Weekly Entertainment Guide – Flowering the World

Robin Bloom shares her recommendations for what to do this week in the Philadelphia region!

What’s Happening

Philadelphia Flower Show

The world-renowned Philadelphia Flower Show, produced by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, makes its way back to the Pennsylvania Convention Center, March 11-19. The oldest and largest horticultural event in the nation promises to “wow” audiences as it has since it began in 1829 with the theme, “Holland: Flowering the World,” celebrating the beauty and ingenuity of Dutch culture, well known for its floral industry and innovation. Guests will pass under a brick bridge inspired by the Amsterdam cityscape and adorned with Delft tile patterns, overflowing with flower boxes and hanging baskets. Plus, canals and water gardens will be on display with a sea of 30,000 flowers and 6000 more blooms suspended in a giant floral canopy. New this year is the World Market with a Dutch shopping village of imported and domestic specialties, the Garden Spa. Leading designers from Holland share their floral and garden styles. The family favorite Butterflies Live returns along with horticultural advice, ideas, and information, 12th & Arch Streets, Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Flower Show.

Cirque du Soleil’s “Toruk the First Flight”

Catch Cirque du Soleil’s latest touring show, Toruk the First Flight, March 8-12, at the Wells Fargo Center. James Cameron’s AVATAR meets the visionary realm of the world’s leading theatrical producer with a mythical tale set thousands of years before the events depicted in the epic science fiction film, before any humans ever set foot on Pandora. Written and directed by Michel Lemieux and Victor Pilon, the production features cutting-edge visuals, puppetry and stagecraft with a soaring cinematic score narrated by a “Na’vi Storyteller,” 3601 South Broad Street, Philadelphia. Errisson Lawrence © 2015 Cirque du Soleil.

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo

The gender-bending “mallerinas” of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo bring their playful interpretation of classical ballet to the Prince Theater, March 8-12. In their 43rd year, the “Trocks,” the critically-acclaimed company of male dancers who present a tongue-in-cheek, entertaining view of ballet in parody form, perform “Le Lac Des Cygnes,” the second act of Swan Lake, along with “La Esmeralda,” based on Victor Hugo’s Notre Dame de Paris, and an excerpt of Don Quixote, set to the music of Ludwig Minkus, 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. Part of NextMove Dance, presented by Dance Affiliates. Related events include post-show talk backs and a master class. Photo courtesy of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo.

Pennsylvania Ballet’s “Le Corsaire”

Pennsylvania Ballet transports audiences to the land of pirates with Le Corsaire, March 9-19. Artistic Director Angel Corella’s adaptation brings to life Marius Petipa’s original version from 1899 with a fresh take on the adventurous love story between a pirate and serf girl with intricate choreography, elaborate costumes, and a score by Adolphe Adam, Academy of Music, 240 South Broad Street, Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of the Pennsylvania Ballet.

Arden Theatre Company’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, William Shakespeare’s beloved comedy about love, lust, and fantasy, takes to the stage at Arden Theatre Company. Known for “accessible Shakespeare,” the Arden’s new and vibrant production is for all ages and is directed by Barrymore Award-winning director Matt Pfeiffer. Cast includes Rachel Camp, Taysha Canales, Sean Close, Eliana Fabiyi, Doug Hara, Dan Hodge, Brandon Pierce, Katharine Powell, Lindsay Smiling, and Mary Tuomanen, through April 9, 40 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia. Related programs and events include post-show discussions and open captioned and audio described performances. Photo by Mark Garvin.

Pi Day events

Celebrate Albert Einstein’s birthday (March 14) at Pi Day Princeton, March 11-14, with numerous events including pie eating, pie judging, Pi recitation, Einstein look-a-like contest, live musical performances, Einstein birthday party, bike tour, grub crawl, molecular mixology class, and much more, honoring Pi, mathematics, science, famous Princeton geniuses, local merchants and Einstein, at various venues in Princeton, New Jersey. Free unless specified. Photo courtesy of Princeton Tour Company.  The Free Library of Philadelphia celebrates Pi Day with a Pi(e) Day Baking Workshop, Tuesday, March 14, 6 p.m. Go on a magical, mathematical adventure with Chef Valerie Erwin that connects math to the kitchen, Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia. Advance registration required.

St. Patrick’s Day Regional Parades & Parties

Philadelphia’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, a tradition since 1771, will take place this Sunday, March 12 beginning at noon, 16th and JFK Blvd in Philadelphia. Photo by Denise Foley.After the parade, check out Sober St. Patrick’s Day Philadelphia, Sunday, March 12, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., aiming to provide an alternative celebration to the binge drinking and public intoxication often associated with St. Patrick’s Day. Designed for families with children, the afternoon is emceed by WHYY’s Ed Cunningham and features internationally acclaimed musicians and dancers such as Dylan Foley, Dan Gurney, children’s activities, and much more, held at WHYY, 150 N. 6th Street, Philadelphia.Hamilton, New Jersey’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration is Saturday, March 11, 1 p.m. beginning at the Nottingham Fire House, 200 Mercer Street.Wilmington’s 42nd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is Saturday, March 11 at noon at 4th and King Streets, Wilmington, Delaware. Catch the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Hooley after the parade at 14th and King Streets.

Music

DRUMLine

DRUMLine Live stops in Philadelphia on its international tour offering a soulful, high-stepping style of the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching band experience with two performances, Thursday and Friday, March 9-10, 8 p.m. at the Merriam Theater. Created by the musical team behind the hit movies “Drumline” and “Drumline: A New Beat,” the high energy, brand new show is for all ages, 250 South Broad Street, Philadelphia. Orchestra Pit tickets come with a Meet and Greet. The show heads to the Grand in Wilmington on Wednesday, March 15, 8 p.m.  Photo courtesy of DRUMLine.

Galactic, Robert Randolph & Con Brio at Fillmore Philly

Con Brio (pictured) comes to the Fillmore Philly in support of their latest album, Paradise. The up-and-coming funky, dance party band joins Galactic and Robert Randolph and the Family Band’s winter tour, Friday, March 10, 8 p.m., 29 East Allen Street, Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of Con Brio.

 

A Celtic Family Celebration at Annenberg Center

Master fiddlers Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy perform a new show, Visions from Cape Breton and Beyond: A Celtic Family Celebration, with their children, Saturday, March 11, 8 p.m. The evening will highlight the unique talents, influences and stories of the “first family” of Irish culture and features dancing, singing and music with the fierce fiddling duo that combines their traditional Celtic heritage with the contemporary, Annenberg Center Live’s Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy.

Amy Helm Philadelphia Residency

Singer/songwriter Amy Helm begins her three week Woodshed Residency Tour in Philadelphia at Milkboy Philly, Wednesday, March 15 with the Mallett Brothers. Helm has spent her life singing as a member of the alt-country collective Ollabelle and with her father, musical icon Levon Helm, and will perform songs from her critically acclaimed debut solo album “Didn’t It Rain.” Additional performances include Wednesday, March 22 with Seth Walker Wednesday, March 29 with Buffalo Stack, all at 7 p.m., 1100 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. Photo by Scott Finer.

Kennett Symphony’s Annual Children’s Concert

Ignite your child’s imagination and love of classical music at the Kennett Symphony of Chester County’s annual children’s concert Music From the Inside Out, Sunday, March 12, 2 p.m., Henderson High School, 400 Montgomery Avenue, West Chester, Pennsylvania. Under the direction of Music Director Michael Hall, the interactive program includes “Mambo” by Bernstein, “Nimrod” from “Enigma Variations” by Elgar, “Farandole” by Bizet, “Vocalise” by Rachmaninoff, plus “Spiderman.” The popular Instrument Zoo follows each performance, with the opportunity to meet the musicians. Photo courtesy of Kennett Symphony.

 

 

Each week, the Entertainment Guide spotlights interesting local arts offerings happening now, including music, dance, theater, museums, special exhibitions and other arts events from across the region.

To submit an event to be considered, email Robin Bloom at artscalendar@whyy.org.