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Archive: July, 2012
One recycled bottle, a donation to a good cause — it's difficult to understand how our individual actions could possibly lead to larger change. But they do. In his new book Counterpower: Making Change Happen, Tim Gee focuses on the question central to any political endeavor: How do we make change happen? From anti-globalization to the Arab Spring, Gee takes an in-depth look at social movements to uncover why some are more successful than others.
He suggests that, while every effort toward change has concrete hurtles to overcome, the biggest challenge may be psychological. He points to the concept of counterpower — the power of the “have-nots” in the face of the “haves” — to back up his stance that every campaign is winnable if we can recognize our own strengths. A graduate of Edinburgh University, Gee has been a longtime political activist. His book is the result of his own experience fighting for change, as well as his work training other activists to be effective in their struggles. Monday, join him for a free discussion tonight at South Street's all-volunteer Wooden Shoe Books (704 South St.) at 7 p.m.
South Street crust punks with hungry dogs, angsty dark-clad teens who boycott high school: it's tempting to try to boil down the concept of anarchy to a few tired characters, yet, as Randall Amster's new book describes, the movement's history reveals a complex ideology seeped in the same nuanced debates that mark socio-political theory in all its forms.
A professor and respected philosopher in his own right, Amster's approach to anarchism is a refreshing break from scholars who've historically dismissed the movement as a kind of “anti-everything” ideology. Anarchism Today is a much-needed contemporary read, covering such topics as practical anarchism in action, local and global organizations, violence and the impact of anarchist philosophy on other systems of political thought.
From self-described anarchists and amateur sociologists to political scholars and concerned citizens, Amster's book is sure to broaden the conversation about an important theory that continues to shape the current social and political landscape. Join him for a free reading and discussion of the book tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the Moonstone Arts Center (110A S. 13th St.).
Philly’s favorite comic book power-pop peeps, Conversations with Enemies, is having a party this Saturday (July 7) at Johnny Brenda’s for their second album The Good Times. Like 2009’s Nowhere OK, their new CD comes with a 20-page color comic volume featuring panels from area artists, this time starring locals Kristyn Fayewicz, Jessica Lowe and the all-of-15 years old Rhiannon Iwer. That’s got to be pricey. While The Good Times’ CD features gobs of sarcastically lyrical and melodic song, the comic book is highlighted by a romantic entanglement between a werewolf pirate, a vampire a devil.
Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, Liam Hemsworth and director Robert Luketic want you to be in their movie Paranoid when it starts filming in Philly later this month. Actually, those four guys could care less who is in their movie. It’s Diane Heery of Heery Casting that needs upscale business folk and hip beautiful people (not to be confused with hipster doofuses) of all ages and sexes to be background extras. Check heerycasting.com and know that you’ll be rubbing elbows too with Richard Dreyfuss who just got added to the cast. Maybe Ford and he can talk about American Graffiti. Also while you’re at Heery, drop them some photos if you’re a guy in great physical shape. Sigourney Weaver’s Political Animals is still looking for a few good men, militarily speaking that is, through July 15.
Now-buff Derek Dorsey, co-owner of The Fire (get that man some carbs), has a roommate who just happens to have her own gallery in someone else’s home in South Kensington. The 1522 Salon at 1522 N. Lawrence is Natalie Beckwith’s baby and together with Michael Yoder the pair host their “Two Squares” exhibition starting July 6.
As the pasta bowl turns: The 1537 S. 11th St spot along the East Passyunk dining corridor that was earmarked for what Gordon “Birra” Dinerman was calling the Fountainhead (an Ayn Rand burger joint?) has just found new owners. While Dinerman moved his newest concept into Old City (Barra of which we reported on last week) Fond co-owners Jessie Prawlucki and Lee Styer have taken over the 1537 location for Fond, their stealthily healthful food boite at 1617 E. Passyunk. No word on what will happen to the old (still current) Fond spot but the new one should be ready by late autumn. Prawlucki can also be fond, I mean, found at her Belle Cakery at 1437 E. Passyunk, right across from the Ac-a-mee.
WHOWHATWHERE: As the first cast of Jersey Shore ungracefully gets ready to end its tenure in Seaside Heights next week, two things caught my eye. One is that the now-pregnant Snooki was spied pushing beer, Coors Lite yet, in a baby stroller. Fine. The other is that Deena Cortese was fined $106 after pleading guilty to dancing in the road and not using the sidewalk. Really. In other shore points, Mary J. Blige did the Atlantic City party circuit last weekend, first in the VIP area of Caesars Toga Bar then at Ivan Kane’s Royal Jelly Burlesque hot spot at Revel. Ellen Burstyn, in Philly shooting the aforementioned Political Animals hung with the mayor and the governor for the Celebration of Freedom ceremony at Independence Hall. Slow week for Ms. Burstyn. On the local radio station tip, both Jack Black and Kyle Gass — Tenacious D to you — stopped by Radio 104.5’s iHeart Radio Performance Theater before playing Festival Pier, as did the wonky Walk the Moon. Lastly, there’s poor Bruce Jenner who looked more frozen than ever (it’s either an overabundance of Botox or the shock of being away from the Kardashians clan where he wears the skirts) when the 1976 Olympic gold medalist showed up at Parx Casino on Saturday. Guy needs a break.
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This month's First Friday (tomorrow, July 6) in Old City will host US*U.S, a fashion collective of nine young, talented designers, for its debut fashion show. The team of fashionistas, lead by Rachel Saler of Corazon Swimwear and Lele Tran of Lele Custom Dresses, works off the sentiment of keeping Philadelphia textile manufacturing a competitive force.
US*U.S's mission is all about sustainable production, making a commitment to providing fair-trade-compensated work for local seamstresses. Corazon Swimwear also takes an interesting approach to design by incorporating Guatemalan textiles — an endangered species of highly intricate hand weavings — in all its pieces.
Local bands Mountjoy and Safari Dudes will set the mood for this classy, fun evening of fashion and spirits, sponsored by Spodee wine. 5 p.m., free, 323 Arch St., 214-564-3987.
Japandroids, known for exuberant live shows, turned the crowd at Johnny Brenda's into a mass of moshing and screaming fanboys this past Friday. Brian King and David Powser said it was a far cry from their last show in Philadelphia, where almost no one showed up. The scene on Friday couldn't have been more different; the crowd sung along to all the anthems from the band's most recent release, Celebration Rock, and stayed until the last second the band was onstage. Tip to all Philly fans: Next time these guys come to town — don't miss out.
Every Monday, Brittany Thomas rounds up the week's sure-bet live shows. This week: An Albatross, Faux Slang, The Downtown Club and more.
Wednesday: An Albatross returns after a two-year haitus, taking the stage alongside The High Five, Midnight Beat and Mean Streets for this Fourth of July reunion show. Even if psychedelic noise-core isn't your thing, the spectacles that have made the band famous are definitely worth seeing. Side note: Each band features at least one Barbary employee. 7 p.m., free, The Barbary, 951 Frankford Ave., 215-634-7400.
Philly singer-songwriter Karen Gross assembled a crazy-talented group of local songstresses for Saturday night's Girls Rock Philly Unplugged show at Tin Angel. The three featured performers were Suzie Brown, Kharisma McIlwaine (who did a spot-on version of Minnie Riperton's "Loving You" — high notes and all) and dreamy harpist Gillian Grassie. Here's a video of the evening's closing number, Carole King's "You've Got a Friend."
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