by Washington Washington
You may recall The Phoenixvillain’s incredible story on the hottest wings in the world – The Bistro’s 10,000 Ghosts. Well, there’s a brand new eating contest and only the brave need apply….
Belgian Craft Brew Night at Pickering Creek Inn – 8/26
by Washington Washington
This Thursday, The Pickering Creek Inn will host Belgian Craft Brew night at 6pm, with a free buffet lasting until 8.
There will be four beers featured including…
La Chouffe – Artisinal Golden Ale – (8% abv) -Golden to orange yellow color, with a white thin foam.The taste is delicious, with notes of fruits (mainly citrus and orange) and spices.
Kwak – Belgian Ale - (8.10% abv) – Pours a clear amber with some off-white head that fades quickly. Aromas of oxidizing caramel malt and orange blossoms. Palate is wide open with some light bitterness on the finish.
Leffe – Blonde – (6.60% abv) – Sweet up front. Grains and wheat mixed together. cinnamon lemon and orange in the aftertaste with a little bit of grass.
Grimbergen – Dubbel – (6.50% abv) – Murky, dark amber, almost brown in body topped by large, frothy off white head. Fragrant aroma of alcohol, sweets, caramel, burnt sugar, prunes, dark fruit, slight raisin and kiwi, and some spice. Flavors of prunes, raisins, kiwi, sugars, sweets, slight candied apple towards the finish. Light, medium carb in body with a sour aftertaste.
So come on out and get Chouffe’d, then test your mic skills on some modified MJ by Belgium’s own 2 Many DJs at karaoke starting at 9…
Sunstone Studios / Lighthouse Lounge
By Junior Warshington
If you haven’t noticed already, there’s a bunch of new businesses coming to Phoenixville. While I’m pretty excited for the new Smoothie joint Strawberry Fields, I couldn’t help but note a rehearsal space just opened its doors. Enter Sunstone Studios / Lighthouse Lounge, a service to all things band related.
Housed in the old Phoenix Karate location, Sunstone Studios was originally conceived as a rehearsal space for rent. The studio is fully equipped with a drum kit, bass amp, guitar amps, and a PA system. Bands can rehearse by the hour ($25/hour, $45/2 hrs) or they can become members. This is a much-needed service in Chester County, as bands have had to travel to Manayunk or Collegeville for a decent rehearsal spot. While much closer, the Studio only has one rehearsal space.
“As we contemplated how best to do that, we realized that we would need a sitting/hanging out area outside the room for bands to wait their turn in the studio,” said co-owner Don Chittick. “My partner Dave (Yocum) had a ping pong table, which was followed by a couch and a fridge. And just like that, the seed for the Lighthouse Lounge had been sewn.”
The Lighthouse Lounge is an artistic triple threat as it a performance venue, art gallery and a library. The stage began to take shape soon after the rehearsal studio was up and running, and has since evolved into a two-tiered performance space with seating for up to 75 people (standing room up to 100). The Lounge hosts performances every Friday and Saturday night, with a comprehensive booking of acts ranging from jazz, funk and blues to reggae, punk, bluegrass, metal, rap and R&B.
“We are excited to be able to bring such diversity to the Phoenixville music scene,” said Chittick. The Lounge also hosts an Open Mic/Open Jam every Wednesday starting at 8:30pm (admission is $2).
So how did the visual art space take shape?
“The art gallery/store grew out of a desire on our part to give creative people an opportunity to share and show (and sell) their work. We had the building, we had the foot traffic, and we were surrounded by creative people,” said Chittick of the local collection the business has amassed.
Chittick is planning on custom installations of new artwork as well. With one mural (a faux-finish work with a music staff and aquatic coloring and patterns) already completed by local artist Sharon Fisher, more are in the works.
The studio also has resident artist of sorts. IKRU is an artist/poet from Jamaica, whose 23 years in the U.S. have led him to The Lighthouse. IKRU sits at a table by the front door of Sunstone Studios and paints/draws/sculpts as he greets visitors and shares his thoughts and ideas and stories with them.
Here’s some recent musings of his…
If you are looking for a place to perform or polish up your act (or even borrow a book!), this business has you covered.
Sunstone Studios are available 5-11 pm Monday-Saturday. The Lighthouse Lounge is open Noon-10 pm Monday-Saturday. Call 610-310-1916, email SunstoneMusicStudios@Gmail.com or check out http://www.sunstonemusicstudios.com for more information.
