July 26, 2011
The Supper at Emmaus, 1648. Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn, Dutch. (Image courtesy Philadelphia Museum of Art)
The Philadelphia Museum of Art presents a singular exhibition, Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus, opening at Philadelphia’s premier art museum Wednesday, August 3.
This exhibition, the first Rembrandt exhibition in Philadelphia since 1932 and the first ever in the city to include paintings by the Dutch master, reunites a rare series of portraits of Christ for the first time since 1656.
Never before have so many of Rembrandt’s finest paintings, etchings and drawings that depict Jesus Christ and events of his life been assembled for an exhibition.
It’s a must-see for art lovers and neophytes alike.
You can get tickets online in advance.
Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus
Where: Philadelphia Museum Of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
When: August 3-October 30
Cost: Adults $25, Seniors $23, Students and kids 13-18 $20, Kids 5-12 $12, Kids 4 and under Free
More info: www.philamuseum.org
July 19, 2011
Our survival guide for ways to beat the heat in Philly includes getting on the water, seeking out cold AC, frozen treats and more. (Clockwise from top left: B. Krist for GPTMC; courtesy Adventure Aquarium, Sesame Place and Capogiro)
We’re in the midst of what is going to turn into a very hot, week-long heat wave, which means it may get a little too hot for some of your normal summertime activities.
So to fill the void, we’ve put together a quick survival guide with some top picks for the best ways to stay cool in Philadelphia during the hottest summer weather.
Our guide to beat the heat:
Frozen Drinks And Treats
Cool down with bites and beverages perfectly suited to summertime: ice cream, water ice, frozen drinks and ice cold beers abound in Philadelphia.
• Ice cream: Franklin Fountain, Bassetts and Capogiro are the most widely recognized for creamy homemade ice cream (gelato, in Capogiro’s case). Custards and Cakes Creamery in Roxborough, a long-time neighborhood institution, also offers made-in-house concoctions crafted from fresh, seasonal fruit. Bonus: there’s a drive-thru! Scoop Deville in Center City is another great choice, with dozens of mix-ins and toppings; plus, you can order online in advance.
• Water ice: John’s Water Ice in South Philly met recent national fame with none other than President Obama stopped by for a sweet snack. Rita’s, of course, is another Philadelphia mainstay, and Philly Flavors serves up delicious water ice at two convenient locations. Rocco’s has spots in Mt. Airy and further out from the city, and the Philadelphia Water Ice Factory offers an impressive amount of flavors (sour apple, coconut, bubble gum, cappuccino, papaya) at dozens of spots.
• Milkshakes: Viva la bendy straw! It’s milkshake season, and the options for sweet frozen beverages are limitless. To name just a few, nostalgia-themed local chain Nifty Fifty’s, Fishtown’s Sketch, Franklin Square’s SquareBurger, the Snow White lunch counter near Rittenhouse Square, Bobby Flay’s Burger Palace and PYT at the Piazza at Schmidts are whipping up heavenly glasses of frozen froth. For real over-the-top milkshake madness, Max Brenner has a menu of milkshakes that redefine decadence and Jose Garces’ Village Whiskey is serving up new milkshakes, available either spiked or virgin: Irish Car Bomb, house made devil’s food cake, layered with dark chocolate pastry cream flavored with Jameson and Bailey’s and blended with vanilla and chocolate ice creams; Strawberry-Rum, strawberry ice cream, strawberry sauce and Goslings rum topped with sliced strawberries; S’Mores, toasted marshmallow ice cream with chocolate sauce; Vanilla and Chocolate.
• Frozen cocktails: Want a little booze in your blended drink? The Frozen Blood Orange Margarita at Stephen Starr’s El Vez never fails to deliver summer after summer, and Cantina los Caballitos on East Passyunk offers both glasses and pitchers of Prickly Pear, Blood Orange, Strawberry, Passion Fruit, Mango, Raspberry, Pineapple, Guava or Melon frozen margs, which you can enjoy outside on the restaurant’s makeshift patio. Beyond those, craft cocktails are the calling card of Philadelphia’s drinks scene; we’ve got a full guide to those here. And Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. and Ranstead Room are two great choices for cool, air-conditioned spots to down said drinks during the summer.
Bonus: it’s not quite frozen, but Franklin Fountain’s root beer floats are an authentically rendered timeless Philadelphia drink, made with Briar’s all-natural birch beer and homemade vanilla-bean ice cream. Another bonus: the Lemonnana at Zahav (also not quite frozen) is a glass of pure refreshing spiked lemonade heaven, a quintessential Philadelphia summer drink.
• Cold Beer: Philadelphia is a beer town. End of story. We’ve got thorough coverage on the best places to find cold brews in and around the city. And most importantly, 2011 is the summer of the beer garden (haven’t you heard?) We compiled a helpful pocket guide for where to find the best and breeziest beer gardens in Philadelphia.
Below, we have information on attractions with great A.C., water sports and more.
June 29, 2011
How cool: tonight at 9 p.m. is your chance to watch 'Rocky' on the Art Museum steps that Rocky himself has helped to make so famous. (Photo courtesy Wawa Welcome America)
Awesome event alert: Wawa Welcome America’s Philly at the Movies outdoor screening series continues tonight with one of the most iconic and famous Philadelphia movies of all time, Rocky, shown at (where else?) the famous steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
The steps, incidentally, were named the second most famous movie location in the entire world. So it’s a pretty cool opportunity to watch the film that helped make the location one of the most visited attractions in the city.
Before the screening starts at 9 p.m., Philadelphians will form one of the city’s largest dance lines on the steps of the Art Museum, twisting, cha-cha’ing, and electric-sliding to boost the crowd’s July 4th spirit.
Then it’s time to sit back with some friends and some delicious picnic snacks and get your “Yo, Adrian!” on.
Rocky at the Art Museum Steps
Where: 26th Street and Ben Franklin Parkway
When: Tonight, June 29, 9 p.m.
Cost: Free
More info: www.welcomeamerica.com
June 2, 2011
The museum's exciting exhibition schedule isn't slowing down for the summer. (Photo courtesy Philadelphia Museum of Art)
The Philadelphia Museum of Art presents Romancing the West: Alfred Jacob Miller in the Bank of America Collection, opening June 4 at the museum’s main building.
Featuring a selection of 30 rarely seen watercolors from artist Alfred Miller’s (1810-1874) most prominent work, Romancing the West offers guests a unique look at artistic visions of life on the American Frontier.
As one of the first American artists to paint the American West, Baltimore native Miller found inspiration for his intriguing works in his trips through the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains during the 1830s.
The exhibited watercolors depict the stunning landscape, colorful and exotic wildlife, and Native Americans that the artist encountered, as well as pieces that reflect Miller’s vivid imaginations of this frequently mythologized region of the United States.
Romancing the West: Alfred Jacob Miller in the Bank of American Collection
When: June 4- September 18
Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Cost: Adults $16, Seniors (ages 65+) $14, Students $12
More info: www.philamuseum.org
May 20, 2011
The museum's East Terrace lends one of the most stunning views of the Philadelphia skyline, made all the more gratifying by delicious martinis and food, live music and art. (Photo courtesy Philadelphia Museum of Art)
The Philadelphia Museum of Art has arguably one of the most gorgeous skyline views in the entire city; what better way to bask in Philadelphia’s picturesque glory than with a martini in hand, live music in the background, against the backdrop of one of the country’s most preeminent art institutions?
Martinis On The Portico summer Friday evening happy hour series has returned to the museum as an added bonus to the popular year-round Art After 5 programming. Enjoy a few Friday evening cocktails with what is probably the most scenic view of any happy hour in the city. (Seriously, check out that view!)
Plus, the museum lets it hair down, with staff wearing T-shirts and casual gallery tours offered at no additional charge.
In honor of Martinis On The Portico, Stephen STARR Events has created a new selection of refreshing drinks for guests to enjoy on the museum’s East Steps while enjoying an eclectic mix of international music. Complement the sips with light snacks served inside the Great Stair Hall. See below for the full new drink menu.
Start your weekend off stylishly!
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 18, 2011
Mark your calendars for some of these great exhibitions! (photo by M. McClellan for GPTMC)
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.
May 17, 2011
Visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art for free on International Museum Day this Wednesday. (Photo by M. McClellan for GPTMC)
Tomorrow, May 18 is International Museum Day. All across the globe, museums will be opening their doors and inviting visitors to explore their institutions for free. Initiated in 1977, International Museum Day was organized by the International Council on Museums (ICOM) as a way of recognizing the important role that museums play in contemporary society.
Here in the Philadelphia area, several museums are participating. They include the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the American Swedish Historical Museum and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The Art Museum is also including admission to the Perelman, the Cedar Grove and Mount Pleasant Houses, and the nearby Rodin Museum in their offer.
For those of you who can’t make it out to a museum tomorrow, mark your calendars. This event is celebrated every year on May 18th. It might just be worth cashing in a vacation day next year in order to take part.
2011 International Museum Day
When: Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Where: The Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the American Swedish Historical Museum
Cost: Free!
More info: www.icom.museum
May 13, 2011
Objects on display range from funky armchairs to stylized typewriters. (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)
Another can’t-miss exhibit opens at the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Perelman Building this spring: Collab: Four Decades Of Giving Modern And Contemporary Design, unveiled May 21.
Commemorating the 40th anniversary of Collab, the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s support group for Modern and Contemporary Design, this exhibition will showcase nearly 60 out of the hundreds of works of modern and contemporary design acquired by the museum since 1971.
Collab will feature outstanding examples of 20th- and 21st- century furniture, ceramics, glass, lighting and functional objects that jointly present a chronological overview of modern and contemporary design, while celebrating Collab’s significant contributions to the Museum.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art’s collection of modern and contemporary design is one of the largest and most important in any American museum, and Collab has played an integral role in the acquisition and promotion of inspiring masterworks by designers such as Alvar Aalto, Charles and Ray Eames, Frank Gehry, Ettore Sottsass, Jr. and Philippe Starck.
Budding curators: click here to help choose which piece of furniture should be installed as part of the collection!
Collab: Four Decades of Giving Modern and Contemporary Design
When: May 21-Winter 2012
Where: Perelman Building, Fairmount Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue
Cost: Free with admission
More info: www.philamuseum.org
May 3, 2011
Show your much-appreciated support for the orchestra. (Photo by J. Griffin courtesy Philadelphia Orchestra)
The Philadelphia Orchestra is hosting Perfect Harmony: Festive Fusion of Friends, Music, and Merriment, May 5 at the Perelman Building of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, a truly noteworthy fundraiser.
The perfect opportunity to demonstrate your support for our beloved orchestra, the event features cocktails, a buffet supper, and both a live and silent auction with items that will make fans of this great American orchestra swoon.
Here is just some of what’s up for bid:
• Private recital by Concertmaster David Kim and First Associate Concertmaster Juliette Kang followed by dinner for 10 guests catered by Stephen Starr Events
• Private music lessons by orchestra members
• The opportunity to fill in as fourth musician for a string quartet reading
• Golf outing with Concertmaster David Kim (no word on his golf handicap)
• Day of biking, skiing, and socializing with Orchestra musicians (see, they’re not just one-note Johnnys)
You can also peruse two exhibits at the Perelman Building: Paris through the Window: Marc Chagall and His Circle, and The Peacock Male: Exuberance and Extremes in Masculine Dress.
Beginning at 8 p.m. are musical presentations by members of The Philadelphia Orchestra, followed by what is sure to be a spirited live auction. Then comes a sweet finale of desserts and still more entertainment, starting at 9:30 p.m.
Don’t miss the chance to express your support for the orchestra!
Perfect Harmony: Festive Fusion of Friends, Music, and Merriment
When: May 5, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Perelman Building of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Fairmount and Pennsylvania Avenues
Cost: $250, $130 of which is tax-deductible
More info: www.philorch.org
April 27, 2011
Feel good in mind and body both at this fun-filled fundraiser. (Photo by J. Posse courtesy Living Beyond Breast Cancer)
Strike a warrior pose for a cause with Yoga on the Steps, taking place on the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps on Sunday, May 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Yoga on the Steps is an initiative of Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC), an organization that aims to empower the nearly 200,000 women a year that are diagnosed with breast cancer to live the longest and best lives possible.
Yoga on the Steps is one of LBBC’s signature events, and it’s also one of the largest outdoor yoga classes in the entire world. Television personality Lu Ann Cahn of NBC Philadelphia’s The 10! Show, a breast cancer survivor, will be serving as the Mistress of Ceremonies.
Yogis will gather on the famed steps at 8:30 a.m. for a one-hour yoga class, designed for all skill levels. After a good stretch, a light breakfast will be served, and visitors are invited to attend a Healthy Living Expo to learn more about products and services that enrich one’s quality of life, such as fitness, healthful eating and natural products.
There is no fee to pre-register for the event, but participants are asked to raise $50 before the event as a donation.
Yoga on the Steps
When: Sunday, May 15, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: East Steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Cost: $50 donation
More info: www.yogaonthesteps.org
