MUSIC
Tonight : Wild Beasts, Johnny Brenda’s, $10, 21+
Looking to get ahead of the curve on the next Pitchfork megastars? Wild Beasts’ star is rising pretty damn fast, and for good reason; it’s not that often that you can find a vocalist that pulls off a combination of yodeling, falsetto wailing and singing with skill and panache.
Tonight: St. Vincent, First Unitarian Church, $10, All Ages
Do you like femme-y, sweet girl-pop that is secretly way more bombastic and upbeat than you initially realized? Tall order, we know, but that’s really the only way to categorize Annie Clark, now known as St. Vincent. Even though she works with mopers like Sufjan Stevens and Andrew Bird, you’ll be happy to know that it’s nearly impossible to keep from busting a few moves to her jumpy, hurdy-gurdy sounds.
Monday, 3/1: Surfer Blood with Turbo Fruits, The Barbary, $10, All Ages
Surfer Bloods is paying tribute to the great surf-rockers of waves past by creating some pretty fantastically melancholy songs that are more than easy to shred to. Powerful riffs are offset by straightforward vocals in a way that would easily appeal to fans of old-school Strokes or those seeking a less bougie Vampire Weekend.
Tuesday, 3/2: Efterklang with Balmorhea, First Unitarian Church, $13, All Ages
If you’re looking for something that isn’t really THAT much of a departure from Sufjan-style trumpet and swelling-vocal moper ballads, take on Efterklang and Balmorhea. Though these groups aren’t really doing themselves many (or any) favors in the name-game, their light and fluffy style is fantastically uplifting.
ARTS
Tonight: Art as Medicine/Medicine as Art, The Print Center, 6:00 p.m., Free
Eric Avery is a full-time practicing physician, as well as an accomplished print maker. Come view his latest commission for the Print Center, a part of Philagrafika’s Graphic Unconscious and join in conversation with the artist about the intersection of his two lines of work. Space is limited, so RSVP to evandenburg@printcenter.org.
Tonight: Evan Roth on Art, Graffiti, Vox Populi Gallery, 6:00 p.m., Free
Evan Roth is the number one result for the google search of “bad ass motherfucker.” No, actually. Try it. This multimedia artist, whose work has been shown at MoMA, the Sundance Film Festival and the New Museum, as well as published in Rolling Stone, the New York Times and Esquire, will be skyping in from Paris for a talk on the convergence of technology, urbanity and free culture in his practice and beyond.
Friday, 2/26: Picasso’s First Constructed Sculpture: A Tale of Two Guitars, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 6:30 p.m., Free with museum admission
Penn History of Art professor Dr. Christine Poggi lectures on two sculptural guitars by Picasso, works which launched a new understanding of sculpture. Catch Professor Poggi while you can — one of the best lecturers at Penn, she goes on sabbatical next year.
Wednesday, 3/3: Ingrid Schaffner on Maira Kalman, Institute of Contemporary Art, 6:30 p.m., Free
Ingrid Schaffner, Senior Curator at ICA, will discuss the current exhibition, Maira Kalman: Various Illuminations (of a Crazy World) and elaborate on its organization and conception, as well as her own curatorial practice.
THEATER
Wednesday, 3/3 — 3/28: King Lear, People’s Light and Theatre Company, $29 — 48
Think you’ve got an intense sibling rivalry? You’ll reconsider after seeing this production of King Lear. As an added bonus, one hour before every performance a member of the cast or crew of the show will give a behind-the-scenes look at the development of the play, from its initial selection through casting, set design and the rehearsal process.
Now — 4/11: Romeo and Juliet, Arden Theatre Company, $14 — 35
It must be the month of Shakespeare in the city of brotherly love. Relive another one of your high school English classes and catch this new production of Romeo and Juliet, opening tonight. The theater recommends it for eighth grade audiences and above, so here’s to hoping that means it’s gonna get hot and heavy.
