We bring you Monday classics this evening. OPEN MIC NIGHT AT FERGIE'S PUB We haven't sent you out into the open mic world for a little while, so you should be chomping at the bit to present some of those new acoustic masterpieces to the world. We suggest downing a few to take the edge off, but not too many. Then, you'll be "improving," which might not turn out "so well." WHO: 21+ WHERE: Fergie's......

Yes, it's Cinco de Mayo. We've got one event related to the fiesta, but that doesn't mean you can't throw together your own party. Just get some tequila and the number you'll need to call out of work tomorrow morning. FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS LANDS IN UPPER DARBY That's right, folks. They're here. Flight of the Conchords has brought HBO a kickass series and now they're bringing their hilarious trunk full of awesome to the......

It just may be that this particular Phillyist is going to the sold out Jimmy Eat World show in Atlantic City tonight. And it just may be that you aren't. Ha! THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC PRESENTS: HAIRSPRAY If you like musical theater, you know Hairspray. This weekend, you can catch a production over at the Academy of Music, presented by their program entitled Broadway at the Academy. It's a real show, so you'll have to......

We've been getting the craving for a good solid vacation lately. Haven't you? April Fool's Day descends upon us on the morrow, and we would rather be parasailing. We don't even know how to parasail. But we'd learn, if it meant some time off, sleeping late, swimming, and just generally getting back, even for one moment, that classic elementary school feeling that, for the next few months, we don't have sh%t to do. PHILADELPHIA......

Another totally insane day. Crazy day. A day so busy and hopelessly intense that it can be referred to by one name only: Thursday. CHINUA ACHEBE: THINGS FALL APART When Achebe set out to rewrite the systematic literary misappropriation of his Nigerian culture and cultures like it, he was probably not aware of the power and lifespan of the impact this book would have. Things Fall Apart was first written in 1958 and remains......

It's a little warmer today, which is good, because we're expecting the weather to get its spring on pretty soon. The clouds, though, remind us that Wednesday is not always as close to Friday as we want it to be. We don't know about you, but as far as work is concerned, March 2008 is really turning out to be one of those months we'll never, ever miss. Five more days until those April......

We've got some live music, some burlesque fundraising and more tonight, so for those of you who thought Tuesday was for, um, not seeing live music or fundraising via burlesque shows, well, um, it is. So there. In all seriousness, we think the beginning of the week is often overlooked, despite its tendency to be abnormally bloated with stuff to do. Getting out and about pre-Thursday is a good way to bring a little......

When the homeless guy on the subway is wearing headphones that may or may not be plugged into anything and gesticulating like Madonna during a stadium show, you know it's Monday. WRITING ALOUD AT THE ADRIENNE THEATER This series, which we mentioned during last year's run, is currently in its 9th season. Presented by InterAct Theatre Company, it brings the work of local writers to the attention of local actors and directors. Works once......

Every Tuesday and Thursday, we'll be posting events that are going on sale during the current week. This Thursday post only collects the latest announcements, so definitely check the Tuesday post for any you may have missed. Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC's First District Plaza Sun, 4/13/08, 8PM $30-$40 On sale: Fri, 10AM, Ticketmaster Running Red Lights with Desoto Jones The Trocadero Thu, 5/13/08, 7PM $10 On sale: Fri, 12PM, Ticketmaster Time Again The......

Looks like we're in for some flooding tonight, so bring your galoshes. But don't let the forecast foil your fun. There's plenty to do in Philly tonight, and a good swim is an excellent cardio workout, gets the endorphins pumping, and leaves one feeling fit and invigorated. Or, you could just get a cab home. THE PAUL GREEN SCHOOL OF ROCK ALL-STARS WITH SPECIAL GUEST JON ANDERSON FROM YES You remember Yes, no? Well......

It's cold out today, so don't plan on any of that trendy "frolf" you and your phellow Phishers like so much. No, today is definitely an inside day, so we have done our best to bring some most excellent indoor activities in which you may indulge the warmth-loving tendencies of your evening self. THE ENGLISH BEAT AT THE TROC We'll admit that we don't know much about The English Beat, but if they're touring......

There is only so much to be said about Monday. We are running out of metaphors, puns and descriptive analogies. So, let's make a brief mention of walking etiquette. You can read a more in-depth discussion via a past edition of Monday Manners. The people who can't walk a straight line must be corralled into maintaining a steady course. Often, as was the case this morning, these people are not homeless or drunk: they......

Some of you have off today. Others, not so much. In fairness, we will restrict today's list of things you should do to convince yourself that you are engaged and in tune with your city, if not the rest of your life, to things that fall into the "after work" category. LOST BOYS OF SUDAN STORYTELLING AT THE WHITE DOG CAFE Sudan's "Lost Boys" - children forced to become soldiers in the humanitarian nightmare......

It was obvious that 90% of the crowd was at The Trocadero the night of February 2 (yep, we are super late on this review) for one reason and one reason only: to see One Republic. The band, enjoying its recent success at the hands of The CW (their song "All We Are" was apparently played during a very pivotal moment during an episode of Gossip Girl) has such a big under-age following that The......

The last time I saw Cat Power perform was the first and only time I saw the entire Trocadero fall in love at once. Her voice and her persona could only be described as haunting yet powerful. Some people showed in the hopes that she'd fall apart, as she has been wont to do, but a lot happens in a decade. Much more centered by the time The Greatest dropped, Chan Marshall prowled the stage......

We're kicking off a new regular feature today, and here it is! "Can't Miss This!" should be going up every weekday for the foreseeable future and, as you may have already guessed, it'll feature a handful of events going on that day in and around the city that we think are so cool you should make sure not to miss them. Hope you enjoy it! Monday is a difficult day for most people. Also, the......

Tomorrow night, One Republic is playing The Trocadero. We've never heard of them, and outside of the song that automatically pops up on their MySpace page, we have no idea what their music sounds like. So why are we previewing their show? Because their opening act is Eric Hutchinson (MySpace) whom we fell in love with when we caught him co-headlining at the World Cafe Live with Philly's own Matt Duke. So much so, in......

For the Love of Pig Iron, Pig Iron Theatre Company's fundraiser, only happens once per year, so we're not going to trouble you with a full review that might make your mouth water and your jealousy rise. If you weren't there, try to make it next year. That's all. Highlights you may have missed from this year's benefit, "The Swining": An opening dance-comedy piece choreographed to iconic "scary movie" music (like the scores to Jaws......

Last year's For the Love of Pig Iron benefit show, "PIG FEAT!" was one of the best performances we saw all year. This one-night-only variety show featured drag acts, dancing, music, and the most spirited, competitive, live auction we've ever seen. We knew we'd be back in 2008. And now, after over a year's wait, For the Love of Pig Iron returns to raise more money for the folks at Pig Iron Theatre Company. This......

Visions of sugar plums not giving you your terror fix? Head out to the Troc tonight at 9:30 for the DVD release extravaganza of Unholy Sideshow, a local independent horror movie from West Philth Productions. Juggling, needles skewered through human flesh, women taking their clothes off, sword swallowing, aerialists performing without a net, Heavy Metal, a spectacle you will remember for the rest of your days. Sounds like a good time to us! Unholy Sideshow......

Let's see if we can keep this straight. John Nolan left Taking Back Sunday to form Straylight Run (MySpace), for which he eventually recruited drummer Will Noon after the band Noon was in, Breaking Pangea, split up. The lead singer of Breaking Pangea had been Coatesville native Fred Mascherino, who then went on to replace Nolan in Taking Back Sunday. While still in Breaking Pangea, Mascherino began work on his own project, The Color Fred......

Racoon Ticket Giveaway
12/12/07-12/14/07
Image via Racoon's MySpace page....

Friday night marked my third time seeing The New Pornographers, and as I've come to expect, they totally rocked the house. After a fantastic set by Immaculate Machine and a really solid set by Emma Pollock (whose album, Watch the Fireworks, has been on pretty frequent rotation on my work computer), they took the stage, ready to perform to a sold-out crowd at The Trocadero. Despite the more quiet, low-key feel of Challengers, the......

Ever been in one of those moods where every song sounds like a love song? That's the mood we're in and we're lucky because tonight Stars are playing at the Troc. And with Stars, every song is a love song, or at least a contemplation of love, be it the joyous happy side or the jealous underbelly. Touring in support of their latest release, In Our Bedroom After the War, the Canadians have taken their......

Last night, I was at the Trocadero to see MGMT and what they’re all about. What I can tell you, amigos, is that these gangly dudes put out pure, unadulterated funk. The first song that I heard in its entirety was "Electric Feel." These are my thoughts, in retroactive real time, regarding what was going on in front of me: If only this band wasn’t plagued by the arbitrary assignment of ‘opener’…If only this crowd......

This Phillyist hearts Rilo Kiley. Jenny Lewis is our long-standing girl crush. So we're pumped for tonight, when they'll be at the Tower Theatre, touring after their new album, Under the Blacklight. We can't stop playing it. It's a lot more eclectic than the band’s previous CDs, but we dig it, immensely. It’s like Multiple Personality Disorder Rilo Kiley. Which is awesome, because crazy people are fun. Didn't you see Sybil? Under the Blacklight has......

Warped Tour is the gift that keeps on giving, at least for this Phillyist. We got to hear some great bands there, and we're going to continue following some of them. One of those bands is Monty Are I. Monty rocked our socks off at Warped, and they'll be back tomorrow night at the Trocadero with Sum 41, Amber Pacific and Schoolyard Heroes. Monty's latest album, Wall of People, is starting to pick up......

See that thing? Over there to the left? That’s a Seawolf. The fish. It’s not Sea Wolf (myspace). The band. Oddly, it is the only one with a Wikipedia page. Perhaps the Seawolf has more adoring fans than Sea Wolf? Judging from the crowd at the Trocadero on Monday night, though, I beg to differ. The Troc was approximately two-thirds to three-fourths full by the time Sea Wolf finished plucking their various strings (and consistently......