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Adam Kanter, the owner and chief mixologist of Rum Bar, is celebrating the return of Spring with several new delicious cocktails. Check them out:

Springtime Mai Tai
El Dorado 5-Year rum, Rhum Clement Creole Shrubb rum, lime, grapefruit, lavender, hibiscus.

Rejuvenation Daiquiri
Cruzan Light Rum, lavender, lemon and rhubarb bitters.

Cucumber Sour
a mix of cucumber infused rum, Cruzan Citrus Rum, St-Germain liqueur, lemon juice.

In a recent press release from the restaurant, Kanter said “it’s a new season with people looking for new flavors.” Adam, I couldn’t agree more.

Rum Bar Lounge & Restaurant
2005 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 751-0404
www.rum-bar.com

National Constitution Center, G. Widman for GPTMC

Next Friday the National Constitution Center wants you to explore the museum… all night long.

The NCC is hosting a special event, entitled A Night in History: Rome, where guests can spend the night within the large museum.

Visitors can look forward to an evening filled with activities, workshops, and VIP, after-hours tours of the Ancient Rome & America exhibit. Kids and adults can learn how to mold statues, become an orator, and build catapults.

Not satisfied with just two days at the Constitution Center? You can enjoy a five-course Italian dinner there on the 25th. More info on that, here.

Spend the Night @ the NCC
March 26th – 27th, 2010
$45, $40 for NCC Members

National Constitution Center
525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 409-6700
www.constitutioncenter.org

Outside the Please Touch Museum

Holly Robinson Peete is stopping by the Please Touch Museum, and she wants to read you a story.

Next Saturday, March 27th, families can join Holly and her daughter, Ryan Elizabeth, for a special reading from her latest children’s book, My Brother Charlie. The book is based on the Peete family’s own experience living with Ryan’s twin brother, RJ, and his struggles with autism.

The evening includes plenty of hands-on activities, as well as the reading. Tickets are required for the event ($20 per family) and 100% of the proceeds go towards Variety’s Autism Initiative.

Update: Registration is required through Variety’s website. Click here to register.

Holly Robinson Peete @ the PTM
Saturday, March 27th, 2010, 6pm – 9pm

Please Touch Museum
4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 19131
(215) 581-3181
www.pleasetouchmuseum.org

Villanova made it to the Final Four last year... (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

President Obama filled out a tournament bracket for ESPN and he has Villanova going to the Final Four.

We hope he’s right.

And, of course, we’re rooting for Temple to make a run to the Final Four as well.

Meanwhile, don’t forget to fill out a bracket of your own.

Obama fills out tournament bracket again for ESPN [KYW 1060]
Villanova Basketball [Official Site]
Temple Basketball [Official Site]

Inside Giovanni's Room, Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC

This Sunday, Giovanni’s Room continues its tradition of hosting outstanding authors at the bookshop, with a special reading from Jay Michaelson.

Michaelson will be reading from his latest work, Another Word for Sky, his first collection of poetry. He’s also the author of two nonfiction books, God in Your Body and Everything Is God.

The reading takes place this Sunday, March 21st. Stop by, and get your books signed.

Jay Michaelson @ Giovanni’s Room
Sunday, March 21st, 2010, 5:30pm

Giovanni’s Room
345 S 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 923-2960
www.giovannisroom.com

Inside the Art Star Gallery & Boutique

Currently the Art Star Gallery & Boutique in Northern Liberties is hosting Meditation of the Chawan, an exhibition by Ed Bing Lee. The exhibit highlights over 30 of Lee’s macrame projects, and on March 20th, you can meet this talented artist.

Lee will be at the shop this Saturday from 1pm to 3pm, demonstrating his macrame techniques. You’ll get to see him in action, creating new pieces right in the boutique. No reservations are required.

To check out some photos of Lee’s work, visit the Art Star Gallery & Boutique’s official website. They have a full photo gallery online, showing off his beautiful crafts.

Meditation of the Chawan
Exhibit on display now through March 21st, 2010

Art Star Gallery & Boutique
623 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 238-1557
www.artstarphilly.com

Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC

Recently Andrew Collins of About.com’s Gay & Lesbian Travel listed Philadelphia as one of North America’s Best Gay-Friendly & Affordable Cities.

Philadelphia ranked in at number 4 out of 10 cities, and was described as “a leader in GLBT equality.” Andrew goes on to highlight our visual and performing arts scene, restaurants, and nightlife.

You can read the entire article here. Thanks Andrew!

North America’s Best Gay-Friendly Bargain Cities [ About.com ]

The Phanatic Around Town is out there making friends... (Photo by M. Edlow for GPTMC)

We received some 700 name submissions over the past two weeks. We’ve narrowed it down to ten finalists.

Now we need you to help us pick the best name.

CLICK HERE to see the names and then vote for your favorite.

Polls are open until this Friday, March 19, at noon.

“Phanatic Around Town” Naming Contest Poll [Visit Philly]
“Phanatic Around Town” [phillies.com]

PYT on the Piazza (photo by M. McClellan)

Foursquare users everywhere know the thrill that comes when you check-in and subsequently discover that you’ve unlocked a new badge. Well gird your loins Philadelphia-area social media addicts, you’ve got a local opportunity to unlock a particularly rare badge tomorrow night.

Tommy Up, proprietor of  Piazza hotspot PYT, is hosting Philly’s very first Swarm meet-up tomorrow night at his NoLibs watering hole between the hours of 6 – 8 p.m. The premise is simple. If 50 or more Foursquare users gather at the same spot and check in at the same time, they will all unlock the Swarm badge. Less than 50 and no dice.

Being that tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day, chances are you’ll be out anyway. Why not start your evening at PYT and make local social media history in the process?

Thirteen's Lounge, Photo courtesy of Thirteen

March Madness at Thirteen, the Marriott Downtown’s American-themed restaurant, may have started on Sunday, but you’ve still got a couple more weeks of dining deals and beer specials.

Now through the end of the month (and into April), Thirteen is offering up 13 kinds of Sam Adams on draft for $2, and bottles for $3, during all college basketball games. Fans can even take home a special Sam Adams glass, with a small basketball in the base.

Dining specials include spicy or BBQ wings [$5], chili nachos [$5], cheese steak hoagie pizzas [$7], spicy chorizo sausage sandwiches [$7] and Thirteen’s comfort food sampler: spicy wings, nachos, pulled pork sliders and onion rings [$16].

Here’s the March Madness schedule, which features the dates you can take advantage of Thirteen’s specials.

Opening Round Game: March 16 • First Two Rounds: March 18 & 20, 19 & 21 • East Regional: March 25 & 27 • West Regional: March 25 & 27 • Midwest Regional: March 26 & 28 • South Regional: March 26 & 28 • Final Four: April 3 & 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Uwishunu blogger Kara Beitzer had brunch at Thirteen back in the Fall. Read what she thought about it, here.

Thirteen at the Philadelphia Marriott [Official Site]