2012/13 Social Series: The Perfect Pairing

When PCMS formalized its Social Series a few years ago, the goal was simple–enhance our concert experience by providing tastings from the area’s finest purveyors of food and drink.

What started as one-off tastings at occasional concerts gained momentum over the past two seasons as patrons have enjoyed everything from Tropical Sorbet (PURE Gourmet) to Phoenix Pale Ale (Sly Fox) to Aged Cheddar and Savory Herb Cheese (Hillacres Pride Farm).  Our patrons appreciated the concept and the atmosphere of these tastings so much that we decided to make them a mainstay of our series at the American Philosophical Society.

We've learned that an appreciation for world-class artists and compelling repertoire often translates into a similar enthusiasm for fine food and drink–a benefit to both PCMS and local businesses.  As the representative for Termini Brothers Bakery stated when she learned of the Series: “This is a wonderful collaboration because the music being presented and the pastries we bake are both made by hand and with care for the artistry involved.”  Many of our audience members say that they came to enjoy a Mendelssohn quartet and left having discovered a new kind of coffee, chocolate, or chutney.

In 2012-13, we are embarking on our largest Social Series yet–a full 15-concert series at the American Philosophical Society's Benjamin Franklin Hall. These events in historic Old City Philadelphia provide a wonderful opportunity to discover an intimate concert space and the best artists and gourmet goods our city has to offer.  As you can see below, we've confirmed the participants for the first half of the series, and we encourage you to stay tuned for previews on each concert/tasting and follow the full schedule on our website.

• Sunday, October 21:  Colin Carr, cello & Thomas Sauer, piano
  Sample Asian pears and wines with Subarashii Kudamono
• Wednesday, October 24:  Nareh Arghamanyan, piano
  Craft beer tasting with Philly Beer Scene
• Tuesday, November 20:  Seymour Lipkin, piano
  Sample soups with Good Spoon Seasonal Foods
• Thursday, November 29:  Koljonen, Dí­az & Koenig
  Organic tea sampling with Ducky Life Tea
• Friday, December 7:  Sarah Shafer, soprano & Richard Goode, piano
  Gourmet local chocolate tasting with John & Kira's
• Sunday, December 16:  Pamela Frank & Friends
  Sample artisanal spreads with FreshaPeel Hummus
• Monday, January 14:  Ricardo Morales, clarinet & Natalie Zhu, piano
  Enjoy cannolis and other pastries with Termini Brothers Bakery
• Friday, January 25:  Fiterstein-Peled-Goldstein Trio
  Craft beer tasting with Philadelphia Brewing Company