Your Poe Calendar


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Published: Jan 6, 2009

Read Edward Pettit's Naked City feature on Edgar Allan Poe's legacy.

► The Great Poe Debate

Poedown.

Ed Pettit started the fight to wrench custody of Poe's remains from Baltimore on our own cover back in October 2007, and now he intends to finish it. It's been messy — everyone from The New York Times to the mayor of Baltimore weighed in on the matter — but Pettit remains unequivocal. Before the watchful eyes of an intermediary on loan from Boston College, Pettit will face stiff competition from Baltimore Poe museum curator Jeff Jerome, who claims his Mob Town Poe posse rolls deep, and plans on ending the debate with a hook aimed at Pettit's nose. Good thing we've got home field advantage.

Tue., Jan. 13, 7:30 p.m., free, Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322, freelibrary.org.

► The Medicine of Poe

The Mütter Museum and PBS 39's Grover Silcox (pictured) team up to host an exploration of how mid-19th-century medicine influenced the dark author's life and work. The curious event includes a keynote speech from UPenn Hospital internist Michael Cirigliano, as well as a Q&A session with the requisite Poe impersonator. Registration required.

Fri., Jan. 16, 7-9 p.m., $12, College of Physicians of Philadelphia, 19 S. 22nd St., 215-563-3737, collphyphil.org.

► Bicentennial Birthday Party

For the Poe enthusiast willing to shell out a few clams, the Official Friends of Poe are throwing a fancy shindig just across the street from the man's former Philly headquarters. Park Rangers/actors Paul Campbell and Helen McKenna-Uff will perform their original piece, "Doppelganger Poes," as followed by a tasting of vintage wines referenced in Poe's works and a preview of events at the freshly reopened historic house site.

Fri., Jan. 16, 6-8 p.m., $10-$15, German Society, 611 Spring Garden St., 215-597-7130, nps.gov/edal.