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Archive: November, 2009
Just in case you don't subscribe to our comments RSS feed (WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE!?), we just wanted to let you know that the good people at First Person Arts posted that there will be a free screening of Still Bill, the doc about legendary, reclusive soul singer Bill Withers, tonight at Drexel at 7 p.m.' Afterward, there will be a Q&A with filmmakers Damani Baker and Alex Vlack.
Our own Josh Middleton caught Still Bill this weekend and gushed about it: "It made me giggle, it made me sob and it inspired me to want to be better at what I do." Here's the trailer just in case you forgot:
RELATED: Check out Bill Withers doc Still Bill at the First Person Fest
Still Bill, tonight, 7 p.m., free, Mitchell Auditorium, Bossone Research Center, Drexel University, 3128 Market St.
Updated ' it's 7 p.m. Thanks Anon!
What time?
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| Timothy Bieniosek via Flickr |
Timothy Bieniosek, or relaxing on Flickr, posted some great photos of this weekend's Tweed Ride on City Paper's Photostream. I am in love with just about everyone in these. Click here to see more.
Girls Rock Philly, the empowering rock 'n' roll camp for young girls that makes me wish I were 12 again (until I recall what being 12 was actually like), is releasing its first album this Sat., Nov. 14 at Johnny Brenda's (1201 N. Frankford Ave., 215-739-9684) at noon. (If you can't make it, you can still purchase Who Rocks? Girls Rock!: Philly 2009 Camper Band Compilation for $10 on CDBaby.) Look above for a peek of the Girls Rock Philly DVD, which the little ladies say will be out wihin the next month or two.
Don't know what to do tonight? Don't worry, we've got you covered.
' If you wouldn't mind being persuaded to give up meat (noooooo! not my meat! not me!), take Lauren F. Friedman's advice and see Jonathan Safran Foer talk about his book Eating Animals, which she likens to a more hardcore Omnivore's Dilemma. He seems like a charming, good-dad type of guy in the Ellen clip above, and will be at the Central Branch of the Free Library (1901 Vine St., 215-567-4341) at 7:30 p.m. for free.
' Americans in France are doing their noisy, girly punk thing at the M Room (15 W. Girard Ave., 215-739-5577) at 8 p.m. for $8.
' Or there's the gay/fashion option: Rebecca Wilkinson of brazen undies line Ginch Gonch will lecture about her experience marketing the company, and hopefully show off some models in the product ' at the Bossone Auditorium (3128 Market St., 215-895-6993) at 6:30 p.m. for free.
Not satisfied? Check out today's listings for more and more and more events.
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| Photo | Josh Middleton |
The final presentation of the eighth annual First Person Festival was a screening of Still Bill by filmmakers Damani Baker and Alex Vlack. The film, which was shown to a packed house on Sunday night at the Painted Bride, is about soul great Bill Withers, who unexpectedly fled the music scene after penning a slew of R&B classics, including 'Lean on Me' and 'Ain't No Sunshine.' I went expecting to see a movie that focused on the reasons why he left the business, but instead saw a bio-doc of a genuinely good-natured, deeply philosophical man who somehow managed to escape the sparkly, mainstream music world untainted. Molly Eichel gave a thorough review last week on Critical Mass, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say this is one of the best documentaries I've seen in a long time. It made me giggle, it made me sob and it inspired me to want to be better at what I do. What more could you ask for from a film? I loved it.
When it was over, Baker and Vlack came onstage for an impromptu Q&A session. They mostly talked about the process of making the film, which began with an e-mail to Withers nearly 10 years ago. When they finally got the go-ahead, Withers led them on a spontaneous filming spree across the country, including locations like his family cemetery in Slab Fork, W. Va., and a large tribute concert in New York. Though there was a slew of footage to weed through, Baker and Vlack pieced together a film that moved cohesively throughout. Their purpose, they said, was to live inside of Bill Withers so they could create a film that felt natural and true. One of the most interesting tidbits of information they shared was of a hard drive in Withers' studio labeled 'Unreleased Bill Withers Tracks.' Um, hello, could someone get around to releasing those please?
Because the film started a little late, there unfortunately wasn't enough time for the filmmakers to present much of a discussion. They were promptly ushered off to make room for the boisterous Johnny Ingram and his band, who were slated to perform music by Bill Withers. They began with a cool rendition of 'Ain't No Sunshine,' which eventually flowed into 'Lean on Me.' At this point the dancefloor was flooded with people from the audience. Everyone was groovin' and shakin' until the next song, 'Use Me,' started for a silent Ingram, who didn't know the words. This awkward flub was quickly remedied, though, when a spunky lady from the audience grabbed the mic to finish it for him. She was definitely feelin' it, as was everyone else, until Ingram made the unfortunate decision to ditch the Withers numbers and start in on Barry White's cheese-tastic 'Can't Get Enough.' I thought Ingram and his band were great, but I wish they had stuck to Bill Withers' songs ' there are plenty to choose from. I can't do much complaining, though; everyone seemed to be having a ball. The dancefloor was packed not only with the audience, but employees of First Person Arts, including Executive Director Vicki Solot, who busted some moves that would freeze you in your tracks.
Over the past weekend I've learned that this is the true charm of First Person Arts. This is a company that presents raw, honest varieties of art in a way that is unpretentious and warm.
If you missed the screening on Sunday, Drexel is doing a free screening of Still Bill TOMORROW at 7pm, Mitchell Auditorium (3128 Market Street). No concert, but there will be a Q&A with the filmmakers afterward! Info: http://drexel.edu/events/11/11/2009/3990.aspx
I love this film! So wonderful!
Thanks for the review! For anyone who missed the film this past Sunday, there's a FREE encore screening at Drexel University tomorrow night! Info: Still Bill screening (plus Q & A with directors Damani Baker and Alex Vlack after the film) When: Wednesday, November 11, 7:00 pm Cost: FREE! Where: Mitchell Auditorium, Bossone Research Center, Drexel University 3128 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
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| Tweeting Colors |
| Tweet the rainbow. |
Every Tuesday, Critical Mass sifts through the art blog world so you don't have to.
' One of the better things to come out of the Great Depression was the temporary public pursuit of what typically is part of the private sector: the arts. As part of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, the Works Progress Administration helped stimulate the weak economy by funding artists of all shapes and styles. In honor of this pretty damn wonderful idea, Phillyist reports that the National Constitution Center is hosting a WPA poster contest, open to all ages.
' Since the Phils lost last week, the cloud of Philly's bruised pride has hung low over the city. Uwishunu is trying to ameliorate this precipitation by promoting a list of Philly firsts, which include the first fire department and stock exchange in the U.S. Take that NYC!
' In conjunction with First Friday, FunnelPages curated its own show ' of Internet art. Pieces include a photographic storytelling of a whale hunt, a searchable, visual database of all of the nation's business leaders, and an interactive color bar that changes along with your tweets. Now where's the Internet wine and cheese?
' Something I've wanted for a really long time: a Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff reunion. Unfortunately, according to Make Major Moves, Will Smith's movie career keeps getting in the way. Maybe the two of them can find some time to sing the national anthem at Citizens Park during next year's World Series.
' Leave it to Peter Dobrin, the Inky's go-to music writer, to find a positive in the SEPTA strike. On his blog Arts Watch, Dobrin notes that there was one thing he really didn't miss about the buses ' the noise. But isn't it a part of the city's well-wrought orchestra? Almost like the low rumblings of timpani, if you will?
Actually, we do a curated group of works every friday on FunnelPages, each time on a different theme. You can check the archive here. But I do like the idea of e-cheese and e-wine, that needs to happen.
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A lot has been said about The Artblahg, a satirical take on The Artblog, including a predictable response from Philebrity and a not-so predictable one from Artblog proprietors Roberta Fallon and Libby Rosof. (They loved it! Um? Does that make them brave and cool or just foolish and naive?)
Its downsides are various ' it's poorly done (as one commenter said, it's more cheesy MAD magazine than smarty-pants The Daily Show); it's needlessly mean (Fallon and Rosof work damn hard, and they'd be missed in the community); the founder has yet to come out of the closet (could it be the editor of New Asshole?); and it makes some pretty stupid jokes (Smellebrity? Come on, dudes.) But, in the teeny tiny art world that is Philly, where everyone knows everyone and people's egos are crushed by the smallest critiques, it's a breath of fresh air (even if they do call us Philadelphia Shity ' sp? ' Paper). It's about time we all toughened up. Plus, they make some pretty funny dumb jokes ' spACED 10-666, anyone?
So, we cringe while thinking of look forward to the satire ahead. And we promise that the first post about Shitical Mass will get a mention here. Work out if you're loving or hating it in the comments.
Don't know what to do tonight? Don't worry, we've got you covered.
' There've been more supergroups since the '60s and '70s than you may think (Broken Social Scene, The Dead Weather, Oysterhead), but none seem to embody the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young archetype like Monsters of Folk do. Jim James and M. Ward have always been vocal and lyrical powerhouses, and Conor Oberst has never sounded better. (Artistically or personally. He's way less whiney these days.) They play the Academy of Music (1420 Locust St., 215-893-1935) at 7 p.m. for $40.50-$50.50.
' Meanwhile, the real Monster of Folk, Bob Dylan, is down the street ' in a lesser venue. Dylan's maintained a position in my Top 5 Best Humans of All Time list since I was 13, but I've only seen him once. I'm glad I did, but I don't need to again. Get your fill if you haven't yet at the Liacouras Center (1776 N. Broad St., 800-298-4200) at 7:30 p.m. for $34.50-$49.50.
' And, yes, we told you about the Science on Tap series last week ' but this week's is too geeky cool not to mention. Colin Purrington, an evolutionary biologist at Swarthmore College, will discuss Charles Darwin's legacy. Over drinks. And attendees get free "Charles Darwin Has a Posse" stickers. It goes down at National Mechanics (22 S. Third St., 215-701-4883) at 6 p.m. for free.
Not satisfied? Check out today's listings for more and more and more events.
Sesame Street officially enters middle age tomorrow, marking 40 years on the air. If that milestone doesn't give you the warm and fuzzies, I don't know what will. Their birthday also marks the beginning of their new season, featuring First Lady Michelle Obama, Cameron Diaz and In The Heights creator/performer Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Like most children with access to a TV, I was all about the Street. Some 21 years after I initially saw it, I still often find myself singing this:
To mark the occasion, take a gander at an excerpt from Michael Davis' Street Gang, about the landmark show's long run.
So I showed you mine, now show me yours. Any Sesame Street skits that stood out to you? I'm also a huge fan of the B52's Kate Pierson (in Muppet form!) and REM singing "Furry Happy Monsters" (want more music? Hecklerspray has a fun list of his top 10 musical performances. It skews recent but is still great). And pretty much anything the Count was involved with (1 ah ha ha ha, 2 ah ha ha ha ha ' gets me every time!). I could go on ' Share your favorite Sesame-flavored moments in the comments.
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| Photo | Josh Middleton |
| Brian Rafferty on the wonders of an off-key obsession. |
On Friday night I went to see Brian Rafferty's 'Karaoke Obsessed,' part of the eighth annual First Person Festival at the Painted Bride. Now, before you see the word "karaoke," roll your eyes and decide to scroll to the next post, you may want to give it a second thought. As Rafferty explained in his hourlong discussion, karaoke may be more than the country's cheesiest pastime, but a hobby that could alter your life for the better.
Rafferty's presentation began with an explanation about his childhood as a starry-eyed tot who dreamed of becoming a famous singer. It wasn't until he was in his early 20s in a dingy karaoke bar in the Village that he finally found his voice and therefore an obsession that would change the tune of his life forever. He immediately dropped some extra weight, developed a swagger on the streets and became an instant hit in K-Boxes (individual karaoke rooms) around Manhattan. Next he explained how his fascination with karaoke eventually led him on a worldwide excursion to document its history and influence around the world. (As much as I enjoyed his talk, I have to admit the history section grew a little stale.) It was interesting to learn the meaning of the word karaoke, which is 'empty orchestra' in Japanese, but I was entertained most when he shared his personal experiences, which were enhanced by a couple of embarrassing videos and snapshots from his early days on the karaoke circuit.
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| Photo | Josh Middleton |
| Vashti sings Tina Turner's "Private Dancer." |
When he finished he passed the mic to Sara Sherr, who you may recognize as the KJ (Karaoke DJ) from the Khyber's Monday night singfest, Karaoke that Doesn't Suck. She gave a quick, charming talk about her stint as a KJ, which began in 2006. She also rattled off two tips for aspiring karaoke singers: 1. Pick songs you are comfortable with and 2. Have a few drinks. The drinking part was easily taken care of courtesy of an open bar serving free gin and tonics from Pennsylvania gin distiller Tub Gin.
The highlight of the evening, though, was when the stage was opened to the audience. In true First Person Arts fashion, each singer was asked to tell their karaoke stories before breaking into their well-chosen ditties. For nearly an hour people performed a line-up of show-stopping numbers that ranged from Ellen's rowdy, head-banging take on the Dead Milkmen's 'Punk Rock Girl' to a sultry, microphone humping performance of Tina Turner's 'Private Dancer' by Vashti. To end the evening, Rafferty climbed back onto the stage to perform a rousing rendition of 'And We Danced' by the Philly band The Hooters. The best part about the night was the audience's enthusiastic support of all the performers. This helped cultivate a comfortable evening of singing, sharing and storytelling that I believe would bend the strongest of karaoke skeptics. Go ahead, grab a mic. You just may walk away a better person.
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