Archive: December, 2010

THE SHOWDOWN: Tacky and tasteless

POSTED: Monday, December 6, 2010, 6:00 PM

Filed Under: Critical Mass | Music The Showdown

Monday: The members of harmonious LA quartet Chief count themselves in the proud ranks of Domino Records. Though that might impress you, it doesn't necessarily tip you off as to what they sound like. Inspired by similarly Californian groups of the 1970s, Chief's music is sweeping, emotional and very likeable. Their debut full-length, Modern Rituals, came out this year to modest fanfare, though they're definitely going to become one of those bands with a super devoted fanbase. They've also played in town many times this year, so they clearly like us right back. w/ The Dig & Chamberlin, 8 p.m., $10, Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 215-291-4919. Tuesday: Badly Drawn Boy, if you remember, was part of that 'solo-singer-using-a-band-name' movement that was all the rage a few years ago. These days, Damon Gough has a new set of songs, the laboriously-titled It's What I'm Thinking Pt.1 â Photographing Snowflakes. Hailed as Gough's grand return, the album is the first in a proposed trilogy; you might even get to hear some of the future editions' inclusions at this intimate Sanctuary show. Seeing as how it's been some time since Gough made the concert rounds, he's surely to be met with a rousing welcome. w/ Justin Jones, 8 p.m., $25, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 215-563-3980. Wednesday: As one of the founders of the Pentagle, Bert Janch is a cornerstone of modern folk music. More than just a celebrated spirit in his native England, Janch's dynamic guitar style has influenced everyone from Neil Young to Johnny Marr. Having recently recovered from a tour-stifling bout with lung cancer, Janch is back with over 45 years' worth of music to share. If you've been digging the recently revival of folk rock that's been happening on both sides of the Atlantic, this would be the perfect chance to see one of the men who helped start it all. w/ Meg Baird, 9 p.m., $15, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 215-739-9684. Thursday: Individual battles may have been won, but The War On Drugs rages on. The exploits of Adam Granduciel's noisy roots-rock project have been pretty well documented, with his latest release, the Future Weather EP, featuring a newly tweaked lineup. The arrangement might have changed, but The War On Drugs are no less solid of a band; Future Weather packs all the dense layers and impeccable songwriting that we've come to expect. With the prospect of a second full-length not too far off (and the holiday season looming), Granduciel might be in the giving mood and unveil some new tunes, too. w/ Ape School, 8 p.m., $8 - $10, Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 215-291-4919. Friday: Philly-via-DC (or is it DC-via-Philly?) trio Jukebox The Ghost has had one doozy of a year. From releasing Everything Under The Sun to national attention in September to appearing on the late night television circuit, the guys are finally getting the recognition they've deserved for years. With dueling lead singers/songwriters Ben Thornewill and Tommy Siegel, Jukebox can bounce between a number of styles and influences quite easily. Aside from their clever and catchy original songs, Jukebox are known for their live takes on tacky and tasteless pop hits of yore, performed with their tongues only slightly planted in their cheeks. w/ The Meligrove Band & Dynamite Walls, 7:30 p.m., $10 - $12, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 215-563-3980. Saturday: That bassist/bandleader Dave Holland released an album in 2006 titled Critical Mass shouldn't imply an unfair connection between the jazz icon and this very blog. Despite our lack of a conflict of interest, Holland remains a totally righteous dude. This time, Holland's bringing his big band (which, by my count, really is pretty darn big) for a show that's too huge for just one performance. Just this year, Holland released two albums, both of which showcase his unique voice as a composer. Drawing from experimental phases as much as classic Dixieland, Holland is a force to revere, even if you're not really in cahoots. 7 p.m. & 9 p.m., $25, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914. Sunday: Nellie McKay can't quite sit still, musically speaking. But it's that creative fickleness that keeps her career so entertaining to follow. Though she's only released a handful of albums of original material, she's also recorded plenty of covers, be they show tunes (she appeared on Broadway in The Threepenny Opera) or classic pop (her last album, Normal As Blueberry Pie, was a tribute to Doris Day). Never one to slow down, McKay has also been writing some new Christmas songs, which I'm sure she'll present at this show. Aside from her music career, McKay continues to act on stage and in film, which can only mean she has a bounty of juicy behind-the-scenes stories. w/ Birdie Busch, 7:30 p.m., $25 - $28, World Cafe Live, 30th St. & Walnut St., 215-222-1400.

Posted by Eric Schuman @ 6:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

SATURDAY: Eatala: A Life in Klezmer

POSTED: Friday, December 3, 2010, 9:00 PM

Filed Under: Movies | Music | screening | Philly Bands Show

Elaine Watts (right) with her daughter Susan Watts.

A movie about a life in music. A month in advance of the film's debut Facebook was buzzing with the Klezmer community reaching out from Texas and beyond urge friends to show some love for Elaine Watts and the film about her pioneering percussion life, Eatala: A Life in Klezmer. Debora Kodish, founder of The Philadelphia Folklore Project which produced the film, was touched to hear that Watts is getting the wide recognition she deserves. Clearly PFP believes in her. "We've spent three and a half years on this project and the film is only 36 minutes long!" The PFP was diligent in conducting interview with people whose life Watts has touched. The film includes footage of Gerry Brown, former student, famed jazz drummer who credits everything to her. Gospel music and opera endorsements are also part of this film, along with footage of a Watts in concert with contemporary Klezmer luminaries like Hankus Netsky and Henry Sapoznik. PFP also dug deep in research, "We even have a picture of the boat her family sailed on to this country." Watts is renowned for being the first woman to graduate Curtis with a degree in percussion. She is also the daughter of legendary Klezmer (Jewish secular celebratory music) band leader, Jacob Hoffman. Hard as it was for Watts to break the gender barrier to work as a drummer in popular music, she will tell you that the only way she ever worked Klezmer back in the day was when he dad hired her. Eatala is her dad's pet name for her and she was certainly daddy's little drummer, stumbling blocks be damned, To this day, in her 70s, she continues to make his memory proud. Clearly 36 minutes does not an evening's entertainment make, it's more like an appetizer. Watts will perform along with her daughter trumpeter Susan Watts, herself another contemporary Klezmer star, as well as West Philly's pride, Daniel Blacksberg on trombone, Jay Krush playing tuba and all-around go-to accordionist Katt Flagg. Music and dance and latkes provided by Betty the Caterer — what's not to like? Sat., Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m., $10-$30, Crossroads Concert, Calvary Center, 4740 Baltimore Ave., 215-729-1028, crossroadsconcerts.org. Watch some concert footage and a video postcard for the film here.

Posted by mary armstrong @ 9:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

TONIGHT: Full Frontal Folk — expanded!

POSTED: Friday, December 3, 2010, 6:00 PM

Filed Under: Music | Philly Bands Show

Full Frontal Folk in 2003

Wrote a little something on tonight's FFF reunion/benefit show in the paper Paper. Lots more room online: A shooting star could visualize the trajectory of Full Frontal Folk's performing time line, short but highly visible and bright. The members grew up together, second generation folkies who attended the same concerts and festivals all their lives. Each had a lifetime of music making behind them when bunking together at Spring Thing, one of the Folksong Society's DIY weekends. Their impromptu harmonies on the open stage was such a hit that the friends decided to formalize the group. Two successful CDs and a bunch of regional touring later found Courtney Malley expecting twins and Wendy Fuhr a daughter. It seemed time to go on hiatus. Jen Schonwald joined another harmonizing group of women, the Angel Band. Wendy Fuhr says there were a number of reasons to come out of hiatus, "We had this opportunity to do a benefit for the Main Line Youth Alliance, which supports LBGT [ages] 13-22 who are struggling with their sexuality. We have a lot of friends in the LGBT community and felt it was timely." Courtney Malley says the hiatus hasn't changed a thing. "For me, it is the same now as it was from the beginning. I love these women and their talent. It feels like we pick up right where we left off whenever we were last together with the jokes, companionship and songs. Jen's health is obviously hanging over our heads but, honestly....it's not as though we focus on it at all." Cancer has a worthy adversary in Jen Schonwald. While her health is stable she is determined to make the most of every minute. Thea Shoulson, who had left FFF for a time before the hiatus, is back in the mix. Fuhr gives mad props to drummer Rob Schnell, who graciously stepped in when regular member Cheryl Prashker was unavailable. "Rob is bringing the sound system and drumming, rehearsing and learning all of our songs for free." Fuhr says it is gratifying that word of this benefit has generated invitations to play other gigs, Malley says realistically, "As much as we love each other and love playing music together this may be our last show. It is alot of work to pull it together when we only play every year or so. We never say never, but it has to be something we really want to do." Fans should not be completely disconsolate she notes, "Wendy and I also have a newer project, Rock Salt & Nails, which is a bluegrass/old country band." TONIGHT: Fri., Dec. 3, 8 p.m., $20, Central Baptist Church, 106 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne, myaonline.org.

Posted by mary armstrong @ 6:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

SHOPPING: Art and craft fairs galore!

POSTED: Friday, December 3, 2010, 5:07 PM

Filed Under: Arts | Shopping



	Prints by Suzanne Francis

The First Friday in December means that city crafters and artists are coming out in buttloads to hock their goods for on-the-prowl holiday shoppers. In this month's First Friday Focus, Carolyn Huckabay talks about Shannon Collins' exhibit "Say Hello to my Little Friends" at Cafe Estelle, and artsy shopping events in Fishtown/Kensington and Little Berlin, but there are a few other noteworthyhaps on our radar that didn't quite make it in print. Puppet Uprising's Cheap Art Bazaar: Ever so often Puppet Uprising holds a cheap art bazaar to "enable artists to offer their work to people who might not otherwise buy art." And while the art is super cheap (ranging from 50 cents to $50), the monies made help cover traveling expenses for their band of traveling puppeteers. Besides selling her own prints and small paintings, Suzanne Francis says to be on the lookout for work by Just Seeds Collective's Erik Ruin, and performers Beth Nixon and Sarah Lowery. And there will be homemade baked goods! Fri-Sat, Dec. 3-4, 7:30 p.m., free, The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., 215-360-7655. Crafty Balboa Holiday: The Crafty Balboa Holiday shopping event was such a hit in the spring, they decided to have a wintertime go-round. The handmade craft market features a wealth of unique handmade goods from over 40 local crafters. Some of the goodies you can snatch up are lesbian t-shirts from Rainbow Alternative, kooky housewares from Girls Can Tell and threads by Typsy Gypsy Tees. Handmade Philly will also be in the house to teach a workshop on gift wrapping. Sat., Dec. 4, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., free, Broad Street Ministry, 315 S. Broad St.

Posted by Josh Middleton @ 5:07 PM Permalink | Post a comment

POETIC LICENSE: Horoscopes, Dec. 3-9

POSTED: Friday, December 3, 2010, 2:00 PM

Filed Under: Poetic License

Devoted poet/avid concert-goer/nerd-grrrl extraordinaire Jane Cassady's weekly horoscopes run in this space every Friday morning. Harry Potter and the Fake Astrologer SPOILER ALERT: If you're one of those folks who are only watching the movies, you may want to read this ... next July. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 22): You are Mrs. McGonagall! It seems like you should be in the Order of the Phoenix, but someone has to stay at school and be academically heroic — then kick some ass at the end. You are a master of Transfiguration, use it wisely. Capricorn (Dec. 23-Jan. 20): Before Deathly Hallows came out, my sister had a "Trust Snape" bumper sticker on the back of her minivan. Dumbledore trusted him, and that was good enough for her. Aquarius (Jan. 21-Feb. 19): You are Dobby, a free elf. You like to refer to yourself in the third person. You are loyal enough to bewitch bludgers and block the platform to keep Harry Potter from danger. You love your friends more than anything. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20): You are Molly Weasley, mistress of kitchen magic, high priestess of nagging, deliverer of the swift kick of justice. Your will is titanium, your heart is mush. Aries (March 21-April 18): You are Remus Lupin! Even though you were distracted by your own werewolf troubles, you still took time to show Harry how to conjure a Patronus. Then Harry showed Dumbledore's army, and the rest is history. Taurus (April 19-May 18): Like Hagrid, you've got a soft spot for monsters. Be careful where you hide your dragons, sure, but no need to resort to the boredom of flobberworms. Gemini (May 19-June 21): You are Hermione Granger. You are constantly wondering, "Hasn't anyone else read Hogwarts, A History?" Luckily, you have. Cancer (June 22-July 23): Like Mad Eye Moody, you're very perceptive but you tend to catastrophise. Keep your 360 vision sharp and your sneakoscope at the ready, but really, try to find dome time to relax. Leo (July 24-Aug. 23): You may have started off clumsy and forgetful, like Neville Longbottom, but your misfit status will mean that you're one of the few students checking the Dumbledore's Army communication coin thingie. You'll be a key player in the resistance. Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 23): A friend of mine told me that I am Luna Lovegood, which makes sense because she also thinks I make deals with rainbows. Luna's a bit more new-agey than I am, but I'll take it was a compliment. I can be helpful with exposition and explain to Harry about the Thestrals. Libra (Sept. 24-Oct. 21): You are Nymphadora Tonks, registered metamorphmagus. You can shift your appearance all you want, but you'll be a constant underneath that pink hair. Scorpio (Oct. 22-Nov. 22): You're as strong and as surly as Sirius Black. Watch out for shifty rats. Be ready to assume the form of a dog at any time. Remember that chocolate will offset the effects of the dementors.

Posted by Jane Cassady @ 2:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

ART PHAG: OutMusic Awards postponed

POSTED: Thursday, December 2, 2010, 7:00 PM

Filed Under: LGBTQ Art Phag

Photo by Tona Brown

Hines rehearsing for the Trans Day of Remembrance performance

In my last Queer Bait column I featured trans organist T. Desiree Hines, who was scheduled to perform the opening segment at the 2010 OutMusic Awards in New York City. Since it was published, however, the show's creators have announced that the show (originally scheduled for Dec. 1) will be postponed, due to a major sponsor pulling out at the last minute. Now slated for spring, Hines believes the setback could actually be seen as a blessing in disguise. Since the announcement, she says the community has taken greater notice of the event, which could lead to even more funding. "This will give [the organizers] more means to produce a bigger and better event in the spring," she says. Until then, Hines is keeping busy with a regular performance schedule. She recently performed with trans violinist Tona Brown (also a scheduled OutMusic performer) at a Trans Day of Remembrance concert in Baltimore.

Music Lover

Posted 2010-12-08 04:12:37

This event will never see the light of day due to mismanagement of funds, the donor reneging "story" is a big fat lie.

Posted by Josh Middleton @ 7:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

GET LIT: Win a copy of TIME: The Illustrated History of the World's Most Influential Magazine

POSTED: Thursday, December 2, 2010, 6:00 PM

Totally-giftable-giveaway alert: We know you've got an American history-obsessed relative who'd totally drool over the gorgeous glossy pages of TIME: The Illustrated History of the World's Most Influential Magazine (or maybe that person is you). Tonight at the National Constitution Center, Time magazine's current managing editor (and former NCC prez) Richard Stengel will give a talk on the mag's influence on American history and, conversely, its influence on the publication (6:30 p.m., free, reservations required, 525 Arch St., 215-409-6700, constitutioncenter.org). Here's what Shaun Brady had to say about it, in this week's Agenda section:

Everyone knows there's simply too much information from far too many sources these days. The modern news environment requires an aggregator to sift through it all and distill it for the casual reader. That's the M.O. for the Huffington Post and its ilk, but it was no less the case in 1923, when Henry Luce and Briton Hadden founded Time magazine with the same purpose in mind. The new Time: The Illustrated History of the World's Most Influential Magazine, as the chest-thumping title implies, traces the red-bordered weekly's evolution through three-quarters of the "American Century," from impudent upstart to founding father and into an uncertain future where seven days seems a news-cycle eternity. No doubt current managing editor Richard Stengel will speculate on that future as he celebrates Time's storied past.

To win a copy, answer the following trivia question:

One of Time magazine's 100 most influential people of 2010 is Lady Gaga. In a Time interview, who did Gaga say is the most influential person in her life?

E-mail carolyn.huckabay@citypaper.net for a chance to win!

Posted by Carolyn Huckabay @ 6:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

COMICS ISSUE ADDENDUM! More submissions we liked.

POSTED: Thursday, December 2, 2010, 5:00 PM

The 2010 Comics Issue has disappeared from the honor boxes but here on the web, the doodly mayhem lives on. Here are some of our favorite submissions we didn't have room for in the paper.

Drew Panckeri

Matlow & Petersen

Rodney Camarce

Andrew Hart

B.H. Mills

Cody Pickrodt

Posted by Patrick Rapa @ 5:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

ICEPACK ILLUSTRATED: An unlikely duet in the air?

POSTED: Thursday, December 2, 2010, 3:00 PM

Filed Under: Critical Mass | Ice Cubes | Icepack Illustrated

Photo | Scott Weiner

Needles Jones and Schoolly D

â¤ Several weeks back I mentioned that DJ/label owner/realtor Nigel Richards (after closing his store 611 at 4th and South in 2007) was opening a pop-up shop for his new "Grown n' sexy" venture. The new location at 131 S. 18th St. is open on Dec. 11 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 11 and Dec. 12 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., with a private event on Dec 10. Yowsah. â¤ Schoolly D will be in on the madness, which reminds me that Philly gangstas-not-gangastas Schoolly D and Freeway never worked together before. The last time Freeway was spotted in town was when he and Peedi Crakk hit the Complex EA Sports NBA Jam launch party at Ubiq (1509 Walnut St.) a minute ago. But now here's Schoolly and Freeway recording at a studio on N. 3rd quietly making tracks-n-raps and talking about hitting the drawing board for a new animated cartoon. Schoolly's got an in with Adult Swim. Solid. I couldn't snag a photo of Schoolly and Freeway, but I did manage to snag a shot that Scott Weiner took of the rapper at National Mechanics with Monday Night Club host Needles Jones. Maybe Needles and Schoolly will duet soon. â¤ The eighth annual Mustache Night at El Bar is coming up on Dec. 3, and I've been raising a pencil-thin Gable 'stache since before Thanksgiving. Stay tuned. â¤ Distillery community darling Joan Verratti, the first licensed female distiller in the country since Prohibition, starts brewing batches of her first whiskey this week. Raise a glass. â¤ Remember back in July when Icepack discussed how Roy's (the closed chain restaubar reclaimed by its building's owners, Joe and David Grasso) would re-open as a casual eatery with a club component by 2010's end? Not going to happen—at least not by year's end. The legendary vault-filled basement club space and the big-ass restaubar above will be ready for Valentine's Day 2011. The Philly Chit Chat blog has some nice under-construction shots. â¤ Talk about awhile back? Previously, Icepack dropped news on 1320 Chestnut's The Commonwealth club/bar/small plate jawn since Jan. 2009, and that never even happened. Now can the boys of Premiere Hospitality (to say nothing of their stint as Chelsea boys in AC and throwing back-in-a-day parties at DelFrisco's) Justin D. Fine, Michael Steinberg and real estate developer Anthony Sembello be ready to spread the C-Wealth? Yes. Very soon, I hear. â¤ Whattaya get when one-time Roots/Badu/Labelle engineer David Ivory twiddles the knobs for Philly's epic robo-rawk giants Lamagier? There are ghosts in that machine. The resulting With That Sound CD gets its release party (with Small Time Scoundrels and Big Crowd Popular in tow) at the Balcony on Dec. 7. â¤ Last spotted backing up big daddy Mike Nutter on the steel wheels, DJ Jazzy Jeff and soooo-soooulful vocalist Ayah just dropped "Xmas Time" for free (download it here) as the opening salvo for their upcoming CD collaboration for 2011. Thanks for the Christmas gift, DJJJ. â¤ Speaking of gifts, Kate Faust—Lady/Virtual Virgin vocalist extraordinaire—can tear up a jazz jawn just as quick as she can put a hurt on K.D. Lang-ish rock or chamber pop. It's her birthday on Dec. 2 and she's celebrating at Chris' Jazz CafÃ© with Kate's Birthday Band featuring Tony Miceli—three sets from 8 p.m. Request "Three Little Words" and she'll be ready for you. â¤ Will Philly's recently re-activated Cameo-Parkway reissue series and records from Philly legends Bobby Rydell, John Zacherelle and more, get lost in the recent sale of the Collectors' Choice label?

Photo | Scott Weiner

â¤ WHOWHATWHERE: How did Soulja Boy spend the day after he released his third studio album The DeAndre Way? Hanging at WIOQ.FM studios. â¤ Why doesn't anyone care that Jersey Girl Kelly Ripa was the Broadcast Pioneers Person of the Year and was celebrated as such at Nov. 19's Banquet? Just saying. â¤ The Settlement Music School's Adult Chamber Player's lecture series welcomed violinist and Settlement 100 Honoree John Blake, Jr. Wednesday morning. He's been all over recordings by/with Archie Shepp, Grover Washington, Jr. and Charles Fambrough. â¤ My neighboring Paesano's on Christian St. got an eyeful of Bobby Flay the other day when he was down the block for one of his Food Network Throwdowns, this time against master sandwich paisan Peter McAndrews. The next day the shoot continued at FUEL Gallery in the OC. â¤ Also in my neighborhood: Wendy the Snapple Lady hung outside Pat's Steaks in a white limo mumbling something about a Whizz Quiz. â¤ After shooting some of CKY's "Afterworld" song at The Fire (like we mentioned several weeks back) director Bam Margera and CKY adjourned to Philly Sound Stages to wreck a car and such. Apparently, the whole shebang is scheduled to be part of Jackass 3D's DVD extras. â¤ Man, I wish I would've stayed and played roulette: after his Borgata gig last Friday, Bob Dylan walked through the hotel and casino and smilingly took photos with adoring fans. Dag. â¤ Red Buttons never got a dinner but apparently Arlen Specter did at Prime Rib (17th & Locust) in celebration of his 30+ years of senatorial service. Comcast CEO Brian Roberts, U.S. Rep. Pat Meehan, John Dougherty, Michael Smerconish and Arlen's sweets-making wife Joan showed up. Damn, Arlen, magic bullet or not, we'll miss you. â¤ Some men get dinners, some get battered cars. Actor/director/adaptor Anthony Lawton (pictured above right) gets a whole festival at Lantern Theater Company from Dec. 3-19 called Between Heaven and Hell. Lots of C.S. Lewis. Lots of Screwtape stuff. We've got the pictures to prove it.

PhillyChitChat

Posted 2010-12-02 10:27:35

Thanks for the link. I love Scott's picture, he always gets his subjects to do such fun things.  I heard the Broadcast people turned down requests from photographers to shoot the event.  The one reporter who wrote about the event, NEAL ZOREN, didn't specifically say Kelly Ripa was there either. I have a feeling she didn't show up? Not surprised, she hasn't shown up for the Thanksgiving Day Parade in 3 years, she's probably too big for little 'ol Philadelphia now.

A.D.

Posted 2010-12-02 10:47:34

please check http://www.broadcastpioneers.com/
they ran a photo of her at  the event

Kris

Posted 2010-12-02 10:55:14

Thanks for mention, AD, of John Blake lecture-- he's a jazz violinist legend in these parts--it was well attended by adults and aspiring musicians from a local high school--Photos and recap of the lecture can be found on Settlement's Facebook Fan Page and blog: www.facebook.com/SettlementMusicSchool and http://settlementmusicschool.blogspot

Lamagier

Posted 2010-12-02 14:34:02

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-rrGRjqEs8
Yeah!

PhillyChitChat

Posted 2010-12-03 00:21:26

I wonder why they didn't let freelance photographers in. I didn't apply for it. I went to the Sixers game. I have my priorities - LOL

Posted by A.D. Amorosi @ 3:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

BOOKISH: Living up to your convictions

POSTED: Wednesday, December 1, 2010, 5:00 PM

Each Wednesday Critical Mass puts together a rundown of book-centric events that'll keep you "lit" all week long.

Wednesday: When University of Pennsylvania senior Ned Eisenberg received a prestigious travel grant from the Kelly Writer's House, he made off to Tokyo for an 11-day internetless immersion in Tokyo's counterculture. Hear Eisenberg recount his experience, which he hopes will culminate in the publishing of his long-form travel log. Tonight, 6 p.m., free, Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-9748. Thursday: David Eisenhower, as in Camp David and the grandson of Dwight D. Eisenhower, almost snagged the Pulitzer in 1987 with Eisenhower at War: 1943-1945. We have yet to see the impact of his latest book, Going Home To Glory: A Memoir of Life with Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1961-1969, which chronicles the time he spent with his grandfather in Gettysburg, Pa. Thu., Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m., $7-$10, Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322. Or this other, freer event: Who knew that managing editor of Time magazine used to be the CEO of the National Constitution Center. Catch Richard Stengel in a discussion about the new coffee table-warmer, TIME: The Illustrated History of the World's Most Influential Magazine. Thurs, Dec. 2, 6:30pm, free, National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St., 215-409-6700. Friday: Change of Heart: What Psychology Can Teach Us About Spreading Social Change is the first book by Nick Cooney, founder and director of Philly's animal rights organization, Humane League. In his book, Cooney answers the question: what is stopping the American people from living up to their convictions, especially when it comes to social responsibility? Fri., Dec. 3, 7-9 p.m., free, Wooden Shoe Books, 704 South St., 215-413-0999. Saturday: Having already grossed nearly 40 million since it hit theaters last month, Tyler Perry's latest film For Colored Girls is based on a 1975 Obie-winning play called For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf by black feminist author and playwright Ntozake Shange. This year, Shange and her playwright sister came out with Some Sing, Some Cry, an African-American historical novel about black women overcoming adversity through music. A Laying on of Hands: An Afternoon with Ntozake Shange, Sat., Dec. 4, 11am-1pm, free, Church of the Advocate, 1801 W. Diamond St, 215-236-0568. Sunday: Bring your family to this one. The Whimsical Sage by Mike Sage builds lighthearted interaction around wordplay. Joan Sage, who first published the book by her author-actor husband John Sage in 2001, describes it as "a hardback collection of homonyms, similes, puns, definitions, expressions, words-inside-words, diverse verses, and short stories with playful illustrations." Joan Sage Presents The Whimsical Sage: Words at Play for All Ages, Sun., Dec. 5, 2pm, free, Moonstone Arts Center, 110A S. 13th St., 215-735-9598. Monday: Happy 50th birthday to books published in 1960! The Kelly Writer's House celebrates 11 books of poetry published in that transition year. A scholar's critical commentary will accompany each one and afterwards, the commentaries will be published as a special feature on the poetry and poetics of 1960 in online poetry mag Jacket2. Mon., Dec. 6, 6 p.m., free, Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-9748. Tuesday: In 1996, Philadelphia lawyer William T. Coleman won the Presidential Medal of freedom. In his new autobiography, Counsel for the Situation: Shaping the Law to Realize America's Promise, Coleman reflects on his 70-year career pioneering for the black community. As the first black American clerk for the Supreme Court and a colleague of Thurgood Marshall in Brown V. Board of Education, Coleman has a life's worth of revolutionary stories to tell. Tue., Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m., free, Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322.

Posted by Daniella Wexler @ 5:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

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Q&A with SHARI SOLANIS: "The goal isn't pornography"
What we're trying to do this weekend
SEXY TIME Q&A: I've never had an orgasm during sex with a man — and I'm 30!
Q&A with Tony Goldwyn: "Life is gray, and relationships are, too"
CONCERT REVIEW: Primus (3D & quadraphonic sound) @ The Tower 10/17
ICE CUBE: In Memoriam: Joe Tartaglia
NOW SEE THIS: Transit cop arrests marijuana activist for alleged disorderly conduct.
Coming soon to Philly: Two cockamamie movie promotion schemes
ICEPACK ILLUSTRATED: The Archbishop meets the Geator, the Mayor goes suit shopping, Le Bec Fin fin.
NOW SEE THIS: Tim and Eric direct Terry Crews for Old Spice

About this blog

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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