PHILADELPHIA – As frosty winter wanes and warmer winds begin to blanket the area, the time comes for charitable feasts, fashion, art, and health events, among other celebrations. The need is great and ways to help are plentiful. Per usual, any of the events listed below is subject to change. So, check with organizers for updates.
Thursday, March 1: The African American Museum in Philadelphia’s 36th Anniversary Heritage Gala is set to honor Artistic Director Judith Jamison of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, founder and Executive Director Joan Myers Brown of Philadanco, State Sen. Vincent Hughes, and his wife social activist Sheryl Lee Ralph. The gala evening begins with a reception at 6:00 p.m. The dinner program at 7:00 p.m. follows along with entertainment and dancing starting at 9:00 p.m., all, in the Marriott Hotel at 1201 Market Street in Center City Philadelphia. Sponsor levels range from $350 per ticket (which also includes a pass to the reception and museum membership for a year) to $25,000 (which includes 2 tables, gala signage, name on AAMP website, 20 passes to the reception, 3 group visits to the museum, 1-year corporate membership, 20 individual 1-year memberships, and the sponsor of one Family Day). For more info, visit www.aampmuseum.org or contact aampevents@aampmuseum.org or 215.574.0380 ext. 227.
Thursday, March 1 – Saturday, March 3: The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Spanish Dances is conducted by Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos with Pepe Romero on guitar also appearing in Verizon Hall in the Kimmel Center at 260 So. Broad Street in Center City Philadelphia. Concerts begin at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday and Saturday and 2:00 p.m. on Friday. They feature Turina’s Danzas Fantisticas, Rodrigo’s Conciento de Aranjuez, Palomo’s Andalusian Nocturnes, and Ravel’s Bolero. For more info, visit www.philorch.org or call 215.893.1999. For groups of 10 or more call 215.875.7695 or e-mail groupsales@philorch.org.
Thursday, March 1: The deadline for the Leeway Foundation 2012 Art & Change Grant application is March 1. These grants of $2,500 each support art for social change projects. The grant is distributed twice a year. The deadline for the 2nd round of applications is August 1. Another Leeway grant is the $15,000 Transformational Award to artists who have demonstrated a commitment to creating art for social change for 5 years or longer. This award is distributed once per year and involves a 2-stage selection process. Applications for stage 1 of the Transformation Award are due by May 15. The Leeway Foundation supports women and trans artists working in communities at the intersection of art, culture, and social change. For more info, visit www.leeway.org or call 215.545.4078.
Friday, March 2: Networks for Training and Development, Inc. presents “ADA in the Workplace,” an interactive workshop outlining the basic provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. From 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m., learn how to create a welcoming environment from your website to your storefront to your office space. Workshops take place in the GPCC Conference Center at 200 So. Broad Street, Suite 700 in Center City Philadelphia. Pre-registration is requested at www.networksfortraining.org or call Julie Sozio at 610.482.4926.
Friday, March 2: The Wilton Norman Chamberlain Postal Stamp Committee celebrates the 50th anniversary of Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game in the First District Plaza at 3801 Market Street in West Philadelphia. The committee invites the public to share this Philadelphia basketball champion’s legacy from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Proceeds from the event benefit scholarships to Philadelphia students. For more info, contact 215.843.2027 or wcpsc@gmail.com.
Friday, March 2: Join the Friends of the Avenue of the Arts for the 2nd Annual Sneak Peak of the 2012 Philadelphia Flower Show starting in the VIP Room of the Pennsylvania Convention Center at 12th and Arch Streets. This “Hawaii: Islands of Aloha” event, running from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., includes a reception with wine and hors d’oeuvres, a private tour, dessert and coffee, and musical entertainment. It benefits the efforts of the Avenue of the Arts in revitalizing and beautifying North and South Broad Street. Space is limited to 150 guests at $100 per person. RSVP to friendsrsvp@gmail.com by Feb. 21.
Friday, March 2: First Fridays at the Philadelphia Museum of Art features a Philadelphia Dance Party with the West Philadelphia Orchestra and drummer Chris Powell from 5:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. The musical group is influenced by Eastern European brass bands, free jazz, punk, blues, and Middle Eastern and Brazilian music. Dancing begins in the Grand Hall of the museum at 26th Street and Ben Franklin Parkway in the Art District of Philadelphia. For more info, visit www.philamuseum.org or call 215.684.7860.
Friday, March 2: DJ Questlove of the Roots unites with The Young Friends of the African American Museum in Philadelphia to perform at "the Next Level" party. This is a fundraising event promising a night of soulful funk, fun, and friends from 9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. . Three floors of the museum, located at 701 Arch Street near Independence Mall in Center City Philadelphia, will be dedicated to fun-filled activites featuring DJ Yo!, and exhibition of art work by Vivant Art Collection, cocktails, and hors d'oeuvres by Edible Delights. Tickets are $50 each in advance and $60 at the door and include an annual membership to the museum. For more info or to purchase tickets, visit www.ammp.ticketleap.com.
Saturday, March 3: The goal of the 2nd Annual Teddy Bedrossian Ski-a-Thon is to raise $50,000 to renovate the aging Elwyn Davidson School in Media, PA and thus enhance educational opportunities for children with special needs. Funds amounting to $9,603 are pledged to date. The event starts at 8:00 a.m. at the Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Macungie, PA. Registration minimums are $125 per student, $150 per general admission, $400 for a student group, and $500 for a general group. For more info, visit click here or contact Anna Sofio at 610.891.2606 or Sophia@elwyn.org or www.elwyn.org.
Saturday, March 3: Ancestry Day, hosted by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, one of the oldest historical societies (since 1824) and one of the largest family history libraries in the nation, offers people in the region a day to discover and celebrate their family history. From 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch Street in Lecture Hall 114 in Center City Philadelphia, start new or hone existing genealogy skills. Learn how to navigate through Ancestry.com from site representatives, and find out about the genealogical holdings at HSP. Registration is $30 per person for HSP members and $40 per nonmember. Attendees are automatically entered in a raffle. For more info, visit http://hsp.org/ or call Christopher Damian at 215.732.6200 ext 227.
Saturday, March 3: I Simply Love Her ™ is a women’s expo promoting self-love, self-confidence, and healthy self-esteem. Positive With Purpose LLC hosts the event from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Collingswood Ballroom, 315 White Horse Pike in Collingswood, NJ. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. and lunch will be served in the afternoon. Enjoy empowerment workshops, shopping, music, and more. Admission is $65 per person. For more info, visit www.isimplyloveher.com or contact Rhonda Hammond at 856.347.0731.
Saturday, March 3 – Sunday, March 4: The new American Girl Fashion Show, hosted by the Junior League of Philadelphia, Inc., benefits American Girl community programs for children. Three shows will kick off at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday in the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, 1 Liberty Boulevard in Malvern, PA. The suggested age for this event is 6 years and up. Admission ranges from $55 per adult or child to $1,500 VIP admissions for 12 individuals. For more info, visit www.jlphiladelphia.org.
Saturday, March 3 and Monday, March 5: Shelly Showers is featured on horn in children’s concerts that also feature stories with music, sing songs, move to the music, pretend to play an instrument, and real instruments for children to examine in the Kimmel Center, 260 So. Broad Street in Center City Philadelphia. The events on these 2 days are 45 minutes long and a great way for children, day care centers, and school groups to have fun with music. They start at 10:00 a.m. and again at 11:15 a.m. Tickets are $8.50 per person. For more info, visit www.philorch.org or call 215.893.1999. For group of 10 or more, call 215.875.76.95 or e-mail groupsales@philorch.org.
Saturday, March 3: Free Urban Wellness and Jazz Symposium IV is an opportunity for health screenings, vendors, massage therapy, and learning about disease prevention and treatment from a number of medical professionals, including Maria Bohle, ND. CCH, RS; David Leavy, CHHP; Edgar Maitland, DDS; and more. There will be a special jazz jam session in tribute to Dr. Frank Wyatt. The event runs from 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. in the Pearl Ballroom of the Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel at 2 Miss America Way in Atlantic City, NJ. For info, call Corporate Employee Benefits, LLC at 609.347.8800.
Monday, March 5 - Sunday, March 11: Join the PTC@Play Festival and mix with at Philadelphia Theatre Company's 2nd Annual Festival featuring staged readings of incredible new plays and musicals for free at 7:00 p.m in Suzanne Roberts Theatre at 480 So. Broad Street in Center City Philadelphia. Hope & Gravity, a series of 8 interconnected short plays by Michael Hollinger kicks of the festival on Monday, March 5 . Jennifer Haley offers a look into the future with The Nether on Wednesday, March 7 at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 8 brings Stars of David, a woman's journey through the Jewish identity adapted by Charles Busch. When You're Here, a search for identity and culture in the Mid-West by Samuel D. Hunter arrives on Friday, March 9. Detroit '67 by Dominique Morisseau depicts a family caught in the 1967 riot in Detroit at the height of Motown music on Saturday, March 10. The festival closes on Sunday, March 11 with FuturePhilly @ Play, 8 short plays directed by David O'Connor and a closing night party with beer, snacks, dessert, and the West Philadelphia Orchestra. Reservations are recommended. Call 215.985.0420 or click here.
Wednesday, March 7: The 3rd Philadelphia Advertising & Business Show is free with a business card. The show offers free advice, 60 exhibitors, entertainment, and more. This business to business, direct sales show is Philadelphia’s only show that features marketing-related companies from the area. The event runs from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. in the Villanova Conference Center at 601 County Line Road in Radnor, PA. A walk around fashion show, presented by Dress Barn, takes place throughout the event. For more info, visit www.phillybizmedia.com or contact 484.562.0063 or adcommtimes@aol.com.
Thursday, March 8: Hot Chocolate benefits the ALS Association Philadelphia Chapter. Come warm up with Hot Chocolate and some 22 sweet vendors at the Adventure Aquarium, One Riverside Drive in Camden, NJ from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. A VIP reception runs from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Guests must be age 21 or older. A $15 discount is offered to members of ALS Young Friends. Contact Rebecca at 215.643.5434 ext. 42 or Rebecca@alsphiladelphia.org or visit http://alsphiladelphia.org/ for more details.
Thursday, March 8 – Saturday, March 10: In This Place… is a powerful one-woman show written and directed by Ain Gordon, 3-time Obie Award winner. The play features actress Michelle Hurst and video by Joan Bannon. It premieres at the Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine Street in Old City Philadelphia. This is a true story of the first free African-Americans to build their own home in Lexington, Kentucky in 1830. Join post-show discussions with the playwright and others involved in making of the production. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 the day of the show. Use promo code BPN for 10% off single tickets. Call for discount rates for students, seniors, and groups or for other info at 215.925.9914. To learn more, also visit www.paintedbride.org.
Friday, March 9: Dresden Philharmonic with Principal Conductor Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos and cellist Gautier Capuçon presents Overture to Der Freischütz by Carl Maria Von Weber, Cello Concerto in B minor by Antonin Dvořák, and Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 by Ludwig Van Beethoven. Music fills State Theatre at 8:00 p.m. at 15 Livingstone Avenue in New Brunswick, NJ. Student tickets are $8 each or enjoy group discounts or date night packages. For more info, visit www.statetheatrenj.org or call 732.246.7469.
Saturday, March 10: The “Feel the Warmth” fundraiser helps provide school supplies, winter coats, and toys to vulnerable households in the Greater Philadelphia area. This is an all you can eat and drink night featuring a DJ, photo booth, silent auction, raffle, and more from 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. in Lulu Shriners at 5140 Butler Pike in Plymouth Meeting, PA. Admission is $25 per person. For more info, click here.
Saturday, March 10: The Red Ball, a signature Philadelphia event, benefits the Southeastern Chapter of the Red Cross and operation of Red Cross House, a recovery facility in West Philadelphia. The ball takes place in the Please Touch Museum in Memorial Hall, 4231 Avenue of the Republic (formerly No. Concourse Drive) in Fairmount Park, West Philadelphia. From 8:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m., taste fine cuisine, vote for the Best Restaurant, and enjoy entertainment from the CTO Band, professional tarot readings by Marilyn Sukonick-Zeff, live painting and art by Funtown Productions, the Maduro Cigar Club, and the Main Line Photo Booth. Main event tickets cost $185 each and $135 per Young Friend. For more info, visit www.theredball.org or contact redball@redcross-philly.org or 215.299.5491.
Saturday, March 10: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s 2nd Annual Black Ties to Save Lives Gala starts at 9:00 p.m. in the Trumbauer Ballroom of Le Meridien Hotel, 1421 Arch Street in Center City Philadelphia. General admissions of $50 each entitle guests to lusty French appetizers in the ballroom, reduced valet parking, complimentary coat check, preferred discounted room rates, discounted tuxedo rentals, and E&J promotional gift bags. VIP admissions of $125 each entitle guests to access to VIP library lounge and the ballroom, French culinary dishes, open bar until midnight, mingle with celebrity guests, and entertainment by the D LUXE band in addition to the offers previously cited. Proceeds benefit the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Foundation. Approximately $6,000 was raised last year. This year’s event runs until 2:00 a.m. For more info, click here.
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Saturday, April 7 – Sunday, April 8: Save the date for the free Annual Black History & Culture Showcase. It features exhibitions and activities commemorating and celebrating the African American experience. In addition to interesting exhibits, enjoy author readings and book signings, speakers, WURD symposium, genealogy workshop, historical reenactments, documentary screenings, poetry, jazz and opera, and fine art by internationally acclaimed artist for purchase. All of those appear at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 12th and Arch Streets in Center City Philadelphia from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. For more info, visit www.blackhistoryshowcase.org.
Friday, April 20: Tickets are available for the Kids at Heart 2012 Benefit Gala, which supports Turning Points for Children. This year’s theme, “Pirates on the Delaware” rolls out at the Hyatt Regency, 201 So. Columbus Boulevard (aka Delaware Avenue) at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia from 7:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Early registration discounts are available. Check for details at www.turningpointsforchildren.org/KAH and www.kidsatheart2012.net or call 215.875.4964.
Friday, April 20: The Lemon Society Speakeasy is a premier mixology event and the inaugural signature event of the society’s young professionals supporting Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. This fundraiser specifically benefits the ALSF’s Annual Childhood Cancer Symposium for families affected by childhood cancer. Top local bartenders are showcased at the speakeasy along with catering by Stephen Starr Events, modern prohibition music, and appearances by local celebrities. Guests must be age 21 or older. Picture ID must be shown at the door of the Arts Ballroom at 1324 Locust Street in Center City Philadelphia where libations will flow from 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. For more info, visit www.alexslemonade.org or contact Erin@alexslemonade.org or 610.649.3034.
Saturday, May 5 – Jan. 13, 2012: Tickets are on sale for Maya 2012: Lords of Time at the Penn Museum, 3260 South Street in University City in West Philadelphia. This exhibit leads visitors on a journey through the Maya’s time-ordered universe, express through their intricate calendar systems and the power wielded by their “divine” kings. Walk among sculptures and full-sized replicas of major monuments. View more than 100 objects, including recently excavated artifacts from Copan. Tickets are $22.50 per person, $18.50 per senior, and $16.75 per student with full-time ID and children ages 6-17. Visit www.penn.museum/maya2012 for more info or call 888.695.0888 for timed tickets, 215.898.5093 for members’ complimentary tickets, 215.746.8183 for K-12 student groups or 215.746.4174 for all other groups.
Friday, June 8 – Sunday, June 10: Registration for the Philadelphia Writers’ Conference is now open. To sign up for a broad range of writing workshops, meet agents and editors, and attend dinners, visit www.pwcwriters.org or contact info@pwcwriters.org.
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