Monday, March 30, 2026

The Kimmel Center: Philly Performing Arts

Home to the Philadelphia Orchestra, The Kimmel Center features three performance spaces and is a crown jewel in the Philly arts scene. The building houses the 2,500-seat Verizon Hall, the 650-seat Perelman Theatre, and the SEI Innovation Studio, an intimate black box theatre. In addition to a roster of Philadelphia Orchestra performances, the center hosts musical theatre, recitals, ballet, modern dance and individual performers.

Resident companies include American Theatre Arts for Youth, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Opera Philadelphia, Philly Pops, Pennsylvania Ballet, PHILADANCO, and the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society. The center’s educational outreach programs include free performing arts classes for grades 5 through 12.

See The Kimmel Center website for a schedule of performances and ticket information.

The Kimmel Center
300 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 670-2388
http://www.kimmelcenter.org/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/kimmel-center-for-the-performing-arts-philadelphia

Public Domain/Public Domain

Five Easy Decorating Tips for Renters

A new apartment is great because everything is clean and untouched, but it can also seem a bit impersonal. If you want to make your rental your own without making any permanent changes, these easy (and inexpensive!) tips can help.

  1. Dress up your windows. Every renter loves windows because they fill your apartment with natural light, but they can look a bit bare with just the standard issue white blinds. Add some colorful curtains, chic bamboo blinds, or patterned roller panels to give your windows your own character.
  2. Hang a gallery wall. From personalized photographs to brightly colored movie posters, a gallery wall allows you to decorate your walls with all of the things you love. Though many renters think that they can’t hang frames because of the nail holes, there are a number of removable frame hanging tools that won’t puncture the walls.
  3. Add some greenery. Not only do plants brighten any room in your apartment, they also clean the air and make everything feel fresher. Potted succulents and cacti are especially ideal for apartments because they require less care than most other indoor plants.
  4. Experiment with creative storage. If your new apartment is lacking storage space, don’t sweat it. Line a wall with white bookshelves to make them look like built-ins, add closet organizers to maximize that small bedroom closet, or invest in multipurpose furniture pieces with hidden storage.
  5. Don’t forget the rugs. Colorful rugs add personality to every room in your apartment, and they protect the floors to keep your security deposit safe.

24 Ideas to Steal for Your Apartment [BHG]
11 Decor Ideas That Will Change Your Apartment [Huffington Post]
Design Ideas and Tips for Renters [Remodelaholic]
10 Tips on Decorating a Rental [Sunset]

Zahav: Mediterranean Cuisine in Society Hill

Philadelphia's Zahav has earned itself a loyal bevy of fans who love their take on Mediterranean food. The ambiance is lovely and relaxing, with soft music and attentive service.

Begin with a starter like Yemenite soup with chicken broth, baby turnips, & pickled onions, Roasted Zucchini with Bulgarian feta, hazelnuts, zucchini & babaganoush, or an Heirloom tomato salad with & house-made ricotta.

Mezze, or small plates, are also a good way to go. Choose several to share at the table or keep them all to yourself. Options include Crispy Lamb’s Tongue with snap peas, smoked grapes, pistachio tehina, & peaches, Kibbe Naya with raw lamb, corn, fenugreek, & kale, and Watermelon salad with marinated cobia, Israeli olives, & smoked honey.

Zahav
237 St. James Place
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 625-8800
http://www.zahavrestaurant.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/zahav-philadelphia

Public Domain/Public Domain

The Forrest Theatre: Broadway on Walnut Street

You don’t have to go to the Big Apple to experience the thrill of a Broadway production. Philadelphia's premier venue for Broadway plays, the Forrest Theatre has hosted touring productions of The Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia!, Les Miserables and Rock of Ages in recent years. The classically designed theatre opened in 1927 and was one of the more opulent of the venues built by famous theatrical impresarios the Shubert brothers. Over the years a myriad of performers have taken the stage in a variety of productions, including Yiddish theatre, Gilbert & Sullivan, and the Philadelphia orchestra.

Want to see a calendar of upcoming events? Visit The Forrest Theatre's website!

1114 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 923-1515

BBQ Meatballs

Ingredients
•1- 1.5 pounds ground turkey
•½ cup onion, very finely minced
•1 egg
•¼ cup breadcrumbs
•1 teaspoon garlic powder
•1 teaspoon chili powder
•½ teaspoon paprika
•½ teaspoon kosher salt
•¾ cup BBQ sauce, divided
•2 tablespoons oil

Instructions
1. Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (not totally required but makes for much easier cleanup).
2. In a large bowl, using your hands, mix together all the ingredients except the BBQ sauce and oil.
3. Mix in 3-4 tablespoons of the BBQ sauce, enough to help it bind and add flavor. If you feel like your mixture is too moist add more breadcrumbs.
4. Heat the oil in the skillet.
5. Roll the turkey mixture into 1½ inch balls and drop into the heated skillet in batches (I cook about 8 at a time). Roll them around after a minute so they brown relatively evenly. Remove the browned meatballs to the prepared baking sheet and repeat until they are all browned.
6. Spoon the remaining BBQ sauce over each meatball and bake for 15-20 minutes, until they are cooked through.
7. Serve with more BBQ sauce if you're feeling saucy.

www.sugardishme.com

Philadelphia Zoo: Lions and Tigers and Bears (and More)

Whether you’re looking for an afternoon activity for the kids or a fun daytime date idea, the Philadelphia Zoo has something for all ages. This impressive wild animal zoo is the first zoo in the country, dating back to 1859. Today, the zoo is home to more than 1,300 animals, birds, reptiles, and aquatic creatures, many of which are on the endangered species list.

This zoo is unique because of how open the animals’ areas are, with spacious walkways that enable the larger animals to have space to roam while still maintaining a safe distance from visitors. Large, sprawling areas emulating the animals’ natural habitats house exotic creatures like gorillas, elephants, polar bears, and everyone’s favorite big cats, including the endangered Amur leopard.

The Philadelphia Zoo also offers a kids’ zoo, a variety of food options, and a gift shop to take home a souvenir. The zoo is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Philadelphia Zoo
3400 W. Girard Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 243-1100
www.philadelphiazoo.org
www.yelp.com/biz/philadelphia-zoo-philadelphia

Philly Cheeseburger

Ingredients

For the Burger:
1 pound ground beef, divided into four patties
salt and pepper to taste
big hamburger buns
onion, sliced and grilled
bell pepper, sliced and grilled
chives, chopped

For the Beer Sauce:
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
3/4 cup beer
1/2 cup half and half
1 1/2 cups sharp cheese, grated
optional: 1 tablespoons horseradish

Instructions

For the Burger:
Salt and pepper patties to taste.
Grill the onion and bell pepper. Set aside.
Grill the burgers.
While the burgers are grilling make the beer cheese sauce.
Drizzle sauce over built burgers and sprinkle with chopped chives.

For the Beer Sauce:

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
Stir in flour and mustard powder; cook, stirring 2 to 3 minutes (do not brown).
Whisk in beer, bring to a simmer, then whisk in half and half.
Simmer, whisking, until thickened, 4 minutes.
Stir in grated sharp cheddar cheese.
Optional: Add horseradish.

www.ladybehindthecurtain.com

Bacon Pancakes

What You’ll Need:

10 slices Crispy Bacon, chopped
2 cups Bisquick Mix
1 cup Milk
2 Eggs
2 tbsp Sugar
1 tsp. Baking Powder
1 tsp. Vanilla

What You’ll Do:
Combine all ingredients {except bacon} in bowl and stir well.
Once well mixed, add in chopped bacon and stir well.
Pour 1/4 cup or smaller portions onto hot buttered griddle, and cook until edges are done. Flip to finish the other side and you’re done!
Drizzle with some delicious Homemade Maple Syrup!

www.thefrugalgirls.com

Pizzeria Stella: Stellar Pies in Society Hill

Few things are as deeply satisfying as a flavorful pizza, sizzling hot out of the oven, swathed with melted cheese, and bedecked with a variety of yummy toppings. Go to Pizzeria Stella to get yours, artisan-made and baked in a wood-fired oven on Second Street in Philadelphia.

Antipasti are also on the menu to start your meal. Options include Sheep’s Milk Ricotta on rosemary flatbread, Broccoli Rabe with garlic & ricotta salata, and Shrimp Arrabiata – pan roasted shrimp with flatbread. Three pasta dishes are also on the menu, including Spaghetti Pomodoro, and Lamb Bolognaise with rigatoni.

Stella's pizza options feature a Margherita with basil & buffalo mozzarella, Sausage with wood-roasted sausage, pesto & mozzarella, Picante with capicola, crushed red pepper & provolone, and Tartufo with black truffle, egg & fontina. House-made gelato is also served.

Pizzeria Stella
423 S. Second Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 320-8000
http://www.starr-restaurant.com/stella/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pizzeria-stella-philadelphia

Public Domain/Public Domain

Blackened Chicken with Avocado Sauce

Ingredients
4 — 4 oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup quinoa
2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
½ cup scallions, chopped
1 Tbsp lemon juice, divided
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp cumin
½ tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp sea salt
1 tsp black pepper
¼ cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
½ avocado
½ tsp garlic powder

Instructions
1. In a medium size sauce pan, bring the chicken broth to a boil. Add quinoa, turn heat down to low and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, covered. When it’s finished cooking (no liquid left), stir in scallions and a 1/2 tbsp of lemon.
2. In a small bowl mix paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper, onion powder, salt and pepper. Rub all over chicken breasts.
3. Spray a large frying pan with non-stick cooking spray. Over medium-high heat, cook chicken for 7 minutes on each side, or until cooked through. Tip: cover the pan while cooking.
4. Meanwhile, mix Greek yogurt, remaining lemon juice, garlic powder and avocado in a food processor.
5. To serve, place the chicken on a bed of quinoa and drizzle the sauce on top.

www.skinnymom.com

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