You’ve never experienced an outdoor carnival like this one! The Carnival at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing features more than 175 exhibitors offering non-stop, family-friendly experiments, interactive activities, games, and a packed line-up of live entertainment. Enjoy making slime, meeting live zoo animals, checking out the inner-workings of robots, taking a tour of a helicopter, extracting DNA from a strawberry, testing a “crime scene” for forensic evidence, and so much more!

At the Spells booth, we’ll be helping young scientists answer the question “How does science make superheroes super?” Families will have the opportunity to test the science behind extraordinary powers such as Spider-Man’s sticky fingers and Magneto’s ability to control electromagnetic fields before inventing their own science-inspired heroes or villains and making a trading card!

Join Spells Writing Lab and the Philadelphia Science Festival at our neighborhood library after school for a celebration of science exploration!

Scientists, engineers, and other experts will share their knowledge to provide FUN and FREE programs filled with exciting activities, animal encounters, family-friendly experiments, and hands-on demonstrations for all to enjoy.

Spells volunteers will be sharing the secrets of superhero science as part of this event.

How does science make superheroes super? Learn the answer to this and other exciting scientific questions at the Philadelphia Science Festival’s Discovery Day event in Clark Park, which features more than 20 interactive, hands on activities throughout the park from the neighborhood’s universities, research centers, and others. Spells volunteers will give kids the opportunity to test the science behind popular superpowers and create their own science-inspired heroes or villains!

The Philadelphia Science Festival is a nine-day, community-wide celebration of science that takes place annually in April, featuring lectures, debates, hands-on activities, special exhibitions and a variety of other informal science education experiences for Philadelphians of all ages. Learn more at www.PhilaScienceFestival.org

To purchase admission, select the number of tickets you want, type in your name for the guest list, and click on the Pay Now button. On the next screen, you can choose to use your PayPal account or pay with credit card.

The ultimate one-day science carnival will close this year’s Philadelphia Science Festival with 150 exhibitors presenting a packed line-up of live entertainment, interactive activities, games, and family-friendly experiments. You can enjoy liquid nitrogen ice cream, make gak, meet live zoo animals, check out the inner-workings of robots, take a tour of a helicopter, extract DNA from a strawberry, test a “crime scene” for forensic evidence, and so much more!

At the Spells booth, we’ll be helping young scientists solve the mystery of the stolen yeti poop. Children will take their own fingerprints to eliminate them as suspects, then they’ll learn how to examine the forensic evidence to determine the real culprit. Once they’ve made their accusation, they’ll write the end to the mystery!

How can forensic science help you solve the mystery of the missing yeti poop? Learn the answer to this and other exciting scientific questions at the Philadelphia Science Festival’s Discovery Day event in Clark Park, which features interactive, hands on activities throughout the park from the neighborhood’s universities, research centers, and others. Spells volunteers will give kids the opportunity to take their own fingerprints, examine the evidence, and write the ending to this scientific mystery! Learn more at www.PhilaScienceFestival.org

The Fishtown Beer Runners combine responsible running and consumption in the interest of science. They gather on Thursday nights to run three to five miles, and conclude each run at a pub.
FBR has earned a solid reputation for giving back to the community—several of their runners have led or helped with Spells writing workshops such as the Story of Magic and Inspire a Broad Street Story—and they will be dedicating their 1/22 run to help raise funds for Spells programs.
So come on out to 2nd Story Brewing—or join FBR for the run—on Thursday night to greet these friends of Spells, enjoy drink and food specials, and donate money to benefit our young writers!
Runs start at 7pm, so runners usually start arriving at the pub around 7:30 or 7:45. For more details, check out their newsletter: http://us4.campaign-archive1.com/?u=f97e64ea7ca5df73f433863a3&id=416eded40f&e

The ultimate one-day science carnival will close this year’s Philadelphia Science Festival with 150 exhibitors presenting a packed line-up of live entertainment, interactive activities, games, and family-friendly experiments. You can enjoy liquid nitrogen ice cream, make gak, meet live zoo animals, check out the inner-workings of robots, take a tour of a helicopter, extract DNA from a strawberry, test a “crime scene” for forensic evidence, and so much more!

At the Spells booth on Winter St., adjacent to the Franklin Institute, we’ll be helping young scientists answer the question “How does science make superheroes super?” Families will have the opportunity to test the science behind extraordinary powers such as Spider-Man’s sticky fingers and Magneto’s ability to control electromagnetic fields before inventing their own science-inspired heroes or villains to add to our database!

How does science make superheroes super? Learn the answer to this and other exciting scientific questions at the Philadelphia Science Festival’s Discovery Day event in Clark Park, which features more than 20 interactive, hands on activities throughout the park from the neighborhood’s universities, research centers, and others. Spells volunteers will give kids the opportunity to test the science behind popular superpowers and create their own science-inspired heroes or villains!

The 2014 Philadelphia Science Festival is a citywide collaboration that brings together nine exciting days, April 25-May 3, filled with events that showcase science and technology in everyday life. Part of a national movement to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers, it builds on Philadelphia’s rich history of innovation with more than 100 events and 175 partner organizations around the Philadelphia area. Learn more at www.PhilaScienceFestival.org

Attention all fun-loving wordsters!

Dr. Benjamin Franklin Spells invites you and your family to the world premiere of his Imaginarium exhibition.

This interactive carnival of writing experiments for kids and their families will also include a mystery to solve, a reading by author Beth Kephart (Dr. Radway’s Sasparilla Resolvent), and signed books from Diana Rodriguez Wallach (Mythology High). Also, join us for Spells Mad Libs, a magic show, creative crafts, a silent auction & more!

With Special Appearance by Kids Corner host Kathy O’Connell of WXPN-FM!

Saturday, September 21 from 1p.m. to 4 p.m.
The Ethical Society of Philadelphia
1906 Rittenhouse Square

Advance ticket sales have ended, but you can purchase tickets at the door.

For sponsorship information, please contact steven@phillyspells.org.

Spells programs often spill out of the lab and into the colorful, imaginative art parks and gardens that surround our building. The murals, mosaics, and flora have provided inspiration for our stories, backdrops for our short films, and peaceful spots for homework or reading books. Join Spells and the Village of Arts and Humanities on Saturday, May 11, as we give these outdoor creative spaces a little TLC during the Village’s Annual Park Day. Together, we can keep the Village parks beautiful, restore mosaics, enjoy good music—and eat Ms. Brenda’s BBQ!

Visit the Village’s FB event page for more information, or to RSVP!

Spells is taking Superhero Month to the Philadelphia Science Festival’s Science Carnival on the Parkway! The carnival features more than 140 exhibitors offering non-stop, family-friendly experiments, interactive activities, games, and a packed line-up of live entertainment. Stop by the Spells Writing Lab booth to help us answer the question “How Does Science Make Superheros Super?” and create your own science-powered comic book character!

In conjunction with Philadelphia’s Sixth Annual Clean-Up Philly Day and the Village of Arts and Humanities, we’re inviting friends, family, and visitors to help beautify the parks and gardens that surround the Spells lab at the Village. This annual event combines community service and live performance in celebration of the transformative power of collective work, artistic exchange, and reconnection to our neighborhood’s heritage. Join us for park clean-up, willow fence maintenance, and weeding and planting farm vegetable and herb beds! We’ll be meeting at Ile Ife Park, right in front of Spells Writing Lab.

Please arrive between 9-9:45 to sign in! For up-to-date information or to RSVP, visit the Village’s FB event page.

$200 for Benefactor
(Includes a special mention in the program book if purchased by 4/15, an intimate wine and hors d’oeuvres pre-reception with the author, a signed bookmark, a copy of Father’s Day to be mailed after publication, and preferred seating at the event)

$125 for VIP / $135 at the door
(Includes an intimate wine and hors d’oeuvres pre-reception with the author, a signed bookmark, a copy of Father’s Day to be mailed after publication, and preferred seating at the event)

$85 for Patron + book
(Includes a copy of Father’s Day at a special discounted price, which will be mailed after publication)

$60 for Patron / $70 at the door

PURCHASE ADMISSION NOW

SEE A LIST OF THE SILENT AUCTION ITEMS

Also, special thanks to our event’s benefactor, Mary Beth O’Connor

Discover science in your own backyard! Join Spells Writing Lab as we partner with local scientists and science students to uncover the wonders around Clark Park, from the physics of basketball to the creepy crawly creatures in the dirt. Keep an eye out for the Spells table, where we’ll use forensic science to solve the Great Cookie Caper, then write our own endings to the mystery!

Science comes to life in West Philadelphia with more than 20 interactive, hands on activities throughout the park from the neighborhood’s universities, research centers, and others. The Clark Park Science Discovery Day will be a signature program of the 2012 Philadelphia Science Festival, taking place on Sunday, April 29, 2012.

For more information, visit The Philadelphia Science Festival’s website.

Your Words. Your Photos. Your Film. Your Voice.

Last fall, a group of talented students worked for six weeks to write, record, visualize, and edit stories that were special to them. Now, they’re ready to share their stories with friends and family at the Spells Digital Storytelling Project Screening. Help us celebrate their accomplishments and vision by seeing their digital creations on the big screen.

Join us for a thrilling conversation about writing, deploying killer wit, and building a community through words.

The event will also include a silent auction.

Tix are:
Benefactor: $250
(Includes an intimate wine and hors d’oeuvres pre-reception with the author, a presigned copy of Save Me, preferred seating for the main event, and recognition in the program booklet. Please RSVP by April 4 for inclusion.)

VIP: $125
(Includes pre-reception with the author, a presigned copy of Save Me, and preferred seating.)

Patron: $70
(Includes a presigned copy of Save Me.)

Tickets are now available for advance purchase at https://phillyspells.org/store. They will also be sold at the door for $80, pending availability.

On Saturday, April 2, volunteers from Spells Writing Lab will join their neighbors at the Village of Arts and Humanities for the Village Park Day 2011 project, part of the city-sponsored Philly Spring Cleanup Day. We’re inviting volunteers, students, friends, and family of all ages to help us plant the garden under the “Angel’s Alley” mosaic, adjacent to our writing lab. All materials and tools will be provided—just show up in clothes appropriate for digging in the dirt!

In addition to the gardening project, the Village will be hosting a block party featuring children’s activities and screen printing workshops, live performances, and a free cookout for volunteers. It’s a fantastic opportunity for you to see (and help beautify) our space, look in on a writing workshop, and get to know our community, all in one fell swoop! Email volunteer@phillyspells.org to sign up!

One Flight, Two Flight, Red Flight, White Flight

Featuring wines from around the world, paired with a selection of Di Bruno Bros cheese by local sommelier Owen Rothstein and CoolVines. Chaddford Winery will sponsor a booth.

Mix and mingle while comparing tasting notes, reading stories authored by children at our free writing workshops, and listening to light music fare by great local artists. A 50/50 raffle will also be held.

Parking is available during the event at 1845 Walnut Street for a $12 flat rate, and at 2101 Chestnut for a $6 flat rate.

This year, join The Painted Bride Art Center for Dracula’s tastiest playdate as they conjure up Halloween fun for all ages. No costumes, no worries. On hand will be monster face painting, ghoulish draping, and wicked beads of blood plus anything else you bring along that’s stir crazy. Get on the dance floor and learn MJ’s classic THRILLER dance alongside choreographer Rhonda Moore or just show off your own monster-mash steps. Join Spells Writing Lab and children’s author Elizabeth Encarnacion as she reads ghastly ghost stories and other terrible tales, with a few silly Halloween poems mixed in for the faint of heart. So much more in store for this Ghoulish Family Spooktacular.

Gather your team of up to eight trivia buffs and compete in four rounds of fierce Quizzo action. Maximize your team’s score by trading in the money your team raises for Spells to earn officially allowed cheats.

Why? To support writing and tutoring programs for Philly’s kids. To win gift certificates to local eating and drinking establishments. To become Philly’s Inaugural Cheating Quizzo Champs and feel smarter than everyone else.

Here’s how: email fundraising@phillyspells.org with your TEAM NAME, PLAYER NAMES, and TEAM FUNDRAISING GOAL. The registration fee is $20 per team (that’s only $2.50 per person for a full team!)

Once your team has been signed up, enlist your friends & family & complete strangers to click over to https://phillyspells.org/quizzo and donate money to the team of their choice. At the beginning of the Quizzo event, teams will use the money they raised to buy cheats they can use in an attempt to improve their score.

Marathon will be offering drink specials and donating 10% of bar proceeds from the event to Spells.

RULES:
Each team may have up to 8 players.
Teams are encouraged to dress like a team at the event (i.e. costumes are a plus!)
Cheats will be bought at the event, as teams check in. Each cheat purchased may only be used once.
Cheating is ENCOURAGED.

THE CHEATS:
$10 DOUBLE ANSWER: Wavering between two answers? Write them both down, and we’ll give you the points if one of them is correct. (maximum of 5)
$25 EXTRA HELP: Add an extra player to your team for each Extra Help cheat purchased.
$25 PHONE A FRIEND: Call a buddy at the end of the round and see if he/she can come up with the correct answer in 2 minutes. (maximum of 1 per round)
$40 THE SMART PHONE: Use your Crackberry, iPhone, or other smartphone for 2 minutes at the end of the round to search for an answer. (maximum of 1 per round)
$50 ASK THE QUIZMASTER: Get a hint from Johnny Goodtimes himself. We didn’t promise it would be helpful (but it probably will).

Spells Writing Lab officially turned one year old on April 29th! To celebrate, we’re hosting a happy hour for our volunteers and supporters. Come out to The Mission Grill at 19th and Arch on Wednesday, May 26 and get to know other Spells staff, volunteers, supporters, and friends.

Complimentary open bar from 5:30–6:30, then drink and food specials for Spells guests during the second hour. While there is no mandatory cover charge for this event, we hope you will consider making a small donation to Spells Writing Lab, Inc. to help further our cause.

Please let us know if you are coming and if you are bringing guests so we can let the bar know how many people to expect. RSVP now

Featuring Elizabeth Gilbert, bestselling author of Eat, Pray, Love and Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage and Catherine Gilbert Murdock, author of Princess Ben, Front and Center, and Dairy Queen

Join us for a conversation with sisters about writing, relationships, and other humbling responsibilities, introduced by Larry Platt, Editor of Philadelphia magazine. Book signing* and dessert reception to follow.

*Please consider buying a book at the event from Joseph Fox Bookshop, which is donating a portion of the proceeds to Spells.

Valet parking at the Loews is available for $15.

Tickets:

The deadline for advance ticket sales has passed, but you can still purchase tickets at the door!

• $125 for VIP admission, which includes an intimate VIP reception (wine, champagne, and hors d’eouvres) with the authors, preferred seating at the main event, and a copy of Elizabeth Gilbert’s new book, Committed.
• $60 for the main event at the door

PLEASE NOTE: We are using a paperless ticketing system for this event to conserve resources. Advance paid tickets will NOT be shipped to you, but will instead put you on our guest list, to be checked in at the door.