Comedy Night: Cruise to Nowhere
Ulana's Restaurant
2nd and Bainbridge Sts.
Fri, 9 p.m., $14, $20 per couple
(215) 514-7508
www.comicenergy.com
The annual Comedy Night is an event to remember. Started by James Daly in 2002, the show is performed by members of the comic troupe Comic Energy. With a Caribbean cruise theme, the show features several sketches parodying shows such as The Love Boat, all of which are sure to be hilarious. The group of talented sketch comics perform for an hour and a half; and it's a show worth seeing, if only for the 22-foot-long cruise ship.
Inside America's Presidency
National Liberty Museum
321 Chestnut St.
Sat-Mon, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $5
(215) 925-2800
www.libertymuseum.org
Curious about Bush's frequent visits to brothels? Lincoln's addiction to heroin? Kennedy's struggles with erectile dysfunction? Well, you probably won't learn about any of this at the National Liberty Museum. But, you will learn a lot of interesting information at this special Presidents' Day weekend exhibit. The exhibit brags that it brings a fresh perspective to America's Presidents. It also includes a valuable collection of authentic presidential china. So, while you might not gain any information about Washington's devastating case of genital warts or even Clinton's sexual misdemeanors, you will learn more facts than you could ever imagine about the U.S. presidency.
George Washington's Desk on Exhibition
Atwater Kent Museum
15 S. Seventh St.
Fri-Mon, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $3-$5
(215) 685-4830
www.philadelphiahistory.org
No, this is not a typo. Desks are important structures. And the desk that George Washington used is actually the focus of an exhibit. You can use a desk to eat on, to rest your feet upon, to stand on to reach something, to have kinky office sex on and even to write on. The possibilities are endless. This particular desk was the desk that Washington used for his entire presidency, when Philadelphia was still the capital of the United States. Who knows what our nation's first president thought to do with this desk? Well, it was built by New York cabinet-maker Thomas Burling in 1789. Come see this hand-crafted desk and come see a piece of history -- if not for America, then do it for Philadelphia.
Presidents' Day
Celebration
National Museum of American Jewish History
Independence Mall East
55 N. Fifth St.
Mon, 12 p.m., free
(215) 923-3811
www.nmajh.org
Mazel tov! In accordance with tradition, the National Museum of American Jewish History will be hosting their annual Presidents' Day Celebration. This year, the event will be kicked off with a veteran of the Iraq War as the keynote speaker. Goyim, don't be deterred by the location, you don't have to be of Hebrew descent to attend this shindig. Unfortunately, Penn doesn't give us Presidents' Day off, but ditch your American history class and go anyway.
Constitution Culture Club: Margaret Garner
National Constitution Center
525 Arch St.
Independence Mall
Thurs, 6-7:30 p.m., free w/$25 museum membership
(215) 409-6767
www.constitutioncenter.org
Think a trip to the opera is a very expensive sedative? Not true of the new show Margaret Garner. Based on the true story of a slave who killed her children to prevent them from remaining in slavery, the opera was composed by Grammy Award winning composer Richard Danielpour and includes a libretto by Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison. The combination of their talents is sure to create an experience for which you'll actually want to remain awake.
Friday Film Fest
German Society of Pennsylvania
611 Spring Garden St.
Fri, 6:30 p.m., $12-15
(215) 627-2332
www.germansociety.org
Heidi Klum is pretty damn hot. And her TV show Project Runway is probably the most addictive show currently on television. That being said, this supermodel has taught us that Germany is more than just France's neighbor with an iffy background. Need more positive attributes of Germany? Attend the German Society's weekly "Friday Film Fest." This week's showing is Hauptmann von Koepenick, a tragicomedy about a Berlin shoemaker who ends up taking over the city of Koepenick. Okay, so maybe Germany hasn't quite dealt with that need-for-power issue, but the show includes coffee and cake, as well as English subtitles. After all, besides Project Runway, this is the best entertainment that Germany has to offer.
LaDawn Black
Borders Books and Music
8701 Germantown Ave.,
Chestnut Hill
Thu, 7 p.m., free
(215) 248-1213
With the wisdom of Dr. Phil and the looks of Halle Berry, relationship advisor LaDawn Black is a love guru. Host of the number-one late night relationship advice show, The Love Zone, she is also the author of Stripped Bare: The 12 Truths That Will Help You Land the Very Best Black Men. Knowledgeable about lust, love and everything in between, Black will help Philly become more than the City of "Brotherly" Love.
Penn Glee Club Presents: The Glee of Clubs
Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
Zellerbach Theatre
37th and Walnut Sts.
Thu-Sat, 8 p.m., $7 with PENNCard
dolphin.upenn.edu/~gleeclub
There's nothing prettier or wittier than a big group of men singing and dancing their way through a Broadway-style musical. That being said, the Glee Club's much anticipated spring show is bound to be good, pseudo-wholesome fun. The boys are in Vegas for a poker tourney, and it seems there's a cheater among the sharks. I'm sort of unclear on how they are going to raise the high intrigue, but I'd be willing to bet that boozing it up beforehand is in the cards.
WXPN Welcomes: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
World Cafe Live
3025 Walnut St.
Thu, 7:30 p.m., $12-14
(215) 222-1400
www.worldcafelive.com
World Cafe Live continues a season of great music with Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Best known for their jazzy beats infused with funk and soul, the band is a favorite with those who love to dance. Interestingly, the group is named the "Nocturnals" because of their penchant to practice until the wee hours of the night. With success in Europe and a classic '60s and '70s vibe, this up-and-coming band is a must-see.
The Philadelphia Orchestra: Rattle conducts Brahms
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Verizon Hall
260 S. Broad St.
Thu-Sat, 8 p.m., $10-$112
(215) 893-1999
www.philorch.org
Yeah, cheesesteak is good, but among the sophisticated set, Philadelphia is known as an orchestra town. It's one of the "big five" symphony cities in the nation in fact (yup, that phrase has applications outside basketball). Given all of the culture outside greasy food and sports, now might be a good time to check out some of the world's most gifted musicians playing a newly-commissioned work of lovelorn sorrow. Don't worry, Tony Luke's and the Palestra will still be here when you get back.
Miguel Harth-Bedoya conducts the Curtis Symphony Orchestra
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
260 S. Broad St.
Tue, 8 p.m., $5-30
(215) 893-1999
The Curtis Institute of Music is one of the finest music conservatories in the world, providing every student with a full scholarship. The program rivals and even exceeds Julliard on some levels. These students don't play; they perform. This Tuesday, Miguel Harth-Bedoya will conduct the Curtis Symphony Orchestra, performing selections from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet Suites No. 1 and 2, Op. 64a+b and Stravinsky's Le Rossignol. With a virtuoso like him, the performance will be nothing short of spectacular.
The Autumn Defense
World Cafe Live
3025 Walnut St.
Fri, 9 p.m., $13-$15
(215) 222-1400
www.worldcafelive.com
Praised by MTV and Rolling Stone among others, The Autumn Defense is led by Wilco bassist John Stirratt and producer Pat Sansone. They have been all over Europe and are now on their winter tour across the States. Their sound is limpid, wintery and all around tranquil. Comparable to Neil Young, Cat Stevens and Simon and Garfunkel, they incorporate their influences while creating their own beautiful melodies -- they're just plain great. Go see them.
V.I.P.
Khyber
56 S. Second St.
Sat, 9 p.m., $10
(215) 238-5888
www.thekhyber.com
V.I.P are a rap-duo that defies the "rap" stereotype in more ways than I ever thought possible. Sure, the boys rap about drugs and Philly, but how many other white boys can make good songs about being gay in Philly and do it all in gold spandex? Not many, my friends... not many. So if rap that breaks boundaries seems like your thing, come down to the Khyber. Who knows? It might shatter your expectations.
Electric Six
Khyber
56 S. Second St.
Thu, 9 p.m., $12
(215) 238-5888
www.thekhyber.com
Okay, so maybe all these post-punk, dance-rock fusion, shaggy-haired bands are starting to sound the same. How many more ironic song lyrics and witty one-liners can we take? Well, at least a few more, it seems: these Detroit boys, popular in the U.K. and looking to further electrify the U.S., just released
Se‹¨«or Smoke, an album featuring funky songs with titles like "Bite Me," "Jimmy Carter" and "Dance-a-Thon." Irony, you can stay. For now.
Ladysmith Black
Mambazo: Long Walk To Freedom
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Verizon Hall
260 S. Broad St.
Sun, 3 p.m., $36-61
(215) 893-1999
www.kimmelcenter.org
When you had to learn letters, they gave you the Alphabet Song. For state capitals, you got the Animaniacs to help. But now it's college, and you never do your African Politics reading. Well, it's about time that they came up with a song to solve that. Hopefully, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Vusi Mahlasela can take the place of those MP3 lectures Penn is too good to use. Plus, they can remind you of Paul Simon, who first brought their music to America. Remember when "Bodyguard" was the catchiest song you knew? Well, it's time to learn another one.
Weekend Gallery Tour: Africa: Drums, Dance, and Ritual
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
3260 South St.
Sat, 1:30 p.m., free with museum donation
(215) 898-4000
www.museum.upenn.edu
When I was six, my parents decided that going to the museum would be a really fun and educational way to spend a Sunday. Unfortunately for them, I spent the entire day either physically trying to pull them out of the Ancient Egypt exhibit or refusing to move and forcing my father to carry me. We haven't been to the museum as a family since. Don't be like me. Go to the museum. It's a fun and educational way to spend a Saturday.
Das RheinGold
Academy of Vocal Arts
1920 Spruce St.
Sat, 7:30, $35-45
(215) 735-1685
www.avaopera.org
The Academy of Vocal Arts: home to people who can break glass with their singing voices -- or so I've seen in cartoons. I'm not actually sure if people can do that in real life. I do know that Das Rheingold was composed by Richard Wagner, aka the "Wedding March" guy, so he's got some credentials for the modern crowd. However, if I know my opera (and I don't), I'm sure that Das Rheingold ain't over 'til a fat lady sings.
The Trouble with Dido
The Curtis Institute of Music
1726 Locust St.
Fri-Sat, 8 p.m. Sun, 2:30 p.m., $5-30
(215) 893-7902
www.curtis.edu
Henry Purcell's renowned Dido and Aeneas meets Leonard Bernstein's Trouble in Tahiti in the intimate setting of the Curtis Opera Studio. Composed in the late 17th century and mid-20th century, respectively, both operas were lauded in their time. And while one is set in Ancient Greece, post-Trojan War, the other takes place in the mid 1950s among the wealth of American suburbia. I'm pretty sure this is what they call "opera for the masses."
Lucidity Suitcase Intercontinental/Thaddeus Phillips: ‹¨«El Conquistador!
Painted Bride Art Center
230 Vine St.
Thu, 7 p.m., Fri-Sat, 8 p.m., $20-
(215) 925-9914
www.paintedbride.org
Thaddeus Phillips is either hysterical and brilliant, or hysterical and completely indiscernible. His newest work is sort of a modern-day parable for Columbus' journey to the new world, full of seduction, murder and all the drama of your abuela's favorite telenovela. Spanish dialogue, Colombian soap stars, a rotating stage and puppet surveillance footage combine to create one twisted production; but would you expect anything less from a man who once staged King Lear in a kiddie pool?
Bomba! African/Latino Drumming
Hall of Flags, Houston Hall G26
34th and Spruce Sts.
Thu, 6-8 p.m., free
215-746-6044
www.vpul.upenn.edu/lacasa
This show is entitled Bomba! Not with a period, but an exclamation point -- makes it sound exciting, doesn't it? I can see it now: drums thumping, people dancing, exclamations pointing... well, probably not the last one, unless they're in the set or something. But anyway, Bomba! emphasizes the African influence in Latino music, so exclamations or otherwise, it will be an interesting show.
In Conversation with Carl Westmoreland
African American Museum in Philadelphia
701 Arch St.
Thu, 4 p.m., free with museum admission
(215) 574-0380
www.aampmuseum.org
Carl Westmoreland is the Advisor for Historic Preservation at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. He will be speaking primarily about Margaret Garner, a slave from Kentucky whose story has inspired both an opera and Toni Morrison's Beloved. If you're interested in learning more about the Underground Railroad, you really can't do better than an Advisor for Historic Preservation at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. His title just screams, "I know what I'm talking about."
Multiples: A Group Exhibition
Clay Studio
Harrison Gallery
139 N. Second St.
Tue-Sun, 12-6 p.m., free
(215) 925-3453
Following the artist-craftsman tradition of design and production, the exhibit displays the pieces of three pairs of potters who have worked with ceramics and porcelain to create a range of beautifully sculpted, decidedly utilitarian objects. Aesthetics range from classic traditional to a mellow modern and ultimately a sleek ultra-contemporary. Objects were created with reproduction in mind so I was thinking about getting that slip cast porcelain candelabra for my dorm living room. It's really nice.
Gallery Tour with Adam Parker Smith
Painted Bride Art Center
230 Vine St.
Fri, 6:30 p.m., free
(215) 925-9914
www.paintedbride.org
I once saw this episode of Silk Stalkings about a ventriloquist's dummy, and it freaked the shit out of me. This exhibition includes neither guilty pleasure television nor a wooden boy named Sam, but it does boast giant beached whales and dolls made of yarn, nylon and cotton that were once arrested in the Vatican for indecent exposure. The concept is slightly grotesque, I'll admit, but come on, aren't you curious to see just how much they expose?
Blacks in the
Military
Independence Visitor Center
One North Independence Mall West
Sat-Sun, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., free
(800) 537-7676
www.independencevisitorcenter.com
You know all about the legacy of African Americans in U.S. combat. Hello, you watched Glory in 10th grade history! And you totally rooted for Denzel. But wait... weren't there, you know, other wars and stuff? You panic because Denzel wasn't in those movies and you are therefore completely clueless. Have no fear: this weekend, the Independence Visitor Center showcases the myriad achievements of blacks in the military, culled from exhibits across the nation.
American Sublime
Adrienne Theatre
2030 Sansom St.
Thu-Sat, 8 p.m. Sun, 2 p.m., $15 for students
(215) 568-8007
www.interacttheatre.org
InterAct, the little theater company known for its big political themes, presents this world premiere. Most writers have been reluctant to adapt the events of September 11th into drama, but playwright Patricia Lynch weaves a story about a still reeling husband and wife fit for the still reeling American audience. The couple lost their son in the 9/11 attacks, and five years later at a museum exhibit, they must own up to their anger, grief and disbelief.
