How much do we really know about our neighbors? Are they mere lollygaggers and wastrels content to jam with their beatnik friends and rock out in their blacklit basements, or are they plotting something? A paradigm shift, a new world order, a coup?

Dinnertime at the Jack Wright house on Spring Garden Street, and the kitchen is crowded with people more typically seen wielding musical instruments than cutlery. When the cupboards come up a few ingredients short of the tasty-looking chicken dish in the cookbook spread open on the table, a run to the grocery store is debated. But rather than waste any more time, Jack grabs a green pepper and a knife and does what he does best: He improvises.

Singer-songwriter Keisha Hutchins first turned heads fronting Vanishing Peoples of the Earth, the trip-hop duo she started with multi-instrumentalist Doug Hirlinger.

Dreaming about your dead sister is one thing; dreaming about your dead sister, a nuclear holocaust and a forest of

"I've been wanting to call the music death gospel," Adam Arcuragi says. And what's the good word? "We're all gonna fuckin' die."

Marc-André Hamelin is a hard man to get a hold of. There was an e-mail from Australia. Then a phone

The name grabs attention: Voices of Africa. Their occasional subtitle — Women Who Drum — is even catchier. Yet, knowing

There's a legion of acts you should know, ones you have never met that are thriving without you. Or your fandom. Or your palsy shoulder grabs and PBR rounds. How about that, hipster doofus?

Don't be afraid to speak out — directly into the camera.

by Dave Lindorff

by Duane Swierczynski

I wish Philly's new standard for luxury condos wasn't quite so dirty.

by Bruce Schimmel

The Rev. Dr. Kim-Eric Williams is a patently patient man. You need to be to translate 400 pages of Swedish script dating back to America's birth.

Nick Norlen's rundown of the numbers that shape your life.

The Parking Authority's plan to put GPS in all taxis is giving cabbies road rage.

by Natalie Hope McDonald

Rachel Furman unveils Rachel Guide. Jon Phawker Valania and Joseph Philebrity Sweeney play nice. Bela Shehu gets Lucky. And much, much more.

There are 26 days remaining for Rick Santorum to overcome the polling deficit that has haunted him throughout the campaign, or for Bob Casey to find a way to blow it.

Philadelphia School District CEO Paul Vallas is no stranger to party politics. Now he's making a mark in Philadelphia electioneering.

Some have questioned the ethics of launching a public-awareness campaign about a virus for which Merck currently has the only FDA-approved vaccine to prevent.

Member, Philadelphia Without Oil

by Jared Goyette

All the George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton Liberty Medal news that's fit to print.

by Mary F. Patel

Philly Blunt will return next week. Thanks for your patience.

CP's Quality-o-Life-o-Meter: with T.O., Michael Nutter, Jonathan Saidel's diary and elephants.

by Mark Cofta

by Mark Cofta

by Mark Cofta

by Mark Cofta

by Deni Kasrel

by Janet Anderson

by David Anthony Fox

by Amanda McKenna

by Lou Perseghin

by David Anthony Fox

Elizabeth Osborne: Floating Landscapes,1971-1979 Runs through Oct. 14, Locks Gallery, 600 S. Washington Square, 215-629-1000, www.locksgallery.com This collection of works

Terror Film Festival

by A.D. Amorosi

Worth Exposing Hollywood

by Jessica Loughery

Jason Sho Green

by Amanda McKenna

Scraps of Paper Tell You to Dress Funny

by Rachel Frankford

Galleries are usually open Tuesdays through Saturdays; please call the gallery for exact days and hours. Receptions are denoted by

Museums and exhibits have varying schedules; please call for exact days, hours and prices. 1601, 10th and Tasker sts., 215-218-3840.

Please call the phone number listed with the venue for specific dates, times and ticket information. dance BANQUET OF VULTURES

ANNA B. MCCOY The author shares her book, "Ann Wyeth McCoy, A View of Her Own," about her mother's watercolors,

The Statue of Liberty shows up early in Shortbus. Actually, it's a model of the Statue of Liberty, part of a New York City that looks warm and cute, a diorama enhanced by a sweeping camera and careful lighting.

American Blackout (Fri., Oct. 13, 7 p.m., $5, Scribe Video Center, 4212 Chestnut St.) Unleashing a fresh torrent of outrage

Send repertory film listings to tami.fertig@citypaper.net. AMBLER THEATER 108 E. Butler Ave., Ambler, 215-345-7855, www.amblertheater.org. The Shame of a City

Given his usual unpredictability, it's almost impossible to foresee what Uri Caine will come up with in a solo show, freed from the context of a set band or repertoire.

by Mary Armstrong

by Shaun Brady

by Peter Burwasser

Are the French nasty? Restaurant consultant Annie Jacquet-Bentley says that's nothing but a myth. In fact, she swears the sun's always shinning over her chalet in Provence. The celestial orb, she says, pumps up their personalities — the natives smile, they nap at midday, they drink wine and eat well.

by Elisa Ludwig

Giwa 1608 Sansom St., 215-557-9830 Owner Yong Chi says that Giwa, his trendy month-old Korean takeout/sitdown, has gotten "99 percent"

Journey to Roz Thu., Oct. 12, 6-8:30 p.m., $40 Holiday baking is a time-honored tradition for many, and Roz Bratt

All You Can Eat

by Sam Tremble

It's Where We Drink

by Jessica Loughery

Graterford prisoners raise the bars with art

by Drew Lazor

Trashy Fashion Show

by Megan Erwin

Tom Wilson

by Billy Kekevian

Anti-Superstition Party and opening of the Friggatriskaidekaphobia Treatment Center

Well-Intentioned (But Overly Idealistic) Utopian Workshops

by Drew Lazor

Nickel Mines Fundraiser

by Jessica Loughery

Zendo's Beginner's Zen Weekend Retreat

by Lou Perseghin

Academic Tim Dean explores the phenomenon behind purposefully risky gay sex.

by Ashlea Halpern