The Philadelphia Story, Enfin

As the spectacular French-inspired Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts draws to a close after a month-long extravaganza featuring all that is good in the worlds of fashion, food, and culture, they are taking the party to the streets with the PIFA Street Fair. And don't expect them to go quietly. On Saturday, April 30, from 11am to 8:30pm, The Avenue of the Arts (Broad Street, Chestnut to Lombard) will get a grand makeover, gussied up to create a Parisian street fair in Philly: various vendors roaming la rue will proffer food and wares amidst cafe tables and chairs; crowd-pleasing international performers will be in attendance; a grassy 55-by-80-foot landscape sets the stage for sunning, with a convenient area perfect for parking the kids. Did we mention the installation of an enormous, giddy Ferris wheel?

In a coup de theatre, the French theatrical troop La Compagnie Transe Express closes the festival with a performance 100 feet in the air, circling around the setting sun in a glowing chandelier set-up that rivals The Phantom of the Opera and its inspiration, the magnificent glittering objet d'art in the Paris Opera House. Talk about a showstopper!

Thanks so much to The Annenberg Foundation, The Kimmel Center and everybody involved who shared their kindnesses and passion for supporting the arts in order to create such a marvelous party.

And thanks to nakedphilly.com for the snap here.

Stay tuned as eveningswithpeter.com ventures forth in its coverage of PIFA through May 1.

This post is supported by Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA). Please like their facebook page and follow them on twitter!

The Philadelphia Story, Part Nine

Evenings With Peter presents A Night at The Movies courtesy of the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts! Le Voyage dans la Lune (A Trip to the Moon, 1902) and Sherlock Jr. (1924) starring Buster Keaton will be shown on April 29 at 8pm at the Innovation Studio in The Kimmel Center. Grab tickets for $10 to see these silent classics orchestrated by students playing an original soundtrack to the films. Rocking versions of Cole Porter tunes are in the house as the evening also features Martha Graham Cracker and the students of Independent Rock.

Back when I was in grammar school, my father used to take me over to the University of New Hampshire (my eventual alma mater) to watch a silent film series at the Dimond Library. The faces of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Lillian Gish and Tom Mix lit up the screen in black and white while nimble fingers tickled the ivories of yesteryear as accompaniment. It seemed only fitting that as a college student at UNH I once again reveled to the antics of the stone-faced Keaton in The General during a film course I took. I had the opportunity to imitate the great man myself during college in a student film that paid homage to the silent classics. I was so fascinated by Keaton's agility, his ability to do his own incredible, masterly stunts that I was more than eager to try something short of similar myself that afternoon, a little over 20 years ago now. At one point I had to pitch myself headlong down a tar pit covered in snow--I think I may have even suggested it--but I told the director I would only do it once. I ended up doing it twice to complete the take. It was hilarious and I still absolutely cherish the memory.

Don't miss this amazing chance to catch these stars and their seminal movies on the big screen!

Stay tuned as eveningswithpeter.com ventures forth in its coverage of PIFA through May 1.

This post is supported by Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA). Please like their facebook page and follow them on twitter!

The Philadelphia Story, Part Eight

Perhaps this post should really be called Evenings With Peter Rabbit, or rather A Morning With Peter Rabbit, as we join in on an Easter Egg Hunt! The Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts is celebrating the promise of spring by putting their eggs in a number of undisclosed baskets, so to speak, on April 24^th from 11am to 1pm for children 10 and under to find somewhere within the grounds of the Kimmel Center Plaza. Harried parents in attendance breathe an unburdened, collective sigh of relief that they don't have to do it--and it's free.

Easter was a big deal for me growing up as I did in a relatively Catholic household because my father would make a grand show of things, creating poetic clues written on little pieces of paper that he'd scatter around, leading us kids to the eggs and prizes he’d hidden in the backyard somewhere. I loved it. Although I didn't necessarily understand the religious underpinnings, it was simply thrilling enough, waking up on Easter morning to discover huge chocolate bunnies, Peeps, jelly beans, and alarmingly colored plastic grass stuffed in glorious white wicker baskets for us too, wrapped in cellophane. And of course, I’ve always had a penchant for pastels.

Thanks, Papa.

Stay tuned as eveningswithpeter.com ventures forth in its coverage of PIFA through May 1.

This post is supported by Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA). Please like their facebook page and follow them on twitter!

The Philadelphia Story, Part Seven

I have always found a nightcap to be the pause that refreshes; a moment to reflect on the day’s events and perhaps contemplate what’s in store for tomorrow before hauling oneself off to bed. But why go home just yet after all the activity during the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts, when there’s a world of Night Time Entertainment going on too! Stop by the Commonwealth Plaza and discover late night noshes on a bar menu while local bands rock on, DJs spin their records ‘round and a number of performers gear up to help you wind down.
April 13 – 29, Wednesday – Saturday, 10pm – 12am. Free.

Should you wish to turn up the volume a little louder at the end of the day, check out the Last Party in Paris with dancing underneath La Tour Eiffel until all hours. High profile DJs, specialty drinks and a VIP lounge will definitely give you a glimpse into what Paris is like when it sizzles.
April 29, 9pm – 2am. Tickets are $30; click here for tickets.

Somewhere in between, Jazz Nights offers local jazz musicians swinging on the Plaza stage with sustenance (liquid and otherwise) provided at the PECO bar.
Tuesday April 12, 19, 26 at 5pm. Free.

For an added jolt, the Eiffel Tower Light Show promises to be quite the spectacle twice a night with 6,000 light bulbs electrifying audiences when the 81-foot Eiffel Tower and Plaza come to life with this see-it-to-believe-it light and sound show.
April 8 – May 1, Daily 7pm & 10pm. Free.

Stay tuned as eveningswithpeter.com ventures forth in its coverage of PIFA through May 1.

This post is supported by Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA). Please like their facebook page and follow them on twitter!

The Philadelphia Story, Part Six

Bibou photo credit: Matt O'Hara

This spring, the City of Light lights up the City of Brotherly Love (Paris and Philadelphia respectively) with the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA) celebration from April 7 – May 1. Amidst all of the festivities featuring the flavors, fashions and culture of Paris, the Culinary Component sends the proceedings soaring by presenting the inaugural Culinary Visionary Award to Chef Georges Perrier on the Opening Night Gala. Lyon native Chef Perrier (a.k.a. Philly’s premier 5 Star Chef for 26 years) is being honored for his culinary contributions not only to Philadelphia but also for his work as a regional member of the Maîtres Cusiniers de France (Master Chefs of France).

Apres Perrier, le deluge! From April 13 – May 1, eleven Master Chefs from Lyon and Paris will storm Philadelphia to collaborate with feted local chefs in a number of the fair city’s estimable restaurants, such as Le Bec Fin, Bibou, Bistrot La Minette, Caribou Café, Fork, Lacroix, Parc, R2L, Rouge, Table 31 and Amuse at Le Méridien Philadelphia. Our Gallic guests will work in tandem with the Philly folks to create an exclusive menu designed to delight patrons at the various eateries all throughout April. Specially prepared pairing menus for PIFA will be served from Wednesday through Friday, April 13 – 15. Feast your eyes on all of these pros poised to touch toques!

Michael Abt Parc with Frédéric Berthod 33 Cité
Terence Feury Fork with Simon Lacassin Préfecture du Rhône
Daniel Stern R2L with Babette De Rozieres La Table de Babette
Pierre Calmels Bibou with Olivier Paget Le Fleurie
Jon Cichon Lacroix with Frédéric Côte Restaurant au Colombier
Chris Scarduzio Table 31 with Arnaud Languille Clostan Traiteur
Olivier Desaintmartin Caribou Café with Jean-Paul Borgeot La Tassée
Dan Black Amuse (Le Méridien Phila) with Eric Brujan L’Orénac Le Méridien Etoile
Peter Woolsey Bistrot La Minette with Joseph Viola Daniel et Denise
Georges Perrier Le Bec Fin with Mathieu Viannay La Mère Brazier
Michael Yeamans Rouge with Nasserdine Mendi Chocolate Weiss

Stay tuned as eveningswithpeter.com ventures forth in its coverage of PIFA through May 1.

This post is supported by Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA). Please like their facebook page and follow them on twitter!

The Philadelphia Story, Part Five

When the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts launches Lunchtime Tunes on April 11 – 28, Mondays – Thursdays from 12pm – 2pm, the tinkling of piano keys will ripple over the Kimmel Center Plaza, offering a pleasurable way to enliven your lunch. Both students and professional musicians alike will provide the background music, playing classical strains of Chopin or Mozart perhaps and maybe even the likes of Lady Gaga on these sure to be memorable afternoons.

Although I don’t know what you might have in mind for lunch, I humbly supply the following favorites of mine: invariably I opt for a really good tuna sandwich, not that “garden” variety made with red peppers and no mayo. I prefer my tuna light on the mayo, with sprouts and red onions on rye bread—and sometimes sliced avocado for an added indulgence. Need I mention the requisite crunchy dill pickle and bag of Fritos? A Pepsi seals the deal. I also confess that I love opening a can of Manwich when at home and having my Sloppy Joe’s on a buttery grilled bun. Recently, I discovered a vegetarian version made with Blackeye peas! In either case, ditto on the pickles, Fritos and Pepsi. Another lunchtime go-to sandwich for me is nicely done rare roast beef on a crispy fresh baguette with romaine lettuce, red onions, tomatoes and a slathering of horseradish mayonnaise.

Do enjoy this magical, musical picnic! And please note: although napkins may be provided, ants are not.

Stay tuned as eveningswithpeter.com ventures forth in its coverage of PIFA through May 1.

This post is supported by Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA). Please like their facebook page and follow them on twitter!

The Philadelphia Story, Part Four

Baby and I were fortunate enough to go to La Scala opera house in Milan a few years back—well, we didn’t actually go in and see an opera or anything, we just lingered around the ghosts as I splayed my fingers over the grand façade and tried to channel Maria Callas. But we did have a wonderful dinner in Milano that evening at La Libera, supping on Crepe Lasagna and Filetto Manzo. We had just left a glorious three days behind us at the Hotel Tremezzo in Lake Como before stopping overnight in Milan en route to Switzerland via St. Moritz—all in a remarkable 24 hours!

This year, the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts is bringing Milan to you, courtesy of Philadelphia’s 1865 Academy of Music, modeled after the famed La Scala, as they present Bistro Academie. The newly restored ballroom in this performance and architectural landmark on the Avenue of the Arts (Broad/Locust Streets) will play the glamorous host, offering a bistro-style buffet menu created by Wolfgang Puck Catering. Dinner is served April 7 – May 1, Friday - Sunday from 5:30pm – 8pm. A sparkling Sunday brunch is also served 11:30am – 2:30pm.

Reservations are suggested, so call 215-546-7432 or 215-670-2388; visit pifa.org as well for details and tickets.

Stay tuned as eveningswithpeter.com ventures forth in its coverage of PIFA through May 1.

This post is supported by Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA). Please like their facebook page and follow them on twitter!

The Philadelphia Story, Part Three

On the last day of my senior year in high school, I sneaked a leaky thermos of Bacardi 151 rum and fruit punch in my knapsack. By the time I got to my locker, I realized the potent potable had spilled all over the French work book that I was to return that day. I enlisted the help of my favorite gal pals to douse it with their perfumes. It didn’t work, exactly. When handing in the book, my French teacher took one look at it and asked, “Qu’est-ce que c'est que ca?” “Oh that? Well,” I explained, “I was in such a rush to get to class you see that I knocked over a bottle of my mother’s perfume all over the place.” She continued to flip through the dampened pages made ruddy by the fruit punch mixer. “Your muzzer’s parfum est rouge?” she asked. I gulped. “Oui.” After a few moments of eyeing me coolly, she put the book on her desk along with the stack of others and turning, hissed in perfectly gritty English, “It smells like whiskey.”

Surely less harrowingly judgmental will be the French in 10 Minutes event at the Kimmel Center Plaza, part of the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts, in collaboration with the Alliance Française de Philadelphie. At the free sessions, groups will be taught key words and turns of phrase by true French teachers at 5pm nightly from April 11-28. The roster of lessons include such Gallic topics as wine (naturellement), the arduous Tour de France, the grand Louvre museum, and who knows? L'amour might even be on le menu.

P.S. Even after 4 ½ years of taking French, I can hardly claim to be fluent but I do still like rum. Tant pis.

Stay tuned as eveningswithpeter.com ventures forth in its coverage of PIFA through May 1.

This post is supported by Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA). Please like their facebook page and follow them on twitter!

The Philadelphia Story, Part Two

Crêpes! Whether slathered with sweet, gooey Nutella, stuffed with bananas and a dusting of confectioners sugar or filled with country ham and Swiss cheese as we traipse into the savory version of things, we love them. A dear friend from Eastern Europe furnishes us with the buckwheat variety on occasion and we have no problem downing them with a few dollops of creme fraiche and a dot of black paddlefish caviar--or using them to make blueberry blintzes with farmer's cheese for breakfast.

A few years ago I was on the train to D.C. when I overheard a diminutive wraith confess to his parental unit, "yes, I like pancakes, but I much prefer crêpes." And he trilled his 'R's when he said it--think of Stewie from Family Guy. Anyway, I have to agree with our petite garcon on his preference of crêpes over pancakes.

I seem to recall that the pair got off the train in Philly and if they still live there, the child must be in Ritalin-stoked anticipation of the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts. With a tip of the chapeau to the theme "Paris: 1910-1920", this highly celebratory, introductory festival inspired by the Kimmel Center will present Crêpes & More! Crêpes, a host of pastries, coffee and hot chocolate will be proffered from a stylish Parisienne food cart. From April 8 - May 1 there will be two opportunities to stuff yourself daily on these French treats in the Kimmel Center Plaza: every morning from 11:00am - 3:00pm and after a brief respite, 5:00pm - 8:00pm.

And like most of the best things in life, the Crêpes & More event is free! I'm sure we can all agree that is something we "much prefer!"

Make your own crepes with a recipe below adapted from Alton Brown on Good Eats via foodnetwork.com. (Although I daresay it is a great recipe, it is one that is not affiliated in any way with the feasts found at PIFA.)

C'est magnifique! Stay tuned as eveningswithpeter.com ventures forth in its coverage of PIFA through May 1.

This post is supported by Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA). Please like their facebook page and follow them on twitter!

Crepes
Makes about 17-22 crepes
Ingredients
2 large eggs
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1 cup flour
3 tablespoons melted butter
Butter, for coating the pan

Method
In a blender, combine all of the ingredients and pulse for 10 seconds. Place the crepe batter in the refrigerator for 1 hour. This allows the bubbles to subside so the crepes will be less likely to tear during cooking. The batter will keep for up to 48 hours. Heat a small non-stick pan. Add butter to coat. Pour 1 ounce of batter into the center of the pan and swirl to spread evenly. Cook for 30 seconds and flip. Cook for another 10 seconds and remove to the cutting board. Lay them out flat so they can cool. Continue until all batter is gone. After they have cooled you can stack them and store in sealable plastic bags in the refrigerator for several days or in the freezer for up to two months. When using frozen crepes, thaw on a rack before gently peeling apart.