Yeah Summertime and its time for a Rooftop Party!!!

Mos Def and Tom Hanks son get involved in a bloody affair and Im excited!

Mos Def is all set to have multiple appearances in one of my favorite shows, Dexter, in it's sixth season!  He will play a hardened ex-con who claims to have found religion yet seems to continually find himself surrounded by violence. Michael C. Hall’s Dexter will reveal the truth of who he really is. Sounds great to me and why not?  I mean he is the best "rapper/actor" ever!  Can you really challenge that?  For more on the story go here.

The Top Reasons to Visit Philadelphia and The Countryside® Now:

Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival
One of Philadelphia’s most popular spring festivals, the annual Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival transforms Philadelphia’s trendiest shopping district into a come-one, come-all street fest for a day of music, outdoor shopping, fashion events, international entertainment and food from some of the city’s most renowned restaurants. May 21

9th Street Italian Market Festival
The annual 9th Street Italian Market Festival features live entertainment, games and food, plus the Italian Market’s dazzling array of homemade sausages, delicious cannolis, imported meats and cheeses, luscious cappuccino, butcher-cut beef and poultry, specialty cookware and fresh pastas. May 14-15

National Garden Day
In honor of National Garden Day (May 6), many of the region’s botanical gardens, parks and arboretums are offering weekend discounts and specials, including free admission today (with coupon) to Morris Arboretum, Bartram’s Garden and more.

Spring Blooms at Longwood Gardens Festival
Explore hundreds of acres abloom with the beauty of spring at Longwood Gardens. And don’t miss the debut of another seasonal favorite when Longwood's spectacular Fireworks and Fountain shows return on May 29.

Philly Phlash Downtown Loop
Explore Philadelphia in a Phlash! Hop aboard the bright purple trolley and visit more than 25 locations in the city for just $2 every time you ride.

Mother's Day Brunch
It's that time of the year to spoil mom (or grandmom). Take a look at a few of our top spots to spend Mother's Day on Sunday, May 8.

2011 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
Join thousands banding together in the fight against breast cancer during the 2011 Susan G. Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure on Mother's Day (May 8).

Leonardo da Vinci's Workshop
Don't miss the final days of Leonardo da Vinci's Workshop at the Franklin Institute. Experience full-size recreations of his inventions and see sketches and ideas from the greatest mind of the Renaissance. Through May 22

The Washington Crossing Brewfest
Philly Beer Week is less than a month away (June 3 - 12). Fortunately you don’t have to wait for great craft beer as more than 50 of the country's top breweries are headed to the Washington Crossing Brewfest on May 14.

Sesame Place
Sesame Place is now open for the 2011 season. This year, Sesame Place welcomes Murray, the park’s newest Sesame Street character.

Devon Horse Show
The country’s oldest and largest event of its kind, the Devon Horse Show features contests, exhibitions and an old-fashioned fair at the Devon Show Grounds.

Memorial Day at Chaddsford Winery
Spend a relaxing holiday weekend in the countryside as Chaddsford Winery celebrates Memorial Day (May 28 – 30). Enjoy wine tastings, picnics, live music and more on the picturesque grounds of the winery.

Visit Philly Goes Mobile
Now you can access visitphilly.com on the go. The new mobile version of our website allows you to find things to do, places to stay, places to eat and must-see attractions all from your mobile device.

Visit Philly on Foursquare
Check in with Visit Philly on Foursquare as you explore Philadelphia and the Countryside. Get insider tips, create a personalized to-do list and discover something new during your trip.

Philly Fun Guide
It’s spring in Philadelphia! That means that it's time again to take a stroll in the gardens, check out a tour of the city, or just stop and smell the flowers as Philadelphia blooms! Check out Phillyfunguide for fun ways to enjoy spring.

Paula Patton explains her son's blue eyes and blond hair...

Its so funny because I was looking at this picture of Paula and Robin yesterday thinking, its so amazing the colors we can make.  Made me wonder what Nick and Mariah's little ones will look like.  But leave it to Chelsea Lately to bring "the real" out of anyone lol.  Check out what Paula said about her little one's complexion....baby oil really!?!?! lol

oh and I found this cute throwback pic of Robin and Paula in his "Jesus" days lol....gotta love highschool sweethearts especially when you bring Hollywood into the formula.  Congrats to them!

Listen to Musiqsoulchild's new joint before you buy it!

Hey cuz, its nothing wrong with test driving before you buy the ride (-;  This is Musiq's 6th studio album!  Which is always great when a singer gets to  give us this many albums.  This one is called, MusiqInTheMagiq.  IT also marks the first time that there will be absolutely NO songs from the production duo and Grammy Award winners , Carvin and Ivan who wrote and produced 90% of ALL Musiq's music.   So far upon first listen its sounding pretty good. Soul music at this point feels so distant that any connection between me and good soul music feels so good.  And Musiq is definitely an artists we can depend on to give us some good soul music!

He recently was on 106 and Park breaking down his new album which is in stores today.  Check out the video here, and what happens when he shouts out her girl in the audience.....

Oh and get a listen to the FULL album and the link to his simulcast on BET Centric on the next page! 

Kindred gets all sexy on us!

Raphael Saadiq helps Yaya Decosta add to her acting real with his new video!

I just recently saw Yaya in the Oscar award nominated film, "The Kids are Alright" (Annette Benning and Julliane Moore), and was quite good.  Especially if you compare her to other model/actresses.  For those of us who watched her go through the motions of a natural sista with not so good skin on "America's Next Top Model", its poetic justice to see her kill the screen.  So thanks Raphael for seeing the talent in our Yaya!  Check her out in his new video, "Good Man"

Sooo is it fair to compare the Spike vs Tyler argument to Dubois vs Washington? Cuz Tyler did lol

I hate that he said that ONLY Black people do this to each other.  I mean sometimes I really feel like WE as Black Folks feel that we should only be able to criticize each others perspectives when in a private setting.  Some arguments are meant for everyone to check in on and I actually think this is one of them.  I enjoy the conversation in arguing the different perspectives of these writer/directors, even if I am riding more with Spike lol....Im open though for your perspective!

Waaaait dont forget to catch your last taste of PIFA before its over....

Biggups to everyone who made it to the Street Fair!  Thanks to my fellow PIFA blogger, Hugh E Dillon aka Philly Chit Chat I see there was a plenty of fun on Broad Street yesterday!

Of course Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings gave Philly what they needed...

Oh and the sunset performance of La Compagnie Transe Express.....beyond beautiful!!!

Hey but if you still not ready to end your PIFA experience, cram it in today before its gone!  Check out this  LIST of events for the final day!

thanks to all my PIFA folks for allowing me to bring you guys this fantastic festival!  I cant wait until next year!  Special thanks to Ed Salvato (-;