Archive: July, 2010

REVIEW: First Person Arts' Summer Grand Slam and Block Party

POSTED: Monday, July 26, 2010, 10:49 PM

Filed Under: Arts First Person Fest

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Words by Julia Askenase | Photos by Carolyn Huckabay

At First Person Arts' first-ever Summer Grand Slam and BBQ, no one held anything back. After filling up on indulgently scrumptious barbecue from Sweet Lucy's Smokehouse (pulled chicken, homestyle mac 'n' cheese, mashed sweet potatoes ... catch my drift?) the audience packed into the Painted Bride's main theater, which either lacked AC entirely or wasn't circulating enough air to reach all the glistening attendees. The heat became a common talking point throughout the evening ("I'm not even wearing Spanx," shared hilarious host Katonya Mosley), but the show pressed on. Storytellers interpreted the event's "Show and Tell" prompt loosely, and sometimes the actual "show" aspect became buried in the details. If there was an engaging enough narrative, though, it usually didn't matter. Judges awarded each storyteller two scores on a one to 10 for content and presentation. More so than straying from to the theme, storytellers were docked points for talking over the 5 minute time limit. The judges seemed a bit finicky and unpredictable, and audience members weren't afraid to boo if they disagreed on scores. Embarrassing or comical sexual encounters became a common thread through many stories, but others centered topics as disparate as a white guy's devotion to gangsta rap and an actress' demoralizing experience with a Russian theater coach. Stories reached greatest heights when the participant could weave in wit and creativity into even the lesser details. R. Eric Thomas, a Philadelphia playwright, exemplified this skill when recounting an agonizing family roadtrip in the Northwest. Without missing a beat, he added in subtle but hilarious and relevant side comments about his family's idiosyncrasies — like how much is mother loathes social networking ("Are you tweeting on the Facebook?") or his parents' tendency to take pictures of one another taking pictures of landmarks ("We're meta like that.") Smith ended up winning Best Content, with Best Presentation going to Brenda Gwafila, who told an animated account of her artificial insemination. But Olga Schmutz won the overall title "Best Storyteller in Philadelphia" for her detailed explanation of introducing her lovers to her strap-on, named Carlitos. Like I said, no one held anything back.

Posted by Julia Askenase @ 10:49 PM Permalink | Post a comment

THE SHOWDOWN: Blues-rockin' brothers from another mother

POSTED: Monday, July 26, 2010, 9:32 PM

Filed Under: Music The Showdown

A concert a day keeps the doctor away.

Monday: Start the week off with a little refinement. Amble on over to the Philadelphia Orchestra's summer home at the Mann Center for an annual treat, the Tchaikovsky Spectacular. As the name suggests, it'll be all Tchaikovsky all night, including works from Swan Lake and Eugene Onegin. The performance, conducted by Rossen Milanov, will feature cello soloist Efe Baltacigil. 8 p.m., $10-50, The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave., Fairmount Park, 215-878-0400. Tuesday: Since Monday night was a formal affair, keep Tuesday night business casual. Unless you're heading back to the Mann to hear Aretha Franklin sing her heart out while former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice plays piano (no, seriously), you can sweat it out to the '80s-tinged dance tracks of Chromeo. See for yourself if their synths and keyboards really are sprouting high-heeled female legs, as the cover art of 2007's Fancy Footwork suggested. w/ Holy Ghost!, Telephoned & Jayo, 8:30 p.m., $20-22, Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 215-922-6888 Wednesday: Last week, we told you that Natalie Merchant was coming through town solo, not with the Lilith Fair crew. Well, this week the Lilith ladies are actually in town, so break out your copy of Surfacing, and show some love for female performance power. Sure, Lilith Fair 2.0 has received some flack in the relevance department, but look at it this way: if this line-up piques your interest, then go. Simple as that. w/ Janelle Monáe, Serena Ryder, Butterfly Boucher, Anjulie, Sara Bareilles, Missy Higgins, Jill Hennessy, Sarah McLachlan, Joy Ike, Zee Avi & Court Yard Hounds, 2:30 p.m., Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbor Blvd., Camden, N.J.,$ 37.75-$107.45 Thursday: La Roux knows how to make an addictive track. A bajillion plays later and "Bulletproof" still holds up as the relentless "I'm-better-off-without-you" club banger it was upon first listen. And we've got that sweet Major Lazer/La Roux mixtape to obsess over. Don't miss the synthed-out duo, Elly Jackson and Ben Langmaid, when they stop through Philly on an East Coast jaunt before heading back to Europe. w/ Dave P (Making Time) & Sammy Slice, 9 p.m., $17-19, Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 215-922-6888. Friday: What happens when two blues-rockin' brothers from another mother hit up the City of Brotherly Love? You get one force to be reckoned with on Penn's Landing, that's what. Over the course of several albums, Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney of The Black Keys have built a unique brand of psychedelic garage rock. Catch their live prowess at the Great Plaza, where they'll follow standout newcomers The Morning Benders, who breath new life into Spector-influenced spacious recording. w/ The Morning Benders,. 7:30 p.m., $32, Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, Columbus Blvd. at Chesnut St., 215-629-3200. Saturday: It's that time of year again! Our beat-blasting buddies over at Mad Decent HQ are throwing their annual summer jam, the Mad Decent Block Party, and folks of all ages are invited. In this year's promo video, Diplo tells us to expect water balloons, "all kinds of different balls," dunk tanks, an appearance by Major Lazer and live performances by Mad Decent artists PO PO, Maluca, Bosco Delray, Paul Devro and a mysterious surprise headliner. The party's going on the road this year to three other American cities, but it kicks off in Philly. 1-8 p.m., free, Mad Decent Mausoleum, 531 N. 12th St. (between Spring Garden and Green St.) Sunday: After a week of dancing, we understand if you're a little partied out. Wind down with some fun folk-pop from Katie Herzig, a Colorado-via-Nashville native, Grammy nominee and member of the noteworthy Ten out of Tenn music collective. 7 p.m., $15, World Cafe Live. 3025, Walnut St., 215-222-1400

Posted by Julia Askenase @ 9:32 PM Permalink | Post a comment

TV WATCH: In defense of My Boys

POSTED: Monday, July 26, 2010, 8:38 PM

Filed Under: TV

The cast, including PJ (center) and the dearly departed Jim Gaffigan (right)

You know those TV shows you catch shit for watching? When you bring it up in conversation, you get that look of pity mixed condescension that just says, "I have more important things to do than watch Drop Dead Diva." Look, I watch a lot of crap television, but I don't deserve that look for watching TBS' My Boys, which premiered the first two eps of its fourth season last night. My Boys isn't a great sitcom; it will never be in the pantheon of All in the Family, Roseanne, Arrested Development or, even newer must-sees like Parks and Recreation or Community. But it's a good sitcom with a lived-in, well-drawn characters played by actors (including Norristown-bred Kellee Stewart) who know how to enhance the strength of their characters by playing off each other in ways usually only seen in the aforementioned canon sitcoms. Betsy Thomas' show is a well worn concept: The comings-and-goings of P.J. (Jordana Spiro), a Cubs beat reporter-turned-columnist, and her cadre of often drunk, mostly male friends. Even with the recent departure of P.J.'s older brother Andy, played by the great Jim Gaffigan, the rest of the ensemble knows how to plug the King Baby-sized hole by adding their own deadpan quirk. (Spiro, who like most leads, is usually stuck playing the straight-man but Gaffigan's absence has given even her the opportunity to throw in some slapstick, especially in the second, and better episodes shown last night). TBS clearly markets the show toward women — even if it's a dude-heavy cast on paper — but even more niche than that, it's geared toward a female audience to which Sex and the City might as well be broadcast in Farsi. There are definite similarities: Both shows have an ensemble cast with one leader who narrates the show in hindsight and offers a life lesson at the end of every episode, with communal gathering places to start a new adventure or rehash an old one —instead of the brunch table or at the place with the fanciest pink swill disguised as booze, P.J. and her friends commune in her living room or their bar. But what really separates My Boys is that its a show starring a woman in which her relationship follies are not front and center. While P.J. is dating one of the Boys in the current arc, that's just development, opposed to her character's overarching personality trait. This is a show that portends to be about friends and is actually about friends with the natural waves that friendships ride. My Boys isn't perfect, there are better things during its timeslot, you'll still probably get that look when you tell people you watch it. But at least we'll be getting it together.

My Boys airs every Sunday at 10 p.m.

Jesse Bikel

Posted 2010-07-27 13:18:27

You deserve the crap you're taking.  This is a very mediocre show.  Even if its narrated by a woman, the best characters are men.  Just because you might want a show where women drink beer instead of cosmos, does not make this good.

If you learned how to use On Demand, you'd find something better to watch during the summer and not waste your time convincing yourself you like this show.

S.Lyons

Posted 2010-07-27 13:38:17

Don't take any pity looks for watching "My Boys".  It's a lot more true to life than Sex in The City.  How many women do you know who actually buy $450 pairs of shoes ever other day?  The cast of "My Boys" reminds me of my group of weirdo work friends. I haven't found anything better at that time slot on Sunday night.  I personally hate Sundays and this little secret pleasure makes up for that. Be proud and watch "My Boys", dvr it and watch it again.

Drew Lazor

Posted 2010-07-27 15:34:18

I saw part of one where they all go to Cubs spring training and the redhead dude is in a bar and pretends to be a booze-seeking radar...he goes "boop boop boop boop...ALCOHOL!" and then points and walks toward the bar. That was really stupid and I am going to go ahead and say the rest of the show is stupid based solely on that.

Jules

Posted 2010-07-28 10:36:59

Wow, according to Jesse, if you like this show you don't know how to use your remote. It couldn't possibly be anything simple and less condescending than a difference of opinion. Molly, I've had this in my Netflix queue for a while-I've read some similar opinions that it's not great but a nice little show to occupy your time. I'll have to bump it on up.

Michelle

Posted 2010-07-28 15:26:34

Whoa, Jesse, those are some pretty harsh words.  

I for one would like to go on record saying that I thoroughly enjoy watching My Boys.  When I'm home and want spend a good 20 minutes or so watching something easy breezy this is my go-to On Demand selection.

Posted by Molly Eichel @ 8:38 PM Permalink | Post a comment

NOW SEE THIS: this Mad Decent Block Party promo video is freaking me out.

POSTED: Monday, July 26, 2010, 8:14 PM

Filed Under: Music | DJs Philly Bands

No, it's not the Toadally Krossed Out dudes' frog masks, or Diplo's ripped-from-the-infomercials Endless Current wave pool thing at the end. What's freaking me out is this: While Diplo's talking at the beginning, around the 12-second mark, a tree just falls down. Just falls down. Anyway, yes, the Mad Decent Block Party is this Saturday, with Kid Sister, Blaqstarr and tons more. And... I mean. That tree just falls for no reason. It's kinda disturbing.

Posted by Patrick Rapa @ 8:14 PM Permalink | Post a comment

JUST DO IT: The Stem vs. Stemless debate/Emerging artists series at Hudson Beach Glass

POSTED: Monday, July 26, 2010, 7:00 PM

Filed Under: Arts Arts Events

hudsonbeachglass.typepad.com

Hudson Beach Glass is hosting an experiment of epic vino proportions. Hudson's blog boasts that the investigation, while "totally unscientific but extremely serious," will look into whether holding the body of the wine glass with your fingers affects the temperature of the wine. The stem vs. stemless discussion has been going on every Tuesday since July 6 with an Emerging Artist Series as the cheese platter to your glass of wine. Tomorrow July 27, Philly welcomes the Beacon, N.Y.-based glass artist Annie Shepherd. She's the Lewis and Clark of the glass blowing world blazing new artistic trails through her map-inspired glass work. Drink up, people. It's for science!

Tue. July 27, $25, 6:30 p.m. Hudson Beach Glass, 26 S. Strawberry St., 267-319-1887.

Posted by Jen Rini @ 7:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

What did you score at the Punk Rock Flea Market?

POSTED: Monday, July 26, 2010, 4:05 PM

Filed Under: Shopping Fashion

It was Punk Rock Flea Market time once again on Sunday, and I, along with the other sweaty masses, braved the heat and the warehouse across the street from the Starlight Ballroom to do some digging. You guys get anything good? Tell me in the comments! I've put a moratorium on looking at records at flea markets such as this because I tend to forget about paying my rent in favor of buying Bikini Kill 7"s or Peter Frampton picture-discs (yeah, I don't, like, totally own this). Instead, I stuck to the more sidewalk sale-esque tables, picking up a mustard yellow Topshop dress that I talked down to half the price ($5 instead of $10, woohoo!). That's really why I like the PRFM: The Art Star Craft Bazaar satiates my crafty needs, and while the amount of DIY craftables has increased since the first PRFM incarnation (has anyone else noticed that too? Is that just me?), you can still find plenty of tables featuring someone's old Sega Genesis, Buyer's Remorse shoes and old books. But I couldn't resist Leah Creation's vinyl earrings. The super-friendly, Philly-based jewelry designer cuts earrings out of unplayable 45s. I picked up these:

With a little Googling, I figured out this was a John Mellencamp 45, as if anyone else but the Coug would be produced by both Don Gehman and and the awesomely named Little Bastard. Tell me what you got in the comments and hook me up with some pictures, why don't you?

Felicia D'Ambrosio

Posted 2010-07-26 16:56:17

I had to restrain myself at the Flea (I was working, after all) but I couldn't resist Backyard Boutique's sultry, peach-y maxi halter dress and a wee poetry chapbook from SplitLeaves Press... who was all alone vending in the Polaris, dear sweet thing.

Posted by Molly Eichel @ 4:05 PM Permalink | Post a comment

NOW SEE THIS: Photon Band, "Junior's Farm" (Paul McCartney cover)

POSTED: Monday, July 26, 2010, 3:02 PM

Filed Under: Music | Now See This | Philly Bands Show

Posted by Patrick Rapa @ 3:02 PM Permalink | Post a comment

NOW READ THIS: Josh Friedman's "Sledgehammer and Whore" TV dissection

POSTED: Friday, July 23, 2010, 7:03 PM

Filed Under: TV

davidicke.com

Friedman

If you need a Friday pick-me-up before you're released unto the weekend world, check out Josh Friedman's blog post "Sledgehammer and Whore." Friedman — former showrunner of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and writer of Stevie Spielberg's War of the Worlds — penned this piece for his blog, I find your lack of faith disturbing, that is ostensibly about his recent encounter with a fabled Hooker with a Heart of Gold and a Friedman-impostor, but it's really a giggly breakdown of the current television landscape, focusing on procedurals (like Law & Order) vs. "Event" television (like Lost). Please don't let Friedman's seemingly mediocre credentials fool you. Dude's funny. Here's a snippet:

With the death of Lost and 24, we find ourselves looking for the next bit of pop culture big-fucking-dealness that we can get ourselves all worked up for. And when I say "we" I'm referring to Fans of TV with a capital F and not simply those for whom TV is the thing that occupies the space between dinner and the sleep apnea machine. We Fans of TV want that Big Sexy Going Down the Rabbit Hole Feeling and no matter how much my mother loves Simon Baker, The Mentalist just isn't going to do it for us. The Mentalist, is, however, going to make a shitload of money for all involved. It's easy on the eyes and is habit-forming much in the same way two glasses of red wine a night is: you'll get a nice, warm buzz but you're not gonna get really wasted and wake up with Cobb's malevolent freight train blasting through your cortex. The Mentalist isn't the best sex you've ever had, but it's also not likely to leave you to finish yourself off while your partner falls asleep to reruns of "Cheaters".

h/t Deadline

Posted by Molly Eichel @ 7:03 PM Permalink | Post a comment

THE CRITICAL MASS WEEKEND OMNIBUS: Coming Out Weekend

POSTED: Friday, July 23, 2010, 6:00 PM

Filed Under: Weekend Omnibus

Die Antwoord

Friday: Catch a performance of Chase Me, Comrade! at the Hedgerow Theatre. The comedic play, set in 1964, depicts the consequences of hiding a Russian ballet dancer from authorities who want to imprison him. Die Antwoord, a white rapper/fairy-like siren combo (typical, right?) give a unique performance at Voyeur tonight. Just don't try too hard to get 'em, k? Saturday: Prepare to be busy — Saturday brings lots of options. Embrace your sexuality at ScrewSmart's Coming Out Ball. The sexual exploration based collaborative's party is complete with drag, raffles, and sex toys. Yes, there's porn too. Later, try to catch Women in Rock and Soul at the Highwire Gallery. The film includes authentic clips of the best females rockers of the decades. Or hit up the First Person Art's Summer Grand Slam and Block Party where past winners of Grand Slam strive to become ultimate storytelling champions. Sunday: Check out the Mystic Monsters exhibit at Pterodactyl. These monsters are in rare art forms — comics, paintings and advertisements. Expect some politically charged pieces.

Posted by Katy Bergen @ 6:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

ICECUBE: Fish Jam for the Grasso bros.

POSTED: Friday, July 23, 2010, 5:15 PM

Filed Under: Ice Cubes | Music

Last week, I wrote an item in Icepack about how the mega-real-estate-ing brothers Grasso — Joe (Union Trust) and David (DelFrisco's) — had decided to turn the just exed-Roy's, formerly at 15th and Sansom (aloha!), into a restau-bar of their own that would open by winter 2010. The bros were rumored to be looking into a club space, very possibly with live music, along that same block. I heard that they met with people from Live Nation as well as other local booking people. There's a club-sized space below Roy's that's long been discussed as a venue. And, remember, David Grasso was once going to turn what became DelFrisco's into a House of Blues until that deal died and the steakhaus became the occupant. But news — courtesy of Brownstoner — seems to make more sense where live music real estate comes into play. Grasso Holdings are looking at a 76,000-square-foot warehouse at 2055 Richmond St., south of Girard Avenue for a music venue and nightclub. They even got Councilman Frank DiCicco in the act with a bill that would override the region's zoning overlay. Stay tuned... Plus the word that Mallin Panchelli Nadel Realty, Inc. has Le Bec Fin for sale (nearly four mil for Georges Perrier's building, three-plus mil less for just the biz and liquor license)? Doubt it. Icepack mentioned possible sales of the Walnut St. Apple store neighbor ages ago. Everybody gets restless. Everything has its price.

Posted by A.D. Amorosi @ 5:15 PM Permalink | Post a comment

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | NEXT »

Q&A with SHARI SOLANIS: "The goal isn't pornography"
What we're trying to do this weekend
ICE CUBE: In Memoriam: Joe Tartaglia
Coming soon to Philly: Two cockamamie movie promotion schemes
SEXY TIME Q&A: I've never had an orgasm during sex with a man — and I'm 30!
PHILLY LOVE NOTES: An ode to Spruce Street
Q&A with Tony Goldwyn: "Life is gray, and relationships are, too"
CONCERT REVIEW: Primus (3D & quadraphonic sound) @ The Tower 10/17
CONCERT REVIEW & PHOTOS: James Blake @ TLA 5/11
ICEPACK ILLUSTRATED: The Archbishop meets the Geator, the Mayor goes suit shopping, Le Bec Fin fin.

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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