SAUSAGEFEST
German-American Weekend: Bier and Wurstfest
German Society of Pennsylvania
611 Spring Garden Street
Friday-Sunday, Free
(215) 627-2332
www.germansociety.org/
Still bummed your totally sick plans to go to Munich and get wasted this October fell through? Beerfest fans, the wait is over. Strap on your lederhosen and trot to where The German Society of Pennsylvania is hosting Philadelphia's annual German-American day. Celebrate the 324th anniversary of the arrival of America's first German settlers, a group of thirteen families that came to settle Germantown, PA. Honor their legacy by taking part in this weekend's "Bier und Wurstfest." You might even pretend you're at the real Oktoberfest as you enjoy German beer, Bratwurst, sauerkraut and soft pretzels in the German Society's courtyard. The day's not all booze though: for the more faint of heart (or liver), there's always the Sing-a-long of German folksongs. Move over Munich, it's October here too.
-Hillary Reinsberg
Beat Down
Balkan Beat Box
World Caf‚ Live
3025 Walnut St.
Today, 7:30 p.m., $15-$17
(215) 222-1400
http://tickets.worldcafelive.com
There are few guarantees in life, but if you want one, here it is: you are guaranteed not to be bored by Balkan Beat Box (BBB). BBB is a cross-cultural swath of musicians whose music is one huge, danceable collision of multiple cultures and languages. The band's politics involve "erasing political borders" and the belief that people can be unified through music and dance. Certainly genres are well mixed into their music: there are elements of funk, techno, guitar, Middle Eastern folk and vocal (and that's just for one song). The band also happens to put on some fantastic shows full of energy, dance, local talent and, of course, awesome music. It's a great way to start a Thursday night, and if you need an excuse to go out, you could always say it's for world peace.
-Brian Mertens
night at the museum
Young Friends Halloween Event
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
3260 South Street
Tuesday, 6:00 p.m., $15-$20
(215) 898-4000
www.museum.upenn.edu/new/events/
To all you goblins and ghouls who can't wait for October 31st to roll around, here's a chance for you to get your Halloween groove on early. Pre-game with a dose of candy corn and bubbling brew, then hop on your broomsticks and fly down to Penn's 120-year-old Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology for a night of fright. Join members of the museum staff as they recount their close encounters with the Museum's best-known ethereal inhabitants (a.k.a. ghosts). If you were an awkward freshman wrapped in a bed sheet toga on your last visit to Penn's Museum, it's high time you returned (even if you're still awkward). Round up your ghoulfriends and find out first-hand what goes bump in the night.
-Lauren Talman
belly bump
Philadelphia Belly Dance
#1 Boathouse Row, 2nd Floor
Tuesday, 6:00-6:50 and 6:50-8:00 p.m., prices vary
(610) 449-7201
http://s95204971.onlinehome.us/najialocations.htm#below3
Tired of the Pottruck rush? Looking for a way to spice up your workouts? Venture away from the elliptical this Tuesday night to one of Najia's weekly belly dance classes, an hour-long intro to core strengthening and an ancient art form. In Najia's 6:00 class, no experience is necessary to learn how to belly dance for beauty. Explore your body and revitalize yourself with a crash course in dynamic Middle Eastern sensuality. At 6:50 Najia also offers a fat-burning belly dance class with an intensive cardio regimen and exotic choreography. Single class prices range from $20-$30, but trial and supersaver plans are also available for the avid participant. So what are you waiting for? Hop on down to Boathouse Row in Center City. Jump off that bike and work out your beer-belly in coin belts and veils. Stop spinning and start shaking it like Shakira - with a little help, your hips won't lie.
-Adam Hartheimer
Cut. it. out.
Charitable Laughter
Iron Gate Theater
37th & Chesnut
Thursday, 8:00 p.m., $5
We all have friends who quote Dane Cook like it's gospel. But if you're up for a little something different, this Thursday you can listen to Penn comedians share their own material at Charitable Laughter, a SMAC-sponsored benefit for The Village of Arts and Humanities. This show offers, for one night only, a collaboration between the four comedy groups on campus: Mask and Wig, Bloomers, Simply Chaos and Without a Net. All proceeds benefit SMAC, an organization that seeks to build community in inner city North Philadelphia through its innovative arts, educational and social-development programs. Who can resist good laughs in exchange for a donation to a great cause? Hopefully, you'll disagree with Dane Cook when he said, "I don't laugh out loud at comics a lot." Just because Jessica Simpson liked him, doesn't mean you have to.
-Sabrina Benun
