Right here in Philly, at the University of Pennsylvania, Mary Frances Berry is keeping the name of ex-slave Callie House alive, but her own life is extraordinary as well. The UPenn prof was the assistant secretary of education and commissioner and vice chairman of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. President Reagan fired her for criticizing his civil rights policies, but she sued him and won. Now, she's written My Face Is Black Is True: Callie House and the Struggle for Ex-Slave Reparations about another woman's insistence on justice and truth, a woman whose grave might have been lost to time, but not her activist legacy. Thu., Sept. 8, 7 p.m., free, Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St., 215-567-4341.

As part of the Historic American Buildings Survey, Joseph E.B. Elliott photographed many structures up and down Diamond Street, and these landmarks appear in all their architectural glory in "Acres of Diamonds: The Architectural Treasures of North Philadelphia," an exhibition of Elliott's work at CCP. The John Coltrane House, The Church of the Advocate, Founder's Hall at Girard College and the Wagner Free Institute of Science, as well as some grand row houses, are among the buildings featured in the show. Don't miss Elliott, along with Preservation Allance Executive Director John Gallery, discussing the project on Sept. 14, and a related walking tour around the sites on Sept. 17. Reception Wed., Sept. 14, 4 p.m. (lecture at 5:30 p.m.), Community College of Philadelphia, Mint Building Rotunda, 1700 Spring Garden St., 215-751-8318. Walking tours Sat., Sept. 17 (rain date Sept. 24), 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Exhibition through Sept. 30.

Before his grisly demise in 1967 (he was bludgeoned to death by his partner), playwright Joe Orton wrote some damn funny, if macabre, plays that satirized class, religion and the human condition in England. Loot, which begins previews at the Arden tonight, involves a bank robbery, a corrupt inspector and a dead mother (in whose coffin they store the loot). Go if only to see the classically trained British actor David Howey portray the mourning widower; his performances are always a treat. Thu.-Sat., Sept. 8-10, 8 p.m., Sun., Sept. 11, 2 p.m., Tue., Sept. 13, 7 p.m., Wed., Sept. 14, 6:30 p.m., through Oct. 30, $27-$45, Arden Theatre Co., 40 N. Second St., 215-922-1122.