First Friday Reception for Emerging Artists Exhibit
Artists' House Gallery
57 N. Second St.
Fri, 5 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., free
(215) 923-8440
www.artistshouse.com
"I work only with large powerful animals," said Diane Collins, one of the three featured artists at the Artists' House Gallery, in a statement about her work. With bronze sculptures of animals ranging from gorillas to buffalos, this lady sure does like the beast. I wonder if she considers the whale "a large powerful animal," or perhaps Horatio Sanz -- he's quite hefty and there's something beastly about the guy. Regardless, these sculptures are sure to charm.
Opening Reception: Angela Victor and Jeff Waring
Highwire Gallery
1315 Cherry Street
Fri, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., free
(215) 829-1255
And you thought Beyonce would have called Georgia O'Keefe a "naughty girl" -- wait until she sees Angela Victor's paintings at the Highwire Gallery. Since Victor uses plaster, earth, wax, and latex, she writes that her representation of the womb "lures to be touched." Aye! Aye! Aye! She goes on to say that "thru the use of translucencies and veiling, the viewer is further seduced by the piece." Oh Mamacita! This lady is too hot to handle. Screw the flowers, I'm vying to see some mad amounts of placenta and ovaries.
African Art, African Voices: Long Steps Never Broke A Back
Philadelphia Museum of Art
26th St. & Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Tue - Sun, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., through
Jan 2, $7
(215) 763-8100
www.philamuseum.org
In a break with Western curatorial tradition, "African Art" presents the context behind each of its 130-some objects. Print, recordings and interactive media guide the visitor through the various cultures of Africa. In conjunction with a new book of the same title, "African Art" strives to gives Americans a fresh, enlivened perspective on the distant continent.
Anne Hirondelle Exhibition
Snyderman Gallery
303 Cherry Street
Tue - Sat, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., through Nov 27, free
(215) 238-9576
www.snyderman-works.com
Anne Hirondelle is a ceramicist whose ceramic wall sculpture is on display on the lower level at the Snyderman Gallery. The Gallery is among the city's oldest galleries of those that exhibit contemporary studio crafts. Exhibitions deal with figurative, narrative and functional ceramics, as well as glass, jewelry, fiber and wood.
Ant Farm: 1968-1978
Institute of Contemporary Art
118 S. 36th St.
Wed - Fri, 12 p.m.-8 p.m., Sat-Sun, 11 a.m. - 5p.m., through Dec 12, free with Penncard
(215) 898-7108
www.icaphila.org
"Ant Farm" is made up of the work of two architects named Chip Lord and Doug Michels. During the late '60s and '70s, they experimented with different mediums, design and materials and now their work is on display at the ICA. Whew. At first, I went into this exhibit thinking that it was literally about ant farms, and given my last experience with ant farms ... It was 10 years ago and I wasted 60 bucks on that shit-ass SIM Ant computer game. This did not make me happy. But I also probably wasn't happy because I had no friends and had to play this SIM Ant computer game all the time.
Poetry for Peace
International House of Philadelphia
3710 Chestnut Street
Thu, 7:30 p.m., $5
(215) 387-5125
www.ihousephilly.org
30 poets will perform in a variety of idioms. The theme of the night will be peace. What are the issues standing in its way? How can these issues be addressed? The International House is committed to broadening the perspective of Philadelphians. Doors open at 6 p.m., at which time vendors will sell and information booths will inform.
Reading With Toure
Kelly Writers House
3805 Locust Walk
Thu, 4:30 p.m., free
(215) 573-9748
www.writing.upenn.edu
Aw shit, get on board the soul train to go straight to Soul City (which happens to be the title of the book Toure wrote). You should be listening to Barry White to prep yourself for this reading session at the Writer's House. Toure has written in many publications, such as The New Yorker, The New York Times and The Best American Erotica of 2004. Jesus Christ, after learning about Toure and his writings, I feel like eating sensual chocolate and saying, "baby" after every sentence.
Unity Week: Hip Hop Across Cultures
Houston Hall G26-Hall of Flags
3417 Spruce Street
Sun, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., free
(215) 898-5552
Hey man, don't scoff at the fact that this is a school-sponsored event. Just because it's on a Sunday during a time when most people are either [a] doing their homework, [b] eating dinner, [c] checking peoples' away messages, doesn't mean that you shouldn't check it out. Who knows, maybe there is a presentation on a French remake of the Yin-Yang Twin's "Get Low." E la fen?tre, au mur ... E la sueur fais goutter mes balles ... (Note: really shitty French was used in this listing. Do not say it to your French teacher until you double check its grammar. Then you can tell her about the sweat dripping down your balls.)
Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show
Pennsylvania Convention Center
Thu - Fri, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sat, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sun, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., $15
(215) 763-8100
http://www.pmacraftshow.org/
Most preschool-age kids would agree that arts and crafts time is definitely the best part of school. The word "crafts" usually brings to mind glitter, construction paper and glue sticks. At the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, however, the artists play with different tools. The display, which will be held at the Convention Center, showcases everything from intricate tapestries to carved wooden vessels to exquisite glass works. Instead of construction paper, there is delicate hand-made paper. Instead of glue sticks, artists use welding to assemble things like purses made from sheet metal. If this was AP Arts and Crafts, every artist here would definitely get a five.
Comedy Central Live Starring Wanda Sykes
Tower Theatre
69th & Ludlow streets
Upper Darby
Thu, 8 p.m., $27.50-$35.50
(610) 352-2887
www.electricfactory.com
Wanda Sykes is a very funny comedian and has appeared on The Chris Rock Show, Wanda Does It and in numerous movies. People like Wanda a lot -- but only because they aren't married to her. I can imagine what Shakespeare would write about her: "What, her tongue provoketh goats to bleat." Wanda's trademark stinging and honest humor would eventually bring the manliest man to tears. Any domestic dispute, such as who's taking out the trash, would be shut down quickly by Wanda's whiplash remark on her husband's overweight-ness/baldness/race/inability-to-perform-in-bed. Who am I kidding, that's my kind of gal! Bring on the masochism!
George Carlin
Tower Theatre
69th and Ludlow streets
Upper Darby
Sat, 7 p.m., $37.50 -- $47.50
(610) 352-2887
www.towertheatre.com
Carlin is deliberately off-color. That's how he rose to prominence in the '60s, and that is how he survives today. Carlin's humor thrives on conservative zeitgeist. Only in times such as these do his jokes pack the most punch. It is no wonder that today, with the current state of morality and politics in this country, Carlin is again on the standup circuit.
Sommore
Zellerbach Theatre
3680 Walnut Street
Fri, 8 p.m., $10 with Penn ID
http://specevents.net/spectrum/upcoming.php
Sommore has been featured in films like Soul Plane, Friday After Next and A Miami Tail. Now, she's jetting to Philadelphia to grace Penn with her presence. As a Queen of Comedy, Sommore is known for her sarcastic realism that relates to everyday issues. Even Whoopi Goldberg has praised her skills -- now, that has got to be talent right there.
Calypso, Zouk and Soca Workshop
Painted Bride Art Center
230 Vine Street
Mon, 6:30 p.m., $10
(215) 925-9914
www.paintedbride.org
This is your last opportunity to study Calypso, Zouk and Soca under resident Bride Artist Tania Isaac. Monday is, indeed, the final class of this series. These styles provide the foundation of Caribbean dance parties. Dancer/choreographer Tania Isaac is a two-year Resident Artist at the painted bride, and she will be teaching the moves and their cultural context. The lesson is open to men and women, and should be casual enough: these dances themselves are fundamentally improvisational.
Latin Night with Dance Lesson
Brasil's
112 Chestnut Street
Wednesdays, 9 p.m., $5
(215) 413-1700
Authentic Brazilian cuisine, music and dance. Brasil's is one of Philly's only Brazilian restaurants. It hosts Latin Night every Wednesday, when the crowd, usually an upscale bunch, struts their best stuff. At 9 p.m., there is an hour long dance lesson. Try your hands (and feet) at Meringue. Sip on the caipirinhas, made with Brazilian sugar cane brandy. Brasil's was just recently renovated, and the basement is now a stylish lounge, while the upstairs is where the club business goes down.
Credeaux Canvas
Shubin Theatre
407 Bainbridge Street
Thu - Sat, 7:30 p.m., Sun, 2:30 p.m., through Nov 13, $10-$15
(215) 514-0361
www.flashpointtheatre.org
The Flashpoint Theatre Company launches its very first season with an intense drama written by recent Julliard graduate Keith Bunin. Jamie, his girlfriend Amelia and his roommate Winston are young, smart and struggling in the Greenwich Village art world. Jamie convinces Winston to paint Amelia's portrait and pass it off as a long-lost masterpiece by John Paul Credeaux. Psychological torment ensues. WARNING: the production includes full male and female nudity.
Friends and Lovers
Merriam Theater at University of the Arts
250 S. Broad St.
Thu - Sun, 8 p.m., through Nov 7, $25.50-$29.50
(215) 732-5446
Two sets of best friend cross paths in a yellow wood. Two guys and two girls are too much to handle in this play about love, lust, revenge and flying space monkeys. Actually, there are no space monkeys, but it would make for a really kick-ass play. It would be like When Harry Met Sally Met Ralph, The Space Monkey. Danger Will Robinson! Oh, sorry, that was my virgin alarm. It's set to go off before you do.
Vita and Virginia
Walnut Street Theatre - Studio 5
825 Walnut Street
Thu - Sat 8p.m., Sun, 7 p.m., through Nov 14, $20
(215) 574-3550
www.wstonline.org
The alliteration in the title of the play Vita and Virginia is the key to its success. OK, actually, it's an excellent production for many other reasons, but the title sure is catchy. It's about the passionate love affair between writers Virginia Wolfe and Vita Sackville-West. The play, which begins at the dinner party where the two first meet, follows their relationship, which ultimately changes the two forever. This play offers a unique opportunity to look into the private lives of two outstanding literary minds. The plot, with both women cheating behind the backs of their husbands, almost resembles a modern day soap opera. Just picture it as an early 1900s Days of Our Lives.
eighth blackbird
Perelman Theater
Kimmel Center for Performing Arts
260 S. Broad St. # 901
Thu, 7:30 p.m., $21-$26
(215) 790-5800
www.kimmelcenter.org
Avant garde compositions from around the world converge in this sextet a la Kronos. The classically-trained eighth blackbird will perform works by Chen Yi, Michael Torke, Joan Tower, John Harbison and Fred Lerdahl. Watch for some ad hoc choreography in the recital hall. The musicians and some of the composers will host an open discussion immediately following the concert.
Gil Shaham with Orli Shaham
Verizon Hall
Kimmel Center for Performing Arts
260 S. Broad St. # 901
Thu, 8 p.m., $23-$63
(215) 790-5800
www.kimmelcenter.org
Gil plays the violin and his sister Orli plays the piano. We talked about the difference between pop culture and elite culture in my SOCI 137 class. This, my friend, is elite culture at it's finest. It's time to stop watching those uncultured reality TV programs and get a boost of elitist class in your life. You're an Ivy League student, dammit! Go to this program and then flaunt to your state school friends about how much better you are than them.
Mavis Staples
Theater of Living Arts
334 South Street
Thu, 9 p.m., $33.50 advance, $36 day of show
(215) 922-1011
www.electricfactory.com
Mavis Staples rose to fame as a member of the Staples Singers, the gospel quartet that brought religious passion to America's popular music. Performing renditions of such hits as "The Weight" and "I'll Take You There," The Staples Singers brought the soul of the church to the melodies of the secular. And Mavis Staples herself is now perpetuating that tradition. Mavis is a big, big woman, who sings like she still believes in something -- whatever it is -- which is a rare treat in popular music today. Truly, it's great to see a big ol' booty on stage; these pop stars today do nothing for me. Put some meat on yourself, Britney!
Cosi fan tutte
Academy of Vocal Arts
1920 Spruce Street
Fri, Sat & Tue, 7:30 p.m., though Nov 14, $25-60 students
(215) 735-1685
Mozart's opera Cosi fan tutte was rarely performed in the 19th century, a consequence of its risque content. But da Ponte's spicy libretto is quite at home in 21st century Philadelphia, the New Sin City, home of the Real World. In Act One, two men discuss the fickleness of women. In Act Two, the men carry out an epic deception. The consideration of sexual tendencies turned heads in Mozart's day. Bring your Italian-English dictionary.
MTV2 Headbangers Ball Tour with Cradle of Filth
Electric Factory
421 N. 7th St.
Fri, 8 p.m., $21 advance, $24 day of show
(215) 569-9400
www.electricfactory.com
The band Cradle of Filth puts on quite the heavy metal theater. This tour, dubbed the MTV2 Headbanger's Ball Tour, carries Halloween into November. The headbangers will be there, no doubt in rare form, banging their respective craniums. Arch Enemy, Bleeding Through and Himsa will open. Small animals may or may not be injured in this productions, and, inevitably, there will likely be much makeup involved. Fake blood, too. Perhaps.
Bruce Hornsby
Kimmel Center for Performing Arts
260 S. Broad St.
Sat, 8 p.m., $30-$48
(215) 790-5800
www.kimmelcenter.org
Keyboardist Bruce Hornsby has played around a bit. Dylan, Nelson, Garcia. He's played with all of them. His original music is now itself esteemed as great American pop, and he's earned three Grammy Awards for his efforts. Yet Hornsby [note the 's' and the 'b'] isn't living in his past successes. His new album, Halcyon Days, teems with thoughtful new material. He'll likely play his hits, like "The Way It Is" and "Mandolin Rain," but expect a lot of new material.
Hot Water Music
Theater of Living Arts
334 South Street
Sun, 8 p.m., $12
(215) 922-1011
www.theateroflivingarts.net
This Gainsville-based band pushes the button with its hard-edged punk-inspired sound. Similar to bands like The Get Up Kids and Dead Kennedys, it's amazing Hot Water Music escaped the country roots of their hometown. Lord knows, Gainesville houses the malt liquor-drunken, DMB-loving, frat-infatuated students (or so they call themselves) of the University of Florida. I am suprised they made it out alive.
Raphael Saadiq
Trocadero
1003 Arch Street
Sun, 8 p.m., $27.50 advance, $32 day of show
(215) 336-2000
www.thetroc.com
Neo-soul. Since leaving the group Tony! Toni! Tone!, Raphael Saadiq has been producing within the hip-hop community. TLC, the Roots and D'Angelo have all solicited his assistance. Recently, Saadiq received five Grammy Nominations (2003) for his own album, Instant Village, which was made without the help of a major record label, making it a great anomaly in the world of Grammy Nominations.
Yellowcard
Electric Factory
421 N. 7th St.
Tue, 8 p.m., $19.50
(215) 569-9400
www.electricfactory.com
Arrrr, ye music pirates. It's time to stop stealing music from Kazaa and venture into the world of live music. Yellowcard is coming to the Electric Factory, and if you don't mind being shoved around by hordes of teenage girls and hearing Ocean Avenue for the two millionth time, you're in for a treat. Sure they may seem like another sellout pop-punk/alternative/emo/whatever-they call-it-these-days band, but their sound is pretty unique. Not every band can boast a violinist, especially one who does free-standing back flips on stage. It's worth checking out, especially since maybe one of the teenage girls will share with you her pirates' booty...
