ARTSFLASH: First Person Festival, in full swing

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ARTSFLASH: First Person Festival, in full swing

POSTED: Friday, November 6, 2009, 6:30 PM

Filed Under: Arts | Arts Events Books

Helen Horstmann, phillyfoodie.com

Foobooz Burger Cruise

Technically the First Person Festival of Memoir and Documentary Art kicked off on Tuesday night (and that doesn't even include the Oct. 26 preview dinner with Ruth Reichl, or the First Person Arts-sponsored Welcome House you might have noticed in early October). So far there's been a burger cruise, a "group eating" event, a movie screening, a festival salon and even a concert by Woody Guthrie's granddaughter. Whew.

But the majority of fest events are happening this weekend, and there's a lot of noteworthy stuff out there. We figured since we can barely keep track of it all, you might need some help, too. Here's a rundown of don't-misses (all events take place at Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., and cost $20, unless otherwise noted):

treehugger.com

Going to Extremes >> If you've ever sat for hours at La Colombe, sipping perfect cappuccinos and people-watching the coffee shop's Euro-fabulous clienetele, you have Todd Carmichael to thank. The La Colombe owner's not just known for torrefaction, though ' he's a daredevil who's trekked across Antarctica and has plans for the Namib Desert and Death Valley National Park. He'll talk about his wacky adventures and misadventures and give audiences a chance to ask questions. Like, Who does that? Fri., Nov. 6, 7 p.m.

Karaoke Obsessed >> As many drunken nights at Yakitori Boy can attest, karaoke just sometimes ' happens. Brian Raftery, like all of us before our first time, once thought karaoke was for chumps. We don't know what his first song was, but it changed his mind, and now the author of How Karaoke Conquered the World and Changed My Life is an addict. He'll read from his book, and then hand the mic to Sara Sherr, she of Sugar Town and the Khyber's Karaoke that Doesn't Suck, for some audience participation. Get ready to sing your heart out. Fri., Nov. 6, 9 p.m.

The Guinea Pig Diaries >> For his new book, A.J. Jacobs ' author of The Year of Living Biblically ' did all kinds of weird stuff, from posing nude for Vanity Fair to outsourcing his life to India. Read A.D. Amorosi's interview with Jacobs here, and then ask Jacobs if there's anything he wouldn't do. We're guessing no. Sat., Nov. 7, 7 p.m.

Grand Slam >> The culmination of a year's worth of Story Slams, this Grand Slam features hilarious/poignant/serious/ridiculous tales from each winner from the 2009 series. Who will win the title of "Best Storyteller in Philadelphia"? Sat., Nov. 7, 9 p.m.

Life Without Parole >> Our own Julia Harte filled us in on this prisoner's tale in the print edition of CP: "The star of this event won't be present on Sunday ' he'll be locked up in California State Prison. To understand how lifer/author Kenneth Hartman got there, and the metamorphosis he's undergone since his murder conviction 30 years ago, excerpts of Mother California: A Story of Redemption Behind Bars will be read by a local actor." Sun., Nov. 8, 2 p.m., free.

Sweet Tea >> CP's Josh Middleton gave us the scoop: "If the word 'tea' means gossip in gay vernacular, then E. Patrick Johnson is ready to serve it up: He'll be performing the narratives of four characters in his book, Sweet Tea, an archive of candid stories told by black gay men of the South. The book explores the unique experience of growing up black and gay below the Mason-Dixon and suggests the Southern mind-set may be broader than some think." Sun., Nov. 8, 6 p.m.

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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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