The Weekender: February 24, 2010 - Philadelphia Magazine

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Weekender

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2010

Yo, Weekenders!

Listen, at some point we are just going to have to accept the fact that our climate has forever changed and that we must go on living. Do you think that people in Denver go panic shopping and stay indoors all weekend when their version of Cecily Tynan tells them of an impending snow hurricane? I think not. So break out the Smartwools, ingest some extra carbs for maximum snow-walking energy, and take in one (or two or three) of the dizzying array of options I’ve laid before you this week. — Victor Fiorillo, A&E Editor

PW’s Best Bars: The PW – that’s the Philadelphia Weekly – just came out with its list of the “better than best” bars in Philadelphia. I wonder how long it will be before some kid at Swarthmore starts a blog dedicated to visiting all of the listed bars (similar to the Villanova gal who is blogging her way through Philly Mag’s 239 favorite dishes). Anyway, the PW did some good work here, though you’re sure to disagree with some of their picks, as do I. Go here to read more.

Don’t Know What to Do With Your Spent Root Bottle?: Make a terrarium, of course
Buy Now: Only 7 tickets left for the April edition of the always-sold-out Sommelier Smackdown
What, You Didn’t Know There Was a Philly Beer Mag?: Check out The Philly Beer Scene

(Another) Scandal in Lower Merion: Bruce Willis and Tracey Morgan join the NYPD? Zombies pay a visit to Kansas? This is too easy. Go to the Ritz this weekend to see The Art of the Steal, local filmmaker Don Argott’s compelling and controversial tale of the Barnes Foundation saga. Argott presents the film himself this Friday. Details

Bonus: A Q&A with Art of the Steal’s producer on the Lower Merion conspiracy
You Won’t See Him on The Today Show: The latest from Polanski the pederast
The Dude Abides: The movie that Jeff Bridges should have won the Oscar for
À Partir des Archives: M. Hulot’s Holiday

Pounded on South Street: Snoop Dogg hasn’t exactly been getting rave reviews for his tenth studio effort — Malice N Wonderland — which was released in December, but this is the man who brought us the -izzle, “Gin and Juice,” and, more recently, the awesome “Sensual Seduction” video, so show some respect when he sparks it up with his Dogg Pound at the TLA on Sunday. Tickets $48. Details

Who’d She Piss Off in Philly?: Lisa Lampanelli sequestered to Trenton
Celtic Punk: Flogging Molly at the Factory

Almost Dead: Jerry Garcia’s former bandmates Phil Lesh and Bob Weir join several friends-of-the-Dead-and-related-projects for a tribute to tie-dye, spaced-out jams, meandering solos, and psychotropic delights. At the Taj on Saturday; tickets $49.50. Details

He’s So Kink(s)y: Ray Davies
Everybody’s Got One: AC’s Restaurant Week (I’d head to Izakaya)

Break Out the Benadryl: That’s right, people. It’s that time of year again. The Philadelphia Flower Show opens at the Convention Center on Sunday, with a black-tie preview gala ($125 to $600 cocktails only, $300 to $600 including dinner) on Saturday night. In recent years, the show has feted Ireland and Italy, but this year they decided to rope in everyone with their “Passport to the World” theme. Tickets are $13 to $23 in advance or $65 for a Family Fun Pack, which includes two adult and two kids’ tickets, plus a one-year membership to the Horticultural Society. Show Details | Gala Details

It’s Here!: Picasso at the PMA
Peek Into Your Neighbor’s House: AIA’s Philadelphia Home Showcase

Romeo & Juliet: Some of Philly’s top theater talent – including multiple Barrymore-Award-winning director Matt Pfeiffer – come together at the Arden for a month-and-a-half long run of what could be Shakespeare’s most performed play, a tragic tale of girl meets boy from the wrong side of the tracks. Previews begin this Thursday, with prices at $29. Once the show opens next week, tickets top out at $48. Oh, and the show has been extended by popular demand before it’s even opened, so buy your tickets ASAP. Details

Three Shows in One Night: IRC’s Raw Onion benefit
Last Chance: Ann Crumb as Maria Callas in Master Class, given top grades by the Inquirer

Bring It On, PETA: A couple of months ago, someone from PETA called me – as I’m sure they called every other media outlet in town – to put me on notice that the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is cruel to animals and that I shouldn’t write about it. Listen, I’m not going to sit here and tell you not to smoke, not to wear fur, not to eat a 36-ounce porterhouse, not to lie to your boss, and not to cheat on your taxes just a little bit. Nor am I going to tell you to go ahead and do any of those things. So who am I to tell you to go or not to go to the circus? Should you choose the former path, it opens tonight at the Wachovia Center with tickets as low as $10. Details

Pre-Nap Dance Party: Sweet Beats at Abington Art Center
Kids (and Leashed Pets) Are Free: Pet show comes to Valley Forge
Advanced Warning: The return of that ticklish red demon

Neon in Philadelphia: What? You didn’t know that Philly was a hotbed of creative neon activity during the 20th century? Get over to the Center for Architecture tomorrow night to learn all about it from Philadelphia’s premiere neon expert and collector, Len Davidsen. Afterward, I’d have to suggest that you walk the couple of blocks to McGillin’s to take in their impressive neon work and, of course, a pint or two of beer. Tickets $5 to $10. Details

At the Constitution Center: ABC News’s Terry Moran moderates a brainiac discussion of the Constitution and war
At the Library: John Banville and The Infinites

Ignite Philly: If you’re not familiar with the Ignite concept, it’s simple. You get some of Philly’s brightest thinkers, performers, doers, do-gooders, technologists, etc., together and give them each five minutes to tell you what they think about whatever it is that they are thinking about. And lest you think that it’s a bunch of smelly anarchists or hipsters that you won’t identify with, last time around, they had the CEO of the Free Library and the city’s chief cultural officer (did you forget there was such a thing?), in addition to said smellies. The fifth installment is at Johnny Brenda’s on Tuesday and it’s free, but always fills up quickly. Details

The $2 Dance Party: DJ Deejay’s Anything U Can Shake YR Hips 2
Bad Rabbits: Five boys from Boston
Sugartown: A night of lady rockers and DJs at Tritone

Calling All Hip-Shakers: So your man doesn’t like to dance? Ditch him this Friday night and get the girlfriends together for Salsa in the Suburbs Dance Studio’s biweekly ladies-only night. The cost is $35, which includes your choice of two classes (beginner, intermediate, Indian, and Zumba) followed by refreshments and mini manicures and massages. Details

Not Just Kids’ Stuff: Watercolor techniques at the Gershman Y
Morning Yoga: Vinyasa for beginners
Scarves for Everyone Next Christmas!: Learn to crochet

Cinderella: When I was a young’un in South Jersey, I’m pretty sure that my older sister was sneaking out of the house most nights of the week, her hair all Aqua Netted out, to use her fake ID at places like Bonnie’s Roxx and the Galaxy, where I’m sure she rocked out on more than one occasion to the sounds of South Jersey’s heavy metal heroes Cinderella. Well, the Spandexed boys are back, in one form or another, and they’ll take over the Electric Factory on April 9th. Tickets ($30) go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m. Details

Speaking of Guys From Jersey: Frankie Valli
On The Lawn: Head outside with DMB

Ticket Giveaway I: A Private Tour of the Philadelphia Flower Show
Sure, you could buy tickets to go see the Flower Show, but then you’ll be all cooped up with the huge crowds of other wannabe horticulturalists. That’s why I’m giving away a private tour of the show (in the morning before doors open to the public) to you and your BFF. Here’s what you get: a private tour of the Flower Show; general admission tickets so that you can come back another day; a flower arranging demonstration; 10 percent off purchases at the Flower Show’s shop; and access to the private lounge at the show. Want in? Answer this week’s puzzle by 10 a.m. on Friday. I’ll draw one name at random from correct responses and notify the winner at noon. Solve the Puzzle

Ticket Giveaway II: Black Grace at the Kimmel
Black Grace is an incredibly athletic all-male dance group from New Zealand – here’s a sample of their work — and they’re coming to the Kimmel’s Perelman Theater this weekend for one show on Friday and two on Saturday. The Kimmel wants to give one lucky Weekender a four pack of tickets – your choice of performances – to see them live. If you want them, send the Kimmel an e-mail by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday night and they’ll pick a winner on Friday morning. Note: The Kimmel says this show may not be appropriate for younger children.

Art Museum Membership: We Have a Winner!
Congratulations are in order for Center City’s Gina K., who was randomly chosen from correct respondents to last week’s puzzle, the solution to which was Picasso’s painting Pierrot (the anagrams are “ripe” and “rot”). Gina will enjoy a yearlong membership to the Museum of Art as well as free tickets for the Picasso exhibit, which opens this week.

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