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Take in a Show at the Academy of Music in Center City

November 4, 2014 by

Built in 1857, The Academy of Music on Broad Street is the oldest Opera House in use not only in Center City, but also in all of the U.S. Modeled after La Scala Opera House in Milan, the Academy is home to the Opera Company of Philadelphia, the Broadway at the Academy performance series, and the Pennsylvania Ballet.

The decor is glamorous and decadent and showcases a 5,000-pound crystal chandelier in the entrance. Many orchestral, operatic, and Broadway-born performances are scheduled throughout the year, such as Bruckner's Final Symphony, Salome, Beijing, and Tokyo. Broadway productions have included shows like The Wizard of Oz, Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles, Motown the Musical, Newsies, and Evita, to name just a few. The Academy also offers many concerts that are free to the public.

The Academy of Music
240 Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 893-1999
www.academyofmusic.org
www.visitphilly.com/music-art/philadelphia/the-academy-of-music/

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Institute of Contemporary Art: Contemplate the Cutting Edge

October 21, 2014 by

Featuring installations, video art, architectural sculptures, and more, Philadelphia's Institute of Contemporary Art exhibits a broad range of artistically innovative pieces from artists around the globe. This internationally recognized museum is committed to showcasing adventurous, risk-taking artwork that pushes the boundaries of current artistic forms and challenges us to think and see the world in new ways.

There is no permanent collection at the Institute of Contemporary Art. Instead, exhibits regularly rotate so every time you visit it's an entirely new experience. On any given day you might find a moveable glass wall pocked with what seem to be bullet holes, treehouses built to convey an environmental message, or huge canvasses covered with single-tone paint. Best of all, there's no admission charge, so it's easy to visit as often as you like.

Institute of Contemporary Art
118 South 36th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 898-7108
icaphila.org
www.yelp.com/biz/institute-of-contemporary-art-philadelphia

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Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens: Take a Stroll Through This Magical Art Oasis

October 7, 2014 by

If you prefer to take your art appreciation outside of the museum, Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is the ideal spot. Using what many would consider junk, artist Isaiah Zagar created a variety of public murals and mirrored mosaic art pieces both indoors and outside. The fully tiled inside space extends out into the outdoor garden spanning half of a city block, and the entire garden is more colorful and intricate than you could ever imagine. There are also eclectic statues made of bicycle wheels, glass bottles, and broken pieces of mirrors to reflect the light from the surrounding mosaics.

In addition to the gardens, Zagar also created a number of community art programs and ever changing exhibits held inside of the arts center. It costs just $5 for students and seniors, $7 for adults, and $3 for children to visit the Magic Gardens. Check the gallery’s website for information about seasonal hours.

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
1020 South Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 733-0390
www.phillymagicgardens.org
www.yelp.com/biz/philadelphias-magic-gardens-philadelphia

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Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts: World-Class Concerts in Center City

August 6, 2014 by

Walk through the doors and experience the grandeur of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, located along the Avenue of the Arts in Center City. Home to the Philadelphia Orchestra, a number of performances are presented almost nightly here and might include the Pennsylvania Ballet, Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, French Circus, a jazz quartet, or family-friendly events.

The main stage in Verizon Hall features 2,500 elegant red mahogany seats with adjustable acoustical panels and is shaped like a cello. The Center also features the smaller 650-seat Perelman Theater with a rotating stage—ideal for chamber music, dance, and drama. The Center's acoustics are state-of-the-art, and the top floors of the building offer breathtaking views of the city. The PECO Cafe, tucked inside the Commonwealth Plaza (which surrounds the performances stages), offers coffee and light snacks.

Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Broad and Spruce Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19102
www.kimmelcenter.org
www.yelp.com

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Rodin Museum: Explore the World’s Most Famous Sculptures

July 22, 2014 by

Since 1929, the Rodin Museum has been a fixture in Philadelphia’s impressive art scene. Though it’s neither as large as the Philadelphia Museum of Art nor as hip as some of the more modern galleries, the Rodin holds its own.

The entire museum is dedicated to the breathtaking sculptures of Auguste Rodin, including the famous The Thinker. It includes a main gallery in the style of Beaux-Arts architecture, and a traditional French garden created by famous French landscape designer Jacques Gréber is attached to the building. Though it may seem unassuming, the Rodin houses one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of art by one of the history’s most famous sculptors.

The Rodin Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, though it is always closed on Tuesdays. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $6 for students and kids. Children under the age of 12 are admitted free.

Rodin Museum
Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 763-8100
www.rodinmuseum.org
www.yelp.com/biz/rodin-museum-philadelphia

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The Kimmel Center: Philly Performing Arts

July 8, 2014 by

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

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The Forrest Theatre: Broadway on Walnut Street

June 10, 2014 by

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

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

June 3, 2014 by

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

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Peruse 3 Floors of Funky, Quirky Folk Art at Eye’s Gallery

May 6, 2014 by

When you step into Eye’s Gallery, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to someplace exotic. All three levels of this store are chock full of unique, fair trade items made by artisans from Latin America to India; expect pottery, tapestries, furniture, wood carvings, mirrors, Day of the Dead items, and even a shrine to Frida Kahlo. The store also carries women’s and men’s clothing, as well as jewelry and accessories.

Julia Zagar and her artist husband Isaiah, whose distinctive mosaic art covers the facade of the building, opened Eye's Gallery in 1968 after serving in the Peace Corps. (They also own the Magic Gardens outdoor art installation six blocks away at 1020 South Street.)

Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays; and noon to 7 p.m. on Sundays.

Eye's Gallery
402 South Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 925-0193
http://www.eyesgallery.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/eyes-gallery-philadelphia

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Stroll Down Elfreth’s Alley, America’s Oldest Residential Street

April 1, 2014 by

Elfreth’s Alley in Old City is the oldest, continually-inhabited residential street in the U.S. The 32 homes on this quaint lane were built between the 1720s and 1830s, and most are still private residences today. The Elfreth’s Alley Museum is located at house numbers 124 and 126, and it offers a peek at the lives of early American families.

Elfreth’s Alley is named for Jeremiah Elfreth, an 18th-century blacksmith and property owner. His neighbors included tradesmen and their families, including glassblowers, silver and pewter smiths, and furniture builders. The Georgian- and Federal-style houses and cobblestone pavement were common in Philadelphia during this era.

Tours are $5 for adults, $2 for children 6-12, and free for children under 6.

From April to December, the museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. From January to March, the museum is open Thursdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Elfreth's Alley
Between Front and Second streets, just north of Arch Street
(215) 574-0560
elfrethsalley.org
http://www.yelp.com/biz/elfreths-alley-philadelphia

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