Issue Browser :: 2008-05-22 :: Philadelphia Events, Arts, Restaurants, Music, Movies, Jobs, Classifieds, Blogs

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ISSUE . May 22nd, 2008

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Cover Story

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Summer is ready when you are.

by Patrick Rapa

It's just summer. It's not the end of the world.

Ultimate Summer Fun Guide: May/June

Something awesome to do each and every day of the summer.

Ultimate Summer Fun Guide: July

Something awesome to do each and every day of the summer.

Ultimate Summer Fun Guide: August

Something awesome to do each and every day of the summer.

Ultimate Summer Fun Guide: September

Something awesome to do each and every day of the summer.

Opinion

Editor's Letter:

Sporting Fools

In Philly, sports is like a disorder.

by Brian Howard

Not that I don't like me some Eagles, but I abhor idiots who chant for the football team when the baseball game gets ugly.

Slant:

To the Last Drop

Maybe oil-addicted America can turn tricks for the Saudis.

by David Faris

Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for stopping weapons sales to brutal dictatorships, and particularly to the corrupt, misogynist Neptocrats running that country, but does no one understand that there is no more oil to pump?

Loose Canon:

An Unsustainable Silence

Would Hughes weigh in on the South Street Bridge? "Answer unclear, ask later."

by Bruce Schimmel

Now at last, a sustainable conversation might begin.

Feedback:

Letters to the Editor

What You Say

"I wear a helmet, I stop at red lights, I ride in the bike lane, and still I feel like every day I risk my life, or an injury, just to get to work."

Naked City

Curves Ahead

Downtown clothier Evangeline looks to make plus-size fashion a plus.

by A.D. Amorosi

Face it, you curvy, beautiful women, you fucking hate Lane Bryant.

Icepack

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

by A.D. Amorosi

So I asked myself, "Do we really need men waving their long batons around?"

Running Numbers

A scholarly look at the digits that matter.

by Nick Norlen

Just so you know, adults love sheep shearing, too, Zoo.

News

One Stone?

Green-collar job programs aim to address two urban ills at once.

by Dana Henry

"We were doing debris removal and giving disenfranchised people a segue into the work force. For those part-timers who really got involved, there was a sense of ownership and pride — they could do this for their own neighborhood."

The Bell Curve

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

When news breaks in Philadelphia, we make jokes.

Two Minutes With...:

Todd Wolfson

Organizer with the Media Mobilizing Project and a guy who's trying to save Philly WiFi.

by Tom Namako

CP: What exactly about Mayor Nutter's handling of this don't you like?

TW: What I've heard him essentially saying is that the city won't spend a dime on this, and that telecommunications in the city is best left to the free market. That's an astounding leap of logic, because it was the market that failed us in this case.

Reform-O-Meter

Nutter's efforts on a scale of 0 to 10

The city's personnel director is fired after interfering with the civil service exam to promote a favored employee.

Political Notebook:

Mission Improbable

by Mary F. Patel

"Wally is a maverick. His independent-minded approach to issues is exactly in line with that district and if anyone can beat the do-nothing incumbent, it's Wally."

Arts

Art:

Head Case

Frank Bender sculpts the dead to help the living.

by Natalie Hope McDonald

Bender's dedication to his craft runs deep, but as a fine artist, he never expected he would spend the better part of his life helping to solve crimes for the FBI.

Re-View:

Natural Talent

A rural upbringing imprinted itself on accomplished painter Libby Newman.

by Robin Rice

Matisse and Rembrandt are among the artists she admires — one a master of color, the other of feeling. "Color," she says, "has its own life. It breathes its own breath. It has its own universe. The colors and nature are what this earth has given us."

Opera:

Blind Ambition

Iolanta ends in triumph.

by David Shengold

Few operas deal so openly with questions of what it means to grow up, awaken to sexuality and learn to trust someone.

Theater:

Family Man

Peter Pryor wants your feedback on his playwriting debut.

by David Anthony Fox

City Paper: What can you tell us about Beautiful Boy?

Peter Pryor: That what you'll see on Tuesday isn't what you'll see on Wednesday. This is a workshop that's really a workshop, and what we hear from audience talkbacks will really shape the piece.

Theater Review:

Reality Check

Taking out trashy television

by Mark Cofta

For all its satire, The Dead Guy's suspense relies on human empathy and nobility — anathema to reality TV.

Arts Agenda

Last Chance

Catch it or Regret It

by Nadia Stadnycki

Philadelphia Women of the 20th Century and Today | From Rhapsody to Song | Tip and Honey and Painting

Arts Agenda Picks:

On The DL

Jim Malusa

by Tami Fertig

Sat., May 24, 6 p.m., free, Robin's Bookstore, 108 S. 13th St., 215-735-9600, robinsbookstore.com

Just Do It

Raw Onion: America Speaks Out

by Mark Cofta

Sun., May 25, 6 and 9 p.m., $20, L'Etage Cabaret, Sixth and Bainbridge streets, 215-285-0472, idiopathicridiculopathyconsortium.com

Galleries

Galleries are usually open Tuesdays through Saturdays; please call the gallery for exact days and hours. Receptions are denoted with Reception 13 NORTH ART GALLERY

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. METAMORPHOSIS, Features

Performing Arts

dance BEAUTY IS Written, scored and choreographed by Hotel Obligado, this piece explores addiction while raising awareness about the dangers of crystal meth. Fri, May

Readings/Book Signings

E.J. DIONNE, JR. The Washington Post political correspondent and NPR commentator reads from and discusses his new book, "Souled Out," which explores the history and

Movies

The Bigger Picture

Errol Morris' Abu Ghraib doc seeks truth outside the frame.

by Sam Adams

In a sense, Standard Operating Procedure is anti-definitive, a lament that the truth of what went on at Abu Ghraib will never be brought to light.

Crystal Cleared

Indiana Jones and the gang make a triumphant return.

by Shaun Brady

Ford is an actor of severe limitations, but what he does well found its ultimate expression in Indiana Jones. The rugged swagger combined with human stumbles make him the ultimate kiddie hero, brave and charismatic as they'd like to be, as full of clumsiness and self-doubt.

Screen Picks

Center for Visual Music: Essential Visual Music

by Sam Adams

Fri., May 23, and Fri., May 30, 7 p.m., $5-$7, International House, 3701 Chestnut St., 215-895-6555, ihousephilly.org, centerforvisualmusic.org

Repertory Film

Your weekly guide to local film events, festivals and under-the-radar screenings.

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

Music

Aerial Phenomenon

Matt Davis weaves music and interviews into his new monthly CD project.

by Shaun Brady

"I naïvely thought I could just go up to people downtown who were asking for money and offer them a couple bucks to talk to me. I did that for a few days and got nowhere."

Reconsider Me:

Sprocket, Yeah

M.J. Fine does it again

by M.J. Fine

Glen Phillips doesn't do much to dispel space's dusty image. His recent six-song EP, Secrets of the New Explorers, looks to the heavens and finds a cultural void.

One Track Mind:

Firewater

"Bourbon and Division"

by John Vettese

Ashley's misanthropic character stumbles past the gawkers and along the crooked streets, through trilling snare and tremolo violin, wondering how he got here and whether it was worth it.

Soundadvice

Get Out!

Northern Liberties Music Festival 8.0 | Islands | Efterklang | Németh | Black Moth Super Rainbow

Music Picks:

Marcin Wasilewski Trio

Thu., May 22, 8 and 10 p.m., $15, Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St., 215-568-3131, chrisjazzcafe.com.

by Shaun Brady

Tomasz Stanko is known for his gorgeously airy atmospherics, an expansive palette capable of conjuring vast, ethereal landscapes. One thing he's not known for is Prince covers.

Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band

Thu., May 22, 8 p.m., $12, with Vic Chesnutt, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 866-468-7619, r5productions.com.

by M.J. Fine

In any given movement, the question's not what goes into the pie but whether it's meant to be shared among friends or smashed in some smug authoritarian's face.

Food

Big Gulp

Swallow's finally here. And you need to go.

by Trey Popp

Whether you're a hooker or a cabana boy or just vaguely confused by the empty black frames on the walls, odds are that the kitchen's fried frog legs will refocus your attention in all the right ways.

Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending

by Drew Lazor

10 Arts | Azul Cantina | Café Fulya | Smiths Restaurant & Lounge | Devil's Den

Jin the Mood

A sorely missed Center City Chinese spot rises from the ashes.

by Elisa Ludwig

Jin House's new digs are nothing special — tiled floors, lacquered tables, chrysanthemum wallpaper, windows facing out onto Locust Street. But of course, the point is not really eating there.

Da Right Stuff

A Logan café owner does his part to set a positive example for the neighborhood.

by Makia Harper

Ahmad Abdullah is not just a chef and business owner. The North Philly native can also be called an educator, father and husband — roles that have since become intertwined with his business.

What's Cooking:

The Week In Eats

Get Out!

by Nadia Stadnycki

The Great Pennsylvania FlavorFest | Dollar Dog Night at Citizens Bank Park | Seafood Wine Dinner at Positano Coast | Pif Night Finale at Ansill | Five-Course Sicilian Dinner at Alba

Top 5:

Eggplant Dishes

Got Purp?

by Gary M. Kramer

1 Eggplant Lasagna | 2 Baingan Bharta | 3 Eggplant Parmesan | 4 La Colabaza | 5 Meletzanosalata

Small Bites

Little Vittles

Tastykake Pancake Krimpets | Vegan Snails | God in a Cup: The Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Coffee | Bacon-Wrapped Quail Eggs at Yakitori Boy

Agenda

Agenda Lead:

Red Alert

Pepi Ginsberg is back in town.

by A.D. Amorosi

City Paper: What's behind naming your 2006 self-released CD Orange Juice: Stephanie/Stephanie?

Pepi Ginsberg: Man, the whole reasoning? I liked how those words sat together. I'd taken classes in language poetry. It felt like it offered a "fuck you, I'm 22" freedom.

Agenda Picks:

In The Event That...

You'd Love To Be In Her Shoes

by Monica Weymouth

Get Carried Away: Sex and the City of Philadelphia | Fri., May 23, 6 p.m., Bus Stop, 750 S. Fourth St., 215-627-2357, busstopboutique.com

What We Heart

Yo Philly Hats

by Jesse Delaney

$31.99 at Lids, the Gallery at Market East, Ninth and Market streets, 215-922-6182, lids.com

Just Do It

Steve Byrne

by Ben Kharakh

Thu., May 22, 8 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., May 23-24, 8 and 10:30 p.m.; $15-$30, Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St., 215-496-9001, heliumcomedy.com

Just Do It

Peek-A-Boo Revue Las Vegas Benefit

by Annamarya Scaccia

Sat., May 24, 7:30-9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.-2 a.m., $20, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 215-739-9684, peekaboorevue.com If there's one thing the sultry guys

Just Do It

Temptation

by Sam Tremble

Thu., May 29, 7 p.m., $10, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., drexelpublishing.org Poetry readings are more often paired with stale crackers and cheap wine