By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Altan
There are always many good reasons to visit Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square, 610-388-1000, www.longwoodgardens.org) any time of year. Right now, a major draw is the OrchidExtravaganza — but that is just one of a number of attractions
Over the years, Longwood Gardens has presented a wide array of musical acts from around the world and in a variety of genres. On February 21, Longwood is hosting one of Celtic music’s all-time great bands — Altan.
Altan is an Irish folk music band formed in County Donegal in 1987 by lead vocalist Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and her husband the late Frankie Kennedy. They rose to fame by focusing on Donegal’s rich collection of Gaelic songs and instrumental styles.
The top-selling Celtic band features founding members Ciarán Curran (bouzouki, guitar), Ní Mhaonaigh (lead vocals, fiddle) and Mark Kelly (guitar, backing vocals), along with Dáithí Sproule (guitar, vocals), who has been a member since 1991, and Martin Tourish (piano, accordion).
“Most of the band has been around for quite a while but we have one new addition — Martin Tourish,” said Ní Mhaonaigh, during a phone interview Thursday afternoon as the band was travelling to a show in Harrisburg.
“Martin is a great accordion player. He joined the band back in 2014. It was great to have new blood. Most of the band lives in Ireland — Ciarán and I in Donegal and Martin in Dublin. Dáithí lives in America.”
Altan is touring in support of its most recent album “The Gap of Dreams,” which was released in 2018 on Compass Records. The band recorded the album close to home at Attica Audio Recording in Drumdeevin, Termon, Letterkenny, County Donegal,
Ireland.
“We recorded the album at a state-of-the-art studio in Donegal,” said Ní Mhaonaigh. “It’s a well-known studio used by The Villagers. I knew the musician in charge of the studio – Tommy McLaughlin, who is The Villagers’ bass player.
“We went in with a lot of songs. We were well-rehearsed. We did a lot of pre-production because we were very busy and had t use our time well. We were in the studio for a week.
“Tommy (McLaughlin) helped engineer and produce the album. He had refreshing ides – but they were very subtle. I liked the color he brought. He approached it with a modern ear. He heard the music in a different way, and it brought a nice color to it.
Altan has achieved legendary status in a genre that has been equally shaped by the band’s influence and genius. Audiences from Ireland to Japan to Australia to Europe have embraced their live performances and their exquisitely produced, award-winning recordings.
Adding to the band’s long list of awards and honors, Ní Mhaonaigh was the recipient of the 2017 Gradam Ceoil Traditional Musician of the Year. Though the band received the same award for Band of the Year in 2001, Ní Mhaonaigh was only the third woman in 20 years to receive the main award.
Altan has an unwavering commitment to bringing the beauty of traditional music to contemporary audiences, particularly that of the fiddlers and singers of their hometown in Donegal.
Their new publication, The Tunes, marks the first printed collection of this instrumental music. Spanning 30 years and 12 studio albums, and comprising 222 tunes across its 206 pages, the book delves into the history, folklore, composers, and musical heroes from whom the music was collected.
“We all try to keep writing and keep the creative juices flowing,” said Ní Mhaonaigh. “And we keep listening. We don’t actively spend time seeking traditional songs. It might just be something we hear someone play.
“There are so many young people playing this music. We taught them and now they’re teaching us. We had our 30th anniversary a few years ago. Nobody was more surprised than ourselves.”
Altan played a show at Longwood Gardens four years ago – almost to the date.
“Longwood Gardens is the most beautiful venue,” said Ní Mhaonaigh. “It’s definitely one that says in your head. We’re looking forward to going back there.”
Video link for Altan – https://youtu.be/qirgAbh6o2c.
The show at Longwood Gardens will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are priced at $40.
The orchid is a flower that is acclaimed as one of the most beautiful, delicate and graceful flowers in the world. The Royal Botanical Gardens of Kew list more than 20,000 accepted species with about 800 new species added each year. Additionally, horticulturists have more than 100,000 hybrids and cultivars.
Longwood celebrates the orchid each year with its ultra-popular “Orchid Extravaganza” — an annual event that this year is running now through March 22.
The celebration of the orchid species features thousands of orchid blooms along with a variety of displays and special exhibits throughout its four-acre conservatory. “Orchid Extravaganza” will also feature stunning displays of orchids in planting beds, containers and innovative exhibits.
As one of the first plant collections at Longwood, orchids have held a place of distinction since 1922.
Visitors will be able to escape to a balmy oasis filled with nearly 5,000 blooming orchids during Orchid Extravaganza. Longwood’s heated four-acre Conservatory provides an escape from winter’s chill and features thousands of colorful orchid blooms displayed in extraordinary ways.
In addition to the one-of-a-kind horticultural display, Orchid Extravaganza features activities and programs for the entire family, including concerts, talks, tours, OrKid Days, and more. The Gardens are open daily from 9 am–5 pm.
Guests will be amazed as orchid blooms cascade down walls, spill from containers, and hang from the ceiling– featuring Cattleya, Dendrobium, Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum, and Oncidium, among others.
In the Main Conservatory, a canopy of pink and purple Orchid Orbs welcomes you to a lush sanctuary of vibrant, artfully presented orchids.
In the Acacia Passage, delicate cascading branches of cinnamon wattle beckons with fragrant blooms, while 18 urns filled with yellow and white Oncidium and Phalaenopsis line this picturesque passageway.
Additional indoor highlights include the Mediterranean Garden featuring a riot of vibrant color January through April with Australian purple coral-pea (Hardenbergia) vines blooming like miniature wisteria. In the Estate Fruit House, nectarines, melons, and other fruits and vegetables flourish in the midst of winter.
OrKID Days are feature activities where families can discover the colors, patterns, and beauty of orchids through art activities and storytelling. The final OrKID Day is scheduled for March 9 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and is free with Gardens Admission.
Admission to Longwood Gardens is $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and $13 for students.
The Chaddsford Winery (632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, 610-388-6221, http://www.chaddsford.com) will host Wine & Chocolate Pairings on February 22 and 23.
Visitors can enjoy stops at five stations featuring artisan chocolates carefully paired with the winery’s award-winning wines.
This year, the winery is partnering with Philadelphia-based John and Kira’s to provide guests with an unparalleled experience.
Sessions will be offered throughout the day at noon, 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. During the session, Chaddsford Winery staff will lead guests through an educational pairing while providing interesting facts about the featured wines and chocolates. Guests who arrive over 15 minutes late for their session are not guaranteed entry to the program.
Advanced tickets are $30/person, and space is limited. If a session does not sell out of advanced tickets online prior to the event, then a limited number on onsite tickets will be sold at the door for $35/person.
Black Walnut Winery (3000 Lincoln Highway, Sadsburyville, 610-857-5566, www.blackwalnutwinery.com) will have “February Wine and Chocolate Pairings” on February 23.
The special day will feature a pairing of five of Black Walnut’s wines with gourmet chocolates from Bridge Street Chocolates of Phoenixville. Wine and Chocolate pairings will take place at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m.
The sessions will also be held same dates and same times at the winery’s location in Phoenixville at 260 Bridge Street.
Cost is $25 per person and includes a Black Walnut logo wine glass. Guests can choose to upgrade their pairing to include a Port tasting as well (two port style wines) for $30 per person.
The “Wine and Chocolate Pairings” at Penns Wood Winery (124 Beaver Valley Road, Chadds Ford, 610-459-0808, http://www.pennswoodsevents.com) will be held every Saturday and Sunday in February from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
In addition to its regular tastings, the winery is offering special tastings to celebrate February because February is the month of wine, chocolate, romance and fun.
Penns Wood is adding new and exciting items to its wine and chocolate pairings this year featuring its wines carefully paired with local chocolate treats from Good Good Chocolates, Double Spiral Chocolate & Taste Artisanal Market.
Tickets cost $28 per person in advance and reservations are required. Cancellations must be made within 48 hours or ticket holders will be charged the full amount of the tasting. Reservations are made and kept on the hour.
On February 21, Galer Estate Vineyard & Winery (700 Folly Hill Rd., Kennett Square, www.galerestate.com) will host a special “Wine and Chocolate Pairing.”
At the event, which runs from 6-8 p.m., visitors will be able to enjoy three of Galer Estate’s wines paired with local chocolate treats.
Participants will join Estelle Tracy for an exclusive Wine and Chocolate Pairing Event. During this tasting, they will learn about wine and chocolate basics and discover the secret behind a successful pairing.
Tickets are priced at $35 per person.
Hershey
A great way for chocoholics to satisfy their chocolate cravings is to take a trip to Hershey during the month of February. This month, it’s time for “Chocolate-Covered February in Hershey” (various locations around Hershey, 800-HERSHEY, www.chocolatecoveredfebruary.com).
It is only natural that Hershey, the town that bills itself as “The Sweetest Place on Earth,” hosts a month-long celebration in honor of all things chocolate. Hershey has decadent chocolate events planned throughout the month of February.
This weekend, visitors to the Hershey Store can try their hand at making their own heart-shaped milk chocolate confections and hand-made truffles. Other activities are a “Chocolate Tea,” a “Chocolate Dinner Extraordinaire” at the Hotel Hershey and a “Chocolate and Spirits Pairing Class & Chef Demonstration” at the Hershey Lodge.
The “Hersheypark Chocolate Parade” will be held at the amusement park every Saturday and Sunday in February beginning at 2:30 p.m. each day. There will also be an “Interactive Story Time & Hot Cocoa” session at 1 p.m. and again at 3 p.m. at Hersheypark every Saturday and Sunday in February.
Other activities throughout the month include “Chef Demonstrations” at the Hotel Hershey, “Hershey’s Chocolate Dessert Buffet” at Hershey’s Chocolate World, “Hershey’s Character Breakfast” at Hershey Lodge, “Chocolate Themed Animal Treats” at ZooAmerica, and “Chocolate Martini Mixology Class” at Hershey Lodge.
This weekend, the Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (236 North High Street, West Chester, https://uptownwestchester.org/) is presenting a pair of special attractions.
Kenny Rogerson
On February 21, there will be a show featuring comedian Kenny Rogerson as the headliner and Max Dolcelli as the opener.
Fresh off his second nationwide “Rescue Me Comedy Tour” with Denis Leary, Rogerson is a favorite in clubs, theaters and on the large and small screen – including roles as “Kevin the Biker Fireman” on F/X’s hit show “Rescue Me” starring Denis Leary and as “Pat the Cop” on ABC’s “It’s All Relative” with Lenny Clarke.
He has also made numerous other television appearances on such shows as “Late night with Conan O’Brien,” “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “Comics Come Home” for Comedy Central and Showtime’s “A Pair of Jokes.” He has also appeared at The Chicago Comedy Festival and TBS’s The Comedy Festival in Las Vegas.
Docelli has been a working comedian for more than 30 years. He has built his fan base through appearances in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, local comedy clubs, and major cruise lines. He has opened for many legendary entertainers including Jerry Seinfeld, Robin Williams, and Ray Romano, along with several appearances on TV and morning talk shows.
The show on February 21 will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25.
On February 22, the venue will host a program called “Sounds of the Caribbean.”
Sounds of the Caribbean
Audience members will be able to shake off the cold and enjoy an evening of steel drums and Afro-Caribbean music.
The concert will showcase the sounds of the West Chester University Latin Jazz & Steel Drum Ensembles featuring , featuring percussionist Juan Alamo, vocalist Cristina Alamo, and steel pan artist Kristian Paradis.
The show on Saturday evening will start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 foir adults and $5 for seniors and students.
An event that is fun and educational at the same time will be held at the American Helicopter Museum & Education Center (1220 American Blvd., Brandywine Airport, West Chester, 610-436-9600, www.helicoptermuseum.org).
At 2 p.m. on Sunday, The American Helicopter Museum will present a special book signing and panel discussion with Robert Kodosky, author of “Tuskegee in Philadelphia: Rising to the Challenge,” and members of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen.
It will be moderated by Brian Lockman, President of the Pennsylvania Cable Network and host of PA Books.
In his well-respected book, Kodosky discusses the hardships and the successes of the Tuskegee airmen and women from Philadelphia – the brave women and men who were the first African American military pilots in the U.S. Army Air Corps.
After the discussion, Dr. Kodosky and the Tuskegee Airmen will sign copies of the book, which will be available for purchase in the Museum Store.
Tickets for the event are $12 in advance and $15 at the door.
On February 22, the Lancaster County Park Environmental Center (1 Nature’s Way, Lancaster, https://apm.activecommunities.com/LancasterCountyParks, 717-295-2055) will present a special program titled “Maple Sugaring.”
Maple Sugaring
Visitors can join County Park Naturalists for ongoing maple sugaring demonstrations in the sugar bush of Lancaster County Central Park. They will be able to see trees tapped, sap boiled to syrup, and candy made from the syrup. Maple products will be on sale. Guests can drop in anytime during the program hours for an educational tour of the maple syrup making process.
A good destination in Delaware this weekend will be the 19th Annual Hockessin Art Festival. The event, which is scheduled for February 22 and 23, will be held at the Hockessin Memorial Hall, (606 Yorklyn Road, Hockessin, Delaware, 302-998-1930, www.wwrr.com).
The Wilmington & Western Railroad’s Hockessin Art Festival is a fundraising effort to benefit the railroad, now entering its 54th year of tourist service. The W&WRR operates steam and diesel trains year-round on 10 miles of track through the scenic Red Clay Valley.
The festival features more than 20 artists who will be displaying and selling original works of art. Refreshments will be available and door prizes will be awarded. On February 21, there will be a special “Friday Evening Preview” from 5-8 p.m. featuring light hors’ doeuvres and a cash bar.
As an added attraction, the Wilmington & Western Railroad will be running its “Festival Express” on Saturday and Sunday. The railroad’s vintage 1929 railcar will depart from the station behind Memorial Hall for 40-minute round trips through the towns of Yorklyn and Ashland.
The trains depart from behind the Hockessin Memorial Hall in Hockessin. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Departure times are 11 a.m., noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m. both days.
Admission to the festival is $5 for adults and free for children (under 12).
Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day
On February 22, the Franklin Institute (271 North 21st Street, Philadelphia, 215-448-1200, www.fi.edu) is presenting an event titled “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day” from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
The event will be celebrating the national movement dedicated to demonstrating to girls that engineering is creative and collaborative and how being an engineer can help change and improve our world.
The Franklin Institute joins the initiative to engage girls in all aspects of manufacturing and design and inspire them to consider careers in engineering with a day full of hands-on activities exploring the various branches — including mechanical, electrical, chemical, and more.
Visitors on this day will also have the opportunity to meet local female engineers and understand the significant role they have in shaping our future.
The event is in recognition of National Engineers Week (February 16-22), dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers.
With a 76,000-ball pit as its centerpiece, a horizontal climbing wall, a train car jump, lock picking challenges, upside-down tic-tac-toe, and more—this kid-friendly experience immerses you in various challenges to build your survival smarts.
The “Experiences” include: Escape quicksand, learn to fall safely, and create and survive an avalanche—in the massive ball pit; Use everyday materials like bobby pins to try to pick a lock; Scale a wall horizontally to practice how to survive rising floodwaters and similar dangers; Practice your lie detection ability on a partner; Hop between simulated train car platforms and jump (and roll) to safety; Discover how your mind adjusts to changes in the environment by playing tic-tac-toe while upside-down; and Spin the wheel and uncover what to do when faced with an angry mountain lion, or a herd of elephants in your path.
“The Worst-Case Scenario: Survival Experience” is open now through April 19.
The Franklin Institute’s general admission is $30 for adults and $26 for children (ages 3-11).
The Hands-on House Children’s Museum (721 Landis Valley Road, Lancaster, 717-569-5437, http://www.handsonhouse.org) offers a wide array of activities for youngster.
Curiosity, creativity, and discovery will take children (accompanied by an adult) on an educational adventure in The Clubhouse, where learning and fun go hand-in-hand.
Some of the museum’s more popular attractions are “Right In Your Own Backyard” where guests can climb in a treehouse and crawl into a honeycomb and see what it’s like to live like a bee, and “Marty’s Machine Shop,” where visitors can put on safety gear and learn how to make the world-famous Watchamagiggles.
Other featured attractions are “Facepaint Porch,” “Little Valley Farm,” “The Corner Grocery,” and “Mostly Make-Believe.”
Admission to the museum is $11 for children and $10.50 for adults. To make sure that every attendee has a great experience, please have one adult attending for every two children.
This weekend, the Delaware Children’s Museum (550 Justison Street, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-654-230, delawarechildrensmuseum.org) is presenting two special events for children that are both fun and educational.
On February 22, the activity-driven kids’ museum is hosting is annual STEM Expo from noon-3 p.m.
Kids of all ages are invited to jump into science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEM) during the DCM’s annual Expo.
The event will be presented by STEM Ambassador students from the Charter School of Wilmington.
Anther special activity at the museum on Saturday is “Jr. Engineers: Acoustical Engineering,” which will run from 10 a.m.-5:45 p.m.
The event will feature a variety of sound-themed experiments and activities including a sound guessing game, tuning fork exploration, model sound wave, vibration station, and more.
Tickets to visit the Delaware Children’s Museum are $9 for general admission.
On Saturdays in February and March, Hagley Museum and Library (Route 141, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-658-2400, www.hagley.org) presents a special event called “Science Saturday.”
Visitors of all ages are invited to discover solutions to science and engineering challenges. Science Saturdays are drop-in activities, so visitors are free to stop by at any time during the event hours.
The program on February 22 will be “Science Saturday: Fusion Fashions.”
This week, future designers will create “fabric” out of plastic grocery bags and find a new use for it. Visitors of all ages are invited to discover solutions to science and engineering challenges at Science Saturday. Activities are included in regular admission and free for Hagley members. This is a drop-in activity so visitors can join the fun at any time from noon-4 p.m.
General admission fees are: Adults, $15; Seniors (age 62 and up) and Students, $11; Children (ages 6-14), $6; Children (5 and under), free.
From February 21-23, the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center (100 Station Road, Oaks, www.phillyexpocenter.com) will host the Philadelphia Fishing Show.
Fans of fishing will enjoy the three-day celebration of all things piscatorial.
Visitors will be able to find fishing-related things in a wide array of topics — guides, lodges, rods, reels, lures, tackle, gear, apparel, art, marine, and more.
There will be free seminars by guides and captains daily on each of the three days.
This show is geared for fishing enthusiasts of all degrees from enthusiastic novice to experienced professional. The show offers something for everyone to learn and discover.
Show hours are noon-7 p.m. on February 21, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on February 2 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on February 23.
The Seventh Annual Mummers Mardi Gras is scheduled for February 23. Starting at 11 a.m., Mummers musical groups will be performing at Xfinity Live (1100 Pattison Ave, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, https://www.facebook.com/events/1490295437791339/).
The daylong festival will feature stage performances and live music from Philadelphia Mummers String Bands.
The day will also include family-friendly activities including photo opportunities with costumes and props, a variety of vendors, giveaways, authentic Philly food trucks and much more.
General Admission is $10 and Includes access to the event with live entertainment, food trucks, liquor sampling, vendors, family fun, the Mummers String Bands, and more!
Participating Philadelphia Mummers String Bands will be Quaker City, Woodland, Aqua, Polish American, Duffy, Greater Kensington, Greater Overbrook, Jersey, South Philadelphia, Fralinger, Avalon, Uptown, Ferko, Hegeman, Durning and Pennsport.
Ticket prices start at $13.91 for the event, which will run from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. This is an all-ages event. Strollers are permitted and children under 3 are free. There will be free parking and all attendees will receive a bag of Herrs Kettle Chips, Pretzels, Popcorn, or Cheese Curls.
Wonderspaces, an experiential, interactive arts venue, is celebrating its largest location to date this month in Philadelphia at the Fashion District (27 North 11th Street, Philadelphia,philadelphia.wonderspaces.com/).
Building on the success of annual pop-up shows in San Diego, and its first permanent location in Scottsdale, Arizona, Wonderspaces features a 24,000 square foot gallery space.
Wonderspaces presents 14 art installations that all play with the idea of perspective. The artwork ranges from award-winning virtual reality short film about a dinner party-turned-alien abduction, to a room where visitors digitally paint the walls with the movement of their bodies.
The first line-up of artwork at Wonderspaces includes: Submergence by Squidsoup, Blooms by John Edmark, Sun by Phillip Schutte, Transition by Mike von Rotz and Joost Jordens, Black Balloons by Tadao Cern, Body Paint by Memo Akten, Come Together by Michael Murphy, The Last Word by Illegal Art, Stories of Mechanical Music by Myriam Bleau, and Myrkviðr by Yasuhiro Chida.
Tickets for Wonderspaces are $24. An average tour of a Wonderspaces show lasts 80-90 minutes but visitors are welcome to stay as long as they want. Tickets are tied to a specific date and time. The number of visitors allowed to enter every fifteen minutes is limited to ensure the space never becomes too crowded.
For the past few months, people have been able to get in a happy mood by visiting HAPPY PLACE (www.HappyPlace.me).
Live Nation Philadelphia brought HAPPY PLACE, an interactive, immersive pop-up exhibit with larger-than-life installations and multi-sensory themed rooms, to the King of Prussia Mall where it was slated to be open until just after Christmas holiday.
Originally scheduled to run through January 5, HAPPY PLACE has been extended until February 29 and will be operating on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays only.
HAPPY PLACE is filled with multi-sensory immersive rooms inducing smiles and laughter, plus larger-than-life, one-of-a-kind installations including seven-foot stilettos made of a million candies and six-foot tall mirrored X and O letters surrounded by a wall of one thousand red lips. It features more than 15,000 square feet of playful spaces and cheerful moments.
HAPPY PLACE is created for an audience for all ages. Minors under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Tickets start at $30 for adults and $20 for children (ages 4-12).
February is African American History Month and the National Constitution Center National Constitution Center (525 Arch Street, Independence Mall, Philadelphia, 215-409-6700,www.constitutioncenter.org) is honoring it with a number of special events and attractions that are running now through the end of February.
February 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the 15th Amendment, which said the right to vote could not be denied based on race. During the month of February, the National Constitution Center will pay tribute to the achievements and the courageous sacrifices made by African Americans throughout history as they strived to become recognized as an integral part of “We the People.”
Visitors can also take a self-guided tour of the museum’s The Story of We the People exhibit to discover key milestones in African American history, and then test their knowledge at the Center’s giant game board activity.
Activities at the Center will feature interactive programming designed for visitors of all ages, including “Decoding the Document: Emancipation Proclamation Document Workshop,”
Visitors can take a closer look at the museum’s rare printing of the Emancipation Proclamation to learn more about its history, the history of the Civil War, and the background of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments.
On the “Self-Guided African American History Tour”, visitors can tour the Center’s main exhibition “The Story of We the People” and discover important moments in African American history through historical artifacts.
Some of the featured attractions on the tour are rare, signed copies of the Thirteenth Amendments and Emancipation Proclamation, President Obama inauguration artifacts, The American National Tree (featuring influential African Americans including Paul Robeson, Fannie Lou Hamer, Ward Connerly and Muhammad Ali) and an original printing of the Supreme Court’s controversial Dred Scott decision.
As part of the museum’s interactive daily programming in February, visitors can test their knowledge of African American history at the museum’s “Giant Game Board.” Children and families compete to see who can cross the finish line first. Participants serve as game pieces as they roll the giant dice, answer questions and work their way across the board.
As an added attraction, the Center is offering a special “Winter Warm Up” on admission. Now through March 31, tickets are only $10 for adults and $7.50 for children.
