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Normally when we go out in the world to review films, we end up in one of the smaller theaters at the Ritz 5 with a mere handful of other journalists and/or bloggers. For Twilight: New Moon, not so much.

So you may have heard: New Jersey has kidnapped the 2010 Dad Vail Regatta. Well, more like bought. Why Rumson, NJ has an extra $250,000 to throw around, we don't know. But what we do know is the Dad Vail has been raced on the Schuylkill River every year since 1953. Over those 50+ years it has become an integral part of Philly sports culture. To take it off the Schuylkill and move it into New Jersey is like taking the Bike Race out of Manayunk. Like defacing the Rocky Statue. Like imploding the Spectrum. Oh wait. We're actually going to do that.

When watching a concert, there are many thoughts that may pop into one's head. "Oh, this is pretty cool, maybe I'll buy their album." Or, "This is putting me to sleep." When I saw Shonen Knife live at Johnny Brenda's on Monday, the thought that immediately popped into my head was, "I wish I could bake this band in to a cake so I could eat them!" That's a weird thing to say, but Naoko (guitar), Etsuko (drums) and Ritsuko (bass) would totally understand I meant it as a compliment.

Hey photobugs, are you ready for Phillyist Framed 2010? Well, here's your heads up. Our wildly successful photography competition is back for another go-round in January. We'll see you back at Studio 34 in West Philly with more of everything. More entries, more judges, more fun! Starting next week we're going to ask you to submit your best Photoist-type creations for a chance to exhibit at a week-long gallery show. (Yes, you will be able to price and sell your work!) Plus, this year our special guest judges will be selecting 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.

Lately there's been a lot of brou-ha-ha over the use of the road. Spruce and Pine got some fancy new bike lanes just as reporting of bike-pedestrian accidents went to print. Now, the general hum of Philly hostility is increasing. Who gets to blow which stoplight, and which group gets to most egregiously flout the rules without consequences. Are bicyclists the worst because some idiots insist on riding with their headphones? Or are they the worst kind of scum because hipsters love their fixies? But what about cars? Aren't they the folks with the polluting and the South Philly Roll, the 2-ton death machines, cell phones, and lack of turn signals? And man, those pedestrians. They just walk out into traffic in front of everybody. Everyone hates them.

To bring attention to the lack of proper sanitation that 2.5 billion people in the world must face every day, the World Toilet Organization (the other WTO!), is asking that people all over the world take a one-minute long squat Tomorrow, November 19. Hopefully all of you readers have been practicing your chair pose at yoga class, because a one-minute squat will get your thighs screaming. Lack of proper sanitation creates a breeding ground for disease. Sure, the bathrooms at some of Philly's bars aren't exactly vacation spots, but at least they work; it beats using a field or a train track. And women are gravely affected by this lack of sanitation. Because of culturally bound ideas of modesty, women often have to wait until sundown or relieve themselves before sunrise. These dark areas are also not safe places for women. So, consider it your workout for the day or a great way to get together with others to draw attention to a serious world issue. But give a squat!

Opening band Gallows was pretty damn hardcore. Lead singer Frank Carter jumped out into the middle of the floor and sang almost the entire set in the midst of the pit. But Gallows are off the few remaining tour dates because their crazy antics have beat their bodies. So the very British band (as evidenced by the amount of times Frank said the word "fuck") flew back to England. I'm still undecided as to whether I actually liked them or not, but I was pretty entertained by the spectacle of the whole thing. However, Gallows must have gotten the bad kids all riled up because before AFI got to their encore I had shit stolen.

The Whole Hog Event, the fundraiser held by Greensgrow Philadelphia Project Saturday, November 21st, was an inspiration. We cannot remember when we had such warm response from a room full of people we didn't really know. Sitting in the expansive party room of the Philadelphia Brewing Company, sipping on a fine Red House while Ray Charles sang about Georgia in the background, all was right with the world. The room was comfortable; mothers fed toddlers amazing homemade salsa and basked in the warmth that comes from a true sense of community. Partygoers buzzed around the bar. They sampled all of the incredible brews the PBC has to offer. The scene was drawn directly from those often depicted in small town fair scenes in the movies. Christmas tree lights twinkled. People smiled and chatted. They shook hands. They got to know their neighbors.

311 has always been a band that puts on a fantastic, high-energy show and tomorrow night's sold-out performance at The Borgata should prove to be no exception. This Phillyist was a fan of 311 when Grassroots came out and their sound has evolved so fluidly, keeping us interested ever since. This new fall tour seems to stem off the most recent summer tour, promoting their newest album, Uplifter.

So this week's asshole is coming not from Philadelphia, but from the internet. After last week's delve into the personal, we're taking it out into the tubes.

Rather appropriately, Prince's "Party Like It's 1999" served as ring entrance music to the the main event at The Get Up Kids TLA show. The newly reunited band is currently touring to support their Something To Write Home About 10th Anniversary CD + DVD. After the new year they're off to see our friends in Australia and Japan, but it sure was nice to have them visit us in Philly for two dates.

You know we love BalletX. But have you had a chance to experience it for yourself yet?

Perhaps the sting of the Phillies losing has lessened. But wouldn't it be nice to wrap yourself in t-shirt touting the Phils as the World Champions? Clearly, all of those shirts had to printed before the results were determined. So where did they go? To developing nations. World Vision works with Major League Baseball to ensure that all of those new shirts don't go to waste. So somewhere out there, the dream of a Phils' win is alive and well and working for a good cause.

Only four new movie choices for this weekend, folks. Looks like Hollywood couldn't rustle up many opponents who wanted to do battle against the juggernaut that is Twilight. Cowards.

*Corrections have been made in this column concerning the Philadelphia Circus School Event*

Tonight The Trocadero is treating you to three acts sure to rock your soul and your socks.

Sometimes, darkness is a theater's old friend. It allows the cast of the currently running show a day to breathe, routine maintenance can be performed, and the stage can be reset for the next performance. But most times, darkness is an enemy to be fought to the death. The longer a theater is dark (without a show in residence), the longer it is without income. If dark is a fight for your life, closed is worse. Closed is dire. Closed is a battle back from the beyond. And in the case of the 941 Theater, a war is being waged right here in Philadelphia.

A fence surrounds the park, leaving only an opening at the Carpenter/13th Street corner. A shrub with bright pink flowers grows over by the fence along Christian Street, an unexpected summery display standing in contrast to the the bare trees and fallen leaves all over the rest of the park. Ridgeway is one of a number of parks participating in this week's Fall for Your Park leaf clean up, see below for more details.

. . .and we're back! Did you miss us? Were you itching to know just what shows were up and running in Philly? Well, here you go. Our title quote comes from the , which opens next Tuesday at the Media Theater.

Goldie

Remember that time when that cute little girl threw the foul ball away during that one Phillies game? Awwwww. Remember when Bruntlett had that amazing unassisted triple play and everyone forget how much he kind of sucked? Yesssss. The season may be over, but the voting and awards aren't yet! The 2009 This Year in Baseball Awards nominees have been announced and quite a few Phils are in the running. Take a gander and vote your brains out, Philly. It's what Jimmy's walk-off double would want you to do. Voting ends December 11th.

Phillyist is a huge fan of Greensgrow, so much so that we've mentioned them bunches and bunches before, but just in case you can't place the name (or tear yourself away from this stellar article) we'll remind you of Greensgrow's fantastic mission. Dedicated to growing fresh veggies and fruits here in our fair city, making use of an otherwise barren super fund site, importing delicious local artisan groceries, and supplying ALL your urban gardening needs, Greensgrow provides a small oasis of agricultural calm in Fishtown.

It's an producers have had their eye on Garces since he took out Bobby Flay as a challenger on the show last year.

Author Ken Kalfus will be appearing tonight at the Philadelphia City Institute (1905 Locust Street) as part of their Philadelphia City Institute Author Series. Kalfus will read from and sign his book, A Disorder Peculiar to the Country. Doors open at 6 p.m., the event begins at 6:30 p.m. The event is free.

Avenging pizza delivery cops; an alleged murderer's apology; a farewell to a Philly TV icon; and more.