Divine Union: The Transformation of Desire in Himalayan Art
Philadelphia Museum of Art
26th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Ongoing, $10, $7 for students
215-763-8100
I went to Amsterdam over spring break, and as part of the seediness in that generally beautiful city, there's an actual museum dedicated to just, well, SEX. Which you'd think would be interesting, but it really wasn't well done.
Except for the mannequin of a flasher that really flashed you as you entered. That was cool.
But this exhibit, featuring art depicting couplings between various Buddhist and Hindu gods, seems like it'll be better than the Museum of Sex. Partially because in general I think the Philadelphia Museum of Art is just, well, more, I dunno, reputable than the Museum of Sex. Maybe it's just me. But mostly because it looks like some of this art is going to be really good. And no one will flash you. Well, except me.
Saul williams
Theatre of the Living Arts
334 South Street
June 16, 8 p.m., $14-16
215-LOVE-222
So when you think about it, rap music is essentially just spoken word set to music. Some rappers make it melodic, and some don't, preferring to stick to a more staccato style. Saul Williams is one of these, and he may be the best of them, following in Chuck D's footsteps. And he's playing with the Mars Volta and Rye Coalition. Now, I've never even heard of Rye Coalition, and I haven't heard any of Mars Volta's music, but Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers says they're cool, and that's enough for me.
Bastille day
Eastern State Penitentiary
22nd Street and Fairmount Avenue
June 12, 2:30-8 p.m.
215-236-3300
I've written a lot of listings in my day, but this may be the coolest. Philly has absolutely no French connection, but for whatever reason, there's a huge Bastille Day party at Eastern State Penitentiary, with a street fair, tours of the prison, a fake storming of the Bastille with Tastykakes for everyone, plenty of French food and a bar crawl through Northeast Philly. This weekend, Marie Antionette will have my cake, and she will be eating it too, believe you me.
