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ISSUE . October 8th, 2009

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Cover Story

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Children of the Sword

How one man sired a legion of Philly freaks.

by Bill Meagher

for another accomplishment. Almost single-handedly, Red Stuart, who at 58 is the world's oldest active sword-swallower, has helped bring to Philadelphia one of the country's most up-and-coming sideshow scenes.

Opinion

Feedback

What You Say

"Frankly, I'm tired of these trust fund hippies who have nothing better to do with their time than jet around the world to lodge protests that nobody pays attention to."

News

Populism and Propriety

Don Argott's ballad of the Barnes Foundation hits the silver screen.

by Julia Harte

As The Art of the Steal travels to festivals around the world, the film is likely to stir a fundamental debate about the propriety of commercial art museums and the ethics of private art collections. Ultimately, it begs a single underlying question: Who should control access to a collection of art as highly valued and historic as the Barnes?

Sports:

Do It Again?

Predictions for the Phillies' 2009 postseason.

by E. James Beale

In October, you can't hit off the ladies tees.

The Bell Curve

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

When news breaks in Philadelphia, we make jokes.

A Million Stories

OutFest facing out-of-state competition | What will happen to the nebulous "school budgets" line item?

Icepack

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

by A.D. Amorosi

Say nice words about South Street and the blocks will blossom like a stack of Rib-It blooming onions.

Arts

Art:

Man Behind the Masks

Genre-buster Jun Kaneko flies in the face of convention.

by A.D. Amorosi

There's power, curvaceous sensuality, grace and fluidity in all that Kaneko does, regardless of the material or concept, regardless of the outlet.

Theater Review:

Is It Ironic?

Curtain Call: Happy Days

by David Anthony Fox

There's no doubting the historical importance of Happy Days, Beckett's modernist masterpiece. But it's difficult for contemporary audiences to connect with Winnie's plight.

Arts Picks:

Busby Berkeley

Wed., Oct. 14, 6:30 p.m. lecture, free, Institute of Contemporary Art, 118 S. 36th St., 215-898-7108, icaphila.org; 8 p.m. screening, $8, International House, 3701 Chestnut St., 215-387-5125, ihousephilly.org.

by Molly Eichel

Busby Berkeley's choreography is like watching geometry in motion.

Theater Review:

Educated Jest

Curtain Call: Humor Abuse

by David Anthony Fox

If there's one thing that strikes fear in my tiny critic's heart, it's a clown. And memoirs where kids tearfully forgive their errant parents.

Art:

TimberLand

The Wood Turning Center splinters off from tradition — including its own.

by Deni Kasrel

The full scope of the show exemplifies an approach to art in which the goal is to continually seek new possibilities. The same may be said of the Center itself.

Shelf Life:

Identity Crises

Under the Covers with Justin Bauer

by Justin Bauer

The German Mujahid | Cockroach | Blame | Await Your Reply

Kaleidoscope

R. Kelly | The Pierced Arrows | DJ Spooky | Rachel Grimes and Sarah Cahill

Arts Picks:

Philadelphia OpenStudio Tours

Sat.-Sun., Oct. 10-11, noon-6 p.m., various locations, 215-546-7775, ext. 13, philaopenstudios.com.

by Scott Yorko

If you feel stabbed in the back by the proposed state arts tax, soothe the pain with part two of this year's Philadelphia Open Studio Tours — it's free and it's everywhere.

Rigidigidim De Bamba De: Ruptured Calypso

Thu.-Sat., Oct. 8-10, 8 p.m., $25, Painted Bride, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914, paintedbride.org.

by Deni Kasrel

You can move from one place to another, but some things remain no matter what.

Energy & Matter

Opening reception Fri., Oct. 9, 6-9 p.m., free, exhibit through Nov. 8, Twenty-Two Gallery, 236 S. 22nd St., 215-772-1911, twenty-twogallery.com.

by Julia West

The idea of finding movement in stationary subjects is clearly a common factor in the work of local artists Bonnie Schorske and Diane Podolsky.

Movies

The Boys are Back

City Paper Grade: B-

by Molly Eichel

We get it — Joe's a guy's guy. But has he never washed a dish before?

Repertory Film

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

Send repertory film listings to molly.eichel@citypaper.net.

Music

Hang The DJ:

Flame On

The Flaming Lips' Embryonic

by J. Edward Keyes

At some point over the course of the last 10 years, the Flaming Lips went from being weird to being Weird.

Music Picks:

Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions

Tue., Oct. 13, 8 p.m., $18, with Dirt Blue Gene, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 866-468-7619, r5productions.com.

by Patrick Rapa

It's been eight years since her last record, but the ex-Mazzy Star frontsiren can do the woozy-pretty thing in her sleep.

Third Man Trio

Tue., Oct. 13, 8 p.m., $12, Fleisher/Ollman Gallery, 1616 Walnut St., Ste. 100, arsnovaworkshop.org.

by Shaun Brady

It's been more than 10 years since Trio Clusone last graced the world with its playful, abstract-swing Dada-jazz.

Thee Oh Sees

Sun., Oct. 11, 9 p.m., $5, with Golden Triangle, Love City, Reading Rainbow and Weatherbox, Danger Danger Gallery, 5013 Baltimore Ave., myspace.com/dangerdangergallery.

by John Vettese

John Dwyer's oral fixation can only be satisfied with instruments.

Kraak & Smaak/Fort Knox Five

Sat., Oct. 10, 9 p.m., $15-$18, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

by A.D. Amorosi

When DC's Fort Knox Five and Holland's Kraak & Smaak lead the charge, nobody gets off the dancefloor alive.

Tarbaby

Sat., Oct. 10, 8 and 10 p.m., $20, Chris' Jazz Café, 1421 Sansom St., 215-568-3131, chrisjazzcafe.com.

by Shaun Brady

Tarbaby's eponymous debut is a short, sharp kick of no-fooling-around attitude.

Le Loup

Sat., Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m., $10, with Nurses, Kungfu Necktie, 1248 N. Front St., 866-468-7619, r5productions.com.

by Patrick Rapa

The new album, Family (Hardly Art), even rocks, rocks hard, in a mushroomy, haunted bonfire kinda way.

Cuong Vu Quartet

Sat., Oct. 10, 8 p.m., $10, with Planet-Y, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 215-739-9684, arsnovaworkshop.com.

by Shaun Brady

Vu's His latest exists in a hazy cloud of jazz, rock and electronica influences, an expansive vision that is consistently gorgeous even at its edgiest.

Lou Barlow

Fri., Oct. 9, 9 p.m., $28, with Dinosaur Jr. and Bob Mould, TLA, 334 South St., 215-922-1011, livenation.com.

by K. Ross Hoffman

For a mopey introvert, Lou Barlow has accomplished a hell of a lot.

Food

Clef Club

One good thing about music: It inspired Sonata.

by David Snyder

Although the kitchen does hit a few sour notes, Tropea demonstrates an ability to orchestrate simple ingredients into sophisticated, satisfying compositions.

In a Tiff

Tiffin etc.

by Trey Popp

Even if I can live without the etcetera, Tiffin's still got my tongue for the rest.

What's Cooking

Get Out!

by Erin Mae Szrankowski

Buns & Beers at Chifa | Taste Local! Wine, Chocolate and Cheese | Philly Neighborhood Food Week | "It's All in the Glass" Whiskey Tasting | Beans-N-Screens at Metropolitan Bakery

Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending

by Drew Lazor

MidAtlantic | Koo Zee Doo | fish

Agenda

Agenda Lead:

On a Rule Bender

Philadelphia Fashion Week strives to be nothing like its predecessors.

by Julia West

It's not the brightest time for Philly business owners: Jobs have evaporated, local stores have closed and residents are stripping their budgets of all luxuries. In other words, it might be the perfect time for the city to host its first-ever Philadelphia Fashion Week.

Peer-to-Peer

Brian James Kirk Geeks Out

by Brian James Kirk

Video Games Live | Ready>Run | Ignite Philly 4

Agenda Picks:

On the Outs

Your Guide To OutFest 2009

by Josh Middleton

Opening Workout | Penis-Shaped Bagel Eating Contest | Pet Zone | Benefit Concert for Giovanni's Room

Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival

Fri.-Sun., Oct. 9-11, various times and locations, $4.99-$45, phillyasianfilmfest.org.

by Molly Eichel

Barring two stoners with a jonesin' for White Castle, think about the last time you saw an Asian-American in the lead of a mainstream movie.

Patton Oswalt

Sat., Oct. 10, 8 p.m., $29.50, Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside, 215-572-1350, keswicktheatre.com.

by A.D. Amorosi

It's harder to be mind-bendingly funnier about stuff like Mesopotamian cuneiform script when you're bringing in bucks.

Men's Mezz

Opening Sat., Oct. 10, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., 1225 Walnut St., 215-627-0461, thephagshop.com.

by Nicole Saylor

"Not everyone has the need to purchase pillows as much as they would a new belt and scarf."

Philadelphia Motorcycle Show

Fri., Oct. 9, 4 p.m.-9 p.m.; Sat., Oct. 10, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., Oct. 11, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; $5-$36, Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Ave., Oaks, 856-626-3226, phillyexpos.com.

by Nicole Saylor

Its lineup seeks to appeal to both Harley fanboys and BMX bikers.