BOOKISH: You have new friend requests

POSTED: Tuesday, November 15, 2011, 4:00 PM

Filed Under: Arts Books

Each week, Francesca Crozier-Fitzgerald puts together a rundown of book-centric events that’ll keep you “lit” like a firecracker all week long.

[Tuesday]

➤ R. Eric Thomas has requested Your Friendship

R. Eric Thomas (pictured), playwright and oral storyteller, is banking on the fact that we are trapped in a web of social network-masked awkwardness. You know what he’s talking about: the Facebook instant message that looms unanswered or the wall post that you accidentally “like” on a wall you shouldn’t be stalking (i.e. high-school enemy, secret crush). Join Eric in his exploration of this universal tale, and “like” him on Facebook after the show. 7-8 p.m., $15, Khyber Upstairs, 56 S. Second St., firstpersonarts.org.

[Wednesday]

➤ Freelancers Anonymous
Attention, journalists of Philadelphia: Learn how to pitch, publish and profit from your freelance endeavors, because the way things are going in the biz, you’re going to have to get it right. The pitch will soon be as valuable as the product, if it isn’t already. Freelance journalist Sally Friedman will discuss her methods of marketing, her own work and the practical strategy behind the art of freelance. 11 a.m., Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322, freelibrary.org.

[Thursday]

➤ Two Mo’ Weeks
If you are capable of growing facial hair and haven’t transformed that stubble into an impressively lush handlebar ‘stache yet, you have two more weeks to be part of the Movember Movement. In honor of raising men’s health awareness, men across the world have been growing their whiskers and collecting cash. It’s no secret that the more outrageous the trim, the more money is earned. Use these last two weeks of the month to try out new styles with tips from mustache shape and style guide, Sweet ‘Stache. Inside you’ll find “50 Badass Mustaches and the Faces that Sport them.” Before your morning shave, free, in front of bathroom mirror.

[Friday]

➤ Stripped Stories
Following the tradition of shameless, bare-it-all female comedians like Sarah Silverman and Chelsea Handler, are comedians/storytellers Margot Leitman and Giulia Rozzi. As in their original series at UCB Theater in NYC, the best friends present their Stripped Stories routine to audiences, providing oral story-time about scandalous nights and steamy encounters. Before the end of the show, the audience will participate in a mandatory and, as always, ever-so-uncomfortable game of “Never Have I Ever.” Fri.-Sat., Nov., 18-19, 10 p.m.-midnight., Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., firstpersonarts.org.

[Saturday]

➤ Post-it Note Tales
Dynamite This American Life duo Arthur Jones and Starlee Kine may very well be thinking “out of the box” to tell their stories, but they’re still thinking in the square — a post-it square, that is. With only a sharpie and a stack of yellow slips, illustrator Jones has translated essays from notable authors, artists and performers. As their partnership operates, Kine will step in during the presentation for the “signature banter” that adds dialogue bubbles and conflict to the quadrants. 5-6:30 p.m., $15, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., firstpersonarts.org.

[Sunday]

➤ Comically Infatuated with Comics
While I think everyone has read at least one comic, there’s a large gap between those who appreciate a comic strip and those whose blood pressure rises at the thought of perusing an auditorium full of the newest comic books and comic art. We are of two camps, people, and as odd as it may seem, there are enough Philadelphians who fall into the latter category to keep Comic-Con, the longest running comic festival, alive. Come get your comic-on. 10 a.m.-4 p.m, $3, Ramada Philadelphia Airport, 76 Industrial Highway, philadelphiacomic-con.com.

[Monday]

➤ Smart Girl’s Shame Free Guide to Sex and Safety
In a recent interview about her new book, What You Really Really Want, Jaclyn Friedman says the idea of the book help readers “figure out what are the ways you have been influenced, which one of those influences are bringing you pleasure and happiness, and which one of those are hurting you or keeping you from experiencing pleasure and connection.” Friedman has been an activist for free exploration of sexuality for a long time, and her revolution has been waged against the terrible, society-led tri-fecta of shame, blame, and fear. This week, her presentation will explain the ways that we are responsible — regardless of age or gender — for knocking down these pillars and silence them for good. 5:30 p.m., free, Giovanni's Room, 345 S. 12th St., giovannisroom.com.

(francesca@citypaper.net)

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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.

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