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ISSUE . July 12th, 2007

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Flaming Creature

Alan Cumming turns up the heat in Suffering Man's Charity.

by Sam Adams

Alan Cumming is a god. Or at least, he will be in a few minutes. An openly bisexual actor who recently wed his partner of three years, illustrator Grant Shafer, Cumming is arguably the most visible queer actor in the English-speaking world, a position he's achieved not by downplaying his sexuality but by flaunting it.

Granger Among Us

Talking with festival honoree Farley Granger.

by Sam Adams

Best known as the victim of Robert Walker's criss-cross plot in Strangers on a Train, Farley Granger has at least two other classics on his resume: Nicholas Ray's They Live by Night and Luchino Visconti's Senso.

Week One Shorts

Reviews of movies premiering in the first week of the Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, July 12-18.

Opinion

Editor's Letter:

Sidewalk Tiger

You expect cops to keep a lot of things in the trunks of their squad cars. One thing you don't expect: stuffed animals.

by Duane Swierczynski

"One guy told me it's his least favorite piece of gear," my friend said. "You bring out something cuddly, it means a child is suffering."

Slant:

Libby, égalité, fraternité

The president's friends are above the law, and his policies are beneath contempt.

by David Faris

Another evildoer of great disrepute received a stay of his own recently when the Bush administration caved and agreed to give the North Koreans their mafia money and some fuel in return for shutting down the nuclear reactor at Yongbyon.

Loose Canon:

Rage Against the Wall

Benakmoume's monument may soon be restyled with a jackhammer.

by Bruce Schimmel

One of the amenities Philadelphia developer Samir "Sammy" Benakmoume is providing to owners of these $1.3 million duplexes is something that doesn't exactly belong to him. Benakmoume is giving away part of the sidewalk.

Feedback:

Letters to the Editor

What You Say

The abuse of force cannot solve problems in our households, nor in our communities, nor our world | It's like we're all being bred to live isolated, resentful lives with no chance of being saved | Those who fail to see the blatant cruelty rampant in foie gras where all the birds' toxins are metabolized suffer from moral myopia | Steve Conn hits the bull's-eye when he calls SEPTA "the center of this region's future"

Naked City

A Hint of Paisley

How local company Revelations put Prince in a bottle.

by Ashlea Halpern

Persistence was key for 3121; Prince knew he wanted an earthy, sensual musk that'd last even through a hot, sticky stage performance.

Running Numbers

A scholarly look at the digits that matter.

by Nick Norlen

8 Number of years Nodding Head Brewery has sponsored the annual Royal Stumble, a beer tasting festival featuring head-to-head competition between area microbrewers July 14.

Fine Print:

Water You Thinking?

Philly Tap puts Schuylkill punch in the palm of your hand.

by Deidre Wengen

If you plan on serving Philly Tap at an event, the water department stresses one very important rule of taste. "We do stipulate that our product is [best] served chilled," says Brown.

Icepack

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

by A.D. Amorosi

It's time for the 13th Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Fest. Get your RuPaul cha-cha heels out. Bone up on Farley Granger's oeuvre. Practice your abusive Rex "Entourage" Lee lines and act all-Ari Gold when you say 'em.

News

An Act of War

Battle lines are drawn in University City.

by Doron Taussig

This month's Penn-hosted first Thursday community meeting for civic-association leaders and other University City residents was supposed to be about health care. Health care was never discussed. Instead, Councilwoman Blackwell launched a verbal assault against Penn and University City District.

Underworld:

No Fear

Recent incidents raise a question: Is anybody scared of Philly's mob?

by Brendan McGarvey and Gabriele J. Valentine

It doesn't seem as if the local mob can even buy a little respect these days. Earlier this year, Marty Angelina, acting underboss of Philadelphia's La Cosa Nostra, was beaten up by a member of the notorious 10th and O Gang. Bad move, right? You'd never know it from the punishment doled out for the January incident at Delilah's.

Philly Blunt:

How I Lost to a Girl

Dominoes might be a popular game, but I'm a travesty.

by Brian Hickey

"A lot of people swear they're good, but I prove it," says Lugo who's laughing but not joking. "Before, nobody knew about Philadelphia. Now, everybody does."

Political Notebook:

R.I.P. GOP?

Media Matters says conservatism in America is on the wane.

by Mary F. Patel

In the case of the social issue of domestic partnership, Waldman said that most people now accept it, while five or 10 years ago, most people did not. Waldman said mixed races marrying, women working and women getting equal pay are examples of issues that no one thinks twice about anymore.

The Bell Curve

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

When news breaks in Philadelphia, we make jokes.

Arts

Art:

The West Philly Wyeths

When the Tiberinos hit a wall, they paint it.

by A.D. Amorosi

The Ellen Powell Tiberino Memorial Museum in Powelton Village is where the work of the late, great African-American painter hangs next to that of her thriving, adoring survivors.

Culture Shock:

Things That Matter To People Who Matter

Bardo Pond | World literature | Sofia Minis | Golden Empress Garden

Betool Khedairi's Absent and A Sky So Close are two books Bush and the neocons should have read in their harried run-up to the war in Iraq. —David Broida

Re-View:

The Real Thing

A gathering of ultimately evanescent works

by Robin Rice

Even under glass, original works on paper trump digital reproductions. This truism is brought to mind by the 18th-century brush paintings of Ike Taiga and his wife, Tokuyama Gyokuran, now at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Theater Review:

Heaven Sent

Once on This Island

by Mark Cofta

Lyn Ahrens (book & lyrics) and composer Stephen Flaherty's 1990 musical might seem a light, sunny choice, but it actually shares an emotionally powerful, universally meaningful Romeo-and-Juliet story about class and race in Haiti.

Arts Picks:

GlassWeekend '07

Sat. and Sun., July 14 and 15, WheatonArts, 1501 Glasstown Road, Millville, N.J.

by Robin Rice

GlassWeekend is the internationally recognized symposium and exhibition of contemporary glass in Millville, N.J.

Vereda Cultural

Fri., July 13, 5:30-10 p.m, 2500 to 2700 blocks of North Fifth Street,

by Mary Armstrong

Second Friday is still circled on arts calendars all over town as the monthly evening for a dose of art and tostones, a time to visit the barrio en masse.

Puppies Are Biodegradable

Runs through July 30, F.U.E.L. Collection, 249 Arch St.,

by Mary Wilson

When Lancaster County farmer and dog breeder Henry Stoltzfus was questioned in 2005 about the fate of his unsold dogs, his spokesman gave a very graphic answer. They would be "left to rot," he said. "They are biodegradable."

Arts Agenda

Last Chance

Catch it or Regret it

by Monica Weymouth

You know their funky fashion-forward T-shirts, but Port Richmond-based Outlaw Print Co. puts their wild prints in frames, too.

Arts Agenda Picks:

On The DL

Philadelphia Festival of Shorts

by Mary Wilson

This city isn't known for its cinematic talent. Yet as the folks from the Cinema Alliance will tell you, that doesn't mean we don't have plenty of hidden gems.

Just Do It

Adventures in Photography

by John Vettese

You've really got to feel for the folks who curate archaeological exhibitions.

Galleries

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

Reception.

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. THE HANDMAKING,

Performing Arts

Please call the phone number listed with the venue for specific dates, times and ticket information. theater BLOOD BROTHERS Willy Russell's musical is the ultimate

Readings/Book Signings

ANGELA MURPHY The author reads from her autobiography, "Crossover to Healing," which touches on some bitter memories and gives helpful advice to people who are

Movies

Staying Alive

Werner Herzog breathes new life into a captivating survival story.

by Shaun Brady

In Dieter Dengler, Werner Herzog seems to have found the ultimate embodiment of his oft-iterated survivalist dreamers, men who face off against the harshest trials that nature can offer up, finding themselves at the same time that they lose their minds at least a little bit.

Jungle Fever

Steve Zahn's tenure as a prisoner of war started innocently enough.

by Shaun Brady

"I turned the TV on, and it was 5 in the morning," Zahn recalls. "At that time, the only things on are either really outstanding movies and documentaries or soft porn." Fortunately for his career, that morning it turned out to be the former: in this case, Werner Herzog's 1998 documentary Little Dieter Needs to Fly.

Unlucky in Louvre

Broken English director Zoe Cassavetes talks romance (or lack thereof).

by Shaun Brady

Maybe it's the fact that she's been cooped up in the Four Seasons for hours, but Zoe Cassavetes can't seem to fathom why everyone insists on seeing her debut feature, Broken English, as autobiographical.

Repertory Film

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

Music

New Dreams

Four years after the Cranberries, Dolores O'Riordan wants to know if you'll listen.

by M.J. Fine

Breaking up is hard to do. Just ask Dolores O'Riordan, who filled the first two Cranberries albums with the dregs of a soured relationship. Are You Listening? puts her back on the treadmill.

Take The Low Road

Southern rockers The Drive-By Truckers hit the dirt.

by Shaun Brady

By now, The Drive-By Truckers have long since overcome the goofy novelty of their name.

Hang The DJ:

Gimme Friction

J. Edward Keyes on Shuffle

by J. Edward Keyes

What saves New Wave from sanctimony, besides its endless irresistible hooks, is the fact that Against Me! doesn't have a whole lot of illusions about their effectiveness. | Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga is a work of immaculate engineering, like a roller coaster or a really nice watch.

Blistered in the Sun

The New Pornographers' gig in Battery Park celebrates America's birthday

by Jesse Delaney

Rudy Giuliani may have swept Times Square free of smut ages ago, but the Big Apple still yearns for pornography and they'll import it from Canada if they have to.

One Track Mind:

Scout Niblett

"Dinosaur Egg"

by Patrick Rapa

Indie rock's most mischievous imp is throwing a party and she wants everything to go just right. "Dinosaur egg, oh dinosaur egg," she pleads, "When will you-oo hatch?/ Cause I got a million people coming on Friday/ And they expect to see a dinosaur, not an egg."

Music Picks:

Al-Bustan's Seeds of Culture

Thu., July 12, 7:30 p.m., University Museum, 3260 Spruce St.

by Mary Armstrong

Local dumbek drumming legend Joe Tayoun has gathered a dozen of Philly's best players — Arab, North African, flamenco and Jewish — for A Night In Andalucia.

Reuben Radding

Fri., July 13, 8 p.m., with Evan Lipson/Gene Coleman, The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St.

by Shaun Brady

Back in January, Brooklyn bassist Reuben Radding initiated the "12 in 2007" project, offering a free album-length download each month for the entire year.

Femi Kuti

Thu., July 12, 8 p.m., World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St.

by Nicole Pensiero

Wanna be electrified? Check out Nigerian Afro-beat star Femi Kuti, touring to plug his recently released best-of disc, The Definitive Collection.

Food

Flat Served

Tavern 17 just can't get it right.

by Trey Popp

At its best, Tavern 17 offers an experience that is completely incomprehensible.

Downtown Diamond

by Trey Popp

Almaz is bound to win a loyal following among injera fiends who are tired of hauling across the Schuylkill to get their berbere fix.

Hot Fudge

Liz Begosh modernizes a classic boardwalk treat.

by Elisa Ludwig

Fudge needed a makeover, or it risked going the way of peanut brittle.

Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending

by Drew Lazor

>> WAITING LIST: Swallow | Dock Street Brewery and Restaurant >> CHECK, PLEASE: Rick's Philly Steaks

What's Cooking:

The Week In Eats

Get Out!

by Ciana Hardwick

It's all-out war as 16 breweries compete to kick their kegs first at the eighth annual Nodding Head Royal Stumble beer fest..

Top 5:

Heroes of Hummus

Bean Around the World

by James Saul

1.Bobbi's Black Bean Hummus, 2. Whole Food's Caramelized Onion Hummus, 3. Maoz Falafel, 4. Johnny Brenda's, 5. Sabra's Supremely Spicy Hummus

You Ask We Answer

Culinary Mysteries Solved

Q: I recently got back from traveling in Peru, and I'm having trouble finding South American food in Philly.

Small Bites

Little Vittles

Agenda

Agenda Lead:

Sorcerer's Rock

Harry and the Potters work their magic.

by A.D. Amorosi

With Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix just out in theaters and the seventh and final book hitting shelves next week, you'd think the young wizard would need a break. Not if Harry and the Potters have any say.

Agenda Picks:

Been There/Done That

Up and Over the Ben Franklin Bridge

by Carolyn Wyman

Hurling toward Camden on the Ben Franklin Bridge at 70 mph in a car is scary enough. I couldn't imagine crossing by foot — which is the idea behind Landmarks' guided walking tour of the Ben Franklin Bridge.

On The DL

Mission 300

by Peter Baker

The essential ingredients to a killer party haven't evolved much over the years. With bowling, Nirvana tunes and cheap eats, the second incarnation of Mission 300 is taking it back to the '95 birthday circuit.

Just Do It

BlogPhiladelphia

by Molly Dickinson

For better or worse, we're a tech-savvy, gadget-lovin' city. Now that the iPhone is out and about, how do we get our next nerdy fix?

Where We Won't Be

Babe's and Bachelor's Paradise

by Alexandria Symonds

VH1 is crossing the "celebreality" line with two new dating shows: Rock of Love with Bret Michaels and Scott Baio is 45 ... and Single.

What We Heart

Yixing Teapot Pendants

by Jena Williams

Although they're cheek-pinchin' cute, Junya Shao's necklaces are much more than charming little trinkets.

In The Event That...

You Prefer Cake to Fireworks

by Ciana Hardwick

Independence Day ain't too shabby. But when it comes to revolutionary July holidays, the French take the (slightly controversial) cake.

Kids, etc.

Big Fun for Little Ones

by Donny Sheldon

Kid-friendly jammers The Sippy Cups are notorious for their trademark fusion of juggling, puppetry and solid tunes.

In The Event That...

Your Tiara Has Horns and Spikes

by Molly Dickinson

In its third year of alternative pageantry at the Troc, Miss Catwalk Tragedy is once again stretching its inked and pierced wings across Philly.