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Part Reading Rainbow, part Comedy Central, PIFA’s Slam Nation at the Kimmel Center Tuesday, April 26 features the top spoken word savants from around the country as they spin stories and awkward humor from the Perelman Theatre stage.

Including the likes of This American Life’s Elna Baker, NYC Moth’s Michele Carlo and Giulia Rozzi, and 16-time StorySlam champion Adam Wade, among others, it’s a lineup that would put even Homer to shame. Click here for the full list of storytellers.

For the ticket price of $25, listen as these modern-day minstrels weave five to ten minutes of anecdotes around the theme of “Worldly Possessions.”

After the event, enjoy some earthly goodies of your own at Chris’ Jazz Café, as ticket holders get a free soup or salad and free dessert with any entrée.

First Person Arts Slam Nation
Where: Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce Streets
When: April 26, 8 p.m.
Cost: $25
More info: www.firstpersonarts.org

 
We agree with Questlove. Green is the new black.

Video: The Roots Rap About Earth Day for Honda Promo [OkayPlayer]

Today, Friday, April 22, is Earth Day. And given that we’re unapologetic proponents of Philadelphia’s pursuit of all things green, we’d be remiss not to have a number of green-related posts planned for you throughout the day today. So stay tuned. The Roots will even be getting into the act.

Meanwhile, below we run down some of the activities planned today around the city in honor of Earth Day. Enjoy.

The Mayor’s Office of Sustainability has been leading a citywide celebration of Earth Month all April long; click here to see the full calendar.

Several attractions throughout the city — including the Philadelphia Zoo, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the National Constitution Center, the Franklin Institute and more — are running their own exciting Earth Day events. Click here for the details on those.

Plus, LEED Gold-certified Hotel Palomar has been celebrating Earth Care Week since last Friday; check out how to participate here.

And tomorrow marks the kick-off of Longwood Gardens’ Trees, Glorious Trees celebration, featuring talks, tours and activities through May 8.

Insider tip: The Coffee Bar inside the Radisson Plaza-Warwick Hotel is giving away FREE coffee grinds (great for your garden) to the first 100 people through the door tomorrow.

Earth Day in Philadelphia [uwishunu]

See Karen Gross on Friday at the Tin Angel (photo courtesy of the artist)

A quartet of Philadelphia’s most talented performers have banded together to bring cabaret back to the city. Organized by local vocalist Karen Gross, The Black Cat Cabaret will launch on Friday, April 22 at Old City’s Tin Angel. Joining Karen on stage will be Eddie Bruce, Tom Adams and Jennifer Blaine.

Inspired by famed Parisian cabaret “Le Chat Noir,” this show will feature jazzy standards, contemporary pieces, original works and comedic monologues. In addition to providing a night of entertainment, the goal of the show is to help create a more vibrant and active cabaret community in Philadelphia. This first show is intended to start a series of similar events.

The Black Cat Cabaret
Where: Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd Street
When: Friday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $15
More info: www.tinangel.com

[This is our "PIFA Picks Du Jour" post series, a daily guide to assist you in selecting from the hundreds of events and activities going on during the month-long arts festival. Location, time and ticket information are included in each event link.]

• White Box Theatre’s Paris Wheels and the Ready Maids in the Kimmel Center’s Hamilton Garden: An interdisciplinary storytelling performance using dance puppetry, music and voice. Glimpse Paris through the eyes of Henri Rousseau as Ready Maids parade the Champs Elysee, zoo animals float out of their cages and into a garden of pink leaves, a bicyclist climbs the Eiffel Tower, and cockatoos share philosophy. Enjoy thirty minutes of performance and sixty minutes of a hands-on arts workshop. 4 p.m. FREE.

• Miro Dance Theatre’s Punch: This re-imagining of Stravinsky’s Pulcinella is Miro Dance Theatre’s most ambitious work to date. Its creation, including video, is inspired by the interdisciplinary work of the Ballets Russes in the early 20th century. 8 p.m. $25.

• Les Nubians Post-Show Party featuring DJ AfroDJiak: Following Les Nubians intimate set (sold out) in the Perlman Theater, celebrate their latest release of Nu Revolution with them. 10 p.m. FREE.

• Scott Joplin’s Treemonisha at Cheyney University: Metropolitan Opera soprano Anita Johnson joins members of the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra and the Cheyney University Concert Choir in a production of Treemonisha with a new orchestration by Rick Benjamin. 8 p.m. $15-$25.

• Theatre Horizon’s The Credeaux Canvas: Struggling artists swindle an art collector in this powerful drama set in a paint-splattered East Village apartment. Exploring a complex labyrinth of love, friendship and intimacy, this beautiful play also features an art exhibit by members of the Greater Norristown Arts League. 7 p.m. $21-$27.

The Sixers host their first playoff game in two years tonight at the Wells Fargo Center. (Photo courtesy Philadelphia 76ers)

The Sixers are back home and looking to pull even in their first round playoff series against the Miami Heat. Games 3 and 4 of the series are being played in Philadelphia at the Wells Fargo Center (today and Sunday) and tickets are still available for both games. The team is also giving away free tickets to the games if you “Like” the Sixers on Facebook.

Before each game, fans can arrive early to get energized at the Block Party outside the Wells Fargo Center on the 11th street side of the arena. The festivities begin three hours before tip off (5 p.m. on Thursday, 10:30 a.m. on Sunday) and include live music, delicious barbecue food, interactive games and more.

The block party fun doesn’t stop with the Sixers, on Friday the Flyers are having their very own party at 4:30, before the team faces the Buffalo Sabres in game 5 of their first round playoff series.

Note: Tickets to the games are required for entry into the Block Party, so grab yours before they’re gone!

Sixers Playoff Block Party
Where: Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad Street
When: Thursday, April 21, 5 p.m.; Sunday, April 24, 10:30 a.m.
Cost: Free with ticket to the game
More info: www.sixers.com

The street festival will feature two stages for ongoing performances throughout the day, a massive Ferris Wheel, a temporary garden park, tons of food and a lot more. (Image courtesy PIFA/Mimi Lien)

PIFA doesn’t technically end until May 1, but its marquee closing event is undoubtedly the all-day, six-block street fair planned for next Saturday, April 30, which will take over Broad Street from Chestnut to Lombard for nine and a half hours of food, non-stop music, performances, kids’ activities, pyrotechnics (!!) and more.

In a fitting climax to the 25 day, French-themed festival, the street fair will transform the Avenue of the Arts into a Parisian boulevard complete with street performers, local restaurants and merchants selling unique foods and wares, outdoor café tables and chairs, a grassy park in front of the Doubletree Hotel with activities including a walk-through maze for children, AND a giant Ferris Wheel.

Here are some additional highlights to look forward to:

• Live music: Two stages, at Pine Street and Sansom Street, will offer non-stop music throughout the day, showcasing virtually every genre. Headlined by the spectacular Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings (6 p.m.), the musical lineup also includes Mucca Pazza, a marching band-meets-rock ‘n roll-band; Nicole Atkins, a North Jersey-bred singer/songwriter; and Drummers with Attitude (DWA), a diverse group of student drummers and dancers from Bristol Township schools. Click here for the full list.

• Food: Tons of food and beverage vendors will provide sustenance throughout the day, so you’ll be well-fueled for merrymaking. Cool down with Anthony’s Gourmet Italian Ice and Capogiro, and fill up with gourmet eats from Cichetteria 19, Girasole, Tyson Bees food truck, Knock Restaurant & Bar, Lacroix, McCormick & Schmick’s, Parc, Capital Grille and Wolfgang Puck. Plus there will be sweets from Miel Patisserie, Nuts About You and The Coffee Bar. And you can pick up a glass of wine (this is faux-Paris, after all) from Blue Mountain Vineyards & Cellars.

• Street vendors: Browse booth from local businesses like Big Green Earth Store, CBS 3, Celeste Hardester Photography, Mural Arts Program, Earthlight Images, Helium Comedy Club, Joseph Fox Books/Free Library of Philadelphia, Jacqueline ter Kulie jewelry, KisKis Imports French soap and linens, Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Philadelphia Orchestra/Peter Nero and the Philly Pops and Willow Street Pictures. A few national businesses will also be represented like Aerosoles shoes, fye electronics store and Plantscapes U.S.A.

• La Compagnie Transe Express: The event culminates as the sun sets with a breathtaking performance by world-renowned French “Celestial Art” troupe La Compagnie Transe Express. Making their East Coast debut, these extraordinary aerial artists will perform their signature routine, never before seen in the region, as they are lifted 150 feet in the air by a giant crane, accompanied by lights and pyrotechnics.

Pedestrians rule! In an effort to maximize comfort and space for festival-goers, this part of Broad Street, basically between Market and South Street, will be completely closed to vehicular traffic for the duration of the fair.

For a complete schedule of PIFA Street Fair performers and stages, click here.

And, below, we’ve included a full map of the festivities.

PIFA Street Fair
When: Saturday, April 30, 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Where: Broad Street from Chestnut to Lombard
Cost: FREE
More info: www.pifa.org

Previously: To Conclude PIFA, The Kimmel Center Will Close Down Broad Street For A Giant Street Fair, Complete With A Ferris Wheel, French Circus Artists Performing 100 Feet In The Air, More Than 80 Street Vendors And More!

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The Franklin Institute's rooftop observatory is one of many places that is hosting free stargazing tonight.
(Photo courtesy The Franklin Institute)

Explore the cosmos tonight, with the Philadelphia Science Festival Astronomy Night, when observatories at Drexel University, The University of Pennsylvania and The Franklin Institute will open their doors to the public plus feature talks by faculty and guest astronomers.

In addition, stargazing sites will be set up throughout the city at community centers, parks, charter schools and even a burial ground. No telescope? No problem! Local astronomers will be bringing both their equipment and their knowledge of the night sky to each viewing point.

Astronomy Night also features three free informal discussions, for a more scholastic experience (link includes ticket and location information):

• An Astronaut’s Trip to the Cosmos: Be fascinated by the first-hand adventures of Dr. Guy Bluford, the first African American in space, when he returns to his West Philadelphia roots. Talk will be followed by stargazing in Clark Park through telescopes provided by local astronomers.

• Conversation and the Cosmos: Dr. David Goldberg will share his astronomical expertise during this lively astronomy dialogue at Drexel.

• Picturing the Universe: Join Penn’s team of astronomers as they guide you through a night of stargazing with some of their cutting-edge instruments; you can even take pictures of what you see. Astronomers will also provide an overview of their research activities and answer your questions about the science of the stars.

Grab a blanket, head outside (we’re due for clear night skies!), and experience the wonder of outer space.

Check out the Astronomy Night stargazing sites, below, plus a video of the Franklin’s Chief Astronomer and Planetarium Director Derrick Pitts on Craig Ferguson’s Late Late Show.

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Rittenhouse Square blooms beautifully in the spring. (Photo by J. Smith for GPTMC)

The 97th annual Rittenhouse Square Flower Market for Children’s Charities sets up shop on May 4-5, just in time to pick up the perfect Mother’s Day present.

Red-and-white striped tents will house the market in Rittenhouse Square, and visitors are welcome to browse through plants and herbs, as well as food and crafts.

Ginny Smith, the Inquirer garden writer will be on hand to answer questions and to sell plants, and B101 will provide balloon flowers, face painting and other fun. Dance performances and singers are scheduled throughout the weekend. There will also be a Children’s Resource Center, a combined effort of children’s service organizations to raise awareness for their causes.

The Rittenhouse Square Flower Market for Children’s Charities is the oldest continuously-held event in Rittenhouse Square, and this year’s proceeds go to ConKerr Cancer, Dignity Housing, Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia and Turning Points for Children. Last year, the Flower Market raised over $27,000!

The event is free and open to the public. Bonus: join in welcoming the 2011 Flower Market with the “Young Friends” happy hour at the Black Sheep on April 28 at 6 p.m.; tickets are $30 at the door.

The Rittenhouse Square Flower Market
When: May 4-5
Where: Rittenhouse Square
Cost: FREE
More info: www.rittenhousesquareflowermarket.com

We love when you can contribute to a good cause while doing something you enjoy. That’s the spirit behind Dining Out for Life, a fundraiser happening on Thursday, April 28.

The way it works is pretty simple: you go out to eat at a participating restaurant (there are more than 100 in Center City alone) and 33% of what you spend on your meal goes to organizations engaged in HIV/AIDS education, testing and care.

Better still, you can also enter a raffle to win an Apple Vacation for two in the sunny Dominican Republic, Cancun or Mexico. If you make a raffle donation of $25 or more at the restaurant you’ll get a 20% off Tuesday card in the mail. This entitles you to 20% off your food bill, at participating restaurants, on Tuesday evenings throughout the year (excluding holidays).

Dining Out For Life began in Philadelphia back in 1991, as a fundraiser for ActionAIDs. Today, it’s international in scope.

Locally this year nearly 200 restaurants throughout the tri-state region join in the event and their donated proceeds will benefit ActionAIDS, AIDS Delaware, Family & Community Service of Delaware County, Planned Parenthood Association of Bucks County, Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania and Dooley House in Camden.

Hey, you have to eat anyway, why not dine out for life?

Click here for the full list of restaurants.

Dining Out For Life Philadelphia
When: Thursday, April 28
Where: Participating restaurants in Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties) New Jersey and Delaware.
More info: www.diningoutforlife.com