April 7th, kicked off the 2011 Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts, a 25 day celebration of the arts.

The opening night Galla began with performances by the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Pennsylvania Ballet followed by the lighting of an 81ft Eiffel Tower, in the Kimmel Center Plaza, and a dinner by Wolfgang Puck, featuring a pre-dessert performance by Grounded Aerial.

The theme of the inaugural festival is “The spirit of Paris 1910-1920… Reborn 100 years later” which will be fully captured during the PIFA Street Fair, April 30th, 11:00AM – 8:30PM, on Broad Street (Chestnut to Lombard).

The Avenue of the Arts will be transformed into a Parisian street fair with French street vendors and performers, a grass park with a children’s area, musical entertainment all day long, and a giant Ferris Wheel. All culminating with a breathtaking routine by La Compagnie Transe Express performing 100 feet in the air.

To learn more about the various events and performances, please visit pifa.org.