Sampling Phila. culture on Thursdays

Go West! for two-for-one dinners, for tacos de pollo asado, for grape leaves, for naked films and for an evening of unparalleled culinary and artistic enjoyment in University City. Go West! for Third Thursday is sponsoring "Dinner & a Movie Night," which features many local restaurants offering special two-for-the-price-of-one deals and half-price tickets for the Margaret Mead Film Festival held at the University Museum. "It's winter, it would be nice to go out to dinner -- and it's the opening night of this internationally renowned film festival," said Alison Kelsey, marketing director of the University City District, explaining this month's theme. The seven participating restaurants are very enthusiastic to be included in the "Dinner" section of tonight's festivities, according to UCD Marketing Coordinator Elizabeth Nash. In fact, the Food and Beverage Manager at Cafe Bon Appetit, Elizabeth Walsh, was so delighted with the idea that she suggested the establishment host a pre-party. "We're hoping to attract all sorts of West Philadelphia residents, more than just the University community," Walsh said. So from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. today, Cafe Bon Appetit will be serving up complimentary appetizers at its location in the International House at 36th and Chestnut streets. Then, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Cafe Bon Appetit, La Terrasse, Marigold Dining Room, Palladium Restaurant, Rana Middle East Cuisine, The Restaurant School and Zocalo will all be inviting diners to order two entrZes for the price of one. Each of the restaurants will give a Third Thursday button to participants, which entitles them to half-price admission at the Film Festival. This Festival is "the largest showcase for cultural documentaries in the United States," according to a press release from UCD. Beginning at the University Museum at 7:30 p.m., a series of four short films will explore the theme, "Body Art: Marks of Identity." One film, entitled To Walk Naked, focuses on a group of South African women who protested the destruction of their homes by taking off all their clothes in defiance of the Afrikaner National Government. Stoney Knows How is a short film about a man who, crippled with arthritis from his childhood, is a skilled tattoo artist. The University City District, a 2 1/2 year old non-profit organization created to beautify the area and promote it to residents from throughout the region, started the Third Thursday program in September 1998 as a way to showcase the area's artistic and cultural venues.

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