MUSIC
Today — 4/1: A Sunny Day in Glasgow, KungFu Necktie, $10
If you’re new to the space-rock, shuffly, pre-emo genre, let Pitchfork faves and Philly locals A Sunny Day In Glasgow welcome you into the fold. Their upbeat, thoroughly modern sound is sure to plant the seeds of mopey fandom in any listener.
Saturday, 4/3: Best Coast, The Barbary, $10
Alright, alright, not to beat a dead horse or anything, but this whole lo-fi, made-in-your-uncle's-garage-30-years-ago-with-an-eight-track-recorder movement has really taken off and it’s not showing signs of slowing down any time soon. Best Coast is a leader of the pack and has truly excelled at making a whole bunch of static-y music that sounds like sunbathing, all without the unfortunately half naked girls on the Green.
Wednesday, 4/7: Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, First Unitarian Church, $14
There was a girl in my high school who was o-b-s-e-s-s-e-d with Ted Leo. Girlfriend put out zine after zine about these guys, and guess what — it was super annoying and straight up weird. Given these associations, one can try to avoid this lyric heavy DC based nerd-rock team for a while, but dammit, their buzz just never goes away. And whaddayaknow, they’re actually pretty good. For fans of the Hold Steady and Les Savy Fav.
Wednesday, 4/7: High Places and the War on Drugs, Kung Fu Necktie, $10
If Ted Leo and his story telling posse aren’t quite your speed, head over to Kung Fu Necktie for this truly boss pairing. High Places puts on a truly marvelous live show (we know from experience), making fantastic use of unconventional instruments and a healthy dose of synth. Philly club faves the War on Drugs should make this a night to remember.
VISUAL ARTS
This weekend, Philadelphia will be lucky enough to play host to INDEPENDENCE: The 44th Annual National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA). Its also First Friday! So head downtown, grab a drink and check out these gallery openings focused on ceramics.
Now — May 1: To Die For, Projects Gallery, Free
Whether in effigy pots, vase paintings, or offerings to the dead, ceramics has always been a significant material in the world of the rituals of death, spirituality, and transformation. At To Die For, glimpse into the morbid side of pottery and contemplate the nature of mortality, issues of loss, hosts, ghosts, surrounding fears and the meaning of the afterlife.
Now — May 1: Adelaide Paul: The Peaceable Queendom, Wexler Gallery, Free
For some reason, in American culture, dogs are man’s best friend, the ending of Bambi is considered tragic and PETA gets away with standing outside fashion shows and pouring red paint on women’s priceless furs. Adelaide Paul’s the Peaceable Queendom explores the idea that American Culture posits an alternately cloyingly sentimental and brutally callous relationship between humans and both domesticated and wild animals. The Peaceable Queendom will include life-sized interpretations of animate beings such as mountain lions, dogs and horses, made from both found and fabricated materials.
Friday, 4/2 — 4/30: Dwayne Boone's Art Gallery, Space 1026, Free
Philadelphia Developmental Disabilities Corporation's Dwayne Boone will showcase over 150 paintings of cheetahs, Philadelphia Eagles and sculptures all made in the last year. Holy prolific. His world is surreal, distinctly Philadelphian and pretty much just great. Join the artist at a First Friday opening, Friday, 6:00 — 10:00 p.m. Also check out and pick up Space's new book, Space 1026.
THEATER
NOW — May 2: Fallen Angels, The Walnut Street Theater, $10-$60
Mad Men may have invented the two Martini Lunch, but it’s Noël Coward who first made boozing and scheming chic. In ‘20s period piece Fallen Angels, two upper-class besties receive news that a former lover, Maurice, is coming to town. However, both ladies seem to have a past with the frenchie, and hilarity ensues as they struggle to escape adultery, overcome jealousy and hide him from their inattentive husbands.
Today — 5/2: The Action Section Prevents: The Apocalypse!, The Shubin Theatre, $10
Philly Improv Theater presents the world premiere of this hour long sketch show that skewers disaster films and melodramatic action shows. Known as the best alternative comedy in the city (and founded by Penn grads!) this is guaranteed to be pants-peeing hilarious.
Saturday, 4/3 — 5/9: Henry IV, The Lantern Theater Company, $10 — $35
The Lantern Theater Company offers extremely attractive ticket prices for their student rush, so it’s almost financially imprudent NOT to go. A jaunty dose of the bard should remind you that, in life before writing seminars, the English language could actually be fun and enjoyable.
