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The Philadelphia Union announced today that Lincoln Financial Field will host a first-ever match between the Union and Spanish soccer powerhouse Real Madrid C.F. on Saturday, July 23 as part of the 2011 Herbalife World Football Challenge.

“Lincoln Financial Field has once again attracted one of the world’s greatest soccer clubs to Philadelphia, hosting its 10th international match since 2003,” said Joe Banner, president of the Philadelphia Eagles. “We’re excited that fans in Philadelphia will have the opportunity to see the Union square off against Real Madrid.”

The Union will square off against Real Madrid in a match Saturday, July 23 beginning at 9 p.m. Voted by FIFA as the best European club of the 20th century, Real Madrid C.F. have won a record nine UEFA Champions Leagues and 31 La Liga titles, 18 Spanish Copa del Rey Cups, eight Spanish Super Cups, two UEFA Cups, one UEFA Supercup and three Intercontinental Cups. Real Madrid defeated their archrival F.C. Barcelona 1-0 in overtime to win their 18th Copa del Rey on April 20.

“Hosting Real Madrid provides another opportunity to showcase Philadelphia to the world,” said Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter. “Philadelphia is a global tourist destination, thanks in part to the success of excellent city venues such as Lincoln Financial Field. We could not be more excited for our city.”

Madrid boasts some of the world’s top stars, including reigning FIFA World Cup champions Iker Casillas, Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos, as well as internationals Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká, Mesut Özil, Karim Benzema and Emmanuel Adebayor.

Ronaldo recently became just the second player in Spanish football history to score 50 goals in a season when he accomplished the feat against Villarreal on May 14, 2011. With 38 of his 51 goals coming in league play, he only needs one more to break the all-time La Liga record, which he currently shares with Hugo Sánchez and Telmo Zarra.

Tickets will be available to the general public beginning Wednesday, June 1 at 10:00 a.m. EST through PhiladelphiaEagles.com, PhiladelphiaUnion.com, Ticketmaster.com and by phone at 800-745-3000.

Philadelphia Union vs. Real Madrid
When: Saturday, July 23 at 9 p.m.
Where: Lincoln Financial Field
More info: www.philadelphiaunion.com

Just in time to celebrate its ten year anniversary, Old City’s Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar will offer great deals on their new menu, May 23-31.

As we mentioned, inspired by Chef Guillermo Pernot’s recent visit to the island nation, Cuba Libre will be revitalized to look, feel, smell and taste like a warm night in old Havana.

The restaurant will debut some of its new flavors and revamped versions of classic dishes on Preview Days, May 23-31, preparing patrons for a new experience starting June 1.

May 23-26, enjoy 50% off the lunch and dinner menus. Then, May 27-31, enjoy 25% off the lunch, dinner and “Brunch without Borders” menus, with 30 different items to choose from.

Diners will also be introduced to Caippy Hour, a name that pays homage to the Caipirinha. The characteristically Latin American cocktail will be on special for $5 on weekdays 5-7 p.m. Pair your drink with bar bites like Guacamole Cubano and Frituras de Malanga; they’ll range from $2-$3 during Preview Days.

We can’t wait to see what’s in store for the next 10 years.

Cuba Libre Restaurant Deals
When: May 23-31
Where: 10 S. 2nd Street
More Info: www.cubalibrerestaurant.com

Previously: Cuba Libre Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary With New Decor, A Brand New Small-Plates Menu And More

Spring in Philadelphia means festivals galore, and this weekend is no exception: the sixth annual Trenton Avenue Arts Festival returns to Fishtown neighborhood this Saturday, May 21 from noon to 5 p.m.

The festival features more than 150 artist booths and the crowd favorite Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby. The Derby is a three mile race and obstacle course with a finish line mud pit, celebrating human-powered transit by pitting mobile sculptures against one another.

Expect live music all day long, fun games and incredible handmade crafts.

Food, of course is also a major player. Here’s the full lineup of vendors:

• A Full Plate Cafe
• Auntie Annes
• Irish Ice
• Violette’s Crepes — DEBUT!
• Innovative Catering Concepts
• Little Baby’s Ice Cream — DEBUT!
• Memphis Taproom’s hot dog truck
• Primo’s Pizza
• Sweets by Samantha
• The Dapper Dog

See everyone there!

6th Annual Trenton Avenue Arts Festival
When: May 21, noon-5 p.m. (Rain date May 22)
Where: 2000 block of Trenton Avenue between Norris and Dauphin Streets
Cost: Free
More info: www.trentonaveartsfest.blogspot.com

Previously: The Trenton Avenue Arts Festival Returns Saturday, May 21, Including The Popular Kinetic Sculpture Derby

The “Spring Fever” edition of the Punk Rock Flea Market returns to Northern Liberties this Sunday, May 22 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Punk Rock Flea Market Dome will house more than 250 tables with vendors selling everything from handmade jewelry and crafts, to records, furniture, electronics, instruments, art and even junk.

R5 Productions, the indie music promoter behind the event, has dedicated more than 40 tables to selling exclusively punk items like old punk records, old band shirts and instruments.

There will also be nearly 20 different food vendor tables with snacks for everyone from carnivores to vegans. Little Baby’s Ice Cream, launching this weekend, will be on site selling ice cream from its tricycle freezer and Miss Rachel’s Pantry will be there, specializing in vegan sandwiches.

Though this is a completely non-music centric event, you’ll also be able to win tickets to shows and backstage passes.

Tickets are just $3. All proceeds go to support the “all ages shows” R5 Productions puts on at the First Unitarian Church and elsewhere throughout Philadelphia.

Punk Rock Flea Market
When: Sunday, May 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Punk Rock Flea Market Dome, 461 N. 9th Street
Cost: $3
More info: www.r5productions.com

The Philadelphia Orchestra, one of the leading orchestras in the world and a major cultural icon in Philadelphia, launched a new initiative this week aimed at raising public awareness and funding, called Listen With Your Heart.

The campaign is focused on the tri-state area. The orchestra will engage lifelong Philadelphia Orchestra patrons, general music-lovers and novices alike with public performances, local advertising, online engagement, fundraising and outreach through regional merchants, restaurants and hotels.

Listen With Your Heart is in part a response to The Philadelphia Orchestra Association facing critical financial challenges. We’re happy to see that the Orchestra is rallying and giving Philadelphia an opportunity to show its support for such an important artistic institution.

Check out the ensemble’s upcoming concerts, consider subscribing to the 2011-12 season and keep in mind you can give to the orchestra all year long.

Listen With Your Heart
Help Support The Philadelphia Orchestra
Special site: www.philorchtoday.org

Take a step back in time at Flag Festival 2011: A Turn of the Century Celebration, a fun day of family entertainment designed to recall the Victorian era, taking place Saturday, June 11 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Betsy Ross House, where America’s most famous seamstress sewed our country’s first stars and strips banner, hosted its first Flag Day event on June 14, 1891. The modern day annual Flag Festival invites visitors to step back in time to those early celebrations when brass bands and acrobats were all the rage.

The House courtyard will feature rousing performances by the Centennial Brass Band, Give & Take Jugglers and Funicular Aerial Circus.

Meanwhile, Arch Street turns into a Victorian-style street fair with handmade wares, lots of delicious carnival food, face-painting, a classic car show, organ grinder and Uncle Sam strolling around on stilts. There’s also a Patriotic Pet Parade, where a grand prize goes to the pet with the most creative display of patriotism; if the past is any indication, expect an impressive display of outfits.

Then, on Tuesday, June 14, the Betsy Ross House hosts an official Flag Day celebration. Beginning at noon, and more solemn than the weekend event, it features still more patriotic music and a flag folding ceremony.

Flag Festival 2011
When: Saturday, June 11, 10 a.m –5 p.m. and Tuesday, June 14 beginning at noon
Where: Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch Street
Cost: Free
More info: www.betsyrosshouse.org

The 2011 Center City District Lunchtime Concert Series, presented by TD Bank, kicks off for the season on Wednesday, June 1 at noon.

Every Wednesday afternoon through August 31, from noon-1:30 p.m., catch a free, live, outdoor concert at convenient listening sites throughout Center City. Enjoy your summer afternoon with a little musical accoutrement, be it salsa, blues, reggae, acoustic, jazz, 60s or classic rock.

Each concert has a rain location, so the temperamental Philadelphia summertime weather report won’t put a damper on your lunchtime entertainment.

Keep in mind that June 1 is also the kick-off of Center City Sips, featuring $4 cocktails, $3 wine, $2 beer and half-price appetizers at 83 participating bars.

The full concert schedule, including location information, is available online.

See also: Summer In LOVE Concert Series

Center City District Lunchtime Concert Series presented by TD Bank
When: June 1–August 31, Wednesdays from noon–1:30 p.m.
Where: Various locations throughout Center City
Cost: Free
More info: www.centercityphila.org

Kiplinger’s personal finance magazine recently rounded up the ten best cities in the country for recent college graduates, and Philadelphia made the cut.

The criteria included: a healthy economy fueling new job growth, rent affordability, access to public transportation, overall cost of living, culture, nightlife and the percentage of people ages 20 to 24.

The magazine’s spotlight on Philadelphia cites that the number of college-educated young adults in Philadelphia has jumped 57% since 2000, a fact the article attributes to the relatively low cost of living and diverse entry-level job opportunities here.

More feathers in Philadelphia’s cap: the city “boasts one of the most competitive bioscience and medical technology hubs,” we’re the fifth largest city in the nation and in the past year, the city added 22,5000 jobs in health and education.

It’s great to see the recognition of all that Philadelphia has to offer the college set; you can check out our coverage on the Philadelphia student population here.

10 Great Cities for College Grads [Kiplinger's]

Earlier this week, the Philadelphia Museum of Art hosted an event at which they announced the exhibitions that they’ll be bringing to the museum in the next 18 months. We’ve plucked out the best from that schedule and think you should mark your calendars for each and every one!

Collab: Four Decades of Giving Modern and Contemporary Design
May 21, 2011 – fall 2012
If you regularly read Design*Sponge or the Herman Miller blogs, this is an exhibition for you. It will feature the best of modern and contemporary furniture, ceramics, glass, lighting and functional object design from the 20th and 21st centuries.

Romancing the West: Alfred Jacob Miller in the Bank of America Collection
June 4 – September 18, 2011
Watercolors from when the west was young. Alfred Jacob Miller lived from 1810 to 1874 and spent a portion of his career exploring and documenting life in the far west with Scottish adventurer Captain William Drummond Steward. Favorite subjects include mountain men, the fur trade, American Indians and the wildlife. For many, his art was the only representation of wild west that they knew.

Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus
August 3 – October 30, 2011
Up until the middle of the 17th century, Jesus had only been painting in glowing, beatific light. Then, towards the middle of his career, Rembrandt begins to paint Jesus in ways that portray him as real, human and decidedly Jewish. This exhibition will explore the progression towards this new way of seeing Jesus and was organized in collaboration with the Musee d Louvre in Paris and the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Here and Now: Prints, Drawings, and Photographs by Ten Philadelphia Artists
September 10 – December 4, 2011
Works on paper from ten Philadelphia artists who range in age from 25 to 50 years old. Artists include Astrid Bowlby, Steven and Billy Blaise Dufala, Vincent Feldman, Daniel Heyman, Isaac Tin Wei Lin, virgil Marti, Joshua Mosley, Serena Perrone, Hannah Price and Mia Rosenthal.

Zoe Strauss Under I-95
January 14 – April 22, 2012
Philadelphia-based photographer Zoe Strauss spent ten years making photographs of people, signage and architecture. From 2000 to 2010, she held a show under an elevated stretch of I-95 in which people could experience her work, buy prints and meet her. This exhibition will feature 150 prints, as well as billboards around the city. The artist will also regularly be on hand in the exhibition to discuss her work. For a little taste of Zoe and her passion, watch the talk she gave at TedX Philly last fall.

For the complete listing of upcoming exhibitions at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, click here.

Celebrate Delaware River Day on Saturday, May 21 as Penn’s Landing plays host to many Navy-inspired activities from noon to 6 p.m.

Music is the best way to kick off any event and Delaware River Day will feature the US Navy’s own Band, Cruisers. You can rock out while taking the opportunity to meet one of the many Navy Sailors.

Other interactive events include face-painting, vessel tours and life jacket fittings. One of Delaware River Day’s goals is to mix fun with education; to that end, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Coastie (Safety Boat) will be on hand to drop some water safety knowledge. Coastie is fully equipped with sirens, air horns and even a built-in squirt gun.

If you ever wanted to sail down the Delaware River, Saturday may be your chance. There will be free hourly sailings with Gloucester City Sail, so bring your cameras to capture our beautiful skyline. You may also want to keep your cameras handy for the Tug Fest that starts at 2 p.m. off of the South Quay at Penn’s Landing Marina.

In addition to all of the free events, the Independence Seaport Museum will have a special $5 admission, so you can make a day out of it.

Delaware River Day
When: Saturday, May 21, noon-6 p.m.
Where: Penn’s Landing
Cost: Free
More Info: www.delawareriverevents.com