On May 19, when The Barnes Foundation opens its new campus, galleries and garden on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia will witness the world's biggest art story unfold right in our own backyard.

The new 93,000-square-foot facility which will house this world famous collection of art has been designed as a "gallery within a garden and a garden within a gallery,"  and sits on a beautifully landscaped four and a half acre site along the Parkway. The new Philadelphia campus will not only house the remarkable Barnes collection, which includes 181 works by Renoir, a sizable collection of African art and more Cezanne's than in all of France, but also includes classrooms, a 150-seat auditorium, a café and courtyard for outdoor dining and a gift shop. 

With a facility and collection of this magnitude being added to the Parkway's already impressive collection of cultural institutions like The Franklin Institute, The Academy of Natural Sciences and of course the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philly really has reason to celebrate.  

And, a celebration is exactly what the Barnes and Philadelphia have in mind! 

The Barnes will kick off its inaugural week with ten days of free admission beginning May 19. The celebration will culminate with a free Memorial Day Weekend Festival featuring 52 consecutive hours of round-the-clock admission to the collection and an amazing entertainment lineup in honor of the historic institution and collection.  

The festival is jam-packed with amazing performances, film screenings, lectures and activities - I can't even begin to list them all here.  I've noticed lots of my Philly favorites on the program schedule, including Philly 360° Creative Ambassador Jeri Lynne Johnson and The Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, The Tindley Temple Choir, Relâche, Olive Dance Theatre, AfroTaino Productions, Spoken Hand Percussion Orchestra and Transcontinental Verses Poetry Event with Qualified Qool.

And, this is just the short list. There are tons of other performances mixed in with wine tastings, film screenings, artist talks, art lectures, family activities and so much more! I definitely will be stocking up on the Red Bull, coffee,  espesso and whatever else it takes not to miss one minute of this 52-hour art explosion. You know I'm always down for a good old-fashioned arts revival, right?

Insider Fact: A number of city organizations and cultural partners have joined forces to celebrate Philly's eclectic and world famous art offerings with the innovative new campaign, With Art Philadelphia.  Find out more about The Barnes and Philly's art scene here.

Café Under the Stars - Los Pieneros de la 21

Friday, April 20 

8 p.m. 

Taller Puertorriqueno

2600 N. 5th Street 

If you spend a little time in Philadelphia, you are bound to hear a Philly native say, "Philadelphia is a city of neighborhoods." And, that's no lie. 

Philly is definitely a town with tons of interesting neighborhoods - each with its own charm, characters, cuisine, history and personality. Recently, through my work in the arts, I've gotten an inside look at a vibrant and culturally-rich neighborhood in New Kensington, affectionately referred to as The Barrio. 

The Barrio serves as one of Philadelphia's epicenters of Latino culture and community, and is home to many of the coutries leading Latino cultural institutions, like Taller Puertorriqueño, AMLA and Raices Culturales Latinoamericanas. Individually and collectively, these organizations shine the nationally and local spotlight on Philadelphia rich, colorful and growing Latino arts community.   

This weekend, Taller Puertorriqueño will kick off its new 7-month performance series, Cafe Under The Stars: Spotlight Arts in the Barrio. This live and innovative performance series in the Heart of Latino Philadelphia, will be staged at the site of Taller's future $10.5 million state of the art facility and will feature a variety of exciting local and internationally talent.  

Café Under the Stars opens on Friday, April 20 with Los Pieneros de la 21, an outstanding group that infuses traditional bomba and plena, the heartbeat of Afro-Puerto Rican music, with contemporary influences such as jazz, salsa, and rap. The other six performances include, El Apagón/The Blackout, a awarding-winning bilingual theater work set to popular Latin music of the 50's and 60's, "Crossing Cultures - From Mozart to Guadalupe", a music collaborative featuring musicians from The Philadelphia Orchestra and many other innovative creative collaborations.  

And of course, you can't truly experience any cultural without sampling it's cuisine. So, while you are enjoying the sounds of The Barrio, make sure you stop by a local restaurant for a bite.  One of my personal favorite restaurants is Tierra Columbiana, which is own by the same folks who run another local favorite center city spot, Mixto.  

So, definitely make sure you get out and celebrate all of the sounds, colors and flavors of The Heart of Philadelphia's Latino Culture - The Barrio! I'll see you there. 

You can checkout the full schedule for Cafe Under The Stars here

Last weekend, I joined local radio station 900AM WURD, as they presented the movers and shakers of Philly's thriving African American cultural community for Rise Up Singing: The State of Black Art in Philadelphia. Through a series of presentations, film screenings and performances, a fantastic panel of arts leaders provided their own insights into the rich history of black arts in Philadelphia, and their thoughts on its future. 

Held at the historic African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP), Rise Up Singing's all-star panel included Philly 360 Creative Ambassador Jeri Lynn Johnson of the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, Lorene Cary of Art Sanctuary, "Just Greg" Corbin of The Philly Youth Poetry Movement, Angela Brown of Philadanco, Louis Massiah of Scribe Video Center, Warren Oree of West Oak Lane Jazz Festival and Sandra Haughton of Freedom Theatre. The event was hosted by the ever-talented WURD radio personality and international Vibe Mistress Stephanie Renee.

What the folks at WURD packed into a short two-hour program was nothing short of amazing - it was definitely one of those classic Philly "you just had to be there" moments!

Here are a few highlights from the evening:

Author Lorene Cary showed a powerful video on the making of Art Sanctuary's upcoming production, Can You Hear God Crying, which features internationally renown trumpeter and composer Hannibal Lokumbe, and premieres at the Kimmel Center in the fall. The video presentation was followed by a stunningly beautiful performance by accomplished classical vocalist Valerie Gay, who is featured in the production as the voice of God.

Checkout the below video highlighting Art Sanctuary's production Can You Hear God Crying?.

Reading excerpts from a recently released biography on Philadanco's founder Joan Myer-Brown, board member Angela Brown (no relations lol) recounted stories of how a younger Joan, constantly facing rejection as a dancer because of the color of her skin, went on to create her own dance school in Philadelphia - ensuring that black children would have a safe place to learn and mature as artists. That same school would evolve into the internationally-touring and world celebrated black dance company, Philadanco.

Louis Massiah of Scribe previewed a Precious Places short film, exploring the historic black dance school where Joan and many other legendary African American dancers trained.

The afternoon was also full of soul-stirring performances, with masters like Warren Oree playing the bass, international-spoken word champions Philly Youth Poetry Movement sharing words of wisdom and a tear-jerking and tap-infused monologue performed by a Temple University professor and Freedom Theatre alum. The evening culminated with a all-hands-on-deck healing drum circle led by the all-women percussionists group Movement of Matter Drum Ensemble. Just about of seventy members of the 200+ audience grabbed a drum, cymbal or shekere, and were led in a very touching and powerful explosion of rhythms and some much needed good energy.

All of you should definitely get to know each of the organizations and artists presented as a part of Rise Up Singing. Individually and collectively they are continuing Philly's rich legacy of African American art and building a stronger and brighter future for the world around them.

Checkout the below video for a few Rise Up Singing highlights courtesy of 900AM WURD!

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, Philly is overflowing with brotherly love, sisterly affection and tons of exciting V-Day events and happenings. So, whether you've found Mr. or Mrs. Right, or are still searching for a perfect love, now's the time to grab your favorite "special somebody" and paint the town red!

To get you started, I've pulled together a list of my top Valentine's Day activities. So, be sure to check them out - there's lots of Philly love to go around.

James' Top V-Day Picks:

First Person Arts StorySlam: The Ex-Files

Tuesday, February 14

7:30 p.m.

World Cafe Live

3025 Walnut Street

Do you have the classic love-gone-wrong story? Or maybe a story about the one great love you let get away? If you have a story to share, or just want to hear a few stories from the "ex-files" of others, join First Person Arts for this special V-Day story slam at World Cafe Live.

Valentine's Date Night

Tuesday, February 14

The Clay Studio

139 N. 2nd Street

Remember that passionate scene from the movie Ghost? The one where Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore get all cozy in front of the clay wheel? Well, here's your chance to recreate a milder version of that scene with your special somebody. Join the Clay Studio in Old City as expert instructors guide you through a special four-handed throwing class by candlelight.

Valentine's Ghost Tour of Philadelphia: Love Never Dies

Tuesday, February 14

8 p.m.

Powel House

244 S. 3rd Street

Discover some of Philadelphia's most haunting love stories on this 75-minute walking tour through Society Hill. Along the way you'll meet chilling characters and ghosts as they recount their tales of their greatest loves both lost and found. Just be sure to call ahead because reservations are required.
 

Valentine's Aphrodisiac Dinner Event

Tuesday, February 14

6 - 8:30 p.m.

Day By Day

2101 Sansom Street

Tired of the same old V-Day dinner for two? Then try this exciting and sensual evening with a slightly naughty twist.  Be entertained and schooled on the sexy science of food rumored to "get you in the mood." Join City Food Tours for a fantastic 3-course dinner bursting with no fewer than 15 aphrodisiac ingredients, including a complimentary glass of wine, delectable chocolates and the steamy secrets of world icons likes Cleopatra to Casanova!