From a Seed to This:
A History of
Fairmount Park
International House
3701 Chestnut Street
Thu, 7 p.m., Free
(215) 387-5125
www.ihousephilly.org
Ah, Fairmount Park; the verdure of the green trees, the proximity to the Schuylkill. Around for almost 200 years, the park is a historical treasure, which might explain why International House is screening a documentary about it. Filmed by a group of high school kids, From Seed to This... details the growth and development of the world's largest landscaped city park. So maybe it's not as famous as Central Park, but hey, it's bigger, and isn't size what really matters?
Book Arts of India
Philadelphia Museum of Art
26th St. and Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
Tue-Sun, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., $12
(215) 684-7600
www.philamuseum.org
So, the gorgeous paintings that they're now showing at the Philadelphia Museum of Art aren't really paintings: the deception! The gall! Alright, so we're really not too upset about it. After all, most Indian paintings on display at museums are really hand-painted illustrations from religious manuscripts and other literature. And with such diversity in painting styles and interesting techniques of incorporating words and illustration, why wouldn't a museum make an exhibit about them?
Morris Swartz:
Earth Tones
Burrison Art Gallery
3611 Walnut Street
Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., free
through Oct. 15.
(215) 898-4618
Sick of the filth and pollution of West Philadelphia? Trying to expel that image of the dead God-knows-what you saw on the subway the other day? Check out HUP's Dr. Morris Swartz's stunning photographs of American natural landscapes. Traveling throughout the United States, Swartz captures scenes of streams, waterfalls, and canyons that some of us may have forgotten existed. These breathtaking photos depict the great outdoors as we would have seen it -- if we went to Cornell.
Small Heroes, Great Journeys: The Art of Ilon Wikland
American Swedish Historical Museum
Tue-Fri, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sat-Sun, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. through Oct. 16, $6
1900 Pattison Ave.
(215) 389-1776
www.americanswedish.org
Every Halloween little girls spray their hair red and weave wire through their braids to make them stick out of their head. Are they crazy? Perhaps. But they are also paying homage to the beloved childhood story character, Pippi Longstocking. Although created by author Astrid Lindgren, the popular image we all know and love was drawn by Ilon Wikland. Now you can see an exhibition of all of her original artwork from stories she illustrated -- a great way to show your love for Pippi without the wire and paint.
In Private Hands: 200 Years of American Painting
Pennsylvania Academy of the
Fine Arts
118 N. Broad St.
Tue-Sat, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. through Jan. 8, Free
(215) 972-7600
www.pafa.org
Need to show those good ol' boys that you're a high brow, but don't want to wear those seersucker shorts and Lacoste polo shirts? The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is at your service, with the new exhibition In Private Hands, running from Oct. 1 through Jan. 8. The show will assemble masterpieces of American art that remain solely in private collections, and make sure you go, since this will be the only time that these selected works will be on display together.
The Alumni of 1801
1801 N. Howard St.
by appointment, through Oct. 16, Free
(267) 240-9682
www.artistsof1801.com
Not everyone likes a two for one deal, but everyone loves a nine for one deal. Did I mention that the deal is free? The Artists of 1801 present The Alumni of 1801, in a collaborative effort to display the artists' new and old pieces. Whether you are a long time fan of the group or just someone who is interested in seeing an eclectic selection of art, this display is sure to please.
The Language of Film
Bryn Mawr Film Institute
824 W. Lancaster Ave.
Thu, 10 a.m., Tuesdays through Oct. 25, $100
(610) 527-4008
www.brynmawrfilm.org
Denouement, Leitmotif, Montage, Pan. No, these are not new Steven Starr restaurants, they're actual words. Yes, real words related to film that you probably didn't know. To fix your movie challenged-ness, attend this course on the key terms of film analysis. Understanding cinematic grammar brings you a higher level of enjoyment in the theater, too! I thought that was the purpose of weed, I mean, comedies. "Free" movie screenings are even included in your $100 tuition. Now you too can be cool like Dawson O'Leary.
The Second Annual West Chester Film
Festival
Various locations throughout West Chester, PA
Fri-Sat, 7 p.m., Sun 6 p.m., $7
(610) 918-1250
www.westchesterfilmfestival.com
I don't know about you, but when I hear West Chester, the first thing that comes to mind is "film festival." Well, maybe not. But if you can't find time in your busy Penn schedule to make it to Cannes this summer, take some time (and a road trip) out to West Chester. The highlight of the festival is a workshop featuring the original screenplay Stunt Friend being made into a film over the weekend. It'll be just like France, without the topless beaches.
Autumn Cinematheque series: Visions of Light
Bryn Mawr Film Institute
824 W. Lancaster Ave.
Tue, 7 p.m., $8.75
(610) 527-9898
www.brynmawrfilm.org
It's the film for movie lovers, literally. Visions of Light is all the best movies thrown together, meaning you only have to spend $6 once this year (instead of dropping an outrageous $10 at the Bridge) to satisfy your movie cravings. This documentary is a collection of clips from over one hundred films, meaning it's clearly not an Oscar candidate for Best Original Screenplay. If you love movies, don't miss this film. Plus, there's an added bonus: it's at Bryn Mawr, where 98% of the students are women. So guys, here's your chance to get cozy in the back row of the theater and score a hot date.
Busta Rhymes
The Electric Factory
421 N 7th St.
Thu, 9 p.m., $22.25
(215) 627-1332
www.electricfactory.com
Would you like to break your neck? No? Why not? I mean, Busta's here, and he wants you to break your neck, you know, because you like the music so much that you're nodding your head to the beat. He doesn't actually want you to break your neck. No one would pay $22.25 to have his neck broken, even if it is by a famous musician. So now that we've got that straightened out, do you want to go? Good.
Mae
Trocadero
1003 Arch Street
Fri, 7 p.m., $12
(215) 922-LIVE
Mae is no Journey, but this band is still pretty good. I'm not even really into the indie scene (hence the Journey reference), nor do I know if Mae is even considered indie, but this is one of those bands that your "with-it" friend makes you listen to and you wonder, "These guys are good. Why doesn't anyone know about them?" So go increase Mae's audience, unless the band is truly indie and doesn't want to get big. Then just go to appreciate the music.
The Decemberists
The Electric Factory
421 N. 7th St.
Fri, 8:30 p.m., $15
(215) 627-1332
www.electricfactory.com
You know, one of the most stressful parts about being a musician must be picking a name for your band. You can always change the lyrics to a song or a chord here and there, but good luck switching the name after you've gotten recognition. So what's a band to do? Never fear, you can always name yourself after a failed Russian revolt just like this indie-rock band. Don't laugh. Apparently, this Portland-based band is very innovative. But still, why the name?
The Philadelphia Orchestra Family Concert: Beethoven Surprise
Kimmel Center
260 S. Broad St.
Sat, 11:30 a.m., $5-$44
(215) 893-1900
www.philorch.org
Beethoven Surprise! Oh, surprises, I loooooove surprises. It's like when I was 16, and I was, like, so annoyed that my parents were making me go out to dinner and I really didn't want to, but it turned out that they had planned a surprise dinner, but then out of spite all I did was pout the whole time because even though I really liked it, I was still annoyed that they had made me do something I didn't want to do. So, maybe I don't like surprises. But I'm sure if I went on my own free will, it would have been awesome.
Beck
Tweeter Center
1 Harbour Blvd.
Camden, NJ
Sat, 8 p.m., $39.50
(856) 365-1300
www.tweetercenter.com/
philadelphia
Brace yourself. If you can muster up the courage to venture over to Camden (a very interesting part of New Jersey), you are in for a real treat: Beck. A product of the alternative generation of the '90s, Beck is the definition of the postmodern musician. His music incorporates traces of practically every musical genre imaginable -- everything from folk rock, to pop, to hip-hop, to country, to blues, to R&B, to funk -- creating an eclectic, original style that is virtually impossible to pin down.
Fall Out Boy
The Electric Factory
421 N 7th St.
Sun-Mon, 8 p.m., $22.50
(215) 627-1332
These four Chitown shorties really know how to get down. And they've got an MTV2 award to prove it. They've got a few singles on the radio, like the instant classic "Where is Your Boy Tonight," and their newer single "Sugar We're Going Down." It's genuine pop punk at its best. They'll be at the Electric Factory for two shows on Sunday and Monday night, performing songs from their new album "From Under the Cork Tree." So pull out your checkered Vans and clever thrift store tee and head down; it's gonna be a rocking time.
Jason Mraz
The Electric Factory
421 N. 7th St.
Wed, 8 p.m., $27.50
(215) 627-1332
I feel like I really know Jason Mraz thanks to the Gap commercials. Learning his favorite song and style of jeans has really given me insight to the sensitive inner workings of Jasie-Poo, as I like to call him now. Jasie will be at the Electric Factory this Wednesday night baring his soul and his jeans while sharing his catchy up-beat jingles like "The Remedy." Good times will be had by all.
Perfection
Unspeakable
Adrienne Theatre
2030 Sansom Street
Tue-Fri, 8 p.m., Sat-Sun, 3 p.m., through Oct. 23, $15 - $25
(215) 563-4330
If you've ever felt like some higher power is screwing with your life just to amuse itself here's some validation: Perfection Unspeakable reveals angels questioning God's common sense while playing with the lives of humans to prove their points. The play offers an alternative to those bored with spoken language: the angels argue in sign language. So check out Adrienne Theatre in Rittenhouse Square for an original theatre experience.
The Lady From the Sea
Lantern Theater
923 Ludlow Street
Thu, 7 p.m., Fri-Sat, 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Wed, 8 p.m., through Oct. 30, $17 - $28
(215) 829-9002
www.laterntheater.org
Do you love a story of betrayal and heartbreak that doesn't involve a Thursday night of frat-hopping? Forget Desperate Housewives, and go see The Lady from the Sea by Henrik Ibsen, playing at the Lantern Theater. The show is about a woman who complacently enters into a marriage and a man from her past who tries to win her heart. The play's Philadelphia premiere seems destined to be a hit, or at least a good way to spend part of your evening.
Seven Men From Now
Walnut Street Theatre
825 Walnut Street
Wed - Sat, 7:30 p.m., Sun, 3 p.m. through Oct. 16, $5 - $15
(800) 585-4TIX
Are you tired of hearing people talk about Avenue Q or The Producers? For less than 15 bucks, you can see a play that hasn't been seen by everyone on your floor. Look no further than The Walnut Street Theatre, playing Seven Men from Now. So go grab a few friends and buy tickets for the showing on Wednesday night. Hey, you won't be doing anything else anyway.
Between Us
Second Stage at the Adrienne Theatre
2030 Sansom Street
Thu-Sat, 8 p.m., Sun, 2:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. through Oct. 16, $12 - $15
(215) 514-0361
Cynicism is in. It is popular to say that the American Dream is a myth and there is no such thing as a lifelong friendship. If this mode of thought applies to you, check out the play Between Us by Joe Hortua, who The Journal News calls a "sharp new talent." Without a doubt you will leave this play about life and friendship gone amiss in the jaded daze you so crave.
