Top 10 Spring Break activities in Philly

By Taylor-Lynn Capaldo
Collegian Staff
February 28, 2007

Believe it or not, Spring Break is literally right around the corner. Some of you might be already packing your bags and heading south for the week. Some of you may be getting ready to board a plane for a travel study trip across the globe. But others may be finding themselves stuck at home. Don’t worry—just because you might not have the big bucks to spend the week on the beach, there are still tons of things right here in the city that are sure to keep you occupied.

10. First Friday—Start your break off right by heading down to Old City for March’s First Friday celebration, which will be held March 2. This event takes place every first Friday of the month and allows all of the artists of the city to open the doors of their galleries to the public. Approximately 40 galleries open up for free around 6 p.m. and close sometime around 9 p.m. So drop on by for some fine art, good eats and free cheese and crackers. If you’re lucky, you may even get to meet and greet with the artists themselves.

9. Year of the Pig: Chinese New Year and Spring Festival—For those of you who didn’t make it down to Chinatown for Chinese New Year in February, the celebration will continue until Sunday, March 4. This celebration involves a huge parade, firecrackers and all sorts of cultural activities. It begins at midnight on the last day of the Chinese New Year celebration, so catch it while you still can.

8. Broadway at the Academy’s Annie—This beloved musical comes to Philadelphia for a four-day stop from March 1-4 at the Academy of Music. With seven different performances to choose from, this play is great to catch while it is town. Check it out with some of your friends who are hanging around the area or bring along the family for a fun-filled time.

7. The Fantocinni Brothers— The Mum Puppettheatre, located on Arch Street brings back its popular puppetry series for the sixth time. The Fantocinni Brothers is a series that pays tribute to famous puppets and puppeteers such as Jim Henson, Burr Tillstrom and Mummenschanz. Running now through March 18, there are a number of shows that still have tickets available.

6. Starbucks Book Break Discussion—Meet and listen to author Ishmael Beah discuss his memoir A Long Way Gone at the Starbucks on Fourth and South Streets at 7 p.m March 8. The author will talk about his experiences as a child soldier in Sierra Leone. This is one of 10 of Beah’s stops on his national tour. The fee is a small price which is donated to UNICEF, so go out and support a good cause.

5. Ten Questions for the Dalai Lama—This insightful talk with Brookings Institute of Photography instructor and filmmaker, Rick Ray, takes place March 5 and 6 at 7 p.m. at West Chester University, and again on March 7 at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Academy of Natural Sciences. Listen to Ray speak about his one-on-one experience with one of the most highly regarded men in religion today and be enlightened by his experiences.

4. Othello—The Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival celebrates its 10th Anniversary Season by kicking off with a performance of Othello Tuesday, March 6. The performance runs until March 19 and is followed by the production The Taming of the Shrew, beginning in April.

3. Of Montreal at the Trocadero Theater—Bored on Thursday night? Head down to the Trocadero Thursday, March 8 for a toe-tapping, hip-shakin’ evening. Check out indie-rock funk-pop band Of Montreal. This band is known for its wacky on-stage antics, creative costumes and a rockin’ good time. Tickets are only $14 and will be well worth the cost.

2. Tropical Discovery Day at Longwood Gardens—Maybe you can’t make it to the Bahamas for your Spring Break, but there’s another way to get that tropical feeling. Saturday, March 10 is Tropical Discovery Day at Longwood Gardens, located in Kennett Square, Pa. The Gardens are opening their gates and exposing the public to live music, dance workshops, cultural displays, educational programs, a storyteller and food from the tropics at their Terrace Restaurant. Head inside to their greenhouses to take in the sights and smells of their flowers imported from tropical regions worldwide.

1. King Tut—The Franklin Institute’s King Tut exhibit began Feb. 3 and runs until Sept. 30, but what better time to check out this limited time opportunity than during your downtime over Spring Break? This prestigious exhibit is making its way around the country, but make sure you check it out before the time passes too quickly. This is an extremely popular exhibit and timeslots are selling out fast—grab your ticket in advance for next week and get ready for a blast from the past.

capaldot1@lasalle.edu