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Philadelphia Museum of Art exterior with Picasso flags (photo by M. McClellan)

In recent years, one of the things that the Philadelphia Museum of Art has become increasingly adept is the creation of exhibitions that are both accessible to those with art ambivalences and enchanting to established art lovers. The newest exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Picasso and the Avant-Garde in Paris, opens tomorrow and again, walks this line of appeal.

This show, orchestrated by PMA Curator of Modern Art Michael Taylor, brings together the work of Pablo Picasso during his most prolific years (1905 through 1945) with many of his Parisian contemporaries. Included are paintings, drawings, sculptures and prints by Picasso, Georges Braque (Picasso’s primary collaborator), Juan Gris, Fernand Léger, Joan Míro, Constantin Brancusi and many more.

One of the joys of this exhibition is the fact that it puts on display many pieces of art that are often thought to be far too fragile to be part of the Museum’s regular collection. See these rarely viewed collages, photos and drawings makes me feel as if I’ve gone through the door marked, “No entry. Staff only.”

The entire exhibition is a treat, particularly the blazing red gallery about half way through the show. It’s been made to look like 1912 Salon d’ Automne, where many works by now-world renowned artists were first shown. It may take your eyes a moment to adjust to the red (the rest of the galleries are painted a neutral and art-flattering white), but please do spend several minutes absorbing all the immense beauty on display.

Picasso and the Avant-Garde in Paris
February 24 through April 25, 2010
Philadelphia Museum of Art

Photos courtesy the Opera Company of Philadelphia

Tomorrow marks the opening of the Opera Company of Philadelphia’s presentation of Tea: A Mirror of Soul at the Academy of Music.

Tea, which “tells the story of a monk’s journey to find the ancient book of Tea with the woman he loves,” has had only one previous production in the United States, and is making its East Coast premiere here, in Philadelphia. You might recognize composer Tan Dun. He won an Oscar for his beautiful score to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

There are only three performances at the Academy of Music; Wednesday, February 24th, Friday, February 26th, and Sunday, February 28th. For more information, and to buy tickets, visit the Kimmel Center’s official website.

The Opera Company of Philadelphia Presents: Tea: A Mirror of Soul
February 24th – 28th, 2010
www.operaphila.org

The Academy of Music
1420 Locust Street Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 893-1999
www.kimmelcenter.org

Soaps inside the Center City shop, Photo courtesy Duross & Langel

A pretty cool, free event is going on this Thursday at Duross & Langel in Center City.

From 6-7pm you have the chance to make your own lemon soap to benefit the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and childhood cancer. The boys at D&L promise to make this a fun-filled hour of lemon soap making and lemon lip balm making demonstrations. All attendees will receive a special lemon cocktail, too! Adults only for this one!

Head over before the event starts to check out some of D&L’s newest items: lemonade lip balm (which you’ll see made at the event); banana kids shampoo (tear and sulfate-free); way shea soap (available through end of March); and ginger grapefruit shampoo.

Have fun!

Duross & Langel
117 S. 13th Street,Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 592-7627
www.durossandlangel.com

Logo courtesy Bucks County Wine Trail

As a resident of the Northeast, sometimes it’s hard to think of wine country as anything but a plane trip to California away. But as you’ll discover on the Bucks County Wine Trail, locally-grown, expertly-made wines are right in your backyard. Consisting of eight respected and award-winning vineyards, the Wine Trail will not disappoint those looking for a fun and relaxing weekend getaway.

1. Buckingham Valley Vineyards. With over 22 acres of vines, Buckingham Valley produces some 200,000 bottles per year, and was the first stop on the trail. Having just completed their 40th harvest, Buckingham Valley is the 3rd oldest vineyard in the region and is a labor of love for the Forest family, who have owned and operated the vineyard since its inception. As with most of the vineyards on the Trail, patrons are encouraged to stop by any time during business hours to try some of their nearly 30 different wines.

If you’re looking for a good middle of the road wine, then the Diego Red might be just up your alley. Or, you might want to try the Concordia, one of their best-selling reds. If white is more your thing, then you’ll have to try the popular Niagara. In addition to these very informal in-house samplings, Buckingham Valley also offers space in their sculpture garden for picnics, custom label-printing for all your special occasions, and will even come to you for larger group tastings. No matter what your needs, it’s hard to pass up a visit when bottles run a very reasonable $8 to $11.

Buckingham Valley Vineyards
1521 Rte. 413, Buckingham, PA 19506
(215) 794-7188
www.pawine.com

2. Wycombe Vineyards & Winery. Wycombe is the newest winery to open in Bucks County, and my second stop. Owned and operated by Rich Fraser, his wife and son, Wycombe is another regional winery that’s all in the family. With 70 acres of land and 10 acres of vines, Fraser has been putting out wine since 2005. The land had been in the family for some 25 years prior, but after planting the vines in 2000, a whole new business was built from the ground up. What was once a garage has become the welcoming and well-decorated tasting room and shop, and vines have been tended to by hand, by the family.

Here patrons might want to try the Chardonnay or Chambourcin, two of the fan favorites. Coming soon are dessert wines and an amazing dandelion wine whose honey and pear flavors are sure to make it an instant best-seller. In addition to the winery, the family also owns a wine and cheese shop in Doylestown where you can eat in or take your bottles to go. And competition is more than welcome, as the Doylestown store is stocked with wines from several other local vineyards.

Wycombe Vineyards & Winery
1391 Forest Grove Rd., Furlong, PA 18925
(215) 598-9463
www.wycombevineyards.com

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In this week’s Northwest Philadelphia video, we’re exploring the unique shopping in Chestnut Hill.

Where else can you go to enjoy a freshly roasted cup of coffee, savor gourmet cheeses from around the world, experience a hot stone massage with heated river stones and buy fair trade jewelry, gifts and more, all in one neighborhood?

Only in Chestnut Hill, home to Philadelphia’s famed Belgian block-paved streets and dozens of specialty shops like Cake, Chestnut Hill Grill & Sidewalk Café, Jahaya’s All Natural Bath and Skin Care and others.

Join host Saleana Pettaway on a stroll down ‘The Avenue’ and see why this is one of Philadelphia’s – and the nation’s – most distinct neighborhoods around.

Check out the full list of sites featured in the video, after the jump.

Previously: Exploring Northwest Philadelphia: Chestnut Hill

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Photo by Weiferd Watts

Philadelphia is known for many things: sports teams, cheese steaks, the Liberty Bell. Few though, might recognize Philly as a city with a rich dance history, focused on strengthening local talent, young and old.

Philadelphia Dance Projects hopes to change that with its four-week celebration PDP Presents 2010. Started in 1993 as a three-year mentoring project, Philadelphia Dance Projects now presents performances, workshops and even film screenings as part of the contemporary dance series.

With most of the events taking place Friday through Sunday, the schedule is worker-friendly and has a little something for everyone. And with three different venues (The Performance Garage, Temple’s Conwell Dance Theater, and the International House at Penn), one of the shows shouldn’t be too far from home.

Notable performers include Ishmael Houston-Jones, who has choreographed shows at such notable venues as the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the L.A. Festival of the Arts, and Terry Fox, who, by hosting many workshops and classes, has had a major impact on promoting contemporary dance here in Philadelphia.

In addition to the numerous live performances, PDP Presents 2010 blends live art and film with screenings on March 4th at the International House. The Annual Shorts Program will combine some of the most animated and clever short dance videos from around the globe, chosen from the 2010 Dance on Camera Festival at Lincoln Center in New York.

If you aren’t sure that dance if your thing, trust me, you won’t be disappointed by the strength and athleticism of these artists.

Philadelphia Dance Projects Presents 2010
February 26 – March 20, 2010
Various venues and times, $8 – $20
www.philadanceprojects.org

Photo by Paul Meyer

This Sunday, February 28th, is your last opportunity to hunt for witchhazel at the Morris Arboretum. From noon to 2pm, visitors can explore the Arboretum, searching for the variety of witchhazel that adorn the gardens. Afterwards, guests can grab a hot chocolate from Bruno’s, and make crafts at the Visitor Center.

The event is free with regular admission, and no RSVP is necessary. Make sure you pick up your treasure hunt map at the Visitor’s Center before you head into the gardens.

According to the Arboretum, witchhazel is one of the first harbingers of spring. With all the snow Philly’s had over the past two weeks, it’ll be nice to see a sign.

Hunt for Witchhazel @ the Morris Arboretum
Sunday, February 28th, 2010, Noon – 2pm

Morris Arboretum
100 Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118
(215) 247-5777
www.morrisarboretum.com

Inside the Rosenbach, Photo courtesy the Rosenbach Museum

“I’ll have you know, sir, the Rosenbach’s don’t deal in facsimiles.”

That Philip H. Rosenbach quote hangs proudly above the display introducing Rosenbach Museum & Library visitors to its current exhibit, Friend or Faux: Imitation and Invention from Innocent to Fraudulent. And on one hand, it’s totally false — this exhibit is all about the counterfeiters who pulled a fast one on museum curators and the general public in passing off their fake artifacts as the real deal. But it also explores what “fake” really means when it comes to notable objects — and why curators, or the general public, should care.

The two-room exhibit breaks down into four general sections: Forgeries, Attribution, How Much is Real? and Local Legends. Each presents interesting questions on the validity of less-than authentic works. Does the draft of a letter written by George Washington actually reveal more about the famed Founding Father than the final composition after all the errors and hesitations are removed? Or, as the exhibit asks, if you replace one page from a 100-page manuscript, is the work still authentic? What if you remove 50 pages?

The exhibit puts an unique spin on many of the more notable objects already in the Rosenbach’s collection, including a copy of Moby Dick signed (twice) by Nathanial Hawthorne, a copy of the Declaration of Independence penned by Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Sully’s portrait of Michael Gratz.

Unlike the Rosenbach’s recent in-depth looks at Maurice Sendak, Friend or Faux is aimed squarely at adults. The stories behind these artifacts are really cool, but it takes a few paragraphs of reading to get the full context. But for any adult who’s ever wondered how a museum verifies the authenticity of its works, or considered trying to pass off that one dollar copy of the Constitution on parchment purchased at an Independence Mall gift shop as the real thing, the exhibit is worth a trip.

Friend or Faux: Imitation and Invention from Innocent to Fraudulent
Now through July 11, 2010

The Rosenbach Museum and Gallery
2008-2010 Delancey Place, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 732-1600
www.rosenbach.org

Poster for The Breath of Life

There’s still time to catch The Breath of Life at The Lantern Theater. The play, by masterful British playwright David Hare, is running just through the end of the month.

Hare is one of Britain’s most influential playwrights, and he is famous for his ability to create taught psychological scenarios, as well as women-driven plays and interesting, layered characters. That’s exactly what he does in The Breath of Life, which follows two aging women through a dark night and the following day.

Madeleine, played by acclaimed actress Ceal Phelan, is a near-recluse and retired curator who lives alone on the Isle of Wight and relishes the fact that she barely uses “the muscles that work her mouth” anymore. In a former life she was an impassioned civil rights and women’s lib activist. Frances, lovingly brought to life by Cheryl Williams, is a writer and betrayed wife in search of the secrets her husband kept from her – she hopes to discover them by meeting and talking to Madeleine, the former mistress.

We’re dealing with a sort of twisted love triangle, as the two women, both still hung up on the man from their past, struggle to move on. They start as guarded enemies, but their shared yet divergent paths somehow bring them together. The plot itself is just on the surface, though. The heart of the play is the two women who have achieved a point in their opposite lives at which more is behind them than in front. Their regrets about not being more like each other – or more like their younger selves hoped they would be – are simultaneously heartbreaking and inspiring.

The play is occasionally slow but frequently powerful, and the Lantern’s intimate theater makes the audience feel almost uncomfortably close to the action, as if we’re also actors in the fabulously realistic and meticulously designed living room set. Check out The Breath of Life for a witty and haunting treatise on an increasingly common stage of life.

The Breath of Life
Now through February 28th, 2010

Lantern Theater Company at St. Stephen’s Theater
10th and Ludlow, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 829-0395
www.lanterntheater.org

Voo Doo Child Cocktail @ Bridget Foy's

Recently, Bridget Foy’s on South Street announced a new rum drink called the Voodoo Chilled Cocktail.

The drink, which consists of Haitian barbancourt rum, white rum, Jamaica dark rum, orange pineapple, grenadine, and ground nutmeg, is a special addition to the bar menu. ALL proceeds from the cocktail go to the American Red Cross.

The cocktail is $8, but customers can choose to pay more if they’d like to donate a little extra.

Bridget Foy’s
200 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147-2306
(215) 922-1813
www.bridgetfoys.com