Moonstone Arts Center

Five stars for their accommodation and hosting of the monthly Weekly Review hosted by Toby, «our personal Rabbi.» This is an excellent space in a friendly neighborhood and I hope the event proves to be advantageous to the Moonstone Arts Center.

Different kind of venue for music, but it works. You literally sit in between the bookshelves (unless you are early enough to grab one of the long tables directly in front of the little stage area). On the evening I went, there were approximately 50 people. They could have probably shoehorned about 10 more… but that’s about it. Intimate!
Caught vibraphonist Tony Miceli there with a female jazz violinist (whose name I already forgot — D’oh!). Very enjoyable. I then stayed for the second half for the Dave Posmontier Quartet. Great band. If you like jazz, and you’ve never caught this band live around Philadelphia, you are missing out! That particular night, the tenor sax player’s son was on drums and it definitely had the rest of the band juiced. Heard they were going to be at Moonstone on WRTI 90.1 FM.
If you really want to LISTEN to the music, this is a great spot. No wait staff getting in the way bringing food & drinks. It’s not a «club» atmosphere. You could literally talk to the musicians from your seat between sets. If you want, you may BYOB… unfortunately, I didn’t know that and ran around the corner just to get a couple of iced teas.

Am I pretty happy to be writing about this one. When Robin’s Bookstore closed it’s doors in January it was a sad day for Philadelphia book lovers. Robin’s was the oldest bookstore in the city and dedicated itself to offering the the most widespread selection, and had a whole upstairs area that supplied a vast selection of discount finds. Robin’s was also a friends to the community and it’s arts. If you ever had a magazine to distribute or a event listing to place up you where more than welcome to leave it by it’s stairway of information. And it did it’s part by showcasing plenty of special readings and literary events. So when Robin’s closed due to the dwindling economy it was truly a sad day.
But rather then close everything for good Larry Robin and his wife decided to start another venture in Robin’s old upstairs area. Through Moonstone Arts Center Robin plans to «channel his energy into providing a cultural focal pointe for the artistic endeavors and interests of our own local community.» They will still have plenty of great literary readings and events. But with the addition of a new stage, sound system, and seating area, Moonstone plans to host plenty of cinematic and musical events as well. So it looks like it will still be a place that gives back to Philly.