Looking for a story to tell this month? Philadelphia has plenty of them. Here are some of the people, places and events on our radar this month:
AWESOME AIRBNB SPACE TO DEBUT:
A circa-1906, Watson & Huckel-designed church is getting a new life as The Deacon, a modern vintage overnight and event space. Shannon Maldonado (of Yowie) is redesigning the soaring, stained glass-adorned, gold-trimmed 7,000-square foot sacred space as a cozy, chic gathering spot. The location at 1600 Christian Street is ideal for its use as an Airbnb rental, since, out of Airbnb’s nearly 5,000 active Philly properties, its top three neighborhoods are Center City, South Philadelphia and University City. The Deacon has eight bedrooms, each with a bath, a shared kitchen, ample open space, digital everything and restored checker taxis for guests to drive. Set to open in early March.
PROFILE:
Mary Bailey’s official title is interim head of public experience at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. That’s a lot of words to say she’s the person to see about anything and everything on display at and behind the scenes of Americas’ oldest natural science research institution and museum. After 15 years at ANSP, Bailey’s can-answer list includes, but is far from limited to: Where do unicorns come from? What are sea monkeys? How do you pronounce ichthyology? She has her master’s in museum education from the University of the Arts and, thanks to her pursuit of international travel, a passport full of stamps.
VISIT PHILADELPHIA® NEWS:
VISIT PHILADELPHIA partnered with Live Nation Philadelphia on a new overnight hotel package customized for ticketholders to Live Nation events at The Fillmore, The Met and Wells Fargo Center through April 30, 2019. The Visit Philly Live Nation Hotel Package comes with: overnight hotel parking, venue parking, early venue access, food and beverage vouchers and a commemorative lanyard and poster. Available at six hotels.
WHAT WE’RE EATING NOW:
Cara Schneider, director of media relations: “I always get these two dishes at Vientiane Cafe in University City and now the new Vientiane Bistro in Kensington: vegetarian naam salad, marinated crispy rice with coconut flakes tossed with scallions, cilantro, lime leaves and chili peppers and topped with crushed peanuts and served with lettuce to wrap (it’s gluten free); and savory homemade beef jerky, marinated beef with steamed vegetables, served with chili peanut paste.”
OPENINGS:
- Independence National Historical Park and Valley Forge National Historical Park, Now Reopened: Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell Center and other key historic sites reopened on January 26, 2019.
- Fitler Club, March 2019: This 14-room boutique hotel and members-only pool- and bowling alley-equipped lifestyle club gives new life to the former Marketplace Design Center.
FEBRUARY EVENTS
- Muhibbah Dinner, February 10, 2019: The sixth in Ange Branca’s series of multicultural chef dinners—this one with Mike Solomonov, Reem Kassis, Kurt Evans, Davina Soondrum, JC Peña—takes place at The Oyster House.
- Bouts on Broad, February 23, 2019: Boxing returns to The Met with Gadwin Rosa, Branden Pizarro, Malik Hawkins, Jeremy Cuevas and Samuel Teah.
- SheBelieves Cup, February 29, 2019: U.S. Women’s National Team takes on Japan at Talen Energy Stadium.
LOOKING AHEAD:
- Philadelphia Flower Show, March 2-10, 2019: This year, it’s all about Flower Power—and an FTD competition—at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
- Philly Chef Conference, March 10-11, 2019: Hosted by and at Drexel University, this two-day conference is a favorite among restaurant and hospitality pros and students.
- Creatures of Habitat – A Gazillion Piece Animal Adventures, April 6-September 30, 2019: This Philadelphia Zoo display is a dream come true for animal and brick lovers.
NEWLY UPDATED PRESS RELEASES:
