May 7, 2012
You've never seen The Tempest quite like this. (Photo by Kyle Cassidy courtesy Curio)
Curio Theatre Company presents a powerful rendition of William Shakespeare’s classic work The Tempest, on stage Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. through May 19.
The production takes place inside a historic church in West Philadelphia, where Curio makes its home, and because of the translucent stained glass windows, can only be performed at night. Spooky, huh?
This Renaissance romance packs doe-eyed lovers, drunken clowns, political intrigue and dark arts, all set on a remote island.
Impressively, the play has a cast of 15 characters with just seven actors.
Tickets, just $10-$20, are available online.
Curio Theatre’s The Tempest
Where: 4740 Baltimore Avenue
When: Now through May 19
Cost: Tickets are $10-$20
More info: www.curiotheatre.org
May 7, 2012
The Franklin Institute's Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit presents one of the most comprehensive collections of ancient artifacts from Israel ever organized, featuring 20 scrolls including the oldest known copies of the Hebrew Bible and four never-before-seen scrolls. (Photos by D. Moran courtesy Franklin Institute)
Yet another groundbreaking exhibition will be making its way to Philadelphia next month, when Dead Sea Scrolls: Life and Faith in Ancient Times arrives at the Franklin Institute on May 12.
The exhibit brings fascinating ancient artifacts to town, and gives visitors a glimpse into the rituals and beliefs of ancient Israeli culture.
More than 600 items are included, with artifacts like a three-ton stone from the Western Wall in Jerusalem. There are also weapons like arrowheads and slingstones, pottery shards with ancient royal seals, and some seriously elaborate jewelery (2,000-year-old gold and pearl earrings, anyone?).
The scrolls, though, are the center of the exhibit. Accidentally discovered by a shepherd in 1947, they have been called the greatest archeological find of the last century.
The institute will be hosting 20 of the rarest and most prominent ones, all handwritten, all literally millennia old. These include the oldest known copy of the Hebrew Bible, and four scrolls that have never been seen by the public.
The story will be fleshed out with multimedia displays that complete the history behind the scrolls and other artifacts, giving a full picture of Ancient Israeli life and culture.
The exhibit, sure to be mobbed from day one, runs through October 12. Time-coded tickets are available online.
Dead Sea Scrolls: Life and Faith in Ancient Times at the Franklin Institute
When: May 12-October 14
Where: 222 N. 20th Street
Cost: $31.50 for adults, $25 for children
More info: www2.fi.edu
Watch the video below to meet Ursula Augustine, the owner of About Phace Make-Up Studio & Phacial Suite in Rittenhouse Square, and learn what she wishes more people knew about in Philadelphia. It may or may not have to do with her undying love for Dr. J.
Ursula has been featured in In Style, Philadelphia Style and Philadelphia Magazine’s “Best of Philly”; your skin will thank you for setting up an appointment with her.
Watch the video below to meet Ursula Augustine, the owner of About Phace Make-Up Studio & Phacial Suite in Rittenhouse Square, and learn what she wishes more people knew about in Philadelphia. It may or may not have to do with her undying love for Dr. J. Ursula has been featured in In Style, Philadelphia [...]
Read more»May 4, 2012
Start your weekend off stylishly at the PMA's Martinis on the Portico. The East Terrace lends one of the most stunning views of the city skyline, made all the more gratifying by delicious martinis and food, live music and art. (Photo courtesy PMA)
Awesome happy hour alert: Martinis On The Portico summer Friday evening happy hour series has returned to the Philadelphia Museum of Art as an added bonus to the popular year-round Art After 5 programming. It all starts tonight.
Enjoy a few Friday evening cocktails and bites catered by Stephen Starr with what is probably the most scenic view of any happy hour in the city, plus after-hours access to the world-renowned museum’s art collection.
It’s a great chance to experience the museum with a more casual vibe, as staff members wear T-shirts and low-key gallery tours are offered at no additional charge.
Check out the full drink menu below, and a music schedule for the coming months online. Tonight’s kick-off of Martinis on the Portico is a Cinco de Mayo Party, featuring Latin music.
Martinis On The Portico
Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
When: Fridays through the fall, 5-8:45 p.m.
Cost: Adults $16, Seniors (ages 65+) $14, Students $12
More info: www.philamuseum.org
May 4, 2012
With MAYA 2012: Lords of Time — a world premiere exhibition opening this Saturday, May 5 — the Penn Museum confronts the current fascination with the year 2012, comparing predictions of an apocalypse with their supposed origins among the ancient Maya. (Photos courtesy Penn Museum)
The Penn Museum is going all-out for the opening of its newest exhibition: Maya.2012: Lords of Time.
The ground-breaking exhibit offers an unprecedented look deep into Mayan culture, beginning with its complex calendar and featuring priceless artifacts, testimonials and more.
In honor of Maya.2012, the museum is being taken over for the weekend by Maya-inspired activities and events that range from serious and scholarly to just plain fun. Here’s the deal:
• 30th Annual Maya Weekend: This year’s annual gathering of scholars, artists, linguists and archaeologists coincides with the exhibit’s opening. It features talks and programs covering many topics around the Mayan world, including lectures on current archaeological work at Mayan sites, and even interactive hieroglyphic workshops. Plus attendees will experience an exhibition preview with the curators, and enjoy multiple banquet-style meals inspired by Maya cuisine. The event runs May 4-6 and tickets are available here.
• Maya.2012 Opening Weekend Celebration: For those looking for a more casual way to ring in the Maya.2012 opening, the museum is hosting a family-friendly celebration on May 5-6, rife with Maya-inspired fun. Activities include workshops in weaving, painting, dancing and even doll making, plus visits from Central-American animals like majestic macaws. And best of all, everything is free with admission to the museum or the separately ticketed exhibit.
Maya.2012: Lords of Time Opening Festivities at the Penn Museum
When: May 4-6
Where: 3260 South Street
Cost: Celebration is free with admission; Maya Weekend tickets range from $50-180
More info: www.penn.museum
May 3, 2012
On Saturday, May 5 the Spring Craft Bazaar returns to Greensgrow Farms with an array of 30 local artists and vendors and hundreds of handmade gifts and craft items.
Vendors at the farm, which is home to one of the city’s most beloved CSAs and local, fresh food markets, will be offering handmade soaps for home, bath and body, candles, crochet and knitted accessories, prints, ceramics, photographs, jewelry, wood crafts, furniture and more.
Artists have been hand-picked for the event, so there should be some amazing craftsmanship and beautiful artwork. The nursery will also be open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and the farmstand will be available from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Visitors should look out for the season’s very first local strawberries, from Delaware, this Saturday at the farmstand.
From noon-2 p.m. Greensgrow will also be hosting a Window Box Workshop, where participants can learn how to create their very own, overflowing window boxes. Registration is $20.
This is the perfect opportunity to pick up a one-of-a-kind Mother’s Day gift for your mom, so be sure to mark your calendar.
Greensgrow Farms Spring Craft Bazaar
Where: Greensgrow Farms, 2501 E. Cumberland Street
When: Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Free
More info: www.greensgrow.org
May 3, 2012
The Perelman Building welcomes a new craft exhibition this Saturday, May 5; and heads up: Sunday is pay what you wish! (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)
Presenting the work of 39 craft artists from 11 countries, the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, Craft Spoken Here, explores the significance of craft as a form of visual expression.
On view May 5 through August 12 at the Perelman Building, the works in Craft Spoken Here range from 1960 to the present in a variety of media, including bronze, glass, wood, ceramic, silver, silk and natural fibers, highlighting the distinctive approaches taken by each artists.
Representing Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia, the artworks highlight formal qualities that cross cultures, time and media.
While international in scope, the show also pays homage to four crafters hailing from Philadelphia: Rebecca Medel, Doug Bucci, Jessica Julius and Rudolf Staffel.
A fun bonus for visitors: CraftLAB, a collaborative space within the exhibition gallery dedicated to demonstrating and exploring craft techniques, will offer patrons an opportunity to enjoy some hands-on craft-making activities.
Check out a schedule of workshop and other interactive events at the exhibition right here.
Craft Spoken Here at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
When: May 5-August 12
Where: Exhibition Gallery, Perelman Building, Fairmount and Pennsylvania Avenues
Cost: Adults $8, Seniors (ages 65 & over) $7, Students $6, Children ages 13-18 $6, ages 12 & under Free
More info: www.philamuseum.org
May 3, 2012
Bravo, Maestro! The Philadelphia Orchestra bids farewell to Conductor Charles Dutoit with a special concert series kicking off this Friday, May 4. (Photo courtesy Philadelphia Orchestra)
To mark the end of an illustrious four-year term as chief conductor of The Philadelphia Orchestra, Charles Dutoit will lead the world-famous Orchestra in three melodious weeks of magnificent concerts from May 4-19 at the Kimmel Center.
The first of the concerts to honor Maestro Dutoit’s tenure will be held on May 4 and 5, and will include four luminous works exemplifying two centuries of music originating from Paris. Irresistibly titled “The Lure of Paris,” this evening will include such renowned pieces as Mozart’s universally-recognized Symphony No. 31 (known as the “Paris” and more.
On May 10 and 12, Dutoit will conduct a concert version of Richard Strauss’s opera Elektra for the first time on the Verizon Hall stage. The story is an adaptation of Sophocles’ classic Greek tragedy about the fall of the house of Atreus, in which Elektra seeks revenge against her mother and stepfather for the murder of her father, Agamemnon.
For the concert series finale on May 17 and 19, in an evening called simply “Celebrating Dutoit,” the Orchestra will welcome world-renowned pianist (and longtime friend to Dutoit) Maria João Pires and the Philadelphia Singers Chorale. In a rare U.S. appearance, and Orchestra debut, Pires will perform Chopin’s virtuosic Piano Concerto No. 2.
Despite ending his term as chief conductor with the Orchestra, Dutoit will still be a part of the company. Beginning with the 2012-13 season, the Orchestra will honor Mr. Dutoit with the title of conductor laureate. Taking his place? The hugely talented young Yannick Nézet-Séguin.
The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Philadelphia Legacy Series
When: May 4-5, 10, 12, 17, 19; 8 p.m.
Where: Kimmel Center, 260 S. Broad Street
Cost: $24-$90
More info: www.philorch.org
May 2, 2012
Get a taste of the Art Star Craft Bazaar at the Race Street Pier on First Friday, May 4. For the real deal, head south along the waterfront to Penn's Landing, May 12-13. (Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC)
One of Philly’s best outdoor craft bazaars is back, just in time for Mother’s Day.
With more than 150 local and national artists selected to set up shop at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, May 12-13, the 9th Annual Spring Art Star Craft Bazaar won’t disappoint.
Shoppers can expect high-quality handmade goods that stay true to Art Star’s popular, quirky aesthetic, with items ranging from prints and sculptures to housewares, clothing, paper goods, toys, accessories and tons of one-of-a-kind curiosities.
The event will include live music by local bands presented by Philebrity, as well as food by various vendors including vegan/vegetarian fare by local favorites A Full Plate Café, Soy Café and Sweetbox Cupcakes.
Check out the Philebrity playlist here.
Kids in tow? Swing by the family-friendly, interactive art and crafts demos by the Philadelphia Sculpture Gym, The Clay Studio and the Candy Coated Center.
And if you’re heading out for First Friday on May 4, be sure to stop by a free Sneak Peek of the Bazaar at the Race Street Pier on First Friday from 6-9 p.m. featuring live music, 20 Philly-based vendors, craft demos and more good stuff.
9th Annual Spring Art Star Craft Bazaar
When: May 12-13, 11 a.m.-6 p.m; Sneak Preview, May 4, 6-9 p.m.
Where: The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, Columbus Boulevard between Walnut and Chestnut Streets
Cost: Free
More info: www.artstarcraftbazaar.com
May 2, 2012
Take part in one of the city's most epic dance events, set to take place on the Art Museum Plaza this fall. Learn the moves next weekend. (Photo by Robert Etcheverry courtesy Live Arts Festival)
Got moves? The Philadelphia Live Arts Festival is putting out a call to all Philadelphians who love to dance to be part of the biggest performance in the 16-year history of the fest to kick off the 2012 Live Arts Festival on September 8-9.
During this one-of-a-kind performance presented at the Art Museum Plaza, more than 200 Philly residents will dance in a 30-minute, outdoor contemporary live show titled “Le Grand Continental” that displays the talent, charisma and lively personality that characterizes the City of Brotherly Love.
Working with internationally renowned Montreal-based choreoprapher Sylvain Emard, who has presented the piece in Montreal and Mexico City, the Philly version of “Le Grand Continental” will include a mix of rhythms and styles, ranging from R&B to country, techno, disco and even waltzes, all representing the diverse Philadelphia sound.
All are invited to register, regardless of dance experience, age or background. Click here to get started. Recruitment sessions will be held May 15 and 16, 7-9 p.m. each day at the Live Arts Studio.
Recruitment Sessions for Le Grand Continental dance performance
When: May 15-16, 7-9 p.m.
Where: Live Arts Studio, 919 N. 5th Street
Cost: Free
More info: www.livearts-fringe.org
