Archive: February, 2012

ART PHAG: A Merkin Dream Cabaret @ Tabu Lounge, 2/4

POSTED: Thursday, February 2, 2012, 11:00 AM

Filed Under: LGBTQ Art Phag

Josh Middleton on the LGBTQ scene.

Gay birds of a feather may flock together, but that doesn't mean they always get the chance to work together. And local performance artist Lance Pawling thinks that's a damn shame. So the longtime Dumpsta Players performer decided to gather a bunch of his gifted friends and "harness their talents into a single event": A Merkin Dream Cabaret.

Named for a hair piece Victorian women wore on their hoo-has so their "wigs would match the carpet," Pawling describes Merkin as a cabaret-styled evening of sketch comedy and standup mixed with drag ("and anti-drag") performances. Corralled by hot-mess MC Messapotamia LeFae, the eleven performers include the evening's co-producer and local comedian Alejandro Morales, who'll perform drag as Shenanigans Hannigan; standup comedians Val Temple and R. Eric Thomas; and Murmuration, a "musical improv" trio comprised of Russell Kotcher (violin), Andrew Marsh (keyboard, vocals) and Eric Coyne (cello).

Pawling says he'll also present his newest drag persona, Alaya Richmin, that he explains is "more classy" than his usual alter ego, the über-sexed and just plain raunchy Nueva Gabor (pictured). Oh, and he promises a steady supply of merkins that people can try on throughout the show. Ewwwww!

Sat., Feb. 4, 7 p.m., $7, Tabu Lounge and Sports Bar, 200 S. 12th St., 215-964-9675, tabuphilly.com.

(josh.middleton@citypaper.net) (@justjoshfunk1)

Photo by John Donges

Posted by Josh Middleton @ 11:00 AM Permalink | Post a comment

TO-DO LIST: Pay homage to this beautiful day

POSTED: Wednesday, February 1, 2012, 3:00 PM

Filed Under: Events | To-Do List

Every Wednesday, Chris Brown digs into our listings bin and pulls out a little something-something to do every day of the week.

Posted by Chris Brown @ 3:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

QUEUED UP: Asif Kapadia’s Senna

POSTED: Wednesday, February 1, 2012, 2:00 PM

Filed Under: Movies Movie Review

Movie critic (and the guy who compiles our weekly repertory film listings) Michael Gold reviews his favorite Netflix Instant flick of the week.

February is upon us, which means bland date movies occupying theater screens and romantic-movie marathons inundating cable. And yes, if you’re looking for a heart-wrenching romance or insipid chick flick, Netflix certainly has plenty to offer. But the February event that has my heart atwitter is the Oscars — especially because I’m still reeling from the Academy’s gratuitous snubs.

There were plenty of good films left off the shortlist for the Super Bowl of cinema, but not one of the omissions tugged at my heartstrings more than Senna (2011, U.K., 105 min.). Asif Kapadia’s documentary about Ayrton Senna offers far more than a satisfying homage for motorheads who can’t get enough of the legendary Brazilian racing champ. Using archival footage and sparse narration, the doc paints a touching portrait of an enigmatic man whose desire to win was all-consuming. It’s a stunningly emotional foray into a sport known for its mechanical uniformity — which makes it a perfect watch for the month of love.

Read City Paper film critic Cindy Fuch’s review here.

(michael.gold@citypaper.net) (@migold)

Posted by Michael Gold @ 2:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

EVENTS: Get your Black History Month on!

POSTED: Wednesday, February 1, 2012, 12:02 PM

Filed Under: Events | Just Do It

City Paper's fabulous A&E interns (and a couple seasoned contributors) share a month's worth of Black History Month picks.

Posted by Editorial Interns @ 12:02 PM Permalink | Post a comment

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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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