Paradise City Arts Festival, April 4-6, 33rd Street Armory

The Web site for the award-winning alternative weekly, the Philadelphia City Paper.

options

Paradise City Arts Festival, April 4-6, 33rd Street Armory

POSTED: Wednesday, April 9, 2008, 4:58 PM

Filed Under: Arts | Critical Mass Visual Art

Old-School's Paradise

Paradise City's location at the 33rd Street Armory on Drexel’s campus is ironic given its proximity to college students, none of whom had much interest in attending. Before entering the building, I held the door open for a nice elderly woman who thanked me profusely, so I felt like I had done my civil service for the day.

Inside wasn’t much different. I didn’t see a bevy of students pilfering through the different booths ranging from coats, silk scarves, jewelry and Spirit Masks (African-style headpieces made by a guy from Jersey). Some of them were pretty cool, like Joe Peters’ glass necklaces — all unique, original pieces. There were other jewelry stands that were rocking some cool gems, but at 50 bucks a pop for a pair of earrings, my lowly college income and I felt a little out of our league.

Bella Bella — contemporary art tables, mirrors, rugs etc. — by Lara Moore featured colorful and modern designs that could go well in any hipster’s apartment. Kurt Carlson’s Glassworks was another interesting: Glass sculpted heads with layers of hand-painted enamels made interesting lamps, bowls and cups — think of the painted faces from the Moulin Rouge.

I was in and out of there in 20 minutes and left empty-handed. It reminded me of an upscale marketplace, like the legendary Stanley Market in Hong Kong, but on steroids. Kimono jackets, celebrity-emblazoned handbags, dragon-style tea pots, vests that looked like they were made out of rugs — all within the comfortable climate of the armory away from the rain. It was certainly paradise for any adult who digs large sea animal wall sculptures and has the money to blow.

—Briana Regan

Posted by Carolyn Huckabay @ 4:58 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Previous Story: Outlaw Biker: My Life at Full Throttle

Next Story: Jandek, April 12, German Society

Comments (0)

Q&A with SHARI SOLANIS: "The goal isn't pornography"
What we're trying to do this weekend
SEXY TIME Q&A: I've never had an orgasm during sex with a man — and I'm 30!
NOW SEE THIS: Transit cop arrests marijuana activist for alleged disorderly conduct.
CONCERT REVIEW: Primus (3D & quadraphonic sound) @ The Tower 10/17
Q&A with Tony Goldwyn: "Life is gray, and relationships are, too"
ICEPACK ILLUSTRATED: Indian fare rules, Dunder Mifflin lives on, Tom Jones is a god
ICEPACK ILLUSTRATED: The Archbishop meets the Geator, the Mayor goes suit shopping, Le Bec Fin fin.
Q&A with Goon’s Seann William Scott
Bradley Cooper promises he's not an asshole

About this blog

Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

Follow Critical Mass editors Patrick Rapa and Emily Guendelsberger on Twitter:

@mission2denmark | @emilygee

Search this blog:

Topics:

Blog archives:

May
April
March

February
January

Past Archives: