Arts & Events: May 2009 Archives

After we ran our preview of tonight's show at the North Star, which was to feature Paper Route and Liam and Me supporting Young Love, we learned that Paper Route had to cancel the last several dates of its current tour, including its appearance at tonight's show. Liam and Me will still be appearing, and we certainly encourage you, dear readers, to support this local favorite.

UK-based Katie Melua will be in town tomorrow night, playing an intimate show at Old City's Tin Angel. She's a big deal in her homeland and has even played for the Queen, but she really likes the smaller venues best, as you'll see below.

Fun around town, for $10 or less:

Fun around town, for $10 or less:

Last summer, we had the opportunity to cover Paper Route (MySpace). The scheduling could have worked out poorly for the band, at least as far as we were concerned, because they were the opener of a lineup that also included Phantom Planet and Jack's Mannequin (one of our favorite bands to see live), and we were seeing The Honorary Title (ditto) and Paper Rival (ditto, R.I.P.) the same weekend. We were very pleasantly surprised, though, that Paper Route put on a memorable—if very abbreviated, but such is the life of an opening band—show.

Fun around town, for $10 or less:

Pennsylvania's tourism gurus, VisitPA, have decided to up the ante with some creative promotional material, not mention a beautifully integrated web site. They recently launched PAStories.com, which tells the tale of Peter Arthur and his search for a lost love. His journey takes him all over the state as he tries to find the waitress that served him the most amazing slice of shoofly pie he has ever had.

Our friends at Philly publishing house Quirk Books recently put out a new book called Gig Posters Volume 1: Rock Show Art of the 21st Century. It's a huge collection (the dimensions are about 14 x 11 x 1) of over 700 posters from the archives of GigPosters.com, selected by the website's creator and proprietor, Clay Hayes, who also provides a short introduction. The posters are organized by the artists that created them (if you'd like to see all the posters for a particular band, you can check the index in the back), with each artist represented by a full-page, tear-off poster (each page is perforated for easy removal) that has on its opposite side six more, smaller examples of the artist's work, plus plenty of data on all the posters and the artist, including website, influences, preferred medium/method, and some random remarks from the artist. So yes, the claim that the book has "over 700 posters" is slightly misleading, as there are only 101 full-size posters, but the quality of the art and of the reproductions is so high that you could tear out any or all of those 101 posters, frame them, put them right on your wall, and not feel the least bit embarrassed (well, unless you selected one of the posters that features full frontal nudity; that might be a bit embarrassing if your Mom comes over).

We miss Mum Puppettheatre terribly, so we're thrilled that puppetry is still alive and well in Philadelphia.

Fun around town, for $10 or less:

     

As we mentioned earlier this afternoon, PECO is testing their new sign, which promises to be far more interesting than the old one. Don't believe us? Check out the photos that Phillyist reader Mark Roddy snapped!

In celebration of eight years in Philadelphia, the Bridgette Mayer Gallery is holding a Benefit Art Exhibition to honor the non-profit group Back on My Feet.

Give us a race with kayaking, naked bowling, and murderball any day. For anyone who thinks running just to run is just plain boring, the urban adventuring event that is City Chase USA is where it's at. Saturday morning in Love Park with started off some pre-chase chocolate covered cricket smoothie drinkin', an on-the-spot, off-key rendition of the national anthem sung a guy wearing shiny, shiny Rocky shorts and a warm up session led by two trainers from race sponsor Sweat Fitness. If there's one best decision Team Phillyist made along the way, it was to NOT DO SQUATS before literally running around Philadelphia for 4 hours. Crazy Sweat Trainer Dude: I would come take your class—that was a good live commercial. But did no one tell you the amount of cardio that was about to commence? (Hint: a lot).

For a lot of people, Memorial Day means summer. Of course, Memorial Day really means things that are very much more important than summer. But informally, it is the kickoff to a few months of oppressive heat and humidity nice weather and getting absolutely nothing done at work good times. So it's time to start thinking about summer concerts. One of this summer's sure-fire best events is the XPoNential Music Festival, put on by our friends over at WXPN.

Fun around town, for $10 or less:

The Terminator franchise has always been a heady and delicious mixture of horror, sci-fi, and action; time travel, robots, and apocalypse. Every installment in the franchise has spoken of a coming Judgment Day: the apocalyptic moment when machines would rise up and nearly destroy humanity. Afterwards, one man—John Connor—would organize a resistance and fight back, saving the human race. Each film (and TV show) has been about a killer machine coming back through time to try to eliminate John before he can become this savior. Luckily, the resistance has always been able to send back a protector, as well, to keep him safe. We've never really seen the world after Judgment Day, and never really seen John as the savior, except in brief glimpses.

Fun around town, for $10 or less:

I mentioned Jeff Burk's parody novel Shatnerquake in a Whiz of the Web column a few weeks back. I thought the concept (not to mention the cover) was pretty brilliant, so I jumped at the chance to read and review the book when it was offered to me. The novel is set in the near future, when both technology and fandom have advanced to rather extreme degrees. There now exists a sect of rabid fans of Bruce Campbell, known as Campbellians, who cut off their right hands in remembrance of one of Campbell's more famous characters. Also, something called the Network Wars led to the development of a weapon called a Fiction Bomb which can erase a piece of entertainment from reality, so no one remembers it ever existed. The Campbellians do not like William Shatner, so when the first ever ShatnerCon is organized, and includes screenings of all of Shatner's movie and television appearances, they see their chance to strike. They plant a Fiction Bomb in the theater and wait for Shatner to be erased from history. But the bomb goes haywire, and instead of Shatner's fictional characters being destroyed utterly, they're somehow given life—pushed out of fiction and into reality. Trapped now in a world where they know they don't belong, and where they're all merely copies of someone else, they become filled with rage and, in a desire for vengeance, decide to hunt down their originator—William Shatner himself—and destroy him.

In fact, we're pretty certain that many programs devoted to kinetics would decline participation in the Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby. We can't imagine why, though.

Fun around town, for $10 or less:

Like free movies? Like our state capital? Well then you're in luck! This weekend marks the 2009 Harrisburg Arts Fest Film Festival, held in conjunction with the city's annual Memorial Day Weekend Arts Fest. With dozens of films screening for free at three separate venues in Harrisburg, new films will join classics (Eraserhead, anyone?) on the four-day bill. So come on! Less behind-the-scenes drama and less expensive than some other film festivals we could mention? We think it's well worth the gas money.

But 11th Hour Theatre Company has sure got a great spokesperson.

Poet: Moonstone Poetry Series presents Joel Chace and Ron Silliman at Robin's Books and Moonstone Arts Center (110A S 13th), 7PM. Free

When all the on-again, off-again controversy between the Philadelphia Film Society and TLA earlier this year ended in an uneasy truce and just one, united film festival (with one big, ugly name), we kind of assumed that was it and things would go back to normal again. But no! In fact, it looks like the two groups are off again, and for good this time. TLA will continue to produce CineFest in the spring and QFest in the summer under the aegis of the Philadelphia Cinema Alliance, while the Film Society will now produce the Philadelphia Film Festival in the fall, starting in October 2010. The Film Society will also offer year-round film events, including an indie showcase called Filmadelphia Independent and a repertory program of cult and essential movies called Filmadelphia Classics. Film Society executive director J. Andrew Greenblatt says "the city easily can support two mega-festivals," but we're not so sure. Going to both isn't necessarily going to work for the average person's schedule and pocket book. This Phillyist, at least, might have to choose which festival to go to each year.

No, this isn't about tomorrow's primary election (although you should be sure to vote in that, too), it's about local band and one-time Phillyist interview Liam and Me (MySpace). Their video for "Say It Out Loud" (embedded here) is in the running to become this week's "Freshman" video on mtvU. Don't get mtvU? Doesn't matter! Vote anyway (an unlimited number of times, even) and show those college kids one more way that Philadelphia is awesome.

Brains: Movie Monday screens Night of the Living Dead 3D at the Balcony at the Troc (1003 Arch), 8PM. $3 (goes toward drink or snack- arrive before 7PM and get a free beer and bag of popcorn)

Some of you may have noticed a bit of a stir in Philadelphia a few weeks ago. We're talking giant equipment cases blocking the sidewalk, your local pub taken hostage by a monkey masked man and a camera crew, or perhaps screaming in the woods. That's because 48 teams took to the streets of Philadelphia for a fun-filled weekend of guerilla filmmaking at its finest. There were teams from Philly, New Jersey, Delaware, and even New York. There was a one man team (who has notably completed 19 films in 9 different cities); a four man team; a team made up of 35+ current Rowan University students; a team led by a 15 year old high schooler who had to have his teacher turn in his film for lack of a drivers license; a team who made their film into the 18th episode of a their TV series; a team who managed to cast local alt porn actress Stoya; a team from local staple Sweetbread Studios; a team made up of the crew from Center City Film and Video; and a team competing for their 8th year in a row.

We first discovered Final Vinyl at the Washington Township location of Ott's because Ross's mother's dentist plays the drums for the band (he's the one not wearing leather in the photo above). We were a little skeptical of a D.D.S.-helmed classic rock cover band, but ended up having a blast watching the band blaze through a setlist containing everything from Clapton to Petty—and watching their Jersey-riffic fans (seriously, we're not hating on the state, just the people who embody the stereotypes about it) dance rather inappropriately to the music.

SATURDAY:

Fun around town, for $10 or less:

Fun around town, for $10 or less:

Poor Hamlet (the play, not the character). It's one of those plays that just can't catch a break. Hell, there's even a play called I Hate Hamlet. And yet, it manages to be one of the most quoted plays in the canon, one of the most frequently taught plays from its time, and (one could argue), one of Shakespeare's most analyzed (and over analyzed!) works.

Fun around town, for $10 or less:

The relationship between artist and model has more than once dipped into sexy waters (Picasso, every Pre-Raphaelite painter ever, Lee Miller, Man Ray...) and Dr. Sketchy's is bringing this brand of artistic awesomeness to the masses. If you've ever wondered what it would be like to draw and lust, or maybe if you remember fighting down that Deadly Sin as a freshman artist the first time the model mounted the platform...

Fun around town, for $10 or less:

We spend more time talking with our families about the health threats that won’t affect us than acting on the ones that do. It is easier to hypothesize over swine flu than it is to discuss hereditary diseases—isn't it? Most of us don't want to talk about our loved ones getting sick because we fear losing them, we fear taking care of them, and we fear our own mortality. HBO's The Alzheimer's Project, a four-part documentary airing this week, challenges this thought pattern.

Fun around town, for $10 or less:

Nichole Canuso Dance Company's Wandering Alice was, far and away, one of the best pieces of the 2008 Philadelphia Live Arts Festival. And when we see performances we like, we want to support the organizations that produce them—so take this post as Phillyist's official endorsement of NCDC, which will be having what sounds like a pretty kick-ass fundraiser.

One hundred forty years ago, the founder of Stanford University drove a Golden Spike into the ground in Utah, connecting the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railways, connecting the nation through rail and forever changing travel as the world knew it.

           

This weekend, don't miss showcase work from the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts. Rumor has it the show is spectacular, sometimes sweet and and in the case of the aerial dance choreographed by renowned Louise Gillette, positively primordial too. (Think a dance without gravity, and just feet from your face.) Both faculty and students (and there are 250 of them) are represented in the show, which has changed daily throughout the week. Also look for Kyle & Kravitz, the delightful new partnership of emerging juggler Kyle Driggs with seasoned percussionist Ron Kravitz. More than a delight. More than rhythm. More than you think. Gillette's work is the closing act of the evening shows. All shows last one hour, and kids are welcome. To get more excited, check out our photo gallery below!

Put on your fun hats, Phillyist readers. Dane Cook’s ISolated INcident, Global Thermo Comedy Tour is stopping at the Spectrum on Saturday night. Cook is promoting his new Comedy Central special, ISolated INcident, airing May 17, and his new CD/DVD, available May 19.

Fun around town, for $10 or less:

Allison Krumm joins the Phillyist staff today, and we're pleased as punch to have her aboard. A native of the Philadelphia area, Allison spent three years in "Hollyweird" but returned when she realized she "hated the excess smog, traffic, concrete, and pomposity." (No offense, LAist!) Allison loves soft pretzels, the Twombly exhibit at the PMA, and Philly's most intimate concert venues. We're sure you'll agree she's a perfect fit for the staff.

Just to get this out of the way up front: I'm a long-time, dyed-in-the-wool Star Trek fan. I watched the entire original series, every episode of the animated series and Next Generation, put in some time with Voyager and Enterprise, and I stuck with Deep Space Nine far past the point when it was any good. And of course I've seen all the movies. But even I have to admit the last couple films were pretty poor. The plots were nonsensical, the writing lazy and repetitive. How many times would they blow up the Enterprise and how many characters would nobly sacrifice themselves for the greater good and how many non-humans would yearn to be human? The series was getting tired. So when they brought in J.J. Abrams to rejuvenate the whole thing, I was excited and apprehensive at the same time. The guy said in interviews he didn't even like Star Trek. I was all right with him shaking things up a bit, but I didn't want him to turn it into a big dumb action movie and lose the soul of the thing.

Our experience with BCKSEET Productions is that they like to defy the rules of traditional theatre. They take a very top-down approach to this, usually starting with an unconventional (or at least a very new and very modern) script, and go from there. Usually, (Hung on a Blonde Ponytail, Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll), that works well, but Raised in Captivity, despite an excellent cast, was not nearly the triumph of past BCKSEET shows the Phillyist staff has been fortunate to catch. Nicky Silver's script, though it had its moments, felt on the whole unwieldy and unpolished, asking more questions than it answered and clocking in at about half an hour too long.

Fun around town, for $10 or less:

Fun around town, for $10 or less:

This Phillyist happened to walk by a group of pro-casino activists on the way to work this morning, at the corner of 12th and Arch. There's one photo below, plus two more after the jump.

The Boss was in town last week for what was presumably his last visit to the Spectrum before its demolition. Tickets sell out before you could get yours? Here's some of what you missed.

Fun around town, for $10 or less:

Attention all Men With Incredible Tattoos and Acoustic Guitarists!

Fun around town, for $10 or less:

Marking the end of a two-year tour, Greg Behrendt will be appearing at Helium Comedy Club this weekend.

If you go to any of this evening's First Friday events, you may, at some point, find yourself wandering Old City trying to figure out what to do or where to go after the FF festivities have closed and before the neighborhood is overrun with people. Well, we'd like to encourage you to seek refuge at the Khyber, where local rockers Zelazowa (MySpace) should be kicking some serious ass on stage this evening. A little bit grunge, a little bit metal, Zelazowa is one of those local bands that clearly deserves to be more well-known than they are. Bryan Weber's voice is nothing short of bad-ass. He's in the same vein as guys like Darroh Sudderth of Fair to Midland, Chris Cornell, and Serj Tankian—guys who absolutely blow our minds when we hear them scream with perfect form. That's not to say the band doesn't have a mellow side. Or a down-the-middle rock side. They do. Zelazowa's range of sound is fantastic and keeps you thinking and engaged.

The Cubans are coming to Northern Liberties' Projects Gallery this First friday and through May 30 in a traveling exhibition titled Aqui Estamos (Here We Are in Spanish), which is not only curated by the author of this entry, but also represents the first ever appearance in the Philly area by some of the top names in Cuban art from both Cuba and the Cuban Diaspora.

Full disclosure: I kind of want to punch Matthew McConaughey in the neck. Nothing personal, I’m sure he’s a lovely human being, and he’s nice enough to look at if you don’t mind your men freakishly tan with an appalling lack of body hair. There’s just something about him that grates on me.