ARTS
Now — October 12: Judith Leiber: The Art of the Handbag, The Galleries at Moore College of Art and Design, Free
These days if you catch someone carrying a Judith Leiber bag they are most likely a mother, a grandmother, or a gin-swilling Connecticut yuppie. However, in the '50s and '60s, Leiber was hailed in the fashion world as the haute handbag designer for her whimsical, jewel encrusted creations that read more as objets d'art than practical items. On display at Moore College of Art and Design is a sample of 25 of her works from the 1970s to the Hungarian designer's retirement in the 1990s.
Now — September 30: Ryan Trecartin: Re'Search Wait'S, 2009-2010, The Fabric Workshop, New Temporary Contemporary, Free
Viewing a work by video artist Ryan Trecartin is a mindfuck: images and dialogues flash across his screens at hyperspeed, boys dress like girls, girls dress like boys and often, Trecartin himself schizophrenically morphs into characters and alter-egos to offer commentary on our confusing and deranged digital age. "Re'Search Wait'S," now on view at the New Temporary Contemporary, is a chilling, nonlinear glimpse into the psychopathy of tweendom.
THEATER
Saturday, 9/25: Zombie Prom, The Trocadero, $10
Remember that scene from Mean Girls where it's Halloween and everyone at Lindsay Lohan’s high school is dressed like a total slut? Transforming into a human Jack-Ho-Lantern come late October is pretty much a universal female affliction and frankly, it's no fun. Instead, start the Halloween festivities early with Philly’s annual Zombie Prom at the Trocadero — with 10 makeup stations, three live bands and copious booze, it’s bound to be a kitschy, gorey good time.
MUSIC
Friday, 9/24: LCD Soundsystem with Sleighbells, Philadelphia Naval Cruise Terminal, $10, 21+
Making Time and R5 Productions have been throwing badass concerts all summer but their swan song, LCD Soundsystem and Sleigh Bells, promises to be the perfect bacchanalian end to everyone's favorite season. The Naval Yard is the perfect setting for LCD Soundsystem's weird, modern mix of industrial beats and emotional hooks, and Sleighbells' beachy electro-rock is sure to be a perfect soundtrack for the killer preshow barbecue hosted by Urban Outfitters.
Sunday, 9/26: M.I.A, The Electric Factory, $35
Between that shark dress and her very public beef with everyone from The New York Times writer Lynn Hirschberg to Lady Gaga, it's safe to say that Maya Arulpragasam (M.I.A to most) courts controversy. Above it all though M.I.A is a badass, Brit-brat MC with serious stage presence and command of catchy, lo-fi beats. Check her out at the Electric Factory on the first leg of her U.S. tour.
