March 4, 2011
The Philadelphia Flower Show kicks off this Sunday, packed with more than 10 acres of floral displays and tons of interactive programming. (Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC)
Spring fever is once again upon us, with the opening of the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia tonight, and the Springtime in Paris-themed Philadelphia International Flower Show Sunday.
You have plenty of opportunity to participate in both this weekend, from cooking demonstrations and wine tastings at the Flower Show to live Japanese music and a woodblock print exhibition at the Cherry Blossom Festival.
Not feeling the festival spirit? Check out some of the theater scene’s latest, or, on account of Women’s History Month, make a reservation at one of Philadelphia’s all-star female chefs’ restaurants or commemorate strong women past and present at the National Constitution Center.
The rest of our top picks for the weekend, below:
Friday
First Friday in Old City, Doylestown and Chestnut Hill
Cupcakes & Cocktails at Three Sirens Boutique
Art After 5: Japanese Night at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Argentinian La Serre Wine Dinner at Lacroix
Guapos Tacos, Jose Garces’ New Food Truck, Debuts
Of Heaven and Earth: The Artworks of Ilana Shafir at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
Peter Nero and the Philly Pops’ 50s Dance Party
Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia — Opening Day!
Saturday
Leonardo da Vinci’s Workshop at the Franklin Institute
Kimmel Center’s Jazz Up Close Series: Randy Weston Quintet tribute to Thelonious Monk
Art of the American Soldier at the National Constitution Center
Philadelphia Orchestra: Vivaldi’s Flute Concerto in D minor
Paris Through The Window: Marc Chagall And His Circle at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Secrets of the Silk Road at the Penn Museum
Foyer Entertainment: Movie Lobby Cards from the 1930s-1960s at the Free Library Central Branch
Sunday
3-Course Guinness Beer Dinner at Fadó Irish Pub and Restaurant
Theatre Exile’s The Lieutenant of Inishmore at Plays and Players Theater
Amadeus at the Walnut Street Theatre — Closing Day!
2011 Philadelphia International Flower Show — Opening Day!
March 4, 2011
Acclaimed chefs, like Noel McMeel formerly of Chez Panisse in San Francisco, will demonstrative live every day. (Photo courtesy Flower Show)
At this year’s “Springtime in Paris” themed Philadelphia International Flower Show, it won’t just be a gorgeous array of flowers transfixing attendees. Tying into this year’s theme, the Flower Show will also be featuring an international array of food and wine.
Free live cooking demonstrations will be given daily by the best chefs of the region, including:
• Pastry Chef Cedric Barbaret of Le Bec Fin
• Chef Daniel Stern of R2L
• Chef Peter Woolsey of Bistrot La Minette
• Chef Jason Goodman of PARC Brasserie
• Chef Guillermo Tellez of Square 1682
• Jean-Marie Lacroix himself of Lacroix
A demo will be held three times a day in Room 204C of the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Click here for a complete schedule.
Plus: a trip to Paris just isn’t complete without a glass of wine. With this in mind, the PA Wine & Spirits Store will once again be hosting free wine tastings daily, highlighting a variety of wines from the world’s finest makers, including (appropriately) the vineyards of the Bordeaux region of France. The wine tastings will take place in the Grand Hall, located down the Concourse from the cooking demonstrations, on Sundays 1-4 p.m. and Monday through Saturday, 2-7 p.m.
2011 Philadelphia International Flower Show
Where: Pennsylvania Convention Center, 12th and Arch Streets
When: March 6-13
Cost: Adults $25, Students $20, Children $15
More info: www.theflowershow.com
March 3, 2011
Pub & Kitchen's floral design is one of almost 100 Flower Show window displays around the city. (Photo courtesy Pub & Kitchen)
The 2011 Philadelphia International Flower Show, arriving March 6-13, is running a “Phlower Power” Window Decorating Contest, in which restaurants, hotels and shops throughout the city compete for the most exuberant Flower Show-themed window display.
A panel of judges will select winners chosen based on creativity, beauty and designs that adhere to this year’s theme: “Springtime in Paris.”
Notable examples include Big Green Earth Store’s giant replica of the Eiffel Tower made from Klean Kanteens; Just Dogs! Gourmet’s beret-bearing dog painting Parisian pictures; and Pub & Kitchen’s MODA Botanica-crafted gorgeous floral display.
If you can’t make it around the city to see each display in person, check out a photo gallery here.
You can vote for “Crowd Favorite” online, through the conclusion of the show.
2011 Philadelphia International Flower Show
Where: Pennsylvania Convention Center, 12th and Arch Streets
When: March 6-13
Cost: Adults $25, Students $20, Children $15
More info: www.theflowershow.com
March 2, 2011
The Parisian theme includes a giant Eiffel Tower erected on the convention floor.
(Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC)
The 2011 Philadelphia International Flower Show takes over the Pennsylvania Convention Center March 6-13, featuring 10+ acres of floral displays; a giant marketplace packed with more than 130 vendors for tools, books, jewelry, home decor, plants and other garden gifts; live culinary demos and wine tastings; live dance and music on the Carousel Stage; and tons more.
The Philadelphia Flower Show is the largest indoor flower show in the world. It’s only fitting, then, that the convention is garnering national attention.
CNN Travel included the flower show on its national list of “12 places to see beautiful spring blooms.”
Plus, ABC’s Good Morning America weather anchor Sam Champion will be broadcasting live from the Flower Show tomorrow, Thursday, March 3. He’ll provide a special preview of the show; tune in for a behind-the-scenes look! The episode begins at 7 a.m.
12 Places to See Beautiful Spring Blooms [CNN Travel]
Good Morning America: Full Episodes [Official Site]
February 25, 2011
City Food Tour co-owner Eric Matzke leading a tour (courtesy of City Food Tours)
Inspired by the upcoming Philadelphia International Flower Show (Springtime in Paris), City Food Tours will be offering both locals and visitors a chance to explore some delicious treats that have both French cred and relationship to some of the blossoms featured at this year’s show. What’s more, the entire tour happens to take place within a few blocks of the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
The tour will include teas blended with jasmine, violets and chrysanthemums, lavender-dusted goat cheese, blue cheese with wildflower honey and flower infused chocolates. It runs March 7 through March 12 and starts each day at 3 p.m. Advanced registration is necessary.
Flower Show Food Tour
When: March 7 – 12, 3 p.m.
Where: Pennsylvania Convention Center neighborhood
Cost: $35
More info: www.cityfoodtours.com or 1-800-979-3370
February 25, 2011
The Philadelphia International Flower Show, in town March 6-13, is partnering with Philadelphia Style Magazine and Rue Philadelphia to offer a special night out at the Flower Show just for the ladies, on Thursday, March 10.
Flower Show attendees have the opportunity to purchase a premier Girls Night Out ticket, which grants access to the Flower Show and a special VIP Girls Night Out area replete with exclusive tastings, shopping, health and beauty offerings, makeovers and massages. Plus, the first 250 guests will receive bonus-packed goodie bags.
Book your ticket online.
Below, check out a sneak peak at Girls Night Out’s vendors.
February 24, 2011
It's that time of the year: the Philadelphia International Flower Show is just around the corner, packed with more than 10 acres of floral displays and tons of interactive programming. (Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC)
The Springtime in Paris-themed 2011 Philadelphia International Flower Show arrives at the Pennsylvania Convention Center March 6-13.
Just a sampling of what’s in store: 10+ acres of indoor display space to celebrate the beauty of plants and the art of gardening; free, regularly scheduled special lectures and demonstrations on horticultural topics; giant marketplace featuring more than 130 vendors for tools, books, jewelry, home decor, plants and other garden gifts; live culinary demonstrations and wine tastings; live dance and music performances on the Carousel Stage; and tons more.
The Philadelphia International Flower Show is the largest show of its kind in the entire world; make sure you’re one of the hundreds of thousands over the course of the eight days who takes advantage of the rich displays and entertaining, fulfilling programming.
Also check out the variety of bonus-packed Flower Show hotel packages; make it a vacation!
You can pre-purchase tickets online.
Below, check out a rendering of what the convention floor will look like, complete with a giant Eiffel Tower being constructed. How fun: The Convention Center is getting an Eiffel Tower replica in March, and the Kimmel Center is getting one in April.
February 2, 2011
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Philadelphia Flower Show is running a “Why You Love The Flower Show” Facebook contest.
Write 14 words or fewer as to why you love the Flower Show, which is the oldest and largest indoor flower show in the entire world. One randomly selected contributor will receive two free tickets to the show, coming to town March 6th-13th.
Lines submitted so far include, “Philadelphia Flower Show feels like playing hookie on the first day of Spring!” and “From the first WOW you wonder how the Philadelphia Convention Center turned into Paradise.”
The deadline for submitted comments is noon on February 7th.
Philadelphia Flower Show Facebook Contest [Facebook]
March 3, 2010
Photo by Jill Ivey / Phillyist
My friend Jill Ivey over at Phillyist posted a fantastic gallery of photos from the Philadelphia Flower Show.
From the stunning hanging garden created by Beautiful Blooms to the macaws visiting from the Philadelphia Zoo, she captured a lot of beautiful images. Have a look, and check out the Flower Show before it closes up on March 7th.
Well done, Jill!
Philadelphia International Flower Show
www.theflowershow.com
[ via Phillyist ]
March 3, 2010
In honor of the Philadelphia Flower Show, McGillin’s is currently serving up a couple of flower-themed cocktails, including:
Lemoncello Martinis
Orange Blossoms (Blue Coat Gin, orange blossom puree, lemonade & soda water)
Elderberry Spritzers (elderberry puree, champagne & pineapple)
They’ve also got Ithaca Flower Power IPA on draft. These cocktails will be served for a limited time only, now through March 7th. Go try them while you can!
McGillin’s Olde Ale House
1310 Drury Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 735-5562
Twitter: @McGillins
Web: www.mcgillins.com
