We told you a couple of years back about how popular Philadelphia tavern Johnny Brenda's was getting in the music game, and less than two years later, this place has firmly established itself as one of Philly's prime live music venues.

The Fishtown bar converted the second floor of a 19th Century building into an intimate live venue that brings out exuberant crowds for an almost-every-night schedule of indie bands. The focus is on local acts, but on occasion they bring in bigger bands (they've featured The National, Grizzly Bear and The Walkmen since opening). With a capacity of just 300, Johnny Brenda's is one of the most intimate venues many of these bands play.

For pre- and post-show fun, the ground floor bar serves hand-pumped local brews and a surprisingly upscale menu (think Littleneck clams; goat cheese, arugula, and watermelon salad).

Related Stories:
· Johnny Brenda's [Official Site]
· PhillyStyle: Drinks, Music & Eye Candy at Johnny Brenda's [Jaunted]
· Philadelphia Music Venues Map [Jaunted]
· Philadelphia Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Johnny Brenda's]]]> BS 2008-09-02T11:45:20-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/8/25/171517/125

The massively overhyped Brooklyn Flea market has gotten all the outer borough buzz this summer, yet somehow another nearby weekend afternoon shindig has flown under the radar.

The Brooklyn Urban Arts Market has been going on every other Sunday this summer, with booths from local artisans and vendors, and food from a variety of restaurants along Myrtle Avenue.

A project of the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Afro-Punk Festival, the market has also been bringing out an impressive and eclectic line-up of live music, including British rapper Slick Rick this past Sunday. Next up: Bronx DJ legend Afrika Bambaataa on September 7.

Related Stories:
· Brooklyn Urban Arts Market [Official Site]
· Brooklyn Flea [Official Site]
· Kick-Push Travel: Afro-Punk Takes Over Brooklyn [Jaunted]
· Brooklyn Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: brooklynggirl]]]> BS 2008-08-26T10:45:17-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/8/24/204143/271

The Trocadero Theatre, a 138-year-old, 1,200-person Victorian venue, has gone through many incarnations in its time on Arch Street--hosting vaudeville, burlesque, movies and, since 1996, pop music.

"The Troc" has long been known as a place to discover local Philly bands, but as the surrounding Market East neighborhood has transformed into a more desirable location in recent years, the lineup has leaned towards national acts.

The still-quite-diverse list of upcoming shows includes everyone from dance pop duo Chromeo to Swedish heavy metal act Opeth and Bow Wow as Shad Moss. (Wait, Bow has yet another alternate persona?)

Local hipsters get more excited about low-key weekday activities at the Troc's smaller balcony space, including free movies on Mondays, along with Guitar Hero contests and $2 beers.

Related Stories:
· The Trocadero Theatre [Official Site]
· Philadelphia Music Venues Map [Jaunted]
· Philadelphia Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: ambersandwich]]]> BS 2008-08-25T13:15:16-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/8/20/161036/621

This weekend marks the end of an era for Brooklyn's awesomely (or insufferably) hip neighborhood of Williamsburg.

For the last three years, one of the neighborhood's undeniable summer highlights has been the pool party concerts at the (waterless) McCarren Park Pool, where indie rock faves like The Hold Steady, Of Montreal and the Black Lips have rocked out at free weekend shows.

But the city has decided to turn McCarren Park Pool back into an actual pool, which, to be fair, could be pretty cool come next summer. So indie vets Yo La Tengo will play the last ever pool party, this Sunday at 2 pm. (The non-free Clear Channel series at the pool continues next week with Sonic Youth.) If you're planning to show up for some nostalgia this weekend, plan to arrive early--lines this summer have been insanely long.

Related Stories:
· McCarren Park Pool Parties [Official Site]
· Brooklyn Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Penningtron]]]> BS 2008-08-21T09:45:14-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/8/18/173311/973

Tarrytown was the home of early 19th century writer Washington Irving, and it was this quaint Dutch-American hamlet that inspired his creepy ghost story, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." (Adjoining North Tarrytown even changed its name to Sleepy Hollow in 1997 in an attempt to up its tourist appeal.)

While there have been no reported sightings of headless horsemen recently, the village today is one of the area's most historically rich destinations. Here's our guide to Tarrytown.]]> BS 2008-08-19T10:00:13-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/8/18/10831/1658

Set in the heart of Old City, The Khyber is one of Philly's longest-standing live music venues, and somehow has escaped morphing into a tourist trap, unlike most of its neighbors.

The laid-back dive bar is your best chance to catch a Philly band that will be famous a year from now, while many already-well-known local bands often return for the nostalgia factor. Upcoming shows range from local dance-rockers Fat City Reprise to indie rock vets Mock Orange and disco-punkers Electric Six.

For non-musical pursuits, the upstairs bar is open every night, with drinking specials that include $1 PBR until 11 pm and an open bar on Sundays for 10 bucks.

Related Stories:
· The Kyber [Official Site]
· Philadelphia Music Venues Map [Jaunted]
· Philadelphia Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: maladjusted]]]> BS 2008-08-18T11:30:12-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/8/12/13922/9771

This Labor Day, jazz lovers won't be gassing up the family SUV or "staycationing" on their couches with a sack of Cheetos and "Kind of Blue" on repeat. They'll be at the Joy of Jazz Festival, a relatively new South African concert series taking place in Johannesburg August 28-30.

The location of the festival makes it a promising spot to host artists from both East and West, from Japanese pianist Keiko Matsui to Spanish-Afro-Cuban outfit Seda Jazz. If you've never heard Xhosa-language songs, the August 30 concert by local talent Camagwini is a must--and a relative steal at R250 (about $32).

If you can arrive and shake off the jet lag by the 28, you can even sit in on a performance workshop hosted by one of the featured musicians!

Related Stories:
· Joy of Jazz [Official Site]
· Vanity Fair's Boutique South Africa [HC]
· Google Earth Travel: South Africa Tourism Goes Virtual [Jaunted]

[Photo of George Duke and Stanley Clarke at last year's festival: begapixel]]]> egw 2008-08-12T14:00:09-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/