The 2016 Philadelphia Flower Show

The 2016 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show is finally here! The annual treat celebrates the centennial of the National Park Service and our country’s majestic landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture through March 13 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. This year’s theme is “Explore America”, from Acadia and Cape Cod, to Valley Forge and Shenandoah, to Yellowstone, Yosemite and other iconic parks and historic sites, American beauty and glory will serve as inspiration for exhibits created by the nation’s premier floral and garden designers. For more information or to buy tickets visit: http://theflowershow.com/

 
Jose Garces Guest Chef at Pat’s King of Steaks

On March 14, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., Chef Jose Garces will be a guest chef at Pat’s King of Steaks! He will be preparing the JG Cheesesteak: provolone fondue, To-Jo wild mushrooms, caramelized onions, black truffle, with Pat’s rib eye and rolls. The sandwich will be sold for $10. All proceeds will benefit the Garces Foundation. One lucky cheesesteak customer will receive two tickets to the Garces Foundation’s Think Local, Give Local Benefit on March 18 at the Loews. The tickets are valued at $300.

Garces Foundation Presents Think Local, Give Local

Garces Foundation presentsThink Local, Give Local on Friday, March 18 from 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market Street. Tickets are $150 General Admission. $250 V.I.P. Admission: receive exclusive access to the after party on the 33^rd floor and a preview tasting. Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/garces-foundation-benefit-tickets-20798751626; Cocktail attire.

The benefit will feature tastings from the area’s brightest chefs and a food themed silent auction to benefit the lives of Philadelphia’s immigrant community.  Chef Jose Garces has handpicked a group of local chefs to deliver an unforgettable epicurean experience, which will highlight Philadelphia’s unique culinary talent.  Throughout the evening guests will enjoy cocktails made with local spirits, local beer, locally created décor elements and more. Entertainment will be provided by American Deluxe, with pop up performances from the Philadelphia Girls Choir and Flamenco troupe De Luna a Lunares. Denise Fike will provide complimentary fashion illustrations of each guest . Guests will enjoy a Tito’s Vodka Lounge and signature cocktail station from Philadelphia Distilling with mixology demonstrations and tastings. A farm stand exhibit will offer guests tastings from local independent makers of gourmet products such as Weckerly’s Ice Cream, Baba’s Brew, Subarashii Kudamono Gourmet Asian Pears, and Gilda’s Biscotti. Billy Harris and Alicia Vitarelli from 6ABC will emcee.

Love Letters

The Love Letters are back! Experience the power of murals by train on a Love Letter tour! Noted street artist and hometown hero Stephen Powers (aka ESPO) and crew, in collaboration with the Mural Arts Program, painted a series of 50 murals on rooftops that collectively express a love letter from a guy to a girl, from an artist to his hometown and from local residents to their West Philadelphia neighborhood. Many of the murals have recently been restored and even some new ones have been added, so now more than ever is this the time to take this exciting and unique tour.
Each tour is led by a professionally trained guide that tells the stories behind these murals at different stops along the elevated train ride, as well as the 30-year history of the Mural Arts Program. Appropriate outdoor weather attire is strongly suggested.

The Third Annual Cheers for CHOP

On Saturday, February 20,  The third annual Cheers for CHOP will be an evening to remember.  It is hosted by Friends of CHOP, a dynamic group of Philadelphia’s most social and philanthropic young influencers who believe in the mission of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and are committed to advancing its research, teaching and clinical priorities through vibrant fundraising efforts. Composed of grateful families and those interested in activities that will further CHOP’s success, Friends of CHOP are public ambassadors of the hospital who promote CHOP as the charity of choice in the Philadelphia region. At last year’s Cheers for CHOP, nearly 700 guests helped raise more than $675,000 for the hospital’s Child Life, Education, and Creative Arts Therapy Program. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit CHOP’s Emergency Department, one of the most active pediatric emergency centers in the na tion. Home to the first Level 1 Trauma Center for children in the Delaware Valley and one of only 55 accredited poison control centers in the nation, CHOP’s ED treats nearly 90,000 patients each year. For more information about the Cheers for CHOP, please visit www.cheersforchop.org.

On Saturday night, Solange Knowles performed a an intimate gathering at the Standard Hotel and Spa. The performance was a surprise for the special guests participating in the Camp Standard Weekend in honor of the hotel’s tenth anniversary.

Earlier in the evening, Adriana Lima attended the Miami City Ballet’s 30th anniversary gala in a beautiful tent on Miami Beach.

Spotted at STK Miami on Friday night was Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter, Sam Smith, who dined with a group of friends.

Rosie Perez was the guest of honor at this year’s YoungArts Backyard Ball, which took place Saturday, January 9 on the YoungArts campus.

Orange is the New Black star, Australian model, Ruby Rose hosted the grand opening of Icon Nightclub Saturday night. Rose DJed for almost 2 hours and was lively and interacted with the crowd.

Kevin Hart was on-hand on South Beach for the premiere of Ride Along 2 last week.

Michael Bay hosted a screening for his new movie, 13 Hours at the AMC theater in Aventura.

Andy Garcia dined at Brickell’s newestst hotspot, Komodo, on Thursday night.

Ryan Phillippe hosted the Five Star New Year’s Eve party on Watson Island on December 31, alongside fiancé, Stanford Law Student, Paulina Slagter. The pair danced and enjoyed spirits while ringing in 2016.

Pamela Anderson hosted the NYE party at Fifty Ultra Lounge.

Jennifer Lopez rang in the New Year at E11even at a party hosted by Drake.

JLo’s ex, Puff Daddy hosted a late night (early morning) New Year’s Eve party at his Star Island manse. Spotted at the party: The Weeknd, Rita Ora, Alonzo Mourning, and Jermaine Dupree.

Andrea Bocelli performed an intimate concert at a private home at the Ritz Carlton Residences Key Biscayne. The concert was a fundraiser hosted by Pomellato jewelry hosted to benefit Baptist Health South Florida.

Pitbull has been spotted at the new Palmeiras Beach Club in Grove Isle.

The 7th Annual Simon’s Soiree

Plymouth Meeting based Simon’s Fund is hosting its seventh annual Simon’s Soiree at the Sheraton Valley Forge, an event that will raise awareness about the warning signs and conditions that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest and death in children. The gala is expected to raise more than $200,000 to allow Simon’s Fund to continue their work in checking hearts and saving lives. The evening includes an auction, cocktails, dinner, awards presentation and dancing. Michael Barkann will serve as Master of Ceremonies. For more information visit: www.simonsfund.org.

Zama Offers Super Bowl Sunday Specials

Zama announces that on Sunday, February 7^th, Zama will be open for lunch on a Sunday, in honor of the Super Bowl from 2:00-7:00 PM. Zama will also be selling sushi trays for takeout for Super Bowl entertaining. The sushi trays will feature ten maki rolls for $50, or pre-ordered for$45 by calling 215.568.1027, and will also be available with a six-pack of Kirin or Sapporo Light for $15 per six-pack.

The trays will be plated and ready for serving and will feature a variety of rolls including spicy tuna, spicy salmon, eel and avocado and California rolls. Each tray will come with a bag of accouterments including low sodium soy sauce, wasabi and chopsticks.

Inia Nua Theatre Company Presents American Premiere of Spine by Clara Brennan

Inis Nua Theatre Company turns a new page at The Drake with the American premiere of Spine, by English playwright Clara Brennan. Spine is a heart-warming, funny and defiant love-song to libraries, an increasingly endangered species under Britain’s austerity government. A fiery and wise-cracking teenager forges an unlikely friendship with an elderly widow living in a house of stolen books. Together, the two discover they may be each other’s last resort in life. Spine opens on Friday, February 19 at 8:00pm, with previews on Wednesday, February 17 and Thursday, February 18 at 7:00pm. Spine runs for a total of 16 performances, through March 6, 2016, at the Louis Bluver Theatre at The Drake (1512 Spruce Street). Tickets are on sale for $25-$30 by calling (215) 454-9776 or visiting inisnuatheatre.org. Patrons will have their choice of $5.00 off tickets at the door for Spine (or off upcoming The Radicalisation of Bradley Manning) by donating a new children’s book to the Free Library of Philadelphia. Collection bins will be available at all performances.

Einstein Healthcare Network will formally kick-off a year-long celebration of 150 years caring for the healthcare needs of Philadelphia with a star-studded event on Thursday, January 14, at the National Constitution Center.  Consummate music artist and one of the most iconic female singers of all time, Diana Ross, will perform.  Jason Alexander, of SEINFELD fame, and star of stage and screen will serve as host. The year 2016 marks the 150^th anniversary of the founding of Jewish Hospital in Philadelphia, now regional Einstein Healthcare Network.  Founded in 1866 and originally located in West Philadelphia, the Jewish Hospital’s mission was to provide healthcare to all in need.  Relocated in 1871to Einstein Medical Center’s current location at North Broad Street in Olney, the hospital has transformed over the past century to meet evolving patient needs.  Einstein’s expanded reach now touches the lives of thousands across the region.  An expanding, regional healthcare system with four acute-care facilities, a robust physician network, a nationally recognized residency program and dozens of outpatient centers, Einstein’s philosophy and commitment remains – to serv e with humanity, humility and honor and to heal by providing exceptionally intelligent and responsive healthcare and education for as many as we can reach; For more information, visit www.einstein150.com or call 215-456-7200.

The Christmas Village in Philadelphia presented by NRG Home has transformed Philadelphia’s LOVE Park (15th and JFK Boulevard) into a traditional, open-air German Christmas Market, open daily through, Sunday, December 27. Shop for high-quality, international and local gifts and decorations. Enjoy holiday sights and sounds with thousands of twinkling lights, the LOVE ParkChristmas Tree, live music, children’s activities and photos with Santa Claus. Warm up with a glass of warm mulled wine or hot cocoa while enjoying European food and drink. Watch for new decorations, seating, vendors and tasty treats! Admission is free, with food, drink and shopping pay as you go. Spread the cheer by following @philachristmas on Twitter and Instagram, liking Christmas Village on Facebook and visiting www.philachristmas.com.