(I am) Nobody's Lunch
Annenberg Center
Harold Prince Theatre
3680 Walnut St.
Thu, 7:30 p.m., Fri, 8 p.m., Sat, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m., Sun, 3 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., $30-40
(215) 898-3900
www.pennpresents.org
This comedic cabaret questions the honesty of people in power and searches for the truth behind their statements by conducting interviews with ordinary people. How, you may ask, do ordinary people know the truth? Does it come from aliens from Mars? Whispers in the night? Is it encrypted into your American Foreign Policy reading assignments? While the possibilities are endless, (I Am) Nobody's Lunch purports to shed some light on the mystery, so let it unveil the truth before your eyes.
The Tempest
Shakespeare Festival
2111 Sansom St.
Fri, 7 p.m., $25
(215) 496-8001
www.phillyshakespeare.org
As a good journalist, I wanted to give some informative details about what this play is about, but what I found online was just too embarrassing. I've read this play a million times and apparently missed its entire point; who knew that a play about soldiers meeting a wizard could be a commentary on colonialism? But the good news is that even if all the meta-theatrical, self-reflexive stuff goes over your head, it will fit with the general theme of Shakespeare, which is making English-speakers feel as if they don't even understand their own language. Plus, the costumes are pretty.
The Stinky Cheese Man and other fairly stupid tales
Arden Theatre Company
40 N. Second St.
Thu, 10 a.m., Fri, 9:30 a.m. & 12 p.m., Sat, 12 p.m. & 7 p.m., Sun, 12 p.m. & 4 p.m., $30, until June 11
(215) 922-1122
www.ardentheatre.org
Traditional fairy tales offer us the chance to escape our ordinary, wretched existence and live in the world of fairy godmothers and Prince Charmings. But when the story ends, you're still stuck with your unfulfilled fantasies, while Cinderella's shagging the Prince. The Stinky Cheese Man gives these characters a slap of reality by taking away the miracles and leaving horrid stepsisters and (truly) ugly ducklings. Because sometimes, we need an escape that allows us to feel good even when it's over.
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Pennsylvania Ballet
The Academy of Music
Broad and Locust Sts.
Thu-Fri, 8 p.m., Sat, 12 & 8 p.m., Sun, 2 p.m., $10-111
(215) 893-1999
www.paballet.org
If you desire to see green fairies without drinking absinthe (it is illegal, after all), then A Midsummer Night's Dream is the perfect show for you. Set in a magical forest, there are drunk fairies galore, comical quests for love and plenty of tricks and deceptions. It's the Old Bard with tights thrown in -- a combination sure to yield a good time.
Neysa Grassi
Locks Gallery
600 Washington Square South
Tue-Sat, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., free, until May 13
(215) 629-1000
www.locksgallery.com
My new theory on art is that the weirder it gets, the more hardcore the bullshit is to back it up. That's because when you splotch a few different colors together on a canvas, the only thing to distinguish it from your little brother's kindergarten masterpiece is the hidden meaning behind your supposedly sophisticated work. Though Grassi's work is intriguing and original, you'll have to decide for yourself whether you think it represents life like she says it does.
A Different Lens - Special Event
Asian Arts Initiative
1315 Cherry St.
Second Floor East
Fri, 5:30 p.m., free
(215) 557-0455
www.asianartsinitiative.org
This exhibition, in collaboration with the Philly chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association, explore the interesting take that Asian American artists have on photography. More specifically, the group explores the fine line between photography as art and photography as photojournalism. With a background enriched with Asian culture, these artists bring a new perspective to the depiction of Asian experience, often bringing their viewpoints into the people and locations which they portray. For any art fan, this should be a must.
Pop art and the artists - Special Event
I Brewster
1628 Walnut St.
Fri, 5:30 p.m., free
(215) 731-9200
www.ibrewster.com
Love the works by Lichtenstein? Wish that you had a Warhol in your dorm room? Well, I Brewster is the place for any pop art aficionado; whether it be for observation or for purchasing an art piece of your own, the gallery has hundreds of paintings by artists as famed as Keith Haring, Pablo Picasso and Pissaro. And this weekend, the gallery is providing a special event in conjunction with the Center City Gallery night, providing a laid-back atmosphere and free drinks. Cocktails and vintage posters: what could be cooler?
Philadelphia Mural Arts Program: Third Annual Spring Student Art Exhibit
OIC Building
1231 N. Broad St.
Thu, 4-7 p.m., free
(215) 685-0750
www.muralarts.org
Everyone else says you should go to New York if you want to see real art. But everyone else has more money than you. The beauty of Philadelphia is that it has so many free, gigantic murals interspersed with its architecture. The Philadelphia Mural Arts Program is a great chance to see all the work that students have done to turn the walls that you usually ignore without a second thought into walls that you can only ignore with a lot of guilt and trouble.
Lonnie Graham: A Conversation at the Table
The Fabric Workshop and Museum
1315 Cherry St., Fifth Floor
Fri, May 5, 6 p.m., free
Until June 3
(215) 568-1111
www.fabricworkshopandmuseum.org
You may think the screen print on your Urban Outfitters shirt is profound, but it probably doesn't challenge you to think about the connection between mind, body and spirit. It probably doesn't ask you to think about the bond of our common humanity, either -- unless, of course, the bond is that we all own the same Urban Outfitters shirt. However, the Fabric Workshop and Museum not only gives you fabric to think about, but two current shows that aim to bring the community of Philadelphia together through an awareness of art, memory and the individual mind. Go -- you'll learn something, and you'll get a chance to show off that new skirt.
Project Space: Soft Sites
Institute of Contemporary Art
118 S. 36th St.
Fri, 6-8 p.m., free
(215) 898-7108
www.icaphila.org
I might be the only one, but whenever I go to Urban Outfitters (daily) I always wonder what lies beyond Sansom Street in the Institute of Contemporary Art. Of course, being on such a tight schedule, I never really have time to journey to the other side of the street. The term "Soft Sites" refers to locations where significant physical change due to natural or human cause has taken place, including, basically, everything. The project looks to raise questions about site-specificity, and whether documents of such large changes have the same impact when taken out of context. Oddly enough, this reminds me of a question I often have about Urban Outfitters. How do so many identical vintage pieces end up in the same store in so many different locations? Maybe natural and human-caused changes aren't quite so different after all.
Tim Bowen: Dualities
Falling Cow Gallery
732 S. Fourth St.
Thu-Sat, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., free, until April 29
(215) 627-4625
www.fallingcow.org
Now, "fallen cow" is not just one that has just been tipped. It is also the name of artist Tim Bowen's gallery, which opened on April 1st and features his large-scale paintings. His art is all about opposing images and juxtaposition; yet all is ultimately united visually through strategically placed abstract images. Bottom line? "Moo" on down there and see it.
Adelaide Paul: anatomies, animali, anime
The Clay Studio
139 N. Second St., Second Floor
Tue-Sun, 12-6 p.m., free,
until May 14
(215) 925-3453
www.theclaystudio.org
Using traditional and non-traditional sculpting materials (like recycled and found objects), artist Adelaide Paul desires to make her audience think about the nature of consumption through her animal sculptures. She finds it interesting that Western society loves animals but still considers them a disposable commodity. One eye-opening question she raises: what's the difference between muscle of pig and bacon? Just the latter's more aesthetically pleasing name. Such a dichotomy highlights just how fickle our relationship is with our domestic and wild animals.
Ramp Project: Zoe Strauss
Institute of Contemporary Art
118 S. 36th St.
Fri, 6-8 p.m., free
(215) 898-7108
www.icaphila.org
Zoe Strauss focuses "on themes of desire, in all of its beauty and repulsion" in her photography: a picture of different sized and colored mattresses lining a barbed wire fence below attached balloons. Strauss has been called the "chronicler of Philadelphia's mean streets," and true to her title, she has traditionally shown this -- literally. Her pictures of the view above I-95 are sold for $5 a piece, and prove that she's out to make a point, not a profit.
Educating the Youth of Pennsylvania: Worlds of Learning in the Age of Franklin
Van Pelt-Dietrich Library
Rosenwald Gallery
3420 Walnut St.
Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., free, until May 31
(215) 898-7088
http://benjaminfranklin300.library.upenn.edu
Now students can find another way to honor the memory of our school's founding father besides urinating on his bench. Penn's Rare Book and Manuscript Library has organized this exhibit to pay tribute to Franklin's vision of education in late 18th century United States. The exhibit, which will be conveniently displayed on the sixth floor of Van Pelt until the end of May, features original documents, books, artifacts and photographs.
America
Kirby Center
71 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA
Fri, 8 p.m., $35-45
(570) 826-1100
www.kirbycenter.org
According to the publicists at the Kirby Center, America was discovered in 1972, when the duo put out the song "A Horse with No Name." I always thought America was discovered in 1492 when Columbus sailed the ocean blue. It is amazing to me that I have made it all these years with such false information. Since America (the band) is responsible for clearing this all up for me, I will definitely have to thank them backstage after the show. Now all I want to know is, who's coming with me?
Posaune Decouple
Glencairn Museum
1001 Cathedral Rd., Bryn Athyn, PA
Sun, 3 p.m., $5-10
(215) 502-2993
www.glencairnmuseum.org
The Glencairn Museum has described "Posaune Decouple" as "a unique trombone performance, with players from all over the world." And they're true to their word: the performance creatively displays the trombone as a beautiful instrument (not just that horn that your brother played in marching band). The piece progresses from a solo by Glenn Dodson to a duo, trio, quartet and so on until the 10-piece finale. This amazing performance pays the trombone the tribute it deserves.
Spoken Hand Percussion Orchestra
Painted Bride Art Center
230 Vine St.
Fri-Sat, 8 p.m., $15-30
(215) 925-9914
www.paintedbride.org
Everyone loves a groovy beat. And I don't know anyone who dislikes a percussion orchestra. When combined, they form the grooviest, most provocative band ever: Spoken Hand Percussion. The Spoken Hand Percussion Orchestra includes the foremost performers of the Spoken Hand music scene, and they will be performing this Friday and Saturday at the always eclectic Painted Bride Art Center.
Curtis Symphony Orchestra
Kimmel Center
Verizon Hall
260 S. Broad St.
Sun, 8 p.m., $5-34
(215) 893-1999
www.kimmelcenter.org
Samuel "Magic Fingers" Krall (a world renowned musical historian and classical guitarist) has said the following in regards to The Curtis Chamber Orchestra, "I like coming to Philly to perform for three reasons: the great crowds, the cheese steaks and the Curtis ensembles." A man with a name like "Magic Fingers" can't be wrong; come see the orchestra perform music composed by Stravinsky and Bart‹¨«k. Their performances of these modern pieces are sure to change the way you think of symphony music.
Taking Back Sunday
Trocadero
1003 Arch St.
Sun, 6 p.m., $21
(215) 922-LIVE
www.thetroc.com
Taking Back Sunday has a new album, Louder Now, that will most likely fill their set at Trocadero. If you are interested in listening to the sweet, new, hard pop/punk music first-hand, then this show is for you. If you're worried that the new material won't live up to Taking Back Sunday standards, then you have nothing to fear. The Alternative Press called the band's sophomore effort "the album most bands wish they could make," so come and prepare to be pleasantly surprised.
The Beach Boys
Scottish Rite Auditorium
315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood, NJ
Fri, 6 & 9 p.m., $49
www.ccparks.com
Broadway wanted their fix of the Beach Boys, so they released Good Vibrations, a musical based on the songs of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys last year. But since the musical closed this year, if you want to get your Beach Boys fix, check out their live concert this Friday evening at 6 and 9 p.m. The group mourns the absences of the three Wilson brothers (Brian, Carl and Dennis), but sole remaining original Beach Boy Mike Love is still on tour, and the 1988 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees have dozens of Top 40 hits to choose from in their New Jersey showing.
Bx3 Tour
World Cafe Live
3025 Walnut St.
Thu, 7:30 p.m., $25
(215) 222-1400
www.worldcafelive.com
The bass player is too often the unknown member of the rock band. Maybe you've heard of Tony Kanal or Flea, but the talent of the bass player frequently goes unnoticed. The bass player provides the rhythm and lines that pull the whole band together, and tonight is a symbol of appreciation from the fans. Bx3 brings together Billy Sheehan, Jeff Berlin and Stu Hamm for an evening of pure musical fun. And with the list of accolades between them (7 "Best Rock Bass Player" wins from Guitar Player Magazine!), the show is unmissable.
Koresh Dance Company: "The Music That Made Us Dance: From Lindy To Hip-Hop"
Annenberg Center
Zellerbach Theatre
3680 Walnut St.
Thu, 7:30 p.m., Fri, 8 p.m., Sat, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m., $29-$44
(215) 898-3900
www.pennpresents.org
Ever wonder what Thursday nights downtown would look like if people actually knew how to dance? Three local choreographers are bringing together swing/pop/rock/soul/disco/hip-hop/techno dance beats for the Annenberg Center's Dance Celebration. The show is sure to feature songs you dance to yourselves, since it is a celebration of "the music that made us dance," through the ages of course. So if you want to see what Grandma might have looked like tearing up her own club dance floor in her prime days, this show cannot be missed.
FreeCulture's National Summit
Swarthmore College
Fri, 4p.m.-10p.m., Sat, 9:30a.m.-10p.m., Sun, 10a.m.-3:30p.m.
http://www.freeculture.org/summit2006/index.php
FreeCulture.org may only be two years old, but in its lifetime, it's achieved more than most old-school organizations ever have. The Swarthmore College-based group has sued (and won!) against a multi-billion dollar corporation, has spread its innovative ideas about copyright law to over 30 universities. And this weekend, you can share your ideas with this group; FreeCulture's organizing a student summit at Swarthmore College; with speakers such as Stanford Law Professor Lawrence Lessig, lower-power FM experts from Prometheus Radio, and Penn's own Peter Decherney, how could you miss out on the chance to explore civil liberties in the 21st century?
Bodies (e)merge ... a student dance concert
Cornwell Dance Theatre
Temple University
Fifth Floor Conwell Hall
NE Corner of Broad St. & Montgomery Ave.
Fri-Sat, 8 p.m., $10 general, $8 for students
1-888-OWLS-TIX
Fran Dunphy has chosen Temple over Penn -- and now you can, too! Okay, maybe you can't take over for John Chaney like Fran, but at least you can show support for the University's performing arts culture by attending Cornwell Dance Theatre's production of Bodies (e)merge ... a student dance concert. The curiosity as to whether or how bodies will merge (or emerge) seems appealing enough to draw a packed house and fill the audience.
Next American Porn Star
Club Flow
700 N. Columbus Blvd.
Fri-Sun, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
www.naps.tv/castingcall.html
Ever get sexually frustrated when the pizza boy doesn't ask for "something extra" as a tip? Wish that your masseuse would just suck it up and give you a happy ending? Well, today's your lucky day. This weekend, auditions will be held for the Next American Porn Star. Each week, auditioners will be filmed in a new show for the public's viewing pleasure. Subscribers will be able to vote on the "sexiest" performance, and eliminations will occur until the winner is chosen. The winner gets a $25,000 contract to star in a feature length movie, so don't miss your chance to be the next Jenna Jameson.
