Every weekday of December (except for December 25, that is), Phillyist will be counting down to 2008 with our highlights from the past year and our predictions for the next. If you have a list you'd like to submit, let us know! Raise your hand if you don't love YouTube/Viddler/Google Video/etc. Okay, that one guy raising your hand? You probably just want to scroll past this post, because it probably won't interest you in the......

Starting in 1999 as an artist development showcase by Mercedes Martinez and Tracey Moore, of the Jazzyfatnastees, Black Lily serves as a sounding board and promotional organization for women in the arts. To date, it has helped launch the careers of such artists as Jill Scott, Floetry and Jaguar Wright. After its creation, Black Lily quickly gained a prominent position in the international entertainment scene. Their first performance series was a weekly event at The......

Wow! First Friday again? Guess that's what happens when you've got a month that's only twenty-eight days long. Unfortunately, Phillyist is going to have to miss this month (our duties in the world of theatre criticism call), but here are a couple of First Friday events we'd be hitting up if we weren't going to be in a darkened room twenty blocks away. The Peek-a-Boo Revue Burlesque: When The Five Spot burned down early last......

At about 9:30 AM Saturday, a fire erupted in The Five Spot, an Old City restaurant and dance club located just off Market Street between 2nd and 3rd. By the time the Philadelphia Fire Department had the blaze under control about two hours later, the fire had caused enough damage to collapse floors, walls, and the roof. Much of the building will have to be demolished. Luckily, no injuries have been reported, although eight......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Movie Monday Tuesday at The Troc: This week, the Monday movie is on Tuesday. I wouldn't argue, since the movie is Taxi Driver, and Travis Bickle isn't someone I'd suggest having a disagreement with. $3 admission, applicable towards concession. Doors open at 6, the show starts at 8, and you must be 21+ to attend. The Troc is located at 1003 Arch Street. Inverse: The Inverse Poetry Reading......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Residency: "Featuring artists from some of the best Philly Bands." Aaron from The Teeth with Simon Stanford and Rick Flom (from National Eye). $5 at The Fire (412 W. Girard). 9PM Fancy Pants Cinema: Weekly showcase for local filmmakers. Free at 10PM at the North Third Restaurant (3rd & Brown Streets). The Big Picture: A weekly evening of randomized entertainment, with the odd visual artist and a performing......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Fancy Pants Cinema: Free, weekly showcase for local filmmakers. Free at 10PM at the North Third Restaurant (3rd & Brown Streets). Rock Tits: Garage rock at The Khyber (56 S. 2nd Street). Free at 9PM (21+). The Big Picture: A weekly evening of randomized entertainment, with the odd visual artist and a performing house band made up of interchanging musicians drawn from that evening's sign-up roster. $5. 9PM......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Fancy Pants Cinema: A weekly showcase for local filmmakers. Free at 10PM at the North Third Restaurant (3rd & Brown Streets). Because We Make the Rockin' World Go 'Round: "Fat Tuesdays: Fat Girl Film Fest at the Rotunda," occurring on the final Tuesdays in April, May & June. Billed as "an evening of revelry and fun with fat girls and the folks who love them," April's event is......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Shame: Pennsylvania popsters Shame play free at noon at Upstairs Live! (3025 Walnut Street). Reverberation: DJs Brown Jeff & Davis spin for Free, 9PM at The Khyber (56 S. 2nd Street). 21+ The Big Picture: A weekly evening of randomized entertainment, with the odd visual artist and a performing house band made up of interchanging musicians drawn from that evening's sign-up roster. $5. 9PM at The Five Spot......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Philly Folk: Philly Bluegrass band The Lowlands appear at The Tin Angel with Johnny Miles & Kate Barbato. 8:30PM. $8 (20 S. 2nd Street) Correction: This show is on Wednesday the 12th. Many apologies! The Big Picture: A weekly evening of randomized entertainment, with the odd visual artist and a performing house band made up of interchanging musicians drawn from that evening's sign-up roster. $5. 9PM at The......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Chick Lit: Local author and blogger Jennifer Weiner (Good in Bed, In Her Shoes, etc.) will be reading tonight at Kol Tzedek at Calvary Center (801 S. 48th Street) where she is Writer-in-Residence. Her talk begins at 7:30, and there is a suggested donation of $5. Josh Komorowski and Friends Featuring Joel Ackerson: Philadelphia musician Josh Komorowski hosts a free night of music at Upstairs Live! (3025 Walnut......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Performing Across the City: Acts from local public schools compete in West Philly's first regional talent show at the U of P Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (3260 South Street), from 8PM - 10PM. $5 More info Mix Show: Skyview, Sea El, Drea Hawthorne and Alex Gross at Cereality (3631 Walnut Street). 7PM (open mic at 6PM) Free! No Excuse Thursdays: The Five Spot (5 S. Bank Street)......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Taina Asili: Transformation Award winner, Taina Asili, presents Bend With the Wind, a multi-media exploration of "an Afro-Boricu warrior's fight against colonialism." This free event begins at 7:30 PM at The Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street). Kate Gaffney's TiredWired Showcase: Kate Gaffney hosts Danielle Miraglia, Joshua Heard Park & Kyle Justin Free @Upstairs Live! (3025 Walnut Street). 8PM Modern Rock Dance Party: With DJ Steve Singer at Grape Street......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Modern Rock Dance Party: With DJ Steve Singer at Grape Street (4100 Main Street, Manayunk). No cover, 21+) Open Mic with Matt Spade & Eric LFD: At Club 218 (218 South Street). Sign-ups are at 8PM. This event is free. Big Shot: Weekly night of '60s & '70s reggae at The M Room (15 W. Girard) Free (21+) The Big Picture: A weekly evening of randomized entertainment, with......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Open Mic with Matt Spade & Eric LFD: At Club 218 (218 South Street). Sign-ups are at 8PM. This event is free. X Marks the Spot: Sadat X at The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) with Zion 1. The show starts at 7PM, is all ages, and costs $10. Big Shot: Weekly night of '60s & '70s reggae at The M Room (15 W. Girard). Free (21+). The......

Rock Tits: DJ Joel spins garage rock at the Khyber (56 S. 2nd Street). 9PM. Free. (21+) Big Shot: Weekly night of '60s & '70s reggae at The M Room (15 W. Girard) Free (21+) The Big Picture: A weekly evening of randomized entertainment, with the odd visual artist and a performing house band made up of interchanging musicians drawn from that evening's sign-up roster. $5. 9PM at The Five Spot (5 South Bank Street).......