8 Things to Do in Books, Comedy, Dance and Movies

Michelle Wolf, Desert Hearts, Let’s Make a Squeal and more.


Josie Long performs at Good Good Comedy Theatre on Friday.

Tango Fire @ Merriam Theater | Wednesday, January 31
Led by German Cornejo, the Tango Fire Company of Buenos Aires is well-known for their choreography and high-energy performances of Argentine Tango.

Blood of Jesus @ Lightbox Film Center | Wednesday, January 31
Written and directed by Spencer Williams (who also stars), this 1941 “masterpiece of folk cinema” is about the battle between good and evil for the soul of an African-American woman (Cathryn Caviness). In its day, Blood of Jesus was dubbed a “race film,” meaning it was a non-Hollywood movie featuring a Black cast and made for Black audiences.

 

Michelle Wolf @ Punchline | Thursday-Saturday, February 1-3
Upbeat then suddenly, uniquely dark, Michelle Wolf’s recent comedy special on HBO had me laughing with surprise. Wolf grew up in Hershey, PA, and worked at several big banking companies before doing comedy full-time. She’s currently a contributor to The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.

 

Max Boot @ the Free Library Parkway Branch | Thursday, February 1
The author of several books about military conflicts will discuss his newest, The Road Not Taken: Edward Lansdale and the American Tragedy in Vietnam.

Sp3 @ FringeArts | Thursday-Saturday, February 1-3
Experimental modern dance company <fidget> presents a work using sound and movement to examine themes of technological and political alienation. Lead artist is Peter Price. Choreography by Megan Bridge.

 

Desert Hearts @ Lightbox Film Center | Thursday, February 1
Donna Deitch’s 1986 film concerns a lesbian romance in Reno, Nevada, in the ’50s. Stars Patricia Charbonneau and Helen Shaver.

 

Josie Long @ Good Good Comedy Theatre | Friday, February 2
The British comedian/writer has appeared on Drunk History, @Midnight and several other shows. She’s hilarious. I mean, who uses an umbrella?

 

Let’s Make a Squeal! Pig Iron Benefit @ Trocadero | Saturday, February 3
Martha Graham Cracker headlines this night of games and cabaret performances to raise money for Philly’s Pig Iron Theatre Company.