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ISSUE . March 22nd, 2007

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Cover Story

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Monks, Devils and Quakers

The lurid life and times of George Lippard, Philadelphia's original best-selling author.

by Edward Pettit

In the fall of 1844, a young Philadelphia journalist, George Lippard, began a weekly serial in one of the city's penny newspapers. The story, titled The Quaker City; or, the Monks of Monk Hall, was such a hit that the 10 serial installments were bound together and 48,000 copies sold the following year.

Nonfiction Shorts

Short reviews of recent nonfiction books.

Fiction Shorts

Short reviews of recent fiction books.

Opinion

Slant:

Republi-Can

If we can't beat 'em, join 'em.

by William J. O'Brien

Since 1951, the list of unsuccessful Republicans includes many well-qualified, well-known and hard-working candidates, including Thatcher Longstreth, Arlen Specter, Tom Foglietta, Frank Rizzo and Sam Katz.

Editor's Letter:

I Drive the Line

Take a map of Philadelphia. Point to a blank spot and ask yourself the last time you've been there.

by Duane Swierczynski

Here was a city neighborhood I've never seen (and no, I'm not going to get into specifics — you guys are offended too easily). It was a slightly Tim Burton-esque sprawl of identical single houses.

Loose Canon:

Getting Media

Why should the dumbest of the dumb give a damn?

by Bruce Schimmel

I asked a friend if he could bear to read another newspaper story on the homeless. "What else is there to know?" he sighed. Gerald Kolpan and I recently faced a roomful of homelessness activists who thought otherwise.

Feedback:

Letters to the Editor

What You Say

Re: "A Plea for Help": You do not need to be an activist for public school. You need to be an activist for your child. | Re: "First the Snakes": Doesn't the smoking ban just make our smokeless Irish pubs even more like the real thing across the pond?

Naked City

Step It Up

Local stair racer Michael Branca faces an uphill climb to gain recognition for his sport.

by Kristin Pazulski

After his first stair race, a 53-floor, 1,019-step climb, Michael Branca vowed never to return. He's since become the sport's biggest advocate.

Fine Print:

Total Madness

Breaking down round 1 of Philly Madness, and looking ahead to Round 2.

by Nick Norlen and Brian Howard

Philly Madness bracketologists break down the results thusfar, and look ahead to Round 2.

Running Numbers

A scholarly look at the digits that matter.

by Nick Norlen

20: Number of seconds that pass, on average, between each time someone in the world dies from a water-related complication.

Icepack

Amorosi on the news, nightlife, gossip and bitchiness beats.

by A.D. Amorosi

I'll be honest with you kids-gone-fishing at SxSW and WMC. We didn't miss you. We didn't know you weren't here.

News

The Cleanup

Why city candidates are getting cozy with janitors.

by Doron Taussig

Usually, the peons wait for the pols. Not so last Thursday on the corner of Fifth and Market streets where politicians lingered like teens on a spring evening, waiting for purple-clad laborers from the Service Employees International Union.

The Bell Curve

City Paper's Quality-o-Life-o-Meter

When news breaks in Philadelphia, we make jokes.

The Insider:

Dwight's Plight

Dwight Evans is doing so many things right, but so few people seem to be noticing.

by Anonymous

vans is perfectly positioned on the issues. He has a real record of fiscal discipline. He has a record of working with Democrats and Republicans to get things done. Even difficult things, such as the takeover of the schools.

Cocktails With...:

Jim Kenney

City Councilman at-large, Democrat

by Brian Hickey

Despite having spent many years in Cesspool Hall and always being tightly linked to a political patron now under federal indictment, Kenney's emerged practically unscathed.

Ask A Candidate

Bob Brady has an answer.

When are areas such as Kensington going to get some construction instead of everything being built in Northern Liberties or Fishtown?

Political Notebook:

The Other Green Party

It ain't easy determining who's Green.

by Mary F. Patel

"As former Sen. Daniel Patrick Moyihan famously put it, we are each entitled to our own opinion. But no one is entitled to his own facts."

Arts

Genre-Bender

Jonathan Lethem writes chick lit, with occasional kangaroos.

by Will Dean

Jonathan Lethem denies he has some kind of obsession with marsupials. The author of seven novels calls it kind of a coincidence that kangaroos pop up in his books from time to time.

Culture Shock:

Things That Matter To People Who Matter

Cheese; The Swimmers; The Unbearable Lightness of Being; Italian Men

In an attempt to learn Italian while living in Rome, I dated Italian men and developed the following highly scientific theory: Italian men love women and tolerate sex to get them, whereas American men love sex and tolerate women to get some.

Re-View:

National Treasure

Robin Rice on Visual Art

by Robin Rice

Chimes' work is everything contemporary painting can be: engaging in terms of content, original and personal in expression, aesthetically compelling, and not exclusively two-dimensional.

Book Review:

Rediscovered Country

Jamestown, by Matthew Sharpe

by Justin Bauer

Jamestown really begins to come together only when John Rolfe and Pocahontas stop texting each other and start communicating through telepathy.

Theater Review:

Loose Change

For those interested in contemporary musical theater, Caroline, Or Change is a must

by David Anthony Fox

"Nothing ever happens underground in Louisiana/ Cause there ain't no underground in Louisiana/ There is only underwater." So sings Caroline Thibodeaux at the opening of Caroline, Or Change, which premiered nearly two years before Hurricane Katrina.

Nice Pickup

Part II of Hitchhiker's Guide is disappointing only in that there's no Part III on the schedule.

by Mark Cofta

Director Jared Reed presents the further adventures of ordinary human Arthur Dent; his alien pal, Ford Prefect; and their all-knowing talking book, with more style.

Now See This

Baby Case; Fathers and Sons; The Domestication of Women: A Housewares Party in Two Acts; Taking Steps

theater One of the most exciting productions in Arden Theatre's history was the 2001 world premiere of Baby Case, with words and music by Michael

Arts Picks:

Chekhov Lizardbrain

March 28-April 15, The Latvian Society, 531 N. Seventh St.

by Deni Kasrel

Ever felt like different parts of your mind were vying against one another for your attention? Well, then you're cued in to the vibe of Pig Iron Theatre's Chekhov Lizardbrain.

Wong Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Fri.-Sat., March 23-24, 8 p.m., Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St.

by Mickey Jou

Kristina Wong's one-woman show addresses the high rate of mental illness and suicide among Asian-American women, but don't expect the Los Angeles-based performer to offer a cut-and-dried explanation. "I'm not a brochure," says Wong.

Norman Mailer

Tue. March 27, 8 p.m., Philadelphia Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St.

by Dominic Mercier

With his new The Castle in the Forest , his first book since adding his own spin to the life of Jesus Christ in 1997's The Gospel According to the Son, the octogenarian Mailer sets his sights on the young years of Adolf Hitler.

Arts Agenda

Last Chance

Catch It or Regret It

by Lydia Navatsyk

Carlos Garaicoa | Victims of Duty | Newton's First Law

Arts Agenda Picks:

Accidental Tourist

Hank Herman

by Mickey Jou

Thu., March 29, 6 p.m., University of Pennsylvania, Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk

Just Do It

Festival Latino Poetry Night

by Mickey Jou

Tue., March 27, 7 p.m., University of Pennsylvania, Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk

Galleries

Galleries are usually open Tuesdays through Saturdays; please call the gallery for exact days and hours. Receptions are denoted with Reception 222 GALLERY , 222

Museums/Exhibits

Museums and exhibits have varying schedules; please call for exact days, hours and prices. ABINGTON ART CENTER , 515 Meetinghouse Rd., Jenkintown, 215-887-4882. 2ND SOLO

Performing Arts

Please call the phone number listed with the venue for specific dates, times and ticket information. dance ASH CONTEMPORARY DANCE SPRING GALA The program features

Readings/Book Signings

ALEXIS ZIEGLER The author discusses her book, "Culture Change: Civil Liberty, Peak Oil, and the End of Empire," which hypothesizes that political movements in the

Movies

Pride and True

Terrence Howard can't keep this overextended biopic afloat.

by Shaun Brady

PDR, of course, stands for Philadelphia Department of Recreation. Maybe it should be amended to Pretty Dubious Re-enactment.

Road to Damascus

A Showcase of Syrian Cinema

by Mary Wilson

This week, International House offers viewers unvarnished access to the cinematic heart of a nation whose filmmakers have long been underrepresented.

European Vacation

Avenue Montaigne is textbook Francofilm.

by Michael Atkinson

Daniele Thompson's Avenue Montaigne — originally titled Orchestra Seats — is a pop-French movie-movie paradigm.

Repertory Film

Send repertory film listings to tami.fertig@citypaper.net.

Music

All of a Sudden

The Instant Composers Pool has been dropping world premieres every night for 40 years.

by Shaun Brady

"Why should an improviser be different than a composer? A composer sometimes works on a thing for months and months and it's played once and then it goes in the fridge and you never hear it again. They call that a world premiere. Well, my instant composing is a world premiere every night."

Texas Never Whispers

Siltbreeze's boss gives in, and gives it up for SXSW.

by Tom Lax

I'd like to tell you it was ominous and foreboding (like Philip K. Dick) but in actuality, it was more derelict and ostentatious (like Andy Dick).

Hang The DJ:

Clear and Present

J. Edward Keyes on Shuffle

by J. Edward Keyes

At SxSW, Amy Winehouse's heart seemed miles away; Ted Leo's blistering fifth record, Living with the Living, is all bombs and guns and ill-fated protests, another furious salvo from New Jersey.

Soundadvice

Relåche; Sugar Town; Rodrigo y Gabriela; Beats & Rhymes; Blues Control; Drake; Smokie Norful

Music Picks:

Sarah Chang

Sarah Chang, violin; Ashley Wass, piano, Fri., March 23, 8 p.m., Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St.

by Peter Burwasser

Local music lovers with longer memories (read: old guys like me) may recall Sarah Chang's stunning debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra. At the age of 8, she did not come off as a slick prodigy, but rather, a self-confident violinist.

Peeesseye

Fri., March 23, 8 p.m., with Antler Piss and Ian M Fraser, Crane Arts Building, 1400 N. American St.

by Shaun Brady

If 31 minutes seems far too short for anything to be called an epic, then you've obviously never been confronted with Peeesseye's oo-ee-oo

Bishop Allen

Wed., March 28, 8 p.m., with Say Hi to Your Mom and Plus/Minus, North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St.

by Char Vandermeer

Most remarkable is how far Bishop Allen has come in one year — introducing a battered piano in January's "Corazon"; flirting with Springsteen, The Kinks and the Stones in the summer; and distilling it all in December's comparatively slick "Last Chance America."

Ted Leo

Wed., March 28, 9 p.m., The TLA, 334 South St.

by Dominic Mercier

Ted Leo should consider himself lucky that, while he can write a song like Shane MacGowan, he looks nothing like him.

Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus 3

Mon., March 26, 7:30 p.m., with Johanna Kunin, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St.

by Sam Adams

Less than a fortnight after his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Peter Buck is playing a midsize club in Philadelphia as part of Robyn Hitchcock's backing band.

Food

Mexicali Rose

The owner of Marigold Kitchen classes up South Street — Pueblan style.

by Elisa Ludwig

The liquids are as serious as the solids at Xochitl (pronounced "so-cheet"), the Mexican restaurant that opened in Headhouse Square two months ago.

Forked Tongue:

Rules of the Game

Unless you're shooting it yourself, you want to get game from a reputable dealer.

by Tim Hyland

Out shopping recently at a local supermarket, Sonny D'Angelo was surprised to see a package of ground buffalo meat for sale. Or maybe repulsed would be a better word.

Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending

by Drew Lazor

NOW SEATING: Smith's Restaurant and Lounge 39-41 S. 19th St. | Uzu Sushi Bar, 104 Market St. WAITING LIST: Machismo Burrito Bar, 4330 Main St., Manayunk

What's Cooking:

The Week In Eats

Get Out!

by Elisabeth Holm

Barista Bowl | French Dinner Party Workshop | Brewer's Plate | Generating: Storytelling/Wine Tasting | Georges' Napa Wine Dinner

Top 5:

Health-Boosting Teas

Steam Powered

by Salihah James

1) Winter Elixir, Premium Steap 2) Calming Times, Gourmet of Olde City 3) Puh-Erh Rose, Great Tea International 4) Oolong Black Tea, Ray's Café and Tea House 5) China Rose Petal, A Taste of Britain

Watering Hole:

Dee's Hideaway

It's Where We Drink

by Will Dean

Ordering a drink at Dee's Hideaway in West Philly means waiting till your 30th birthday.

Agenda

Agenda Lead:

Drama King

The Decemberists' Colin Meloy sets his characters free.

by Patrick Rapa

Colin Meloy, with his lyrics about chimney-sweeping naifs and seafaring scoundrels, takes a lot of crap for being, you know, "theatrical" and "pretentious." Like, a lot of crap.

Agenda Picks:

Justify Your Existence

"Horseshoe Crabs and Migrating Shorebirds" lecture

by Monica Weymouth

"Shorebirds travel all the way from Argentina and are dependent on horseshoe crab eggs for survival."

Kids, etc.

Big Fun for Little Ones

by Linnay Trail

Stretto Youth Chamber Orchestra | Make Me Dance! | In Search of Giant Squid | Family Evening Nature Hike | National History Day Philadelphia

Just Do It

Climb the Tower

by Jesse Delaney

Fitness gurus say that taking the stairs (instead of the elevator) is a simple way to introduce exercise into a busy workday. Or, you can tackle 100 flights of stairs all at once.

Been There/Done That

Tango Lessons

by Megan M. Erwin

The tango may have originated in Argentina, but the style taught here is decidedly American.

What We Heart

Jordan Dunk Lows

by Nyjia Jones

Nike's birthed a baby we're more than willing to support: the Jordan Dunk Low.