JS Bach Vocal Competition
German Society of Pennsylvania
611 Spring Garden St.
Fri, 7 p.m., $15
(215) 627-2332
www.bach-fest.org
This vocal competition will feature people from all over the country singing arias from Bach's works, including selections from the Mass in B Minor, the Magnificat and the Weihnachtsoratorium (now say that 10 times fast). The panel of judges will be comprised of experts on Bach's arias. This is a one-night-only gig, which should be kind of like American Idol but with a Bach twist ... and you don't get to vote on who wins.
Call for Change
International House of Philadelphia
3701 Chestnut St.
Fri, 7 p.m., $10
(215) 222-4201
www.scribe.org/events.html
In this precarious time where civil liberties are as scarce as a cheeseburger at Hillel, it is imperative that all voices be heard. An effort to do this is made by Third World Newsroom's film Call for Change. A compilation of short movies that focus on underrepresented parts of the United States and their views, the film provides a window into the lives of a range of people, including immigrants and low-income families. It's a must-see for the socially conscious.
Beta Dance Troupe
Gershman Y
401 S. Broad St.
Room 200
Thu, 7 p.m., $5-10
(215) 446-3021
www.gershmany.org
It seems that nowadays virtually every minority group has realized the importance of dance troupes as a means of representing their cultural heritage. But one almost forgotten minority was ill-represented on the dance troupe scene ... until now! Tonight, you can catch a unique program of Ethiopian Jewish dance, a blend of traditional Ethiopian tribal dances and Ethiopian Jewish infused artistic elements.
3 FOR THE ROAD Presents: March Into Spring
Red Room at Society Hill Playhouse
507 S. Eighth St.
Fri, 7:30 p.m., $15
(215) 923-0210
www.societyhillplayhouse.com
3 For The Road is a trio whose vocal stylings range from Broadway to ballads to Jazz standards. Prepare to be amazed as Andi, Maureen and Victor sing hit songs from the past. Together for nearly 30 years, the group's energetic performances are sure to invoke nostalgia and laughter. And with group participation during the show, it's sure to engage, if not entertain.
Judaism and Body Image
Steinhardt Hall
215 South 39th St.
Sun, 12-3 p.m., $7
www.hillel.upenn.edu/tcl
What do Judaism and eating disorders have in common? Well, they might have a correlation, according to the folks at Hillel. This Sunday, the organization is holding a conference in order to better understand the ties between modern body image, Jewish modesty laws, and eating disorders. See guest speakers and ask questions at the panel discussion. It's sure to be an educational experience.
Metallic Blues
JCC Gershman Y
401 S. Broad St.
Room 200
Sat, 8 p.m., $0-10
(215) 446-3033
www.gershmany.org
Metallic Blues follows two Israeli car dealers who hope to make an easy profit by reselling a '78 Lincoln stretch limo bought in Tel Aviv. In order to sell the car, however, they must drive it through Germany during Chanukah, meaning that, of course, things do not exactly go according to plan. The comedic relationship between the two car dealers adds levity to the somber comparison of contemporary German society and that of 60 years prior.
Vietnam 101: The War on Campus
Shubin Theatre
407 Bainbridge St.
Fri-Sat, 8 p.m., Sun, 2 p.m., $15
(215) 423-0254
www.simpaticotheatre.org
How can studying the Vietnam War in class or watching a film on the subject, no matter how acclaimed, possibly convey the conflict's full impact? Of course, there is no way to perfectly recreate the war experience but amazingly enough, Vietnam 101: The War on Campus comes pretty close to this ideal. Vietnam is a documentary-style play based on actual interviews and events. The Rich Orloff play retells the story of 100 students on a single college campus who "expose a country at war." The play offers an interesting starting point for contrasting the Vietnam War with the Iraq War and potential conflicts in the future.
Kid Rock
Tweeter Center
1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, NJ
Sat, 8 p.m., $35.50
(856) 365-1300
www.tweetercenter.com/philadelphia
Have you recently been wondering whatever happened to Kid Rock? Well, wonder no more: he is at the Tweeter Center on Saturday and tickets are still available. He seemed a little confused as to whether he was hard rock or country(remember when he did that duet with Sheryl Crow that came out of nowhere?), so it will be interesting to see where he is going now. Too bad Pam Anderson won't be there; they made such a classy couple.
Quiet Riot
Crocodile Rock
520 W. Hamilton St., Allentown, PA
Sat, 8 p.m., $12
(610) 434-4600
www.crocodilerockcafe.com
If you're in the Allentown area this weekend and not going to see Quiet Riot for only $12, something is wrong. If you don't remember who Quiet Riot is, something is really wrong. The '80s band broke onto the scene with their multi-million selling album Metal Health, which features "Cum on Feel the Noize." Over 20 years later, the ticket price has gone down for a Quiet Riot show, but the volume never will. Rock out with your Croc out at Crocodile Rock this Saturday!
The Magic Numbers
Theatre of Living Arts
334 South St.
Sat, 9 p.m., $12.50
(215) 922-1011
www.thetla.com
The Magic Numbers, true to their name, have a magical quality in their music. Maybe it's because they sometimes have tambourines or violins or lilting back-up singers along with the guitars, drums and bass. Maybe it's because they're British and that's just how the British are. All I know is, they are still liars because there is absolutely no connection to math or cognitive psychology or computer programming or any type of magic number. But the music is good, so I guess that's not a big deal.
Cky (Camp Kill Yourself)
Theatre of Living Arts
334 South St.
Fri, 8 p.m., $20
(215) 922-1011
www.thetla.com
West Chester, Pennsylvania's own band, CKY ("Camp Kill Yourself"), known for its synthesized-sounding rock and metal tunes, is coming to Philadelphia. And don't be deterred by the group's name; it was chosen because it sounds like the title of a horror movie. With drummer Jess Margera, brother of Bam Margera of Jackass and Viva La Bam, the show is sure to be a good time. Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy their rockin' antics.
Skampa Quartet
American Philosophical Society
Benjamin Franklin Hall
427 Chestnut St.
Fri, 8 p.m., $10-22
www.pcmsconcerts.org
Founded in 1989, the Skampa Quartet are believed by many to be the "best thing to come out of Czechoslovakia since the war." The string quartet, which previously performed in Canegie Hall, plays everything from Beethoven and Mozart to Jan‹¨«cek and Dvor‹¨«k. Fortunately, the quartet is coming to Philadelphia this weekend, so even lowly students can enjoy their performances.
Amir elsaffar and his ensemble
Painted Bride Art Center
230 Vine St.
Sat, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m., $12.50-25
(215) 925-9914
www.paintedbride.org
What do jazz and the Iraqi genre of maqam music have in common? If you ask most people they wouldn't have a clue. But Iraqi-American trumpeter Amir ElSaffar makes the correlation apparent by fusing jazz music with maqam, a centuries-old improvisational music played all over Iraq. After journeying to Europe to study maqam under the masters, ElSaffar is coming to Philly. His intriguing style of music is sure to entertain everyone from avid jazz fans to eclectic music lovers.
Marcus Roberts Trio
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Verizon Hall
260 S. Broad St.
Fri, 8 p.m., $30-64
(215) 893-1999
www.kimmelcenter.org
The Marcus Roberts Trio brings their blend of jazz to the Kimmel Center this weekend. Led by the talented Marcus Roberts on piano, the trio is known for incorporating a variety of jazz styles and making them their own. And with a talented frontman like Roberts, who was the only jazz musician to have his first three recordings reach number one on Billboard's traditional jazz charts, the band is sure to be entertaining.
The Deb Callahan Band
World Cafe Live
3025 Walnut St.
Sat, 9 p.m., $8-12
(215) 222-1400
www.worldcafelive.com
Maybe you haven't heard of Deb Callahan, but perhaps it's time you find out what she and her band are all about. The woman is a talented blues musician blessed with a voice comparable to that of Janis Joplin and Bonnie Raitt. An artist born and raised in Philadelphia, Callahan released her newest album, The Blue Pearl, just last year. With talented songwriting skills and strong vocals, Callahan's band is not to be missed.
Boris Garcia with The John Ginty Band
World Cafe Live
3025 Walnut St.
Fri, 9 p.m., $12-12
(215) 222-1400
www.worldcafelive.com
Two groups, same stage, one night -- it's got to be World Cafe Live. First to play is Boris Garcia. Don't let the name fool you; the group is actually a Philadelphian sextet whose free-form songwriting and quirky melodies are enjoyed by many. John Ginty, however, is a Grammy award-winning organ player best known for his session work with such artists as Santana, Jewel, Sheryl Crow, Ryan Adams, Matthew Sweet and the Blind Boys of Alabama. However, he has most recently been writing songs and touring with his new band. With two talented performers on the same stage, how could you miss out?
VH1 Classic Presents Bob Weir & Ratdog
The Electric Factory
421 N. Seventh St.
Fri-Sat, 8 p.m., $26.25
(610) 784-5400
www.electricfactory.com
The pre-Best Week Ever VH1 of the past still exists, and not only in your parents' dreams. VH1 Classic lives up to the "MTV for old people" reputation, and now they even present concerts for old people, or at least the old at heart. It doesn't get more baby boomer than former Grateful Dead member Bob Weir's current band, Ratdog. They rock, they roll and they give you an excuse to pull out the tie-dye.
Off the Beat
University of Pennsylvania Archaeology and Anthropology Museum
Harrison Auditorium
33rd and Spruce Sts.
Fri-Sat, 8 p.m., $10
www.offthebeat.net
So maybe you've heard of Off the Beat. If you haven't, you probably live under a rock; the a cappella group's been putting the jin jetta jo into alt-rock for years. And not only Penn students appreciate their musical stylings, which range from Jimmy Eat World to Incubus; Off the Beat's songs are consistently featured in Best of College A Cappella albums. So come to OTB's spring show; odds are you'll be blown away.
Nitin Mukul: Neither Here Nor There Exhibition
Asian Arts Initiative
1315 Cherry St.
2nd Floor East
Mon, Wed-Fri, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., free, until Mar. 27
(215) 557-0455
www.asianartsinitiative.org
Current "hot" words in the news are "science," "technology" and "globalization." Now see these words tackled from a different perspective -- that of Asian American artist Nitin Mukul. His art explores how these topics "affect our identities and reshape our physical and mental environments." Since the exhibit is free, viewing it is a cost-effective way to become more culturally aware -- an invaluable experience.
Four for a Franklin!
National Constitution Center
525 Arch St.
Independence Mall
Mon-Thu, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m, $100, until March 30
(215) 409-6700 www.constitutioncenter.org
Penn's favorite Revolutionary-era figure, Benjamin Franklin, stressed the value of economy and thrift. Make him proud by practicing his values as a participant in "Four for a Franklin." For the unbelievable price of only $100, a group of four can have an amazing historical day, including admission to the National Constitution Center and its many exhibits. There's no better way to celebrate Franklin's 300th birthday!
Amanda Means:
Power Plant
Gallery 339
339 S. 21st St.
Wed-Sat, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun, 12-5 p.m., free, until April 14
(215) 731-1530
www.gallery339.com
Normally, art is very subjective, very metaphorical and very "what does that squiggly line mean?" Not for Amanda Means. When she says her exhibit is called "Power Plant," she literally means she has photographed light bulbs and plants. That straightforwardness is appreciated, Amanda! Thank you for taking some great pictures of stuff that people recognize! And thank you for giving us the opportunity to stare at a light without hurting our eyes. That, too, is appreciated.
Persistence: Photography by Susan
Cunningham and Berendina Buist
The Felicity R. Bebe Benoliel Gallery
The Center for Emerging Visual Artists
237 S. 18th St.
Thu, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Fri, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., free
(215) 546-7775
www.cfeva.org
With striking black and white photographs representing scars and memories, not to mention a terse, serious name like "Persistence," this exhibit is just the type of thing to cement your status as an in-the-know hipster about town. Everyone's heard of Annie Leibovitz: when it comes to photography, it's all about up-and-coming artists like the two featured in this show, both of whom are fellows in the career development program of the Center for Emerging Visual Artists.
Matched Pairs
Nexus/Foundation for Today's Art
137 N. Second St.
Thu-Sun, 12-6 p.m., free
(215) 629-1103
www.nexusphiladelphia.org
Nexus/Foundation for Today's Art is the artsy equivalent of an exclusive country club. Since 1975, these aesthetes have been uniting to celebrate innovation in art. While anyone can admire the beauty of the exhibitions, it takes an application process to become a member of the gallery. On display now is the work of the newest members, along with their invited guests. Highlights include Elaine M. Erne's depictions of creepy stuffed animals and Kyle Cassidy's photos of rock stars.
Brad Garrett
Tropicana Casino
S. Brighton Ave. & Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ
Sat, 8 p.m., $30-65
(800) 526-2935
www.tropicana.net
Brad Garrett is tall. Really tall. Outrageously tall. "What did your mom feed you?" tall. If he weren't a comedian, he would have quite the career changing light bulbs or getting things off the top shelf or finding out how the weather is up there ... yes, I know; that's why he's the comedian and I'm not. Why don't you just go see the Everybody Loves Raymond star perform?
