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Asian Arts Initiative continues its "The Way Home" series (running until May 19th) with a presentation of Mia Chung's play You for Me for You. Visiting artist Rick Shiomi of Minneapolis' Mu Performing Arts directs the series, leading up to the National Asian American Theater Festival and Conference coming to Philly this fall. You for Me for You explores the relationship between two sisters as they flee North Korea, and how their bond is tested and strengthened in and out of their dystopian home. Monday, March 17th, 7 p.m., free, Asian Arts Initiative, 1219 Vine Street.
It's been a decade since Arcade Fire hit our radar. In 2004, they were everyone's pet band, offering only vague hints at the navel-gazing extravagance to which they'd someday aspire. Well, they're there now, with orchestral arrangements, endless promotional gimmicks and stadium-filling anthems. Love them or leave them in the everything-that's-wrong-with-indie dust, they're bound to put on a great show at the Wells Fargo Center. Can't make it? Hit up the after party at Union Transfer to party with lead vocalist Win Butler and co. Monday, March 17th, 7:30 p.m., $30.50-$70.50, Wells Fargo Center, 3601 South Broad Street; After-party, 10:30 p.m., $15, Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden Street.
Benny Martinez, an active informant brought his story — and accusations of police corruption — to Daily News’s Wendy Ruderman, who brought Editor Barbara Laker in on the story. What they unearthed rocked the police force and led to a 10-month series in the Daily News. “Tainted Justice” led to an FBI probe and the review of hundreds of criminal cases in Philadelphia. Ruderman and Laker won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting for the series. In their new book Busted: A Tale of Corruption and Betrayal in the City of Brotherly Love, Ruderman and Laker recount the reporting process — the good, the bad and the scary. Ruderman and Laker are lively, fun characters who will make for a great evening at the library. Tuesday, March 18, 7:30 p.m., free, Central Branch of the Free Library, 1901 Vine Street.
Here's a band that hasn't even been around since Arcade Fire released Funeral, yet they already feel like a Philadelphia institution. Perhaps it's all the love from XPN (they played a Free at Noon last week) or the rest of the Internet, but War on Drugs is something of a badge on our local-music sash. With a new album coming up (and streaming now), War on Drugs is strong as ever, and playing for the city that loves them most. Tuesday, March 18th, 8:30 p.m., $18, Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden Street.
This year's One Book, One Philadelphia season wraps up on Wednesday, concluding its 12th season with a bang. Kevin Powers, author of the 2014 "one book," will appear and speak on his work. Look forward to musical performances from Philadelphia Orchestra's Udi Bar-David'-led, multicultural, genre-spanning outfit, Intercultural Journeys. Wednesday, March 19th. 7:30 p.m., Central Branch of the Free Library, 1901 Vine Street.
Pulitzer Prize-winner Paula Vogel and The Wilma Theater Artistic Director Blank Zizka team up for the world premiere of Don Juan Comes Home From Iraq. The show tells the story of a returning marine’s journey through Philadelphia to find his lost lover, and touches on modern-day experiences of recent veterans who are returning from Iraq or Afghanistan. Look out for a surreal twist. Opens Wednesday, March 19, runs through April 20, $23-$66, The Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad Street.
Journalist Tom Junod has written for Esquire magazine since 1997, when he followed editor David Granger to the magazine from GQ. Junod has produced important works at Esquire, including, “The Falling Man,” “The Rapist Says He's Sorry,” and a 2001 piece on R.E.M. lead singer Michael Stipe, in which he satirically fabricated information. Thursday, March 19, 12:00 p.m., free (RSVP to wh@writing.upenn.edu or 215-746-7636), Kelly Writers House Arts Café, 3805 Locust Walk.
This is technically a weekend hap, but something worth planning ahead for: MANNA, the local non-profit that provides meals to people living with life-threatening diseases like HIV and cancer — hosts it's annual Shut Up and Dance fundrasier and concert. The one-night-only benefit features a performance of original choreography by the Pennsylvania Ballet. One piece to look out for is by PA Ballet's Ian Hussey, who has choreographed a number to a song by out Philly singer-songwriter Joshua Thomas, who will be there to perform it live. Not to be missed. Saturday, March 22nd, 6 p.m. (VIP reception), 8 p.m. (show), $25-$100, Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut Street. For more info, go to mannapa.org.
Looking for more Philly events? We’re keeping track of the best local to-dos now through May in our Philadelphia Event listings.
