Also this issue: Bad for the Business A trio of showbiz books walks on the mean side. -A.D. Amorosi artquicks More stuff going on this week... Wozzeck -David Shengold "Martians and Motorcycles" -Andrew Parks "Privacy Writes: Public Lives, Personal Letters" -Juliet Fletcher Fourth Of U LIE Rebel Party -Ainé Ardron-Doley PII Gallery | Stedman Gallery | And Then Thereâs · -Lori Hill Neal Barnard -Vance Lehmkuhl

July 3- 9, 2003

artpicks

ComedySportz Cares

Philadelphia Cares has plenty to smile about this month. The city's far-reaching volunteer organization has arranged a cooperative effort of its own which, starting this week, will bring their message to a new audience: lovers of ComedySportz. All July shows by the improv troupe, held as usual twice a Saturday night at the Adrienne, will benefit the organization: Just find the coupon from the current Philadelphia Cares newsletter -- or simply print it out from their website.

The project grew out of a collaboration between Philadelphia Cares and Bobbi Block, ComedySportz's education director. Joining forces to present public workshops ("Turning Grief into Healing and Action," held citywide in the weeks after 9/11), they have maintained their connection, and now hope to spread awareness in both directions. According to Philadelphia Cares development coordinator Nathan Hamm, "This is the greatest type of partnership": While the improv teams battle it out, for the organizers, "It's win-win."

ComedySportz Cares, Saturdays in July, 7:30 and 10 p.m., $12-$15 ($4 of which goes to Philadelphia Cares if you use the coupon under What’s News at www.philacares.com), The Playground at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 215-564-4544 .

—Juliet Fletcher