Contributor Key — MA: Mary Armstrong | MB: Michael Blancato | CB: Chris Brown | MG: Michael Gold | SG: Sabrina Golphin | EG: Emily Guendelsberger | JF: James Friel | GMK: Gary M. Kramer | JM: Josh Middleton | AM: Abigail Minor CO: Cassie Owens | PR: Patrick Rapa | CS: Courtney Sexton | LS: Lee Stabert | BT: Brittany Thomas | NW: Nina Willbach Bedazzling by Brenna Adams | Photographs by Neal Santos
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1
ICA's Whatever Wednesday series will screen two rare BBC docs about two London-to-L.A. expats in Bowie/Banham: First, Alan Yentob's account of David Bowie's more erratic days in the 1974 film Cracked Actor, then 1972's Reyner Banham Loves Los Angeles on the eccentric architecture critic's devotion to the city. 7 p.m., free, International House, 3701 Chestnut St., 215-898-7108, icaphila.org. —BT
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2
The Phreak 'n' Queer Festival kicks off tonight with GlitterBomb. If the dance party's anything like last year's, expect zombies, lots of sparkly stuff and hot alterna-gays as far as the eye can see. Time and price TBA, Balcony at the Troc, 1003 Arch St., phreaknqueerfestival.wordpress.com. —JM
FRIDAY, AUGUST 3
It's double the rainbow at this year's GayFest!, with Quince Productions adding two weeks to their LGBTQ-theater showcase. 7 p.m., $25-$30, Plays and Players Theater, 1714 Delancey St., 215-627-1088, quinceproductions.com. —MG
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4
To celebrate the 120th anniversary of the day Lizzie Borden picked up an axe, Germantown's The Drama Group is performing a dramatic reading of Sharon Pollock's Blood Relations. Time and price TBA, Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion, 200 W. Tulpehocken St., 215-438-1861, ebenezermaxwellmansion.org. —JM
SUNDAY, AUGUST 5
The Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) joins Jenkintown Whole Foods Market for the big, outdoor Fresh Beats fest, which benefits PASA's wonderful advocacy work. 2 p.m., Whole Foods Market, 1575 The Fairway, Jenkintown, pasafarming.org. —LS
MONDAY, AUGUST 6
Austrian artist Stefan Sagmeister went on a 10-year quest to explore happiness, and hips us to his discoveries in " The Happy Show." Through Aug. 12, free, Institute of Contemporary Art, 118 S. 36th St., 215-898-7108, icaphila.org. —AM
TUESDAY, AUGUST 7
Tired-of-the-Center-City-same-ol', Karaoke lovers should visit West Philly's Dr. Thunder, where you're likely to hear more Flight of the Conchords than ear-bludgeoning Grease medleys and, occasionally, a grown man has been known to sing in his undies. Take that, Yakitori Boy! Tuesdays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., Dahlak, 4708 Baltimore Ave., 530-378-4863, group.thunderkaraoke.com. —JM
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8
At Nerd Nite, Philly's most intriguing brainiacs and innovators gather for high fives, highbrow hijinks and spitballing. 7 p.m., $5, Frankford Hall, 1210 Frankford Ave., philadelphia.nerdnite.com. —CB
THURSDAY, AUGUST 9
Tonight's Andrew's Video Vault double feature: A restless Jodie Foster takes off with a travelling carnival in 1980's Carny. Then, look for Steve McQueen way in the background of 1953 B-movie Girl on the Run's bawdy fairgrounds. 8 p.m., free, The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., armcinema25.com. —MG
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10
Carnivolution returns to Philadelphia courtesy of the Squidling Bros. Sideshow Circus. Viewers can expect "freaks, fire, burlesque, puppets, video art projections and aerial acrobatics among other mind-boggling sights." And by that they mean a guy with a mousetrap on his tongue. 8 p.m., $10, Ellen Powell Tiberino Museum, 3819 Hamilton St., 215-386-3784, squidlingbros.com. —MB
SATURDAY, AUGUST 11
Pass a late-summer Saturday with a nosh from the unassuming, excellent Taco Loco truck. Try the lengua, and don't skimp on the salsa verde. Washington Avenue between Fourth and Fifth streets. —LS
SUNDAY, AUGUST 12
Love Park and Rittenhouse Square have become a bit tired, so the finished renovation of Sister Cities Park is a welcome addition to the city's store of green spaces. 18th Street and Logan Square. —MG
