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Friday, May 25, 2012

The Prize: We have 20 pairs of tickets to give away for the Roots Picnic, June 2 and 3.

The Contest: Write a haiku inspired by The Roots or somebody else playing the picnic. Send it to pat@citypaper.net with the subject ROOTS PICNIC HAIKU.

We'll pick our favorites next week. Yes, we count syllables.

The Roots Picnic is Sat., June 2, noon; Sun., June 3, 5 p.m.; $63 a day, $96 for both days, Festival Pier, Penn’s Landing, 201 S. Columbus Blvd., more info.

Posted by Patrick Rapa @ 4:10 PM  Permalink | File Under: Music | | Win | Post a comment
Friday, May 25, 2012

Condolences to the family and friends of Sam Mickey from Morning Glory, the sunshiny diner on S. 10th Street. Mickey passed quietly after a long bout with cancer. Very quietly. So quietly that many of us in the same neighborhood as Morning Glory didn’t know about this until Fergus Carey (another neighbor of Morning Glory) said as much. When Glamorosi and I first moved into the Italian Market, Morning Glory was our kitchen away from home. Carey mentioned that there is a good chance that the folk from the Glory will put on a benefit in Mickey’s name hosted by manager Jenny Greer on June 8 with its monies going to the Wellness Center. Stay tuned.

Tonight tonight, just like the song from West Side Story goes, Friday May 25, is the evening that Hop Sing Laundromat, Chinatown’s nearly hidden gem, opens according to Eater this morning. Drinks will cost you ten bucks — cash (this weekend only).

Before they play Jay Z’s Made in America fest in Philly, localite Meek Mill and his boss Rick Ross drop “So Sophisticated” here.

Posted by A.D. Amorosi @ 3:00 PM  Permalink | File Under: Icepack Illustrated | Post a comment
Friday, May 25, 2012

Every Friday, Ryan Carey covers the people and events that are giving Philly the giggles.

Last night, Philadelphia's own Feeko Brothers performed the first of their two-night run of “Crotch The Throne.” This latest batch of sketches is among their funniest, staying true to the Feekos' biggest strengths: absurdity and salesmanship. They will pitch you a truly inane premise, and then sell it with so much conviction that, half the time, they end screaming at each other or at you. This formula would spill over the top or grow weary with a less-talented duo, but these Temple film grads are such compelling performers that they truly take you "in it" with them each and every time.

And it can be an alarming journey!

The Feekos' chops expand beyond selling you premise after ridiculous premise. Their writing decisions are so strong they seem to create the in-the-moment phenomena of improv theater with the razor conceptuality of modern sketch greats. Billy Bob (the skinny Feeko) teaches sketch-comedy writing at Philly Improv Theater, and both the bros are standups while they're not Feeking to high heavens.

Posted by Ryan Carey @ 2:00 PM  Permalink | File Under: Comedy | LOL With It | Post a comment
Friday, May 25, 2012

The next item up for grabs in our Ultimate Summer Fun Guide giveaway is the July's ruby rollerblades, emblazoned from heel to toe with red blingy things. Keep in mind, these are made for dolls, so you won't be scoring a pair of skates that fit — unless you're a wee little tiny person. They would look rad dangling from your rear-view mirror, though!

To win, send josh.middleton@citypaper.net a haiku about ruby rollerblades by 5 p.m. on Tue., May 29. Make it funny, please!

(@justjoshfunk1)

Bedazzling by Brenna Adams

Photo by Neal Santos

Posted by Josh Middleton @ 1:30 PM  Permalink | File Under: Win | Post a comment
Friday, May 25, 2012

Following its success at last year's Fringe Fest, the poetry/theater/psychological journey known as Savage/Love and Tongues returns to the New City Stage Company. Written by longtime off-Broadway mastermind Sam Shepard and Open Theatre founder Joseph Chaikin, the show begins with Savage/Love, the dreamy quest of a lonely man searching for love. Local poet/actor Russ Widdall (pictured) is the lonesome star, weaving together poetry and movement in a meditation on yearning for human connection.

As the show progresses, Savage/Love becomes Tongues, the fiery stream-of-consciousness of a dying man performing his last rites. Illustrating the mood is Josh Fox's percussions, adding rhythm and direction to the seemingly free-form narrative that will not only expand your understanding of theater but plunge you deep into the wants and needs of a lonely soul.

The show runs May 26-28 and June 2-3 at the Second Stage at the Adrienne Theater (2030 Sansom St.). Tickets are $10.

(nina@citypaper.net)

Posted by Nina Willbach @ 1:00 PM  Permalink | File Under: Arts | Theater | Post a comment
Friday, May 25, 2012

A roundup of City Paper's new movie reviews, from least to highest graded.

MEN IN BLACK 3 [ C- ] It’s been ten years since the last Men in Black film hit screens, just about enough time in the summer popcorn environment (and in the absence of the alien hunters’ memory-erasing doohickey) for audiences to forget just how wretched the last sequel was. This second sequel feels like a regrouping on Will Smith’s part, a return to a popular role after a four-year absence following the audacious suicide-by-jellyfish misfire Seven Pounds. He apparently hasn’t shaken his loftier dramatic ambitions, however, as the series takes an unexpected and ill-advised turn towards pathos. Read the rest of Shaun Brady's review. (Pearl, Rave, UA Riverview, UA Grant)

Posted by Josh Middleton @ 12:00 PM  Permalink | File Under: Movies | Post a comment
Friday, May 25, 2012

Delaware Ave. is gearing up for tonight’s grand opening of its newest restaurant/venue/general kickback spot. Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd.) will be an outdoor waterfront beer garden complete with regularly scheduled live (mostly local) music and a steady supply of barbecue and brews.

The stage at Morgan’s Pier will host a free concert every Saturday afternoon of the summer, starting June 9 with Philly psychedelic punk band Bleeding Rainbow. Following the bands every week will be a slew of international and local DJs, including Russel Alexander and Dave Tidey (aka Bottom Power), who will play tonight’s opening party.

To learn more about the venues food and drink offerings, check out our coverage in next week’s Food section and on Meal Ticket

(madeline@citypaper.net) (@MPaigeBates)

Posted by Madeline Bates @ 11:00 AM  Permalink | File Under: Events | | Just Do It | | Music | DJs | Post a comment
Friday, May 25, 2012

Devoted poet/avid concert-goer/nerd-grrrl extraordinaire Jane Cassady’s weekly horoscopes run in this space every Friday morning.

Gemini (May 19-June 21): After having four kids, my sister had her tubes tied. She always said she wouldn’t be surprised if her operation was one of the .5 percent that didn’t work. Turns out, she was still pretty surprised (but overjoyed). Get ready for blessings as lavish and shocking as hers.

Cancer (June 22-July 23): On last week’s Girls, Hannah took a trip home and caught a glimpse of what life in her hometown would’ve been like if she’d stayed. For one thing, guys there don’t talk dirty enough. Take a moment to appreciate the many and varied benefits of how far you’ve traveled.

Leo (July 24-Aug. 23): Whatever new hobby you’re working on, you’re about to be moved up from the beginner class to the intermediate level. Give yourself a hug, a gold star, a butterscotch sundae and a backrub. You deserve every reward.

Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 23): You keep dreaming of people you’ve lost, reuniting, taking their hands, visiting for Christmas. Whatever is missing is drifting towards you like a misty ex in a dream. Take his hand and go forward.

Posted by Jane Cassady @ 10:00 AM  Permalink | File Under: Poetic License | Post a comment
Thursday, May 24, 2012

To celebrate the release of our 2012 Ultimate Summer Fun Guide, we're giving away the bedazzled goods that decorate the opening page of each calendar month. First up: May's shades, bedazzled with emeralds (May's birthstone) and lots of other little shiny things. To win, write a haiku about them and send it to josh.middleton@citypaper.net by tomorrow (May 25) at 5 p.m.

Bedazzlng courtesy of Brenna Adams.  

Photo courtesty of Neal Santos

Posted by Josh Middleton @ 2:23 PM  Permalink | File Under: Win | Post a comment
Thursday, May 24, 2012

Our bedazzled Ultimate Summer Fun Guide is on the streets and live online! Check it out for a quick, snappy rundown of what's happening in Philly all season long — from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Posted by Josh Middleton @ 11:19 AM  Permalink | File Under: Events | | To-Do List | Post a comment
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About Critical Mass
Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene. If you have tips or suggestions, email josh.middleton@citypaper.net.

Follow Critical Mass editors Josh Middleton, Patrick Rapa and Emily Guendelsberger on Twitter:

@justjoshfunk1 | @mission2denmark | @emilygee