Who? Moi? :: Philadelphia City Paper. 25 Years of Independent Journalism.

"You see, a person of my acquaintance used to divide people into three categories: those who would prefer to have nothing to hide than have to lie, those who would rather lie than have nothing to hide, and finally those who love both lies and secrets." --Albert Camus, The Fall

This year's First Person Arts Festival deals with people who fall into Camus' third category. The "Secrets and Lies" theme explores stories of frauds, cons, cover-ups, betrayals and deceit. Here are our top festival picks. (Prices are for nonmembers.)

Skin Deep

Opening reception Fri., June 2, 6-8 p.m., free; exhibit runs June 2 through July 6; DS Gallery, 244 Race St.

According to a 2003 survey, 40 million people in America have at least one tattoo—that's the equivalent of the entire population of Spain. Karol Griffin, a former tattoo artist and author of the soon-to-be-published book Skin Deep: Tattoos, the Disappearing West, Very Bad Men and My Deep Love for Them All, displays her photos (pictured) and shares the story behind her love affair with tatts. The reception is followed by a "Tattoos and Taboos" contest, where tattoo artists compete in an ink-off at UArts' Hamilton Hall.

Caris' Peace

Sat., June 3, 8 p.m. and Sun., June 4, 2 p.m., $20, Arts Bank, University of the Arts, 601 S. Broad St.

Every five minutes, Caris Corfman needs to be reminded if she has eaten or not. After having suffered the consequences of a brain tumor, the acclaimed actress lost her ability to make new memories. Determined to continue acting, she came up with a one-woman show where, "with the help of index cards," she could share her story with the world.

Reality Day Workshops

Sat., June 4, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., $35, Terra Building, University of the Arts, 211 S. Broad St.

A daylong series of mini-workshops, including "Say Cheese!" with photographer Ryan Donnell, "Your 'Reel' Life" with screenwriter Diane Walsh, "Telling True Stories" with author Michael Finkel and "Greetings from the Junk Drawer" with collage artist Ellen Benson.

The Cost of Truth and the Price of Lies

Tue., June 6, 7-9 p.m., $30 (talk only), $75 (talk, book signing and reception), Gershman Y, Levitt Auditorium, 401 S. Broad St.

Joseph Wilson, the whistle-blowing author of The Politics of Truth, speaks candidly on the government's (mis)handling of information about the war in Iraq and discusses why he thinks the Bush administration outed his CIA agent wife, Valerie Plame. Larry Beinhart, media critic and author of the political satire Wag the Dog, will then lead a Q&A on the threat of media spinning.

Inheriting the Holy Land

Sun., June 11, noon-3 p.m., $25, Arts Bank

As the daughter of a chief American negotiator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and longtime contributor to the Seeds of Peace program, Jennifer Miller knows a thing or two about conflict in the Middle East. Her book, Inheriting the Holy Land, explores the viewpoints of everyone from street kids to Yasser Arafat. The event also promises firsthand encounters in film (Julia Bacha) and music (Kareem Roustom, Udi Bar-David, Hanna Khoury).

First Person Arts Festival

Runs June 1-11. For a full schedule of events or festival tickets, call 267-402-2055 or visit www.firstpersonfestival.org