Donetsk Ballet of Ukraine
Northeast High School
Cottman & Algon streets
Thu, 7 p.m., free
(215) 849-7950
www.internationalballet.org
Ballet, like reading War and Peace, is one of those activities that people say that they would love to do in order to become more cultured, but when push comes to shove, there are relatively few ballet enthusiasts compared to, say, jazz enthusiasts or Death Cab enthusiasts. But when gold medal ballerinas comes to town and students get discounted rates, this may be the best opportunity to finally take part in genteel society.
Holiday Evening
Program:
Magificent Objects
Museum of Archaeology and
Anthropology
3260 South Street
Thu, 5 p.m., $5-$10
(215) 898-4890
www.museum.upenn.edu
So, you're ashamed to admit that you've never looked around Penn's Archaeology Museum. Sure, you said you "went" there that time to hand in your anthropology paper, but who wants to trek down there? Well, now you have an excuse: the museum, which has been open since 1887, is allowing its curators to present their favorite pieces in the museum (some of which have never been allowed on display before!). With experts picking their favorites, it's a guaranteed fun time.
Town Hall Series: A Conversation with John McPhee
Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Thu, 5 p.m., free
(215) 299-1108
www.acnatsci.org/townsquare
Town Square's series invites impressive speakers to discuss environmental issues, and this week is no different. A writer for The New Yorker, John McPhee has written numerous books on such topics as geology and the history of the orange. Here, McPhee will not only discuss his career, but he will also be presented with a Gold Medal for Distinction in Wildlife Art from the Academy. So come and see McPhee; with such a speaker, it's only natural to go. It'll be wild.
Overnight
Encampment on the Battleship
Battleship New Jersey
62 Battleship Place, Camden
Fri, 6 p.m., free - $49.50, through April, 2006
www.battleshipnewjersey.org
Do you have a soft spot for navy and white? By choosing to participate in an overnight encampment on the Battleship New Jersey, you have the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the nautical world. From being awed by the sheer size of the ship-nearly the length of three football fields-and intimidated by the 16-inch gun turrets, your naval night is guaranteed to be memorable.
Men's only dialogue about violence against women
St. Anthony Hall
3637 Locust Walk
Mon, 7 p.m., Free
Are you a rugged-yet-gender-conscious male? Do you like free pizza? And women? Do you like pepperoni pizza? Are you a vegetarian? Do you feel like its time men get a chance to talk about violence against women? While eating pizza? Awesome! Join the brothers of St. A's in an all male open discussion about stopping and preventing violence against women. There'll be pizza (though no women).
Art Classes for
All Levels
Afif Gallery
1904 South Street
Tue, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., $30, through Dec.17
(215) 520-4062
www.afifgallery.com
There are some people who are naturally adept at creating beautiful works of art. There are others who could not make stick figures look good. Whoever you are, consider taking art classes at the Afif Gallery. In highly individualized lessons, the instructor will help artists at every level, from the very talented to the "well, that was a nice effort"artist, develop their skills and improve their abilities.
Maira Kalman's "The Elements of Style"
Rosenwald-Wolf Gallery at the University of the Arts
333 S. Broad Street
Thu-Mon, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
(215) 717-6480
www.uarts.edu
I'm sure you've heard of White and Strunk's Elements of Style. I mean, of course you have. It's only the foremost writing and style guide, well, ever. It's on my list of things to read, but it's a long list so I don't see myself getting there anytime soon. That's a shame because my writing really needs improvement. Don't you think? Instead I'll go check out this exhibition. You should too. Complete with illustrations by Maira Kalman and music by composer Nico Muhly, it's a writing manual come to life.
Rittenhouse Square Collects, Part Two: On the Square
Philadelphia Art Alliance
251 S. 18th St.
Thu-Sun, 11 a.m. ‹¨« 5 p.m., free
(215) 545-4302
www.philartalliance.org
The final part of a three series exhibition of private collections in Philadelphia, Part Two: On the Square features a diverse group of privately owned art, including pieces by David Hockney, Sally Mann, Jean Cocteau and Sarah McEneany. Pieces range from nude figure and still life to tribal figurines and other ethnographic objects. Organized both by subject and by period, this unique collection is great for anyone planning on becoming a collector ... or a thief
Swarm Opening
Reception and
Annual Holiday
Party
Fabric Workshop and Museum
1315 Cherry Street, fifth floor
Fri, 5 p.m., $5
(215) 568-1111
www.fabricworkshopandmuseum.org
Imagine you are attending a chic art gallery opening featuring new artists displaying work centered around the "swarming" of objects and images that reflect politics and social life. You bump into an attractive and sophisticated guy/girl and you show off all that intellectual jargon you learned in Sociology of Art class. Is it a scene straight out of Sex and the City? No, it's what could happen to you if you attend the opening reception and holiday party for the new exhibit "Swarm."
Philadelphia Sketch Club 145th Anniversary Celebration & Exhibition
Philadelphia Sketch Club
235 S. Carmac St.
Fri-Sun, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., free
(215) 545-9298
www.sketchclub.org
So, you've been anxiously awaiting the 145th Anniversary Celebration of the Philadelphia Sketch Club? So have we. Thankfully you can enjoy the exhibition "Art for all Seasons," which opened in honor of the fiesta. Get there quick though-there are only a few days left! You wouldn't want to thoughtlessly overlook selected works by artists from the Senior Artists Initiative and Moore College of Art and Design -- would you?
Field Notes: Objects and Notations Used in Creative Practice
Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial
705 Christian Street
Mon-Fri, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sat, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., free
www.fleisher.org
Calling all pack rats! Artists like Harry Anderson, Stephen Binasiewicz and Sharon Church are exhibiting the things that inspire them -- vintage radios, previously owned stuff and bits of wood and bone, respectively. But keep in mind, they're also showing actual pieces of art. So if you're thinking you could one day be in an exhibit like this, you do have to be an actual artist. And if you have artistic talent, one warning-if you're inspired by anything dirty or disgusting, please keep it to yourself.
Zizek! and the Public Intellectual Craze
Slought Foundation
4017 Walnut Street
Thu, 6:30 p.m., free
(215) 222-9050
Zizek! It's the new expletive sweeping the nation. Rolls off your tongue, doesn't it? The Slought Foundation will host a conversation of the public intellectual, followed by the Philadelphia premier screening of Zizek!, a film that follows the journey of philosopher Slovoj Zizek. Hopefully Zizek! will last longer than some other much-loved, short-lived fads, such as Gak, the slap bracelet, and "Oregon Trail." I really miss Gak.
New Authors of
Italian Cinema, 7th Edition
International House
3701 Chestnut Street
Tue-Sat, 7 p.m., free
(215) 898-6040
So, the cute foreign exchange student from Florence with a perpetual tan sits next to you in Astronomy and the only Italian culture you know is Allegro's and Benigni's Life is Beautiful. Well, Italian film is a start, and the International House has just the way to provide that perfect ice-breaker for that fine specimen of a human. I-House is running an Italian film festival of new Italian directors, just for your lascivious pleasure. Che bella!
Against Me!
Trocadero
1003 Arch Street
Thu, 6 p.m., $12
(215) 922-LIVE
www.thetroc.com
Ernest Hemingway said that everybody is allotted one exclamation point in life, and it's up to each person to use it wisely. He'd probably be none too pleased with Against Me!'s bold decision to punctuate their name. With the release of their latest album, Searching For A Former Clarity, the band moves away from their acoustic roots toward the rock mainstream. If you're into stoic dead expatriates, sucks for you, but if you like punk rock, come stick it to Hemingway!
Pennsylvania Six-5000 presents "Comin' to Harass"
World Cafe Live
3025 Walnut Street
Fri, 11:30 p.m., $6
(215) 222-1400
http://tickets.worldcafelive.com/
On the playground of Penn a cappella, Penn Six is often cited as the bad boys, stealing Off the Beat's lunch money and making the Counterparts cry. As far as bad boys go, though, they're more Bart Simpson than James Dean. No, they won't brood in the corner or tragically perish in a motorcycle accident, but they will parody the Backstreet Boys like it's nobody's business. If you're a fan of pop music and humor, this show is for you.
Iron and Wine feat. Calexico
The Electric Factory
421 N. 7th St.
Sat, 8:30 p.m., $20
(215) 627-1332
www.electricfactory.com
For the Zach Braff fans among us (i.e. every teenager who has the soundtrack to Garden State/is actually from the Garden State and feels obliged to love him), Iron and Wine is the band that covered the Postal Service's "Such Great Heights." But Iron and Wine has just released a 7 song EP with Calexico called In the Reins. Two up-and-coming indie bands performing together? I'm sure Zach Braff would approve.
Islands
First Unitarian Church
2125 Chestnut Street
Mon, 7:30 p.m., $10
(866) 468-7619
www.r5productions.com/shows.html
Two members of the self-described "freak-pop" band, the Unicorns, have formed a new group, Islands. Every show is different from the last, with various guests appearing on whim. Dressed in all white, this band eerily conjures images of mental institution patients. But that's all part of their shtick -- these guys are unpredictable. They really are best summed up in one concise description: Canadian.
An Evening of Music with Pepi Ginsberg, Otono Brujo and
Sujata Sidhu
The Kelly Writers House
3805 Locust Walk
Sat, 8:30 p.m., Free
www.writing.upenn.edu/~wh
Why is Joni Mitchell's voice so low now? Why the hell did Bob Dylan go electric? Where have all the cowboys gone? Chances are Pepi, Otono and Sujata won't have the answers to all of these questions, but they'll probably be able to answer some of them. Or, at least they'll play good music, which is more than you can say for the Cowboys (Dallas or otherwise).
Southern Culture on the Skids
World Cafe Live
3025 Walnut Street
Mon, 7:30 p.m., $15
(215) 222-1400
http://tickets.worldcafelive.com/
Finally, some Kentucky-fried rock and roll. Actually, Carolina-fried would be more precise, as the SCOTS trio hails from Chapel Hill. They've been quietly but hilariously lampooning southern culture and white trash for 20 years, most recently on their 2004 album, Mojo Box. Fusing various styles of rock music to create their sound, SCOTS places a special importance on fried chicken as an integral part of their performances, so stop off at the Colonel's beforehand.
Penn Chamber
Irvine Auditorium, Amado Recital Hall
3401 Spruce Street
Tue, 8 p.m., free
(215) 898-5000
Did you know we have a Penn Chamber? No, it's not a freaky, dark cell where they keep freshmen that refused to comply with the "no halogen lamps" and "no nails in the wall" policies. This is the umbrella organization for a variety of chamber music groups. So bust out the Yo-Yo Ma and get ready for some highbrow entertainment. You can still drink enough to undo any intellectual learning by the nights end. Promise.
Don Quixote
Northeast High School
Cottman and Algon streets
Thu, 5 p.m., free
Batman and Robin. Xena and Gabrielle. Spongebob and Patrick. All of these are famous hero/sidekick pairs that we know and love. If you attend Northeast High School's showing of Cervantes' Don Quixote, then soon you will be able to add the names Don Quixote and Sancho Panza to this list. Now go watch the Man of la Mancha chase those windmills.
Measure for Measure
Annenberg Center for the
Performing Arts
3680 Walnut Street
Thu, 7:30 p.m., Fri, 8 p.m.,
Sat, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.,
Sun, 3 p.m.
(215) 898-3900
$30-$45
www.pennpresents.org
To be cultural, or not be cultural, that is the question. With London's Globe Theatre, one of the world's preeminent Shakespeare companies, in town, all those juniors who are abroad will be wishing they are here. Measure for Measure is a sexually charged social comedy with an all-male cast that is true to the play's original performances in the 16th century. Go back in time to discover that social politics and political dissatisfaction really haven't changed that much in the past 5,000 years.
Rounding Third
Walnut Street Theatre - Independence Studio on 3
825 Walnut Street
Thu-Sat, 8 p.m., Sun, 2 p.m., $20-$25
(215) 922-4462
www.theatreexile.org
Oh, Little League. The sounds of parents screaming in the stands: "Run, Johnny! Run!" and "Timmy, what were you thinking?" The joy of ice cream melting all over your face. The scrumptious, uncooked taste of a ballpark hot dog. Fun times. If you've overcome the trauma and you're ready to relive the invigorating experience that is Little League, how about you try Rounding Third? The play tells the story of two coaches with drastically different styles who must come to terms with fatherhood and a love of the game. Oh, bad memories.
The Santaland Diaries and Season's
Greetings to
Our Friends and
Family Red Room
Society Hill Playhouse
507 S. 8th St.
Thu-Sat, 7:30 p.m.,
Sun, 1:30 p.m.,
through Dec. 17, $15-$18
(215) 923-0210
www.flashpointtheatre.org
Think you're the only Penn kid going home to presents under a cut-down pine tree? Well cheer up, The Santaland Diaries is a play all your Jewish and secular friends can enjoy. Written by David Sedaris, this satirical Christmas romp is sure to delight all of Penn's naughty kids, and it's definitely better than looking forward to that lump of coal under the menorah this holiday season.
