Poe has spent the last two years developing Flatland, most recently with the help of a $20,000 Pew/Dance Advance grant. Roughly speaking, the piece is a 70-minute expression of his obsession with social media and communication technology.

"I'm a literary writer, but I'm also an entertainer."

Philadelphia's baroque pop practitioner — the answer to the question, "What if Burt Bacharach and Sandie Shaw had a baby?" — has broken a five-year silence with a stunning and seemingly inescapable album.

It's a magic key that frees the great from the shackles of responsibility!

by Isaiah Thompson

But who needs numbers when the best evidence is just blocks away?

When news breaks, we make jokes.

While the instructions for How To Get Started are Cage's, the use of them as a performance score for an evolving archive is representative of Slought's increasingly inclusive approach to arts presentation.

Jan. 15-Feb. 6, $10, Papermill Theater, 2825 Ormes St., 510-292-6403, californiaredemptionvalue.blogspot.com.

by Mark Cofta

Through Feb. 6, $20-$31, People's Light & Theatre Co., 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, 610-644-3500, peopleslight.org.

by Mark Cofta

Marc Maron | IFC's comedy programming | Bob's Burgers | Funny or Die Presents

Fri., Jan. 14, 7 p.m., $10, Ibrahim Theater at International House, 3701 Chestnut St., 866-468-7619, ihousephilly.org.

by A.D. Amorosi

Sat., Jan. 15, 8 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 16, 2 p.m.; $12, Mascher Space Co-Op, 155 Cecil B. Moore Ave., 2B, mascherdance.com.

by Janet Anderson

The atmosphere Sofia Coppola creates in her fourth feature is so lovely, it's a shame when it's roiled by the encroachment of plot.

by Rodney Anonymous

Sat., Jan. 15, 9 p.m., $10, with Government Cheaze, Sugar Tongue Slim, Kin4Life, DJ Sparkle(s)/Playne Jayne, The Blockley, 3801 Chestnut St., 215-222-1234, theblockley.com.

by John Vettese

Sat., Jan. 15, 8 and 10 p.m., $20, Chris' Jazz Café, 1421 Sansom St., 215-568-3131, chrisjazzcafe.com.

by Shaun Brady

Sat., Jan. 15, 8 p.m., $10, with Andrew Cedermark, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 877-435-9849, johnnybrendas.com.

by John Vettese

Sun., Jan. 16, 3 p.m., $10, Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Square, 215-238-1555, centercityoperatheater.org.

by Peter Burwasser

Fri., Jan. 14, 8 p.m., $8, all ages, with Tyvek and Moon Women, Cha-Cha'razzi, 1918 S. Bancroft St., facebook.com/nowavelength.

by John Vettese

Thu., Jan. 13, 8 p.m., $10, Philadelphia Art Alliance, 251 S. 18th St., arsnovaworkshop.com.

by Shaun Brady

Thu., Jan. 13, 8 p.m., $14-$15, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

by A.D. Amorosi

They've got the requisite Belgians stocked, as well as American crafts in the second-story Cask Saloon, but where Fork & Barrel excels is the rare, the endangered, the odd, the emerging.

The Dandelion | Little Fish | Josh Lawler | Chip Roman and Jason Cichonski

Ommegang Beer Brunch at the Wishing Well | Center City District Restaurant Week | Schramsberg Vineyard Sparkling Wine Dinner at Granite Hill | Collingswood Mac-Off

by Drew Lazor

Tue., Jan. 11-Sun., Jan. 16, Sazz Vintage, 38 N. Third St.

by Julia West

Tue., Jan. 18, 7:30 p.m., $15, Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St., 215-567-4341, freelibrary.org.

by Andrew Milner

I normally don't go for ringing political endorsements, but let's give a shout to Philly's U.S. Rep. Bob Brady.

Sun., Jan. 16, 8 p.m., $5, Voyeur, 1221 St. James St., 215-735-5772, voyeurnightclub.com.

by Josh Middleton

Every Saturday beginning Jan. 15, 2 p.m., $25, Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, 5900 A Greene St., 215-849-1991, phillycircus.com.

by Eric Schuman

Sat., Jan. 15, 1-4 p.m., $15, Stenton, 4601 N. 18th St., 215-329-7312, stenton.org.

by Eric Schuman