Your Inside Scoop on the Philadelphia Flower Show, and More Coming to Philly

Ditch the winter blues, get a pep in your step, and head outdoors to some of March’s best.
A sneak peek at this year’s Philadelphia Flower Show entrance garden

BLOSSOM

Arrive in style, and leave with your well-deserved crown at The 2023 Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s (PHS, phsonline.org) Philadelphia Flower Show, The Garden Electric, as it returns to the Pennsylvania Convention Center for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. From March 4 to 12, craft fresh floral crowns and candles at Artisan Row or experience The Entrance Garden, which uses a mesh scrim to create a 360-degree world of vibrant, fragrant and beautiful floral experiences. “There is no shortage of things to do at this year’s show—and the best part is being able to take home a piece to remember an amazing and memorable day,” says Rebecca Schuchart, PHS director of experiences and engagement. Dance to the beats from DJ Aktive while exploring exhibitors including the Black Girl Florist network and III Exotics. “The flower show functions as a platform for the most up-and-coming floral and landscape designers in the world to make their design voices heard,” says Seth Pearsoll, creative director for Th e PHS Philadelphia Flower Show. Must-sees include floral sculptures from Harijanto Setiawan, an architect-turned-florist who has worked with Chanel, Dior and Hermès.

Last month, Zo attended The Grammy Awards, where she donned a custom outfit by local Thomas Jefferson students Lauren Schuler and alumna Michaela Day.

LISTEN

Love the soulful sounds of Florence Welch and Stevie Nicks? Then tune in to one of Philly’s hottest rock bands, Velvet Rouge (velvetrougeband.com). Recently inducted into the Recording Academy Philadelphia Chapter, Velvet Rouge is led by sultry singer and West Chester native Gina Zo, who quickly came to fame as a contestant on Season 10 of NBC’s The Voice. New this month is the band’s most recent single, “Black Light,” available on Spotify and Apple. “[The new song is about] that feeling of letting go of the thought that you need to know what happens after death, and instead just live your life,” Zo says.

A spread of Thistle’s ready-to-eat snacks make healthy mindsets a breeze.

EAT

Fresh organic, ready-to-eat food and cold-pressed juices delivered to your doorstep are at the forefront of Thistle (thistle.co), a plant-forward meal subscription. Since landing in Philadelphia last December, the food service now has a whole host of newly launched items (available through May) like celeriac remoulade pasta salad, creamy pea pesto pasta and raw dragon fruit cheesecake mousse. But what keeps health nuts waiting by the door for their Thistle delivery? Each meal and drink is designed by a team of registered dieticians and nutritionists to meet their high nutritional and ingredient standards, and then prepared by chefs.

Boy’s tie, made for Tonepahhote’s grandson out of cloth, nylon thread and beads

VIEW

See the intricate and gorgeous beaded clothing and powwow regalia worn at Native American gatherings at the Au Tion Ma, Woman With a Good Heart: Beadworks show. Created by Kiowa Native American artist Joy Tonepahhote, the works are on display through March 17 at Leonard Pearlstein Gallery (drexel.edu/pearlsteingallery.com). Tonepahhote was chosen as Drexel’s Rankin scholar-inresidence due to her “outstanding work as an artist, fascinating biography, generous spirit (as her Kiowa name suggests) and fun, charming personality,” says associate professor Linda Kim. For a special treat, head to the gallery March 7 to hear about the artist’s techniques, stories, values and designs passed down through the generations. “Native peoples are still here, and many Native people are artists,” she says. “Our art is to be shared, explained and appreciated.”

A sampling of teas with the cotton bandanas.

SIP

Fact: Calendula can help with joint tissue and can also support healthy skin. Learn more about benefits like this during The Ritual of Tea with Dope Botanicals and Natural Dye Workshop on March 14. “We use several herbs to create healing tea blends that soothe the nervous system and settle the soul. At this fun, interactive and creative event, you’ll get the opportunity to create community and explore yourself in a new way,” says Taahirah Stith of Dope Botanicals, who is leading the program with co-owner Nakia Stith. Located at The Fabric Workshop and Museum (fabricworkshopandmusem.org), the activation will also let guests use an array of herbs to dye fabric to create patterned napkins as artwork to bring home. “Every product we create is made with the intention to be transformative. Our belief is that your body is your most luxurious possession and you deserve to feel good and heal good,” Nakia adds.

Lumos Yoga & Barre also features Pilates, yoga sculpt, stretching and outdoor classes.

SWEAT

Spring into shape and stretch your way to better health at Lumos Yoga & Barre (lumosyogaandbarre.com) with not one but two studios in the Fairmount area of Philadelphia. “We chose this area for a second location because we wanted to better serve our existing community, rather than expanding to other areas of the city. Our ideal clients are people who enjoy feeling luminous and supported in their fitness goals,” says owner Jessica Benhaim. On March 5, join them at their new Parrish Street space for the ever-popular Yin & Restorative Yoga Workshop. “Yin yoga is a practice of holding yoga postures to go beyond the muscles. Amid the pressures of daily life, yin offers the opportunity to slow down, listen to your body and engage in the space that stillness brings,” says Benhaim. For additional well-being benefits, head to its Green Street location on March 12 or 26 for a Healing Sound Bath Meditation & Yoga—but sign up fast, as the in-demand class books up quickly.

Nataliya Yermolenko

SEE

Catch a glimpse of painter Nataliya Yermolenko’s (yermolenko.co) portraits of iconic women Grace Kelly, Vivienne Westwood and Iris Apfel at the Makers Series at Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia. “We want to be a partner in our community and foster those conversations by showcasing and celebrating local artisans that contribute to Philadelphia’s art scene for both visitors and locals to enjoy,” says Elizabeth Fricke, director of sales and marketing at Hyatt Centric Center City Philadelphia. This Women of the Arts exhibit is where pop art meets fashion illustration, and is sure to pique your artistic curiosity. Yermolenko says, “Philadelphia is where I came into my own as a painter and developed my personal style, so this series is a testament to the city and the support I received as pursuing my role as an artist.”

Enjoy a variety of dishes at Taste America.

BITE

On March 28, head to the Philadelphia Museum of Art for the James Beard Foundation Taste America: Philadelphia (jamesbeard.org) to nibble on delectables from 14 of Philly’s finest chefs and restaurants. Hosted by Thai chef Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon of Kalaya, your taste buds will delight as you sample cuisine from first-time local participants including owner and chef Amanda Shulman of Her Place Supper Club (whose menu can feature bites likes French and Italian cuisine of beef tartare and mushrooms and clam toast with leeks) and chefs Omar Tate and Cybille St. Aude-Tate of Honeysuckle Provisions. “Philadelphia remains one of the nation’s strongest culinary destinations, complete with everything from upscale dining to charming BYOBs, casual eateries and everything in between,” says Siobhan Flaherty Haber, vice president of events of the James Beard Foundation. “The city’s metropolitan nature attracts people from across the globe, and as a result, the culinary scene represents a variety of distinct flavors.”