Italian Market Festival
Sat.-Sun., May 19-20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., pay as you go
Ninth Street will see its tenth Italian Market Festival this weekend. The two-day block party, running from Fitzwater to Federal, features food and drink like crazy, three music stages, a flea market and a family fun zone. Live entertainment will be provided by WMGK, BEN FM and DJ Johnny Looch. Catch the Procession of Saints on Sunday at 11 a.m., marching from Saint Mary Magdalen to Saint Paul and stopping at Washington Avenue for the Blessing of the Market. The festival is sponsored by a variety of entities, including the South 9th Street Business Men's Association, 12 Steps Down, Santucci's and Talluto's. Italian Market Festival, S. Ninth St. from Fitzwater to Federal, 215-278-2903, italianmarketfestival.com.
SPTR Wheat Beer Fest and Block Party
Sat., May 19, noon, pay as you go
South Philadelphia Tap Room has lined up more than 30 wheat beers for its yearly outdoor summer's-here event. SPTR chef Scott Schroeder is firing up his grill to make street eats like PBC Walt Wit pulled pork sandwiches and grilled veggies with romesco; his full menu will be available inside, too. The fest, which takes up the entire 1500 block of Mifflin, will also feature live music from The Extraodinaires, Arrah and the Ferns, Adam & Dave's Bloodline and The Gold Crowns. Beers are $3 apiece. South Philadelphia Tap Room, 1509 Mifflin St., 215-271-7787, southphiladelphiataproom.com.
Beer Barons to Homebrewers at West Laurel Hill Cemetery
Sat., May 19, 1-5 p.m., $25
The third annual Beer Barons to Homebrewers kicks off with a tour of Laurel Hill and West Laurel Hill cemeteries led by Pennsylvania brewing historian Richard Wagner. While sipping beers from Flying Fish and Sly Fox, participants will stop at the burial sites of a number of colorful 19th-century local brewers. The walkabout ends with a reception, catered by Stephen Starr Events, during which judges will determine the winner of a homebrew contest. Tickets, purchaseable online, include a Beer Baron logo tasting glass. A portion of ticket sales will benefit St. Timothy's Episcopal Church. West Laurel Hill Cemetery, 215 Belmont Ave., 610-664-1591, forever-care.com.
Preakness Party at City Tap House
Sat., May 19, 3-6 p.m., $40-$50
City Tap House is throwing a fete for the 137th running of the Preakness Stakes. Booze/food at the open-bar party will include Black-Eyed Susan cocktails as an homage to Maryland's state flower, drafts from Yards and hors d’oeuvres aplenty. Get down to live music on CTH's big patio before the race takes place at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds from the evening will go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Tickets can be purchased for $40 in advance on the CTH website or for $50 at the door. City Tap House, 3925 Walnut St., 215-662-0115, citytaphouse.com.
The Intoxicating Allure of Drinks Writing
Thu., May 24, 3:30-4:50 p.m., free
As part of Drexel Publishing Group's Week of Writing, the University will present a seminar on beverage writing. Panelists Jason Wilson of The Washington Post and Philadelphia Daily News, Lew Bryson of Whiskey Advocate, Amy Zavatto of Imbibe and David Wondrich of Esquire are leading the discussion, touching on the evolution of the subgenre and what role the critic plays in the industry. Drexel University, Mandell Theater Lobby at 33rd and Chestnut streets, events.drexel.edu.
