Bastille Day, the violent uprising that gave way to the modern French nation, is typically observed on July 14, but in the Fairmount neighborhood its been celebrated on the preceding Saturday for the past 16 years. Beginning at 2 p.m. tomorrow, just as in years past, the Eastern State Penitentiary will be transformed into the Bastille, and costumed reenactors will clash with angry mobs, while London Grill’s co-owner Terry McNally, standing in for Marie Antoinette in full costumed regalia, will climb to the top of the former prison’s tower. There she will taunt onlookers with cries of, “Let them eat Tastykakes,” and unleash thousands of them on the crowd below. Then it’s off to guillotine, where she will ceremoniously beheaded. A spirited street festival will immediately follow.
• If the French revolution isn’t your thing, consider the Grey Lodge Pub’s Xmas in July. The Northeast’s beer Shangri-La will be pouring an impressive selection of Christmas beers, including Port Santa, Lost Abbey Gift of Maji, Sly Fox Christmas Ale, and Troegs Mad Elf.
• Also on Saturday, Silverspoon in Wayne is serving up a five-course Berkshire pork tasting menu. Dishes will be comprised of a Berkshire heritage pig that was raised humanely on a local farm. Dishes include smoked tenderloin with housemade headcheese and blueberries, crispy belly, spare ribs, hoisin sauce and plub, braised shank, gnocci and cherries, pan-seared loin, homemade scrapple and peaches. The whole meal costs $40 per person. Call (610) 668-7646 for reservations.
