Can't Miss This!

Tuesday is traditionally a day of stupid two-for-one deals, twice the music from awful radio bands and similar disappointments of daily proportions. Let's see if there's anything low on disappointment and high on "Thanks-for-telling-me-about-this-awesome-event!" Or something like that.

PATRICK MURPHY - TAKING THE HILL: FROM PHILLY TO BAGHDAD TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS
The North Philly native is coming to the UPenn book store tonight to discuss his autobiographical release Taking the Hill, which chronicles his life and times as a war veteran, a one-time West Point professor, a lawyer, and a Congressman (not necessarily in that order). Go ask him how you can do all that by age 35. We're revising our life plan and we think he's on to something.
WHO: Anyone!
WHERE: The UPenn Book Store, 36th and Walnut Streets (map)
WHEN: 7pm
HOW MUCH: Free!

DISCUSSION AND SLIDESHOW OF HIP-HOP CULTURE AND GRAFFITI ART
While we're not sure "Power Point" ever made it into the hip-hop vernacular, Henry Chalfant is an expert on the topic, which he has been studying via the New York City graffiti scene since the 1970s. In Philly, it sometimes seems like everyone who knows where to buy a can of spray paint has a tag, but there are some fine examples of graffiti as art in the City of Murals. This lecture will examine the inherent connections between the hip-hop culture and graffiti as art. Nothing beats an academic reduction of a rebellious mode of artistic expression.
WHO: Anyone!
WHERE: Drexel University Screening Room (028 University Crossings), 3175 JFK Boulevard (map)
WHEN: 8pm
HOW MUCH: Free!

CONSTANTINE MAROULIS
He was on season 4 of American Idol. He was in the top 6. He has a debut album. We don't know if you've never heard of him, either, but we're not embarrassed that we haven't. Constantine Maroulis clearly doesn't read the lyrics handed to him, but hopefully he's getting paid. Reasons to go: Your teen daughter is in love with him; you're related to him somehow; you mistook him for Philly's own Constantine. Whatever the reason, keep an open mind, and maybe you'll be surprised. Okay, maybe not. Why are we telling you to go, even though we've made it crystal clear that we wouldn't go if you paid us? Because it's just not a bumpin' Tuesday night. Deal with it.
WHO: Grown-ups. Please, spare your children.
WHERE: World Cafe Live, 30th and Walnut Streets (map)
WHEN: Doors open at 7pm; Show starts at 8pm
HOW MUCH: $15, $3 processing fee if purchased online. Get 'em here. Note: General Admission tickets do not guarantee seating in the dining area. If you'll be hungry, call 215-222-1400 to reserve seats for eats. Get it: Seats, eats. They rhyme. Oh, nevermind!

Image Credit: Flickr user Greg Palmer

The listed events were chosen by the editors of Phillyist and brought to you by the 2009 Toyota Corolla.