Philly Works creative collaborative focuses its considerable brainpower on the city's quality of life this year. This exhibit of diverse solutions opens with a publication release party on Oct. 11.
CultureWorks Coworking Happy Hour
For those who "go to the office" by walking downstairs and sitting at a six-year-old IKEA table in the corner of the living room, coworking has a lot of appeal. Find out how to share office space with like-minded locals at this event. Fri., Oct. 11, 5:30-8pm.
above | below | beyond
Temple and Penn design students have joined forces to reimagine the abandoned, overgrown Reading Viaduct rail line. Opening party with discussion at Next American City's Storefront for Urban Innovation: Fri., Oct. 12, 6-10 p.m. Free.
Locals Only
Wouldn't the world would be a better place if every bar had a sign like Dolphin Tavern's? Each piece in this all-neon exhibit was inspired by a local dive bar. Glorious. Wed., Oct. 10, 6-9 p.m.
Design VIADUCTgreene
The green-space advocacy group VIADUCTgreene will present plans for a 3-block stretch of the old rail line. Audience feedback—facilitated by drinks and snacks—is encouraged. Sat., Oct. 13, 3-5 p.m. Free.
Public Space/Public Connections
For those with capital-F feelings about Center City's public spaces, now's the time to tell the Planning Commission all about them at this interactive workshop designed to solicit opinions for the Philadelphia2035 Central District Plan. Thurs., Oct. 11, noon-2 p.m.
The Creation of Ravenwood
The classicist architect Richard Cameron makes a rare appearance to talk about Ravenwood, filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan's estate. No twist ending that we know of. Fri., Oct. 11, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Free. (RSVP to icaaphila@gmail.com.)
Tales the Cocktail Tells
This Old City vintage shop hosts a drink recipe contest and mixology demonstration. Start perfecting the Old Fashioneds now—Mad Men will be back before you know it. Sat., Oct. 12, 6-9 p.m. Free.
Passyunk Square Home Tour
Who doesn't like peering into strangers' houses? Take a self-guided tour of eight to 10 homes in Passyunk Square. Organizers promise a variety of architectural embellishments and "creative decorating." After-party at South Philly Bar and Grill. Sat., Oct. 13, noon-4 p.m. $20.
Green Wall Design
How does one water a wall, exactly? Learn how to design, build and maintain a green wall inside or out at this in-shop exhibition. And go home with a terrarium, too, for good measure. Sat., Oct. 13, 4-5:30 p.m. Free. (RSVP curt@urbanjunglephila.com.)
The Essence of DesignReasons
Until recently, this Bauhaus gem—designed by architect S. Kendrick Lichty—was an uninhabitable mess. Design Reasons renovated the property and now invites designers and architects to see the finished product. Plus, wine and cheese! Sun., Oct. 14, 2-5 p.m. Free. (RSVP dbdesignreasons@tpds.com.)
The Switched-On Garden 002
The Data Garden highlights the relationship between plants, music and technology at the oldest surviving botanic garden in North America. Digital and biological elements will be seen in live music, performance and sculpture. Fri., Oct. 14, 2 p.m.-8 p.m. Free.
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