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 than live music and beer. But for years now, the Painted Bride Quarterly has held monthly readings that rock all over town: First at the Khyber (too small); then World Café (too big); and now Bubble House (just right). The nights — which are more of a fully realized experience than the usual hour or two punctuated with awkward shufflings in-and-out — are often as refreshing and surprising for the musicians as they are for the literati. Not surprisingly, the folks behind the publication are throwing a proper party at the Church to celebrate their new issue, Temptation.

Replacing the usual readings will be a panel discussion on temptation, which will take a fractured look at the subject by exploring it through the eyes of four very different panelists: chocolatier and Classic Cake Co. executive chef Robert Bennett, activist Shawn Banks, Drexel campus minister Timothy Emmett-Rardin and Peek-A-Boo Revue director and performer Lulu Lollipop. Following a Q&A session facilitated by moderator and psychologist James Herbert, a reception will feature drinks, jazz and a performance by electronica artist Natalie Walker.