Walking down Broad Street to the Allegheny stop one evening, Phillyist was deep in conversation about the psychology of cities. Discussing the El, when it is actually an El, one person remarked “No wonder people get depressed in Kensington, they can’t see the sun!” Philadelphia based artist Edward Epstein might agree. His new site-specific installation, City Without Expressways, presented by InLiquid.com at the Crane Arts Building, looks at the ways in which the building......

Let me just start off by saying that there is a lot of talent onstage during Being Alive. Let me follow that up by saying all the talent in the world can't save a bad show. It's not bad, I think, because Sondheim is some kind of holy, un-adaptable composer, whose music should never, never, ever be taken out of context, as some have suggested. In fact, more than a few revues have been built......

We weren't familiar with Jennifer O'Connor (MySpace) when we recently received a copy of her latest release, Over The Mountain, Across The Valley And Back To The Stars. But with an album title like that, we assumed her music would turn out to be the worst kind of touchy-feely singer-songwriter crap. Luckily, we were entirely wrong. Yes, it is low-key pop from a singer/songwriter/guitarist. But it's really high quality low-key pop with fantastic vocals, clever......

One of the more hilarious perks of writing for Phillyist is that we occasionally receive press releases and statements from overworked press flacks trying to make their musician clients look like the second coming of The Beatles. It's rare, however, that we get a press release that actually reduces us to helpless laughter, which is what happened when we got an email from Amy Winehouse's spokesperson announcing that Amy Winehouse was cancelling her US tour......

...Ummmm: Two people who are no longer famous want to tell famous people how to be famous? Okay. (Via People.) ...Pregnancies, Part I: Somehow, we can't picture Christina Aguilera pregnant. (Via The Superficial.) ...Party Poopers: Rehab is such a buzz kill. Can't even have a party. At a club. In Vegas. Sponsored by vodka manufacturers. (Via What Would Tyler Durden Do?) ...Pregnancies, Part II: Whether you like Katie Holmes or not, we still think you'd......

The best of the internet, squirted out in flavorful neon globules, just for you. Warning! This video may disturb and unsettle you! Also, don't be drinking anything when you watch it, or you could snarf. (Via Zoe) The Shatner Show is an art show consisting entirely of pieces based around the likeness of the man himself, William Shatner. Yes, the Shat has extended his domination to the art world now. That handsome devil. (Via) Word......

The best of the internet, chopped into tiny bits and grilled for your enjoyment. Check out this very creepy trailer for 30 Days of Night, an upcoming film based on a graphic novel about vampires attacking in the arctic circle during the time of year when the sun doesn't rise for a whole month. Awesome! We're sure there are worse ideas for movies, but right now a prequel to The Blair Witch Project sounds like......

Seattlest has a talk with the photographer from last week's "Segway Mom" and then experiences some dissension in the ranks over the question of wine vs. beer. It's not West Side Story, but about as close as they'll get. They're also still waiting on some inbox relief after a spammer is arrested. As Chicagoist counts down the days to its third anniversary party, they found all-organic pizza to be underwhelming amidst the hoopla, tried......

We are a creature of the sun. We're at our best in the spring and summer when the sun is shining and we're bopping around town in a sundress and sandals. Unlike the misery that is the dead of the winter, in these warm months, our mind turns toward happy thoughts. Knowing that, our friend turned us on to a new Web site, Whatmakesushappy.com. People post daily, listing five things that make them happy.......

When Wincing the Night Away dropped last month, we lamented its winter release date. From the initial notes of the opening track, we knew it was the album of our Spring. By rights we should've been unwrapping the plastic casing joyfully and popping it into our CD player while the sun was out and our windows were open enough to let the warm air in. Whether it's the ukulele on "Australia" or the shake-your-ass bass......

With the sun out, the temperatures high, one can only think of one thing-- what's going on in the World of the -ist's? Bostonist dug deep to uncover Barack Obama's unpaid parking tickets, their Governor's latest ethical lapse, and a plagarizing sports writer. Chicagoist had everything in twos: two views on having the Olympics, losing two members of their Super Bowl team, and two music festivals. DCist put their noses in legal books as they......

The shapeless dough of the internet, formed into tasty pellets and baked to perfection, just for you. This is hilarious: Scott Ian of Anthrax (who we dearly love, by the by) tries to play his own song in Guitar Hero II, and totally can't do it. (Via) Meanwhile, if we're looking for more comedy, we can always turn to the US government! In terms of methods for fighting global warming, they're against binding agreements for......

A tall, icy glass of our favorite internet junk, just for you. This is an exceedingly long article, and we have to admit we didn't read the whole thing (we are of the internet generation, and thus have the attention span of an over-caffeinated gnat), but the gist is that the banana we know and love may soon be extinct. WTF? What are we going to eat with our Cheerios in the morning now? (Via)......

Phillyist would like to welcome Eric Karlan to our burgeoning staff! A sophomore at Penn, Eric hails from Connecticut and enjoys all things sporting and journalistic. Eric can usually be found at the Kelly Writers House sitting on the green couch and editing The Green Couch. There was nothing else. A blanket of slate clouds shrouded the sun and blue sky. The misty fog which enveloped Lincoln Financial Field veiled most of the already irrelevant......

...Snap!: Wow. This woman has balls. We like. (Via What Would Tyler Durden Do?) ...TMI: Lindsay Lohan wants to sleep around with men who are boring. (Via The Superficial.) ...Ummmmmm: How can you not know that you're in a photography studio with cameras and stuff? (Via Media Bistro.) ...Aging: Will the show go on? (Via E! Online.) ...Ego: You gonna tell him, or should we? (Via MSNBC.) ...PsychoViolentModelSayWha? Naomi Campbell: creature of habit. (Via......

Phillyist is willing to put on a brave face for almost anything...except excessive heat. (Seriously, when we found ourselves unemployed a few years back we whined considerably less than we have in the past eight hours alone. But...you know...it's just so hoooooooootttttttttttttt.) Phillyist is wondering what you're doing to beat the heat. Splashing in the Swann Fountain at Logan Circle? Scarfing down water ice? Enjoying a vat of soda and preciousss air conditioning at......

This has been a rough week for your -ist pals, though you wouldn't know it from the great posts all over the network. Plagued with server problems, our tech team (led by the great Neil Epstein) toiled around the clock to solve the glitches as they arose. Seriously, we've said, typed, and thought the phrase "server problems" more in the past week than we have for the last 35 years combined. Why not say it......

...Gifts from God: Scarlett Johansson has a great rack. (Via The Sun UK.) ...Plagiarism: It's like George Harrison with "My Sweet Lord" all over again. Only, more accurate. (Via What Would Tyler Durden Do?) ...Bitchiness: If Paris Hilton were any more of a bitch, she'd need a collar. Oh, snap! (Via The Superficial.) ...Heartache: Mandy Moore and Zach Braff might just have broken up. (Via Us Weekly.) ...Causes: Daryl Hannah is tree people. (Via......

There is a sparrow sitting on the tree just outside our office and he's been chirping for well over an hour. Silly sparrow will not shut up. It would be annoying if it wasn't a reminder that the sun finally reemerged. If only it wasn't supposed to rain on Thursday, we'd be all set. Austinist: Meat good. LAist: Hmm... A group of female pilots flying "Witchcraft" planes. Ironic, or just mean? Bostonist: Making fun......

Business Person Special today down at Citizens Bank Park. And it’s a perfect day to, uh, catch that cold that’s been going around. Just wear sunblock so the boss can’t tell you were sitting out in the sun all day. To prove that we’re not totally negative about the Phils over here, props to David Bell for his three-run home run in last night’s 9-5 win over the Rockies. It could be that the......

Films: The Last Western, The Sun, & Shadowboxer Future Screenings: The Last Western None The Sun Sunday, April 2nd, 12PM, at the Ritz Five (which is already ongoing! Oops) Shadowboxer Sunday, April 2nd, 5PM, at the Prince Keeping yourself fed and hydrated is important, but can often be forgotten in the mad rush from film to film. A couple across the aisle from me at one of my showings yesterday had really done it up......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Both FRIDAY and SATURDAY: The Little Prince at Penn's Houston Hall (3417 Spruce Street). $5 for adults, $3 for children. FRIDAY Free Friday at Noon Concert: at XPN's World Cafe (3025 Walnut Street). Today's artist is Josh Rouse. Admission is free, but RSVP is required. Don't Need No Thought Control?: Movie night at World Cafe Live (3025 Walnut Street) presents Pink Floyd's The Wall. Free at 8PM -......

Yes, Craiglist. Phillial has stooped this low. Shut up. Philadelphia, we've found your seamy Internet underbelly. And we're a little disappointed with you. Not to go all Carrie Bradshaw on your ass, but we can't help but wonder why your single men are inept at the art of writing a personals ad. Is it the low funding for public schools? Low self-esteem? Mayor Street? We read Craiglist -- religiously, of course, for the Rants and......

Because we just can’t get enough culture in our lives, we’re happy to bring you this week’s events – now in Technicolor! Shakespeare in Hollywood - You’ve seen Shakespeare adapted for Hollywood. But what about Shakespeare adapted for Hollywood adapted for the stage – with a twist? At the Wilma, November 23-December 31. Tickets available online. Seussical - Feeling nostalgic? Howsabout a little Dr. Seuss – set to music – to make you feel like......

Dear Philadelphia: It’s been hot as a mother out there, hasn’t it? Cooler weather and showers aside, the only thing keeping us going at our nine-to-fives these days is the promise of a frozen margarita at Happy Hour. We’re beginning to understand that you don’t have to be wearing leather pants to have a “Ross (from Friends)” moment (we’re staying away from the baby powder and lotion). Yeah yeah, it’s supposed to be in the......

The Phillyist garden is a wonder this time of year. The tomatoes are starting to produce. There are a few string beans to be picked here and there. Scallions are plumping up. But the star of the garden? The herbs. Nearly everyone who plants a garden on their little concrete patio has some basil stashed in a pot. Because really, who doesn't like basil? Basil goes great in tomato gravy and pesto cannot be had......

by Ginny O'Neil We love how most websites focused on keeping your place cool and energy usage down tell you it’s not rocket science. Fortunately, heat, humidity and neighbors with man boobs melt our brains, so we don’t mind repeating it. Keeping the sun out is key. Techniques vary. Depending on Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes to block it is not an option. Use shades. Use sheets. That emergency mylar blanket in your bomb shelter......