Phresh Girls DJ 101 workshop
Painted Bride Art Center
230 Vine St.
Sat, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m., $15
(215) 925-9914
www.paintedbride.org
Have you ever been at the club and looked at the DJ and thought about how you wanted to do that? To have total control over the entire place and when someone makes a bad request you could just say, "Hell no, I'm not playing that shit." Well, here is your chance to learn all about the art with the records provided. Hey, you can even just bring your own. So, if you want to learn to spin and scratch just head on down to Vine. Sorry boys, it's ladies only.
Eden: The Polyphonic Paradise of Obrecht & Bosch
St. Mark's Church
1625 Locust St.
Fri, 8 p.m., $15-$25
(215) 235-8469
www.piffaro.com
In the 15th Century, Obrecht, a polyphonist, and Bosch, an artist, each used their respective medium to show the changes occurring in their surrounding society. As society became more secular and more responsive to the pleasures of human life, each became concerned with the negative effects of such a change. This concert combines the music of Obrecht with projections of Bosch's art to create an entertaining trip back in time.
Golda's Balcony
The Merriam Theater
250 S. Broad St.
Thu-Sat, 8 p.m., Sat, 2 p.m., Sun, 2 p.m., $20-$59.50
(215) 336-1234
www.goldasbalcony.com
Gossip columnist Liz Smith calls "Golda's Balcony" a 95-minute miracle, and she really knows what she's talking about! Valerie Harper (you know, Rhoda from "The Mary Tyler Moore Show") takes the stage as Golda Meir in this one woman show that is sure to delight Jewish grandparents nationwide. And if Liz Smith likes it, all you gossip-crazed Penn kids should love it too.
Friends for Life
Fergie's Pub
1214 Sansom St.
Thu, 7 p.m., Sat, 7 p.m., $10
(215) 928-8118
www.ticketleap.com
In Friends For Life, four grade school buddies meet to plan a reunion, share stories, and discover a thing or two about their friendship. For those of us who never managed to make any friends in college, this is a great foreshadowing of the future for us and our "home friends." But if that's too depressing, you can drown a few beers while watching and the one-act show will be over before you know it.
American Cooking 1876
Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia
15 S. 7th St.
Sat, 2 p.m., $10-$15
(215) 685-4830
www.philadelphiahistory.org
My mom used to volunteer at this old Quaker farmstead tucked away in my snooty Jewish suburb. In fifth grade, we all went to churn butter while she fed us cornbread and told us ghost stories. The butter was delicious, and if all old school (think pre-last century) grub tastes that good, you can be sure as pie that this historical museum's celebration of the infamous 1876 cookbook is going to feature some tip top treats. Expect history buffs, tweed jackets, full cream and my mother.
Q-licious: Not just a box of chocolates
Christ Church Neighborhood House
20 N. American St.
Sat, 8 p.m. $25-$40
(215) 222-6979
Puppets scare the shit out of me. With that said, this local puppet theater's pre-Valentine's Day bash is going to be all kinds of sugary, spicy and something-nicey. There's the drag queen-hosted, faux celebrity auction, the dance, dance, dance party, the silent art auction and oh yeah, lots of booze and baked goods. The scene might be a little campy, but come on, isn't it time that you washed your vibrator and left the house?
The Philadelphia
Orchestra: Rattle and Brendel
Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
260 S. Broad St.
Thu-Sat, 8 p.m., $10-122
(215) 893-1999
www.philorch.org
Rattle and Brendel may sound like the title for a demolition derby, but don't be confused. This is a derby of orchestral proportions. Alfred Brendel will be playing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 27, K. 595; the second movement of the concerto chills out, appearing on, "Mozart for Meditation: Quiet Music for Quiet Times." But be prepared to get rocked deaf by William Walton's Symphony No. 1, conducted by Simon Rattle. This little tune of Walton's was inspired by love gone terribly wrong. Yay for Valentine's Day!
Steve Wynn
World Cafe Live
3025 Walnut St.
Sat, 9 p.m., $6
(215) 222-1400
www.worldcafelive.com
As a Wharton student, I can appreciate that nothing is more respectable than money. That's why this Saturday night, there is nowhere I'd rather be than the World Cafe Live to see, Steve Wynn. Okay, maybe this Steve Wynn is not the famous casino owner and Penn graduate, but this man certainly has made his mark on the music scene with success as a solo artist, and with his band the Dream Syndicate. Like the other Steve Wynn, he's basically untouchable...except maybe by George Clooney and Brad Pitt.
Igant Solzhenitsyn,
Piano
Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center
Broad and Spruce Streets
Sun, 3 p.m. (pre-concert lecture at 1:45)
$22, $10 Student Rush
(215) 569-8080
www.pcmsconcerts.org
Yup, Valentine's Day is rapidly approaching. Think you're screwed if you haven't made plans with your girlfriend/that hot girl in your econ class? Think again. This Sunday. Igant Solzhenitsyn. This guy strokes the keys of a piano like he is making love to a beautiful woman. Guaranteed to make anyone swoon. And, after the show, you can impress your date with stories of your own piano lessons (when you were six). Hey, girls will definitely put out for a sensitive, cultured man, and it only costs $10 to fake it!
Dee Dee Bridgewater: "J'ai Deux Amours"
Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
3680 Walnut St.
Sat, 8 p.m., $22-$42
(215) 898-3900
www.pennpresents.org
Clearly, you've been sitting on the edge of your seat waiting to see if Street's Grammy predictions will come true. Now the excitement has passed, and Street has proven yet again that we rock (as if you needed another reason). But if you are still in the mood for recognized music, you should check out Dee Dee Bridgewater: "J'ai Deux Amours." Dee Dee is a phenomenal jazz artist who was nominated for the 2006 Grammy, and has won past Grammys and a Tony award. So you should go see her...and all that jazz.
Kevin Mahogany
Zanzibar Blue
200 S. Broad St.
Fri-Sat, 7:45 p.m. & 10 p.m., $30
(215) 732-4500
www.zanzibarblue.com
If all that comes to mind when you hear the word "jazz" is Del Paxton from the movie That Thing You Do, then a little education is in order. Your first lesson: head to Zanzibar to experience a performance by jazz musician and vocalist Kevin Mahogany. Deemed the "standout jazz vocalist of his generation" by Newsweek, he is definitely qualified to teach. And at the end, you'll pass as one cool cat.
Emerson Quartet
Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center
Broad and Spruce Streets
Fri, 8 p.m., $22, $10 Student Rush
(215) 569-8080
www.pcmsconcerts.org
The Perelman Theater is proud to host the most amazing thing produced from Emerson since the Fonz. For one night only, the Emerson Quartet is hosting a special performance just for Philly. You'll hear tracks like "Moonlight Bay", "Sweet Adeline" and many other Barbershop favorites. Who would want to miss this? I mean, how often do you have the chance to hear a college singing group around Penn's campus?
The Slacks!
Khyber
56 S. 2nd St.
Thu, 9 p.m., $8
(215) 238-5888
www.thekhyber.com
With two albums out since 2003, I'm surprised these guys haven't really found their way to many playlists. They have been in evolution since the mid '90s and have managed to create their own brand of alt-country with a dash of love-style pop; very Neil Young. The lyrics might make you want to revel on Brokeback Mountain, but I suggest you ride on over to the Khyber immediately. For eight bucks , 11 beers on tap and at least two songs that will make you wanna "save a horse;" you do the math.
Report Suspicious Activity
Khyber
56 S. 2nd St.
Sat, 9 p.m., $8
(215) 238-5888
www.thekhyber.com
Haven't seen a good show in awhile? No worries -- there is a rock/punk show this weekend over on Second Street. This politically charged group of rock veterans put out their debut album as a group last year and are now performing in Philly. The venue is 21 and over, so sorry to all of you that aren't quite old enough. Looks like this won't be the show for you, but you can stay home and contemplate their suspicious spelling of suspicious.
Ricky Martin
The Borgata
One Borgata Way, Atlantic City
Fri, 8 p.m., $66-$76
(800) 736-1420
www.theborgata.com
Remember when we all thought "La Vida Loca" was a great song? Something we could all shake our bon-bons too? Well, that time is back with Ricky Martin performing in Atlantic City. It's just a train ride away to see the greatest performer of our pre-teen days. The only catch is that if you don't already have tickets, you have a problem because the show is sold out. Apparently, everyone thought about how much they missed Ricky.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Washington Capitals
Wachovia Center
3601 S. Broad St.
Fri, 7 p.m., $20-$170
(215) 336-3600
www.comcast-spectator.com
Go see the East-meets-West at the Wachovia Center tomorrow, or at least have it on in the background while you're pre-gaming. Real fans know that this game is not to be missed. The Capitals bring with them a 20-year-old Russian rookie who is making headlines in the NHL. Alex Ovechkin is a beast. And the Flyers are on a roll, minus their Rangers defeat. So support the NHL, or they'll all start crying again.
USHRA Monster Jam
Wachovia Spectrum
3601 S. Broad St.
Fri, 8 p.m., Sat, 2 p.m. & 8
p.m., Sun, 2 p.m., $22-$27
(215) 389-9543
www.comcast-spectacor.com
A monster truck show is more than just massive vehicles, beater cars and big mounds of dirt. Last one I caught, the most surprising spectacle wasn't a jet-powered car or a 45-year-old man's under-age girlfriend, but a person much more bizarre. While most patrons would be content smuggling in a six-pack, this gentleman smuggled in a large orange tabby. No word on whether the cat had earplugs.
Sweethearts' Brunch
Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue
200 S. Broad St.
Sun, 10 a.m., $150
(215) 985-0420
www.phillytheatreco.com
Despite the title, you do not need a sweetheart to attend the Sweethearts' Brunch; maybe you can even find one there just in time for Valentine's Day. The brunch and auction support the Philadelphia Theatre Company, and you can bid on items ranging from sports memorabilia to jewelry and vacations. This annual shindig is a little pricey, but the money goes to a good cause so it is worth the cost.
Phresh: film screenings
Painted Bride Art Center
230 Vine St.
Sat, 3-4:30 p.m., $7
(215) 925-9914
www.paintedbride.org
With all the pimps and hoes running amuck (amuck, amuck, amuck!) these days, proving yourself as a chick in the hip-hop industry is harder than Chuck Norris' dick. Painted Bride thinks this is bullshit and is hosting a full day of female-friendly activities for every Lil' Missy out there. There's going to be DJ'ing, breakdancing, serious shit like panel discussions and a funky-ass film screening. What's that you said? Show me your toprocking, biatch!
