Ain't no other britney Christina Aguilera: Back to Basics Tour Wachovia Center 3601 S. Broad St. Tue, 7:30 p.m., $55-95 (215) 336-3600 www.comcast-spectacor.com Once upon a time, everyone thought that Britney Spears would be the next Madonna. Between her synthesized pop tunes and her bodacious bod, Britney had "Madonna for Generation Y" written all over her. But then Britney floundered, leaving little girls (and those who spend too much time reading People magazine) wondering who would be the next Princess of Pop. Well, Britney's long-overshadowed fellow Mickey Mouse Club alum Christina Aguilera is here to pick up the pieces. Sure, we had our doubts. Who could forget the X-tina era and the infamous "Dirrty" music video? But still, we never should have questioned that this "Fighter" would make a triumphant return to the pop charts. Hell, she beat out Miss Spears for the 2000 Best New Artist Grammy and scored herself a less-skeevy-than-Kevin Federline hubby in Jordan Bratman. With her Back to Basics album and sassy new style, Aguilera's star doesn't look to be dimming anytime soon. Let's just hope she doesn't take a cue from her former rival and go for the bald look. -Gillian Levinson
Phillies, phinally? Phillies Home Opener Citizens Bank Park One Citizens Bank Way Mon, 1:05 p.m., $15-50 www.phillies.com The Phillies haven't won a World Series since 1980, when most Penn seniors were negative five years old. (Ah, to be negative five again.) But things have been looking up in recent years - last year they managed a second place finish in the National League East division, and lately Ryan Howard has cast an imposing shadow over opponents on the diamond. Sure, their fans can't hope to measure up to Jimmy Fallon's life-consuming obsession in Fever Pitch, but that's no reason to be discouraged. There's still hope that one day Drew Barrymore will star in a film about the Phillies, but if that movie were made today, Drew would never fall in love and would wind up dead from cheesesteak-clogged arteries. So let's root, root, root for the home team on opening day. Cracker Jacks may be disgusting, but by golly, it's an American tradition (and sometimes you get a free prize)! -Heather Schwedel
Close encounters of the Lexical kind Spelldown Kelly Writers House 3805 Locust Walk Sat, 7 p.m., free (215) 573-WRIT www.writing.upenn.edu/wh/
You've all seen the National Spelling Bee on TV. Crazy (and I mean crazy) smart kids compete for orthography super-stardom while nearly fainting/hyperventilating/puking on stage. It's pretty entertaining. But not all of us are given a fateful shot at spelling glory (G-L-O-R-Y). The Kelly Writers House has your back. The House is hosting its first Spelldown, a spelling bee open to adults of all ages! The event benefits the South Philadelphia YMCA (Y-M-C-A) Head Start Program, an organization which encourages early literacy for children of disadvantaged families. So bring a new/lightly-used children's book to donate and participate in this spelling showdown. If you bring three books, you'll be granted three lifelines. The spelling nerd within you is calling. This is your only chance to read the dictionary and look cool. Ready, set, spell! -Lauren Talman
The dingo ate my dance troupe Sydney Dance Company Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center 3680 Walnut St. Thu, 7:30 p.m.; Fri, 8 p.m.; Sat, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.; $32-44 (215) 898-6701 www.pennpresents.org Because they are the descendents of criminals, Australian people spend most of their time eating Vegemite and hunting crocodiles. Their national anthem is "Waltzing Matilda," but only because their anarchy-inclined parliament gambled away the funding needed to secure the rights to Men at Work's superior "Land Down Under" (see page 394 of A People's History of Australia). But as far as we can tell, the Sydney Dance Company is not particularly known for being dishonest. Instead, its dancers are internationally acclaimed for their prowess in eclectic movement. In Grand, they take on piano music classics from Bach to Gershwin, infusing each with original Aussie flavor. When you watch them, try to imagine the performance as an interpretive dance where each motion represents a chapter in the tragic saga of Steve Irwin's life. Such beauty, and yet, such pain. -H.S.
brought to you by students like you 2nd Annual Greater Philadelphia Student Film Festival Award Ceremony International House 3701 Chestnut St. Fri, 7 p.m., $5 (215) 387-5125 www.gpsff.com Sometimes I look around the people at Penn and I'm like, "Damn, how'd you freaking get into this school?" Other times I look around and I'm like, "Damn, you are so much better than me." That's the way I feel about the students whose work is appearing in the Greater Philadelphia Student Film Festival. Not only are these people students, but they double as filmmakers in their spare time. Can we say intimidating? Don't let your inferiority complex keep you from seeing their talents showcased at the International House. The winning films from five different categories will be screened, and the event will come complete with food, music and giveaways. Face it - you can't be as cool as these award-winning student filmmakers. But at least you can pretend. -G.L.
