For all of our environmental concerns, too many natural wonders are neglected. Photographer and global diver Anne Doubilet has ventured from peak to depth, collecting images of and information about delicate wonders like coral reefs and the planet's polar regions. Though her message is urgent, Doubilet presents a potential silver lining when she visits Philly: what we can do to ensure the safety of these endangered places so that future generations might witness their majesty, too.

Wed., March 9, 2 and 7:30 p.m., $12-$15, Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Ben Franklin Parkway, 610-649-5220, geographicalsociety.org.

Beer snobs may have flown above PBR and all the ships that sail her. But if you consider the words of the late Dennis Hopper in Blue Velvet, it's "fuck Heineken — Pabst Blue Ribbon" all the way. The Philadelphia Independent Craft Market celebrates the wonder of the blue, white and red with a third go-round featuring handmade goods and vintage PBR elements. Last year that meant sculptures, quilts and paintings on old battered wooden doors, but who's to say how drunk and creative the PICM folk will get this year. Plus CP music faves An American Chinese, Dangerous Ponies, Levee Drivers, TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb and Cheers Elephant play on while you stitch, knit and dribble. Cheers, Fishtown.

Sat., March 5, 3-10 p.m., $8, 2424 Studios Skybox, 2424 E. York St., 215-925-7676, 2424studios.com.

If you're desperate for the refreshing sights and sounds of spring, head straight for Japan Night at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This opening event of the five-week-long Cherry Blossom Festival is part of the museum's Art After 5 series, this time featuring guided gallery tours, cocktails, table service and live performances by Me & Mars, a trio of Japanese musicians who use effects-driven guitars to showcase their wide variety of influences — from space rock to punk, funk and reggae. That's kind of what spring sounds like, right?

Fri., March 4, 5 p.m., free with $16 admission, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Ben Franklin Parkway, 215-763-8100, philamuseum.org.

They're in your garden, they grow while you sleep, and certain varieties can be very, very dangerous. You already know about the button mushroom (or its fashionable cousins, the shiitake and truffle), but there are lots more out there. Some 'shrooms help with the decomposition of trees; others process nutrients and churn out, well, more mushrooms. Learn about the ecosystem's reliance on the fascinating fungus and how it's good for more that just pre-gaming for a Phish show.

Sun., Feb. 20, 2 p.m., $10 (pre-registration suggested), Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve, 1635 River Road, New Hope, 215-862-2924, bhwp.org.

Unless you're one of those Super Sweet 16 kids, your 15th birthday party was probably a dud compared to the Crayola Factory's. The iconic art suppliers are throwing a bash every month leading up to and following their July anniversary. This month, guests will take part in creating a piece of Crayola history by decorating fabric squares that will be assembled in a colorful birthday quilt. Oh, and in case you don't bring your own crayons and markers, I'm sure the folks there will find a way to hook you up.

Sat., Feb. 19, 2 p.m., $10, Crayola Factory, 30 Centre Square, Easton, 610-515-8000, crayola.com/factory.

Can you imagine where we'd be if our parents grew up watching Avatar instead of Star Wars? Over the past 50 years, computer graphics have grown to play a pivotal role in computers and visual entertainment. Norman Badler, professor of computer and information science at UPenn, will explore this rapid evolution in an edition of the Penn Humanities Forum. Known for his work in modeling and animation, Badler will ponder the question, "How close are these realistic computer animations to the real thing?" But more importantly, at what point do these computer graphics begin to appear unreal?

Wed., Feb. 23, 5-6:30 p.m., free, Rainey Auditorium, Penn Museum, 3260 South St., 215-898-4000, humanities.sas.upenn.edu.

If you don't know who Frances Ellen Watkins Harper was, you're not alone. Erased from the history books, the African-American poet, novelist and abolitionist had influential roots in Philadelphia, where she wrote her landmark novel, Iola Leroy. To honor her legacy, Moonstone Arts Center is hosting a week's worth of events, including a discussion with Falaka Fattah (who has familial ties to Harper), a graveside memorial and a panel discussion about her pre-Rosa Parks refusal to give up her seat on a Philadelphia trolley to a white man in 1858. A hundred years after her death, Ms. Harper finally gets her day in the sun.

Feb. 20-27, free, various times and locations, 215-735-9598, moonstoneartscenter.org/francesharper.

Skip that Jersey Shore-athon and envelop yourself in a classic: Kelly Writers House is hosting a full-day marathon reading of Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway. Guests — who can take turns doing the reading — are encouraged to don Clarissa Dalloway-inspired garb and munch on period-inspired snacks like toffee and tea cakes. "It's a celebration of a book we enjoy in an accessible, communal reading event," says coordinator Erin Gautsche. "It'll be like a festive tea party." A tea party Snooki would never be invited to.

Fri., Feb. 18, noon, free (RSVP to mmck@writing.upenn.edu if interested in reading), Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-746-7636, writing.upenn.edu/wh.

Almost six decades before the Coen Brothers made O Brother, Where Art Thou?, a film by that same name was the pet project of fictitious Hollywood director John L. Sullivan, out to break with the frivolous comedies that had been his stock in trade and make a serious drama for the common man suffering the effects of the Great Depression. While perhaps not Preston Sturges' most uproarious comedy, Sullivan's Travels is nonetheless his masterpiece, alternating sequences of his trademark rapid-fire wit with a venomous parody of '40s-era filmdom and a heartfelt defense of crafting laughter (with a little sex in it). The latter comes in the form of Veronica Lake, who has no qualms about coming out from behind her swoop-banged smolder to take a tumble into a swimming pool. I-House screens the film, exemplifying "The Comedy" as part of its centennial celebration, and it would be hard to select a more apt representative from any of those hundred years.

Thu., Feb. 17, 7 p.m., $8, Ibrahim Theater, International House, 3701 Chestnut St., 866-777-8932, ihousephilly.org.

Prostitutes have been strutting on street corners for ages, but they weren't always the big-haired, short-skirt-wearing hoochies we envision today. For this lecture, Purdue University's Nicholas Rauh shares archaeological studies and personal observations of prostitution across the globe and throughout history to explore the evolution of the world's oldest profession. Stick around afterward for a cash bar stocked with bevs like the Red Light Martini and Working Girl, but a drink's the only thing you'll be picking up tonight, buddy.

Thu., Feb. 17, 6:15 p.m., $10, Penn Museum, 3260 South St., 215-898-4000, penn.museum.

They say the truest believers are always the proselytes. Isaac Alderson and Jonas Fromseier are proof of that; both young men are converts to the Irish tradition, playing the old tunes with gusto. Alderson is originally from Chicago where, despite his lack of Irish ancestry, he took to the music in early adolescence with such a devotion that he won three All-Ireland instrumental titles. Fromseier's Danish born and bred, but picked up a taste for Irish music young. Soon he was travelling to Ireland to sit in on sessiuns, and eventually moving to Galway. Between them, Alderson and Fromseier master an enter band's worth of instruments. The former is best known for his piping, flute and tin whistle, the latter drives the music with bouzouki or banjo.

Sat., Feb. 12, 8 p.m., $15, Commodore Barry Club, 6815 Emlen St., 215-849-8899, philadelphiaceiligroup.org.

You know the standard go-green adage "reduce, reuse, recycle," but TerraCycle Inc. founder Tom Szaky has a new, less-alliterative addition to the bunch: upcycling. Unlike recycling, upcycling retools that nasty juice pouch, for example, and converts it into an even better product — imagine a snazzy Capri Sun carry-on. More than just a sustainable enterprise, Szaky's efforts have sparked a legion of 14 million followers who dig his trash talk.

Tue., Feb. 15, 6 p.m., sold out, CBS Hall, 320 S. Broad St., corzocenter.ticketleap.com.

The words "roller derby" conjure images of body slams, bruises and blood. But when the Philly Roller Girls rumble through their first series of home games, don't be fooled by the theatrics. Erica Vanstone, PRG ref and announcer, says while the audience will get some spectacle, the league strives to achieve honorable athleticism. "Modern derby capitalizes on the camp, but today there's an opportunity to grow," she says, pointing out that the implied violence is all in good fun, and fighting is forbidden. Good luck with that.

Monthly local bouts through Aug. 27, $15-$30, various locations, phillyrollerderby.com.

Her memoir's title, Never Flirt With a Femme Fatale (Fedora Press), seems to state the obvious. But look closer at Cici McNair's own title — private investigator — and you'll realize this detective thriller is more self-referential than your average crime story. McNair heads up her own Philadelphia-based firm, Green Star Investigations, and has worked with the FBI and NYC's Joint Terrorism Task Force on homicide, money-laundering and kidnapping cases. At her reading, McNair will share some of the action and field questions, but think closely before taking all she says for fact — at least, that's what she warns you on the cover.

Wed., Feb. 9, 5:30 p.m., free, The Next Page, 722 Chestnut St., 215-925-0722, nextpagebookstore.blogspot.com.

As the weather outside grows increasingly frightful, the Institute of Contemporary Art offers at least one beacon of cozy enjoyment. The semi-annual Free for All, a celebration of the ICA's all-ages free admission, features a lecture from senior curator Ingrid Schaffner; a performance from local psych-sters Blues Control; and something known only as "pierogi pandemonium." Plus, since it's the season of love, a Valentine's Day workshop will help you manifest your feelings into an artful arrangement. With all these DIY delights, along with the ICA's always-captivating exhibits and installations, you'll be sure to leave with a warmer brain — at least the right half.

Wed., Feb. 9, 6:30 p.m., free, Institute of Contemporary Art, 118 S. 36th St., 215-898-7108, icaphila.org.

Edward Maeder doesn't make something out of nothing — he makes something out of something else. Using discarded paper goods, he crafts delicate models of 18th-century frocks. But in addition to creating some of the most fragile dresses you'll ever see, Maeder teaches workshops on how to use found items in clothing design. This series includes a class on hat-making, a chance for kids to make repurposed valentines, and a chat about the historical use of color in society. The classes vary in duration — from one hour to five — but all offer plenty of time to set your inner upcycler free.

Feb. 5-20, various times, $10-$48, Green on Greene, 6819 Greene St., 215-842-1040, maedermade.blogspot.com.

Get your ink on: More than 200 of the world's best tattoo-slingers will gather this weekend for three days of seminars, art galleries and auctions focused on the world of body art. Besides watching artists do their thing during live tattooing contests, look out for performances by Olde City Sideshow, suspension gurus Crash, and even take a daring twirl on the mechanical bull — as long you're willing to show off your tats by riding in a bikini.

Fri.-Sun., Feb. 4-6, various times, $20 (per day)-$40 (weekend pass), Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel, 201 N. 17th St., 800-541-8239, tattooedkingpin.com.

After the bombs drop, as one Motörhead fan says, the only things left living will be "cockroaches and Lemmy." Or, as Dave Grohl succinctly puts it, "Fuck Keith Richards." In other words, Lemmy Kilmister may be the ultimate rock 'n' roll survivor, bulldozing audiences for damn near 40 years fueled by Marlboros, Jack and Coke, and speed. Anyone familiar with Lemmy's famously craggy visage knows that any film with him as a subject is of necessity warts and all, and the Ace of Spades himself makes no apologies for his unchanged lifestyle — there's no Behind the Music redemption tale here, but neither are there the tales of garish Dionysian excess that precipitate so many musical falls. The film offers a bit of history, tracing his trek from roadie (and occasional partner-in-acid) for Jimi Hendrix through space-rock icons Hawkwind to his 35-year history with Motörhead, and offers awed testimonials from Metallica, Slash, Alice Cooper, Ozzy and plenty of others. Documentarians Greg Olliver and Wes Orshoski find him living in a cluttered L.A. apartment crammed with WWII memorabilia (shots of swastika-covered walls are followed by Lemmy shrugging off Nazi accusations in typical, who-gives-a-shit laconic style). There's almost a poignant portrait of loneliness here, a life revolving around touring or sitting at the bar of the Rainbow Bar and Grill, but Kilmister's hide is a little too leathery for emotion to overwhelm. Lemmy is simply a living, breathing heavy-metal Mount Rushmore, an unchanging monument to the restorative powers of rocking your ass off night after night.

Thu., Feb. 3, 8:30 p.m., $8, Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 800-745-3000, thetroc.com.

There's a hush to Colm Tóibín's work that is most noticeable in his devilish details — the subtle sound of people barely speaking, the lights and shadows behind them, the quiet manner in which their longings go unrequited. The Irishman has parsed the waters of relationships and soft ruin in The Master, Brooklyn and The South. But in the stories that fill his newest work, The Empty Family (Scribner, Jan. 4), Tóibín heads back to the motherland. He's been compared to William Trevor and (more grandly) Henry James, but there's something epic, poetic and sad even in his most heartening tales, all reminiscent of T.S. Elliot. Whether happy or tortured, Tóibín moves in mysterious ways.

Thu., Jan. 27, 7:30 p.m., free, Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St., 215-567-4341, freelibrary.org.

Conventional capitalist wisdom would have you believe that markets require, well, money. But Lancaster Avenue Autonomous space (LAVA) has found an alternative: a market organized around the idea that the world could do without credits, checks and cash. So stay out of it, Monopoly man: This market is above all the corporate commotion. And it's really, really free.

Sat., Jan. 29, noon-4:30 p.m., free, LAVA Zone, 4134 Lancaster Ave., 215-387-6155, lavazone.org.