A Reading With Joshua Gamson
Giovanni's Room
345 S. 12th St.
Thu, 5:30 p.m., free
(215) 923-2960
Wondering what's on the agenda this week at our friendly gayborhood LGBT bookstore? Well, boys and girls, we'll be hearing stories from Joshua Gamson's new book, The Fabulous Sylvester: The Legend, the Music, the 70s in San Francisco to learn about the fabulous seventies, fabulous San Francisco and fabulous people doin' it.
Le Cabaret Melange
World Cafe Live
3025 Walnut Street
Sun, 7:30 p.m., $20
(215) 222-1400
www.worldcafelive.com/
Another event at the World Cafe? I know right, but this one seems extra shady, especially since they advertise it by suggesting you, "stop to take a break and see something you don't usually see." Hmm ... on the other hand, it is Philadelphia's Premier Urban Cabaret, and it does blend traditional 20th century French and German cabaret with musical theater selections, pop music deconstruction, comedy, and audience interaction. Sounds like fun?
Pro-Israel Jewish/African-American Student Leadership Soul Food Dinner
Du Bois College House
3900 Walnut Street
Mon, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., free
www.dolphin.upenn.edu/~hillel
Matzo balls and fried chicken? Kugel and collard greens? Smells like some good, clean, multicultural fun! So get ready for a night of discussion, dialogue and discourse as student leaders unite for the sake of the Holy Land. And be prepared because we all know when Hillel and DuBois team up, anything is possible.
Moneyville
The Franklin Institute
Mon-Sun, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., $8-$12.75
222 N. 20th Street
(215) 448 1200
In case you were wondering where people who can't afford Wharton go to learn about business, wonder no more. This year at the Franklin Institute they have created a display that has everything from learning banking and trade to spying counterfeit money. You thought your science background was safe from Mr. Trump at the Franklin Institute didn't you? You poor, poor bastards.
Inside Terror: Confessions of a PLO Terrorist
National Constitution Center
523 Arch Street
Wed, 7:30 p.m., $18-$36
www.aish.com/phila
An actual former PLO terrorist (PLO being short for Palestine Liberation Organization) will be speaking about his experience as a terrorist in the Middle East. If this seems a bit too heavy for your Wednesday night, just remember that this event is posted on a Jewish singles website. God knows Jewish singles are hard to meet at Penn, so get out there and make an effort!
The Philadelphia Orchestra w/ Roger Norrington: Love Letters From London
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
260 S. Broad St.
Thu, 8 p.m., Fri, 2 p.m., $30-$120
(215) 893-1999
www.kimmelcenter.org/
In this production, the Philadelphia Orchestra performs upbeat, thriving music from three composers: Elgar, Haydn and Williams, who bring to the audience their happy memories of London (and we care about their memories because...?). Elgar's production is relaxed, Haydn's smiles, and Williams gives us an expansive, impressionistic vision of this great city. Where the love letter comes into play, I'm not exactly sure, but I bet they all sent each other love letters!
Minus the Bear, Certainly Sir
Khyber
56 S. 2nd St.
Thu, 9 p.m., $12
(215) 238-5888
www.thekhyber.com
Attention all 21+ people infatuated with members of Minus the Bear, this is a great event to attend especially since the band features members from Botch, Sharks Keep Moving and Kill Sadie. For those who have no idea what the fuck I just said, their music is characterized as poppy, driving, techy, indie rock. If you are still confused, just go ... they have $1 off mixed drinks!
Marc Broussard
Theatre of Living Arts
334 South Street
Thu, 9 p.m., $14
(215) 922-1011
Marc was blessed with good genes: his father is legendary Boogie Kings guitarist Ted Broussard. He's gaining praise from tons of different music critics for his mix of R&B and Cajun sounds, which is quite the unique combination. Because Marc's father was a success, he is bound to be so as well. Just think of Paris Hilton, except a man without a sex tape and without an annoying sidekick.
Aslyn
Theatre of the Living Arts
334 South Street
Thur, 9 p.m., $14-$16
(215) 922-1011
Britney, Christina and now Aslyn--great pop stars who turn their lovelorn lives into catchy pop songs that flow off the lips of youngsters everywhere. Her music is similar to another popstar with the same first two letters off her name, only Aslyn's not following a hot older sister to fame or lip synching on national television -- not yet, at least. If you're into catching the trends before they hit the bookstore shelves, see Aslyn tonight.
Damien
The Point
880 W. Lancaster Ave.
Bryn Mawr
Fri, 7 p.m., $10
(610) 527-0988
www.atthepoint.com
OK, when you read this guy's story, you'll think, oh my God of course I'll go see Damien. He's a keyboardist from Romania who had to live on the streets for a while before his career took off. Then after further thought you might remember, hmm, Romania, isn't that the country that always wins the Olympics? Fuck Romania, but give keyboarding a chance.
Copeland
Trocadero
1003 Arch Street
Fri, 7 p.m., $11
215-922-LIVE
www.thetroc.com
I know what you may be thinking: oh man, not another rock band that I have to shell out money for. Isn't Sonic Youth enough to destroy my hopes of ever seeing a popular band ? But never fear, Copeland is half decent and you'd probably still want to go if it wasn't, if only so that you could say you'd been to the Trocadero. Not knowing what "The Troc" is could really hurt your hipster image.
B.B. King
Tropicana Casino
Brighton and Boardwalk avenues, Atlantic City
Fri, 9 p.m., $50-$85
(800) 526-2935
B.B. King, where have you been all my life? Were you teaching Jamie Foxx how to accurately play the role of a black R&B singer in Ray? If so, I hope you weren't teaching him how to shoot up and push women around. Jamie Foxx could get away with that on camera, but the Tropicana is a classy joint and that's not going to fly anymore. They don't take shit. Watch your back, B.B.
Maroon 5
Liacouras Center
1776 N. Broad St.
Fri, 7:30 p.m., $35
(215) 204-2400
My sister loves Maroon 5. Then again, she loves skinny Jewish boys and pops both her collars. Oh wait; so do you. You're going to want to put Daddy's plastic to good use and get tickets to this show, because although "She Will be Loved" might be more overplayed than your mother, let's be honest -- you can't help but cream your jeans when Adam Levine opens his mouth. Did I mention he's Jewish?
Smokey Joe's Cafe
Academy of Music
240 S. Broad St.
Sat, 2 p.m., $25 - $85
(215) 893-1999
When I was little, I knew all the words to "Yakety Yak" and used to run around the house in my underwear belting out "Stand by Me." I could shimmy, I could do the twist; I just couldn't drink juice out of anything other than a sippy cup. Smokey Joe's Cafe brings back those good old days, and raises a most important existential question -- is a plot even necessary when you've got the "Jailhouse Rock"?
Jedi Mind Tricks
Trocadero
1003 Arch Street
Sat, 7 p.m., $18
215-922-LIVE
www.thetroc.com
Whip out the lyrical light sabers -- local Philly hip-hop group Jedi Mind Tricks is back on tour to perform "songs" from their new album, Legacy of Blood. Start practicing, seriously. The music of Vinnie Paz and his crew is so saturated with religious and political rhetoric that you may mistake them for Michael Moore's entourage.
Duran Duran
Wachovia Spectrum
3601 S. Broad Street
Sat, 8 p.m., $40-$93
(215) 336-3600
"Like, omigod, gag with me a spoon!" "For sure I'll be wearing those like gnarley neon leg warmers and jellies." "How do you like get your hair feathered like that? Can I borrow your crimper?" If that sounds like you, stop reading immediately and buy your tickets. This is better than Vanilla Ice.
Matisyahu
Hall of Flags
3417 Spruce Street
Wed, 8 p.m., $10
www.hasidicreggae.com/
My dad is obsessed with Judaism. Not obsessed in a small way. Obsessed in a big way. So this year he got himself a gift for Hanukah -- Matisyahu's CD. Then he played it as a "treat" for our family. As if we wanted it. But, the thing is, Matisyahu's Hasidic reggae is awesome. You hear it and you're like, "This is really good." It's like that scene in High Fidelity. You know. That scene.
Chord on Blues: 8th Grade Dance
Dunlop Auditorium
3450 Hamilton Walk
Sat, 8 p.m., $6
http://dolphin.upenn.edu/~chords/
You can't have an a cappella group without a ridiculous pun for your name, and Chord on Blues does this better than any other group at Penn. They also do a lot of other things pretty well, like, you know, singing songs they didn't write and looking pretty and things that will take them far in the world of popular music. I haven't been to one of their shows in a while, but I remember that their lead singer used to be really hot, and unless he got leprosy or something like that since then, he probably still is.
The Inspiration Spring Show
Huntsman Hall G06
38th St. and Locust Walk
Sat, 7 p.m., $6
http://dolphin.upenn.edu/~inspirat/index3.htm
If you gave up a cappella for Lent, your long suffering is over. Because it's April and the Spring Shows have been resurrected. It's also a good chance to hear all of the music you're too afraid to put up on iTunes, for fear that your Shins-loving indie persona will be blown.
We're Going Singing, Bring Your Green Hat
Dunlop Auditorium
3450 Hamilton Walk
Sun, 8 p.m., $6-$7
http://dolphin.upenn.edu/%7Edischord/home.htm
Ashlee Simpson doesn't know how to play any instruments, and she is still a very successful singer. I suspect that Dischord used Ms. Simpson or her ilk as inspiration for their new show, since they also don't play instruments, and they seem to do just fine faking it. So seriously, go see Dischord, because they're just being humble with their name, unlike some a cappella groups I could name.
Universoul Circus
Vacant Lot
52nd St. and Parkside Ave.
Thu-Fri, 10:30 a.m., 7:30 p.m., Sat, 12 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 8 p.m., Sun, 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m., $16.50-$25.50
Dude this circus sounds wicked awesome and that is coming from the whitest chic I know: myself. Universoul Circus features performers of minorities getting their clowning on to music like jazz and gospel. It's also interactive so if you feel like maybe you need to explore another culture rather than "Penn Judaism" go check this "Cirque du Soul" out, you (probably) won't regret it.
Drexel Relief
Prince Theatre
37th and Walnut streets
Fri, 7 p.m., $5-$6
http://dolphin.upenn.edu/%7Eschaos/index.html
It's almost April, which means you've probably reached that point in the year when your friends realize that all of your jokes are rip-offs of Chapelle or Family Guy. So it's time to get some new material, or at least to find someone else's to steal. So go see Simply Chaos, because none of your friends will, which means you'll suddenly seem a lot funnier.
Tongue Smell Color
Temple University
Broad and Montgomery streets
Fri, 8 p.m., $10
(215) 204-5040
Is that a command? According to performance artists Brenda Dixon Gottschild and Helmut Gottschild, smelling color is only the first step in exploring sexual and racial issues, which is baffling to even the most sensually adept interpretive dancers. If you can't understand the cultural implications of this interracial couple's moves in the hour-long show, at least you can come away with a few new positions.
