May Day: Here's What to Do This Month

Performance still of “The Garden of Forking Paths,” 2017, as performed by Nichole Canuso Dance Company at Bok Building, Philadelphia

GRIT & GLORY

As sweeping, unprecedented renovations continue at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (philamuseum.org) as part of the multimillion dollar Core Project, the highly anticipated Frank Gehry redesign debuts May 7. In addition to a new Forum and Lenfest Hall, as well as a South Hall, two new exhibitions are highlights of the summer arts and culture calendar. In New Grit: Art & Philly Now, 25 living artists with ties to the City of Brotherly Love are on view, including high-profile creators such as mixed media artist Howardena Pindell, French sculpturalist Mohamed Bourouissa and visual artist Tiona Nekkia McClodden. Don’t miss Kukuli Velarde’s “San Sebastián,” an avant-garde sculpture that reflects the Peruvian cultural preservation shielding itself from European influence and violence. Elsewhere, the reinstallation of the American galleries offers a closer look at the underrepresented, overlooked work of Black artists from 1650 to the 1840s, as well as Latinx, Indigenous and female talents.

I’M LEVITATED

Golden hour gets a glow-up with JG SkyHigh’s new Glamour Hour program at the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia (fourseasons.com/philadelphia). It’s the perfect occasion to get reacquainted with the five-star hotel’s luxe lounge offerings. Every Monday through Wednesday, 4 to 6PM, you can choose from a pair of themed menus for cocktails and light bites. The Top of the Tower sparkling wine flight features a trio of bubbles paired with crispy sea trout sushi, a signature plate from chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, or opt for Views for Days, a classic ginger margarita served with pretzel-crusted calamari. Dinner and dessert menus are also available, but the sweetest way to end the evening is with a selfie at sunset.

Guests enjoying the Glamour Hour at JG SkyHigh

WELL DONE

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa (theborgata.com) ups the ante on its growing list of wellness offerings with a new collection of Stay Well Rooms. A first-in-the-region partnership with the famed Cleveland Clinic means that you can take advantage of award-winning programs that address sleep difficulties, stress and nutrition. Your aromatherapeutic suite is also tricked out with other amenities, like a Stay Well shower head that reduces chlorine to make your skin and hair extra soft, a cushy memory foam mattress (try the Go! to Sleep program, which provides cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia) and dawn simulation to gently ease you into a new day. Then, throw open the shades and take in the ocean views. The rolling waves of the Atlantic are always on the house here.

One of Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa’s new Stay Well rooms

ELEVATED ELIXIRS

From Old City’s locally sourced spirit store and home barware emporium Art in the Age (artintheage.com) comes a Philadelphia first—cannabidiol (CBD) cocktail classes. Formulated to promote relaxation and reduce stress, these CBD-infused aperitifs help you unwind after a long day. You’ll be creating tantalizing concoctions, like the earthy and calming Cannabis Cup, a blend of AITA chicory root vodka, matcha, chamomile, spinach, lime and Dram CBD Tincture with a seaweed garnish, or the zesty, fruity Speedy Delivery filled with Dram CBD Tincture, satsuma oranges and passion fruit. Shake, stir and savor your way through a COVID-safe, hourlong session taught by Art’s skilled mixologists via Zoom. Each ticket includes an ingredient kit that participants can pick up in-store or have delivered. Cheers to 2021’s buzziest cocktail trend.