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If you’ve yet to take advantage of Philadelphia’s many parades, you’re missing out. Luckily, you have a chance soon to catch one of the most storied: on Easter Sunday, April 24, the South Street Headhouse District will be holding its annual Easter Parade.

This year the district is revamping the parade, making it bigger and more vibrant than ever in celebration of its 80th year.

The day begins at 1 p.m. at the Passyunk and South intersection where a street-wide multicultural arts parade will commence down South Street. Highlighted in the day’s events will be circus performers, regional artists from the Arts on South organization, local Mummers groups decked out in authentic attire, a car show, music and giveaways courtesy of B101, and a doggie parade presented by PAWS animal shelter.

The day’s festivities will wrap up in Headhouse Square with a contest to honor the day’s most festive and colorfully dressed families with Halloween’s Henri David as the judge.

Also new this year: an Easter Parade citywide social media campaign. In anticipation of the parade, the South Street Headhouse District will be sending out their bunny every weekend leading up to Easter Sunday. If you tweet or tag a photo with him, you are automatically entered to win various prizes!

80th Annual Easter Parade
When: Sunday, April 24, 1-3 p.m.
Where: Headhouse Square, 2nd and Lombard Streets
Cost: FREE
More info: www.southstreet.com

Tour Philadelphia's great public artworks with narration from Philadelphians personally connected to each sculpture.
(Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

The onset of spring is an obvious deterrent to staying indoors, but neglecting the vast cultural offerings of Philadelphia isn’t an option, either.

The Fairmount Park Art Association has come up with a solution. In honor of the upcoming Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts, the organization has created a PIFA-inspired special section as part of its free downloadable audio tour entitled “Museum Without Walls™.”

The tour, which works on any device and is available 24 hours a day, lets you explore 51 sculptures at a total of 35 stops along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Kelly Drive. Along the way, nearly 100 unique voices narrate. You get to hear from people who are connected to each piece, either by knowledge or experience.

The PIFA connection: the Benjamin Franklin Parkway was designed after French landscape architect Jacques Gréber’s grand 1917 vision of a tree-lined boulevard accented by fountains and public sculptures. Following PIFA’s Parisian theme, “Museum Without Walls” is tailored to focus on the Parkway’s crucial tie to Paris, including historic records and images about the planning and construction of the Parkway.

Experience Philadelphia’s public art in a creative way, just in time for the warm weather and the largest arts festival the city has ever seen.

You can preview videos of the program’s 35 stops online. Click here for the full list of artworks, and download the guide here.

Museum Without Walls™: AUDIO
51 sculptures along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Kelly Drive
www.museumwithoutwallsaudio.org

Pizza in Philadelphia just keeps getting better. (Photo courtesy Stella)

Philly’s on top these days; when it comes to everything from BYOBs and beer to romance and sports fans, Philadelphia just keeps turning heads.

Now Travel + Leisure Magazine is adding to our cache of national accolades, with its naming of Philadelphia as one of the five best cities for pizza in the entire country.

Philadelphia comes in at #4, with the magazine calling us “one of the classic East Coast thin-crust pizza cities.”

We definitely have the crispy crust style down — we’re looking at you Stella, Zavino, Osteria, Taconelli’s, Barbuzzo, Slice, et al — but options also abound for thick and doughy pizza, as well as interesting vegan options, healthy varieties and more.

Philadelphia has certainly earned the nod; can’t wait to see where we go from here.

America’s Best Cities for Pizza [Travel + Leisure]

You'll be able to watch Di Bruno Bros. cheesemongers make fresh mozzarella live.
(Photo courtesy Di Bruno Bros.)

Di Bruno Bros. is expanding to the Main Line, with a projected April 5 opening of a new location in the Ardmore Farmers Market At Suburban Square.

The business will occupy five stalls across two aisles of the market, and will offer a collection of the best-selling products plus customer favorites, from prepared foods and cheese to charcuterie.

Expect gourmet grocery items like fresh mozzarella-made live daily; a vast collection of extra virgin olive oils and imported vinegars; homemade specialty condiments like fresh salsa, bruschetta and tapenades; and freshly baked artisanal breads.

Di Bruno Bros. will collaborate with local and international beer breweries to host a series of wine, beer and cheese pairings and tastings at the new location. Plus, you can book them for catering.

The 70 year legacy of Di Bruno’s continues with this fourth shop location, after the Italian Market original, the Rittenhouse Square outpost and the store at the Market at Comcast Center.

Di Bruno Bros.
Ardmore Farmers Market, Anderson and Coulter Avenues
www.dibruno.com

Galleries city-wide will stay open late for special evening receptions, including food and artist Q&A's.
(Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

Philadelphia’s arts community springs into action this April for Gallery Night.

In a show of city solidarity, neighborhoods from the newly revitalized Fairmount and Northern Liberties will join gallery-laden communities like Old and University City to show off Philadelphia’s quaint and eclectic art scene.

College galleries will also take part in Gallery Night, from thesis viewings at Moore College and Temple University, to Paris in prints at La Salle University’s Art Museum.

Spearheaded by the Center City District during the height of the PIFA season, Gallery Night offers native Philadelphians, new residents and visitors the opportunity to fully explore the city and its vibrant arts scene which celebrates the neighborhood and cultural diversity of the city.

A list of participating galleries can be found online. All will be open for free on Friday, April 15 from 5-9 p.m., and some will even offer complimentary light appetizers.

Revel in the vibrancy of Philadelphia’s arts scene on a warm spring evening. It’s just the start of an exciting season in the city!

Gallery Night
Where: All over Philadelphia
When: Friday, April 15, 5-9 p.m
Cost: Free
More info: wwww.phillyfunguide.com

 
Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro were on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on Friday night to promote their new movie Limitless, some of which was filmed here in Philadelphia last year.

During the interview with Fallon, they talk about filming some of the movie here and how Bradley Cooper is from Philadelphia, which made him really want to impress Robert De Niro with a great Philly Cheesesteak while they were in Philadelphia.

Said Cooper: “I was more concerned with impressing Bob [De Niro] with the food of Philly, I think, than with the movie.”

And then the cheesesteak debate began. Jimmy Fallon jumps in with his (and supposedly Tina Fey’s) favorite cheesesteak, and Questlove jumps in with his favorite cheesesteak, before Bradley Cooper reveals that he’s a Pat’s supporter and he had them deliver a bunch of cheesesteaks to the set while they were filming here.

So here’s the favorite cheesesteak tally:

Jimmy Fallon (and Tina Fey by hearsay): Jim’s
Questlove: Tony Luke’s
Bradley Cooper: Pat’s
Robert De Niro: Undecided

Check out the video clip above. The cheesesteak discussion begins around 3:30.

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon – Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper [Official Site]

The run takes place April 17. (Photo courtesy Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau)

The legacy of the brave Continental Army soldiers who survived the elements at Valley Forge during their winter encampment of 1777-78 will live on.

The Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau is looking for nominees for a new “Spirit of Valley Forge — Triumph Over Adversity” award to be introduced during this April’s sixth annual Valley Forge Revolutionary 5-mile Run at Valley Forge National Historical Park.

The award will acknowledge an individual who’s participated in the event as a milestone of their personal triumph over a significant challenge. This year’s run and the inaugural award presentation will take place April 17.

Anyone who knows a runner they believe deserves the honor can submit a 250-word essay detailing how that person’s triumphs exemplify the enduring spirit of Valley Forge. Runners are also encouraged to nominate themselves. Guidelines for nominations and registration information are available online.

Nominations must be received by April 2.

Interested in competing in the run? The race raises funds for trail improvements at the park and also comprises a three-mile walk, one-mile youth fun run for kids 6–12 and a family health expo featuring refreshments and healthy living, exercise and running related exhibitors.

Click here for the course map.

Sixth Annual Valley Forge Revolutionary 5-mile Run: Spirit Award [Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau]

An A-list team deserves A-list fans.
(Photo by M. Kennedy for Phillies)

The recently released 19th annual Brand Keys Sports Loyalty Index has named the Philadelphia Phillies fan base the most loyal of all teams in professional baseball.

We bested the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers (numbers 2 through 5) to reach the top spot.

The survey, conducted by market research firm Brand Keys, was the result of interviews with 250 fans in each relevant market across the pro sports landscape. Factors taken into account included tickets sales, merchandise, and local traditions and history.

It’s nice to see Philadelphia fans earning some well deserved praise — the Flyers were also rated as having the #2 most loyal fans in the NHL — especially since this praise arrives on the heels of another, somewhat less congratulatory ranking from GQ.

Our favorite quote, from Brand Keys President Robert Passikoff: “With the Phillies, every game seems to count to the whole team. They seem to take it more personally.”

T-minus two weeks until Opening Day, April 1!

The Brand Keys Sports Loyalty Index [Official Site]

Ring in spring with citrus foods, spa treatments and more. (Photo courtesy Four Seasons)

In honor of the beginning of spring, Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia will be launching a 10 day citrus celebration.

Today, March 21, through March 31, the hotel will be overflowing with a variety of citrus-themed treats for guests to enjoy.

The restaurants (Fountain and Swann Café) are planning to use more than 12 different varieties of citrus fruits on their menu, including citrus-infused dishes for breakfast at the Fountain and for lunch at both spots. Think Meyer lemons, kumquats, key limes yuzus and even more tangy fruits you’ve never heard of.

In addition, guests checking into the hotel will be offered a variety of citrus candies and drinks in the lobby in the evenings. And The Spa will offer a Four Seasons Citrus Renewal body treatment, which includes an exfoliating lemon polish scrub.

Ring in spring with a refreshing taste of citrus.

Four Seasons Hotel Citrus Celebration
Where: 1 Logan Square
When: Now through March 31
Cost: Varies
More info: www.fourseasons.com/philadelphia

Enjoy special empanadas, both savory and sweet, all April long. (Photo courtesy Cuba Libre)

In celebration of National Empanada Day on Friday, April 8 and Easter Sunday, April 24, Cuba Libre will offer a special menu featuring 10 empanadas, including both sweet and savory varieties.

Available all month long, from April 1 through April 30, the empanadas, stuffed pastries, are a tasty addition to the restaurant’s delicious Cuban menu. They’re “one of the best-known and loved treats of Latin cuisine,” according to chef-partner Guillermo Pernot, who created the special menu after a recent trip to Cuba.

The special empanadas include components like lobster, mango, olive oil-roasted artichoke, slow-braised lamb shoulder and Ventresca tuna with tomato confit (not all together, of course. Although…)

Dessert empanadas include: Arroz con Leche de Coco, coconut-rice pudding brulee with rum raisin-chocolate ganache empanaditas; and Dulce de Leche, a deconstructed empanada of puff pastry with dulce de leche cream cheese and honey-caramelized banana, served with candied coconut.

Bonus: on April 8, in honor of National Empanada Day, the restaurant’s popular Mama Amelia’s Empanadas will be available for $1 each during their happy hour (5-7 p.m.).

Cuba Libre
10 S. 2nd Street
www.cubalibrerestaurant.com