"AMERICA'S GOT Talent" finalist and country singer Emily West will be a resident act at World Cafe Live (3025 Walnut St.) beginning tonight and for the next three Tuesdays in April.
The Iowa-born young pop star appeared on the ninth season of the NBC hit reality show, where she finished as the runner-up behind Rhode Island magician Mat Franco.
West rose to fame when she and fellow country crooner Keith Urban paired up for "Blue Sky," a duet they did in 2010. Fans can pick up her debut album, "All For You," when it's released in August. On it, rock 'n' roll revolutionary Cyndi Lauper sings a duet with West, who is also opening up for Jay Leno on tour.
"I'm so excited to be in Philly and perform at World Cafe Live," said West.
"I'll sing for the first fella who brings me a Philly cheesesteak."
Out and About
Phillies third baseman Cody Asche and his family linked up with Phillies backup catcher Cameron Rupp and his family at Del Frisco's Steakhouse (1426 Chestnut St.) for Easter dinner Sunday. "Happy Easter from the Asches and the Rupps," he posted on Instagram. "See you at CBP [Citizens Bank Park] tomorrow."
Racing for a good cause
Preakness at the Piazza is back for its third year.
Next month, prepare to put your pinkie out when you sip your favorite spirit - or chug your favorite sludge, depending on how you celebrate. On May 16, join 97.5 The Fanatic's Pat Gallen and Fox 29's Alex Holley as they host the third annual Preakness at the Piazza from 5 to 9:30 p.m.
All ticket sales from the evening event go toward the National MS Society, which mobilizes people and drives research for a cure to multiple sclerosis.
"I'm excited for the event because I look for any excuse to rock a bow tie," Gallen said.
"All jokes aside, people get to dress up, have fun and do it all for a great cause. I'm thrilled to help out the MS Society. And I'm thrilled to be working with the lovely Alex Holley. It's going to be an excellent evening."
Penn prof pens promising new book
The Diet Trap Solution: Train Your Brain to Lose Weight and Keep It Off for Good addresses the dilemma of what to do when real life gets in the way of weight loss.
Written by Judith S. Beck and Deborah Beck Busis, the new book aims at teaching you how to escape the "diet-trap cycle" and use cognitive-behavior therapy to lose weight.
Beck authored the New York Times best-seller The Beck Diet Solution and is president of the nonprofit Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy in town. She also teaches psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.
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