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 One

Please join me as we take a somewhat slight departure on Evenings With Peter from the general reportage. Destination? The Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts! From April 7th to May 1st, this three-week festival will feature a staggering number of free and ticketed activities (135 events and 1,500 performing artists to be exact) all over Philadelphia, centering around the theme "Paris: 1910-1920." Behold the stunning reproduction of the La Tour Eiffel, housed under the glass roof of the Kimmel Center poised to celebrate the effervescent wonder that is Paris as well as honor the world of art, that so brilliantly includes music, theater, fashion, food, and film.

An extraordinarily generous 10 million dollar grant from The Annenberg Foundation is bringing together such programs as the premiere collaboration between the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Pennsylvania Ballet; ?uestlove from The Roots teams up with chantoosie Keren Ann and of course, the circus is in town! La Compagnie Transe Express and Grounded Aerial are sure to make you flip. Et naturellement, there is the cuisine to consider--PIFA's Culinary Component invites participating restaurants and visiting master chefs to whip up a batch of thrilling dishes while the ballroom at the Academy of Music plays host to the Bistro Academie event.

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!