The Weekend Guide

Philadelphia Events and Diversions

SEE

Illustrative Initials

What: Jessica Hische displays her innovative typography from the Daily Drop Cap project.

Why: Free Root liquor.

When: Thru Aug. 29. Reception, Fri., 6-8 p.m.

Where: Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, 116 N. Third St. (215-922-2600). Admission is free.

Art in the Age Ginger Rye

Most of us have been drinking since middle school – but, who among us has ever had Rye? This old whiskey variant is something fur trappers drank in the 1800s. Now, with the advent of Snap!, a small-batch liquor made from (honest-to-goodness) ginger snap cookies, there’s finally a mixer that blends with Rye. Try it out. If the sweet, tart & dry taste doesn’t do it for you, at least you can use it to start a fire or remove paint. And on it’s own, the Snap! is tasty.

Jessica Hische at Art in the Age in Philadelphia

Jessica Hische is currently hanging her show “Illustrative Initials” at Art in the Age in Philadelphia. The show will feature Jessica’s typographic work and her stunning illustrated drop caps. Details of the opening reception are listed below.

Jessica is no stranger to Philadelphia having received her BFA from Tyler School of Art and remaining for a few years to work in our fair city. She currently runs her own studio, Jessica Hische Design and Illustration, as well as the amazingly popular blog, Daily Drop Cap.

Illustrative Initials @ Art in the Age

Friday July 30, 2010
Reception 6-8 PM
116 North 3rd Street (just north of 3rd & Arch)
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Jessica Hische letterpress drop caps

Typographer extraordinaire Jessica Hische has selected her favourite letters from her Daily Drop Caps series and had them beautifully letterpressed in bold red and black. I love the idea of buying a few and spelling out a word with them for a big impact - they're just $40 each from her store.

Here's a nice video of Jessica talking about her caps and the letterpress printing process, which was shot at her solo show at Art in the Age in Philadelphia.

Spirits preview of products is most promising

 There is something about Tales of the Cocktail, the huge spirits industry conference that has been held here every July for eight years, that leads one to make epic pronouncements about booze.

Take, for instance, this one from F. Paul Pacult: "Gin is such a lovely invention. There is the wheel, and then there's gin."

Pacult, a critic and the publisher of the influential newsletter Spirits Journal, made that observation during a session on how to "Hone Your Sensory Skills to a Higher Level."

Snap

Fresh off the success of Root, its organic, alcoholic root tea, Art in the Age is back with another organic alcoholic treat. Snap ($33) is an 80 proof, 100% organic spirit inspired by authentic ginger snaps made with blackstrap molasses and fresh ginger, featuring flavors of both ingredients, with a hint of butter. Serve it straight, with a splash soda, or mixed with a good bourbon for a cold weather pick-me-up.