IMPRESARIO: The Weekender
COMBUSTIBLES … Last year, my son was around a year-and-a-half old for the Fourth of July, and I can’t tell you how many annoying family members kept telling me not to let the poor kid near sparklers. SPARKLERS, I tell you. Apparently, there was some horrific report on the freakin’ Today show. Needless to say, he got his sparklers. This year, I think we’re progressing to Roman candles. But if you would prefer, smartly, to leave it to the pros, there is no shortage. On Friday, look for the sky to light up above the Art Museum, after Philly boy John Legend does his “Neo-soul” thing, whatever that means. And on Saturday, we’ve got Boyz II Men on the Waterfront, followed by big booming fireworks over the Delaware. I’ve been hearing some complaints that the organizers this year have gone too “urban” with the music (and by that, they mean “too black”). What I would say is that, first of all, there’s nothing urban about John Legend or Boyz II Men. And on top of that, what do these complainers want? More Hall & Oates like last year? Puleeze! For a complete schedule of the Welcome America activities, go here.
COMESTIBLES … In case you haven’t heard, it’s going to be hot and swampy all weekend. So you can act like you’re being all charitable and whatnot and go to Penn’s Landing and cool down at the Super Scooper Ice Cream Festival, benefiting pediatric leukemia research. It’s only $5, and you can eat as much ice cream as you damn well please. Next year, they’ll obviously be asking you to attend the obesity research benefit.
BATTLES ROYALE … Yo, Mets! You thought that Philly fans were tough before? Wait till you see us on a three day weekend, fueled by lots of beer and barbecue, not to mention the increased hometown pride due to the fact that this national holiday only exists because of us. What ever happened in New York? Nuthin’. This weekend, as you dare to come to Philly for a three-game series against our FIRST-PLACE TEAM, we will make you wish you never got on the Turnpike. Oh, and if a stray bottle rocket happens to impale your pitcher in the eye, I apologize in advance. That’s just how we do here in Philadelphia.
THE CONCERT YOU PROBABLY DON’T KNOW ABOUT THAT YOU SHOULD REALLY GO TO … Those people who are complaining about our Welcome America music being too black probably wouldn’t enjoy themselves very much on Saturday night at World Cafe Live, as Seun Kuti, otherwise known as the son of the late Nigerian revolutionary, Fela Kuti, leads his pop’s old band, Egypt 80, for a funky night of Afrobeat. For a taste of the Kuti-family sound, which is very reminiscent of that old-school James Brown funk, check out this performance from Senegal.
AND THEN THERE’S … Comedienne Chelsea Handler at the Borgata. The Color Purple (discounted tickets available for Sunday night at 6:30 p.m.!) at the Academy. The Salsa Congress (as in the dance, not Ortega’s) at the Convention Center all weekend. And for all you science fiction supergeeks out there, the original Star Trek movie at the Colonial on Sunday.
