Philadelphia Weekly back issues from February 2007:
Louise's Hymn
Feb 07, 2007; ... It's sunny and gloriously bright on this cold very early Sunday morning in February. But what you notice most is the quiet. It's quiet in that very specific early-Sunday-morning-Philadelphia way, a kind of hush like no other. So quiet that if you stand very still and don't move a muscle, ...
True Colors
Feb 07, 2007; ... Joe Biden's comments show racism remains a factor in our presidential politics. Imagine this: a mainstream African-American who's articulate and bright and clean and nice-looking. For Sen. Joe Biden, the moment of discovery was downright historic. (Perhaps akin to Columbus ...
Monkeys, a Monk and Me
Feb 07, 2007; ... Mass-transit slapstick, South Philly-style. It all starts at the Dollar Tree near Snyder Plaza. I'm distracted by a pair of deformed stuffed monkeys-the yellow one is shedding fur and looks as if he's suffered a stroke; the pink one, also balding, has a sliver of white fabric protruding ...
To Congress With Cosby
Feb 07, 2007; ... UPDATE The comedian helps ex-offenders fight violence. The reality of how his life has changed settles over him frequently. Last night, for starters, he couldn't sleep. "Just anxious, man," says Shawn Banks. "Anxious to get going and do what I'm gonna do." His business ...
HEROES AND GOATS
Feb 07, 2007; ... * HEROES University of the Arts Sponsors "sexualized, sexist, anarchistic and perverse drawings" of R. Crumb. Art kids keep on truckin'. Wonkette Breaks big Scooter Libby trial news: Tim Russert hates Chris Matthews. Why's that, Wonkies? "Because Matthews is louder? Is his head ...
Song of Experience
Feb 07, 2007; ... A North Philly-born soprano returns home to sing in Porgy and Bess. Wearing his best suit and clutching a bouquet, North Philly's Leonard Slack was starting to panic as he hailed Manhattan taxis last March 17. The 63-year-old retired Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania ...
THE ANGRY GRAMMARIAN
Feb 07, 2007; ... Biden, His Crime "I'm gonna help you out using punctuation." Those kind, comforting words were uttered last Wednesday not by some school-marm, but by one Jon Stewart, looking to give a break to Joe Biden, who'd torpedoed his just-announced presidential candidacy only hours ...
Peniel E. Joseph
Feb 07, 2007; ... READING Peniel E. Joseph Thurs., Feb. 8, 4:30pm. Free. Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St. 215.898.7595. upenn.bkstore.com It seems strange to start off Black History Month by urging you to forget everything you know (or think you know) about the black power movement, but ...
From Tel Aviv to Ramallah
Feb 07, 2007; ... THEATER From Tel Aviv to Ramallah Fri., Feb. 9-Sat., Feb. 10, 8pm. $25. Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St. 215.925.9914. www.paintedbride.org Yuri Lane spent time in the jazz clubs of Ramallah and dance clubs of Tel Aviv talking with Egyptian beat-boxers and Israeli ...
Switch
Feb 07, 2007; ... DJ Switch Sun., Feb. 11, 9pm. $6. M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave. 215.739.5577. www.fromphillywithlove.com It's rare that my jaded hipster ass gets hyped for an event. But the From Philly With Love crew-DJs Jon Gill, Cozmic Cat and Lorne-have crashed through my defenses with ...
Disturbing Images: The Story of Helmut K.
Feb 07, 2007; ... FILM Disturbing Images: The Story of Helmut K. Wed., Feb. 7-Thurs., Feb. 8, 7pm. $5. Sedgwick Theater, 7137 Germantown Ave. 215.247.3020. www.filmsatthesedgwick.com Outed/ousted megachurch pastor Ted Haggard may want to check out this local indie film before deciding on ...
Monkey Business
Feb 07, 2007; ... ON THE RADAR Culture war No. 2: Darwin vs. Jesus. Edward Humes' new book Monkey Girl is a by turns scary and laugh-out-loud funny account of last year's "Scopes Monkey Trial 2" in Dover, Pa. Some Christian fundamentalists on the Dover school board first demanded the Bible ...
THE OUT-OF-TOWNER
Feb 07, 2007; ... Ralph Nader, Consumer Activist Sofitel Hotel, Thurs., Feb. 1, 6pm. On Philadelphia: "I've been here many times. It's got serious problems that reflect badly on the ruling class. There's a lot of wealth here, and a lot of poverty. Many cities are like that. But here they haven't ...
BLACK LIKE ME
Feb 07, 2007; ... Pit out of Luck In the Star Wars universe there's a creature known as the Great Pit of Carkoon. It's also called the Sarlacc Pit. It's pretty much just a giant gnashing mouth in the middle of the desert that eats anything that happens to have the poor fortune of falling into ...
The Garter Years
Feb 07, 2007; ... Pinup portraits make sexy Valentine's Day gifts. For 260 days a year, Amanda Travel's husband Pete is with the Air Force, serving tours of duty in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and, most recently, Iraq. In 13 years of marriage, Fravel has repeatedly been plunged into the life of a single working ...
Power of Soulchild
Feb 07, 2007; ... POWER OF SOUL A Philly favorite steps back into the spotlight. Musiq Soulchild wants to "reintroduce himself" to the listening public. Some people may think this a good thing, considering it's been four years since the Philly-born 29-year-old soulster has released an album. I'm ...
UNWRAPPED
Feb 07, 2007; ... JUDGING TWO NEW CDS BY THEIR COVERS. Lisa Bouchelle Paint Your Dreams (Wet Duck) Described as: Young Philadelphian singer/ songwriter recorded her first major release at Jon Bon Jovi's home studio. At a glance: Lisa Bouchelle's dreams are officially stupider than ...
Lily Allen
Feb 07, 2007; ... Mon., Feb. 12, 8pm. $20. Theater of Living Arts, 334 South St. 215.922.1011. www.livenation.com According to T.S. Eliot, "April is the cruelest month." Fair point, but he was obviously never stuck in Philly in mid-February. Oh, the unmitigated misery. So thank the saints above for the ...
Lymbyc Systym + Asteroid No. 4
Feb 07, 2007; ... Wed., Feb. 14, 9:30pm. $8. With Relay + Saxon Shore. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave. 215.739.9684. www.johnnybrendas.com As if to compensate for the letter Y's iffy vowel status, Arizona's Lymbyc Systym cram it into their name wherever they can. Just as nonchalantly, they pack ...
Midlake
Feb 07, 2007; ... Thurs., Feb. 8, 9pm. $12. With St. Vincent + Grammar Debate! North Star, 27th and Poplar sts. 215.787.0488. www.northstarbar.com There are moments on Midlake's The Trials of Van Occupanther where the melancholy mood suggests an art-rock version of Fleetwood Mac's Rumours. Add the goofy ...
Serpent Throne + Teeth of the Hydra
Feb 07, 2007; ... Sat., Feb. 10, 9pm. $8. With Tides Within + Javelina. Khyber, 56 S. Second St. 215.238.5888. www.thekhyber.com Just when you thought it was safe to hang up your bong. Riding in on a wave of mountainous riffs, Philly's own Serpent Throne will almost assuredly steal your women and smoke ...
Bear Is Driving
Feb 07, 2007; ... Fri., Feb. 9, 9:30pm. Free. With Mothguts, Algebra of Need + Elder Statesmen. Millcreek Tavern, 4200 Chester Ave. 215.222.1255. www.millcreektavernphilly.com The term "stoner rock" is kind of a misnomer, as any music listened to under the influence of weed has the ability to shatter your ...
Lucy Vincent
Feb 07, 2007; ... Sat., Feb. 10, 10pm. $10. With Cheers Elephant, Old Silver Band, London File + loveGravy. Grape Street Pub, 4100 Main St. 215.483.7084. www.grapestreetpub.com A reviewer enjoying your band "a shitload more than any Jimmy Buffet record I've ever heard" isn't exactly worth the space on ...
Joshua Bell + Jeremy Denk
Feb 07, 2007; ... Wed., Feb. 7, 8pm. $24-$59. Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Broad and Spruce sts. 215.790.5800. www.kimmelcenter.org. While you could do your homework like a good listener by checking out any of Bell's or Denk's many and diverse recordings (from Sibelius and Goldmark sonatas to ...
Calla
Feb 07, 2007; ... Sat., Feb. 10, 9:30pm. $10. With Favorite Sons + A-Sides. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave. 215.739.9684. www.johnnybrendas.com Dark, unshaven and coolly desperate, Calla's songs have always seemed like the aftermath of a bad night out. They arise like smoke rings out of Peter ...
Simply the Fest
Feb 07, 2007; ... The Fire's seasonal Northern Liberties gathering heats up. Northern Liberties Winter Music Festival Tues., Feb. 13, 8pm. $6-$8. Through Feb. 18. The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave. 267.671.9298. www.iourecords. com Music festivals come and go in this town. With Thrilladelphia ...
Give Me Fever
Feb 07, 2007; ... Give Me Fever The ICA's buzzed-up show celebrates collective energy. "Locally Localized Gravity" Through March 25. $3-$6. Institute of Contemporary Art, 118 S. 36th St. 215.898.5911. www.icaphila.org The Institute of Contemporary Art's winter shows opened in an ...
More Than Nerds
Feb 07, 2007; ... More Than Nerds The musical software satire is shrewd and schmaltzy. Nerds://A Musical Software Satire Through Feb. 25. $15-$54. Plays and Players Theater, 1714 Delancey St. 215.985.0420. www.philly theatreco.com It's been a while since Philly has spawned an ...
Culture Schlock
Feb 07, 2007; ... Culture Schlock Jude Law should stick to playing soulless philanderers. Breaking and Entering C- Director: Anthony Minghella Starring: Jude Law, Juliette Binoche Opens Fri., Feb. 9 For someone who burst onto the scene with such promise five ...
EYE CANDY
Feb 07, 2007; ... THREE SWEET PICKS TO GET YOU THROUGH THE WEEK. "Bride Has Massive Hair Wig Out" Online: YouTube What: Bride supposedly flips out an hour before her wedding and starts chopping off her hair. Why: What happens when a YouTube clip is staged? Is it any less ...
REEL PEOPLE
Feb 07, 2007; ... Todd Oldham, Host, Top Design Deserves kudos for: Taking high-end home decor from Tinseltown to Target. Famous for gigs on MTV, HGTV and NBC's Today Show, Oldham is now shepherding a dozen interior designers, artists and architects through Bravo's Top Design, a reality competition that ...
TV
Feb 07, 2007; ... TV Lost A Wed., 10pm. ABC Watching Lost is like befriending the new girl in school. It all began so well. When Lost moved into the neighborhood in the fall of '04, you were the first to get to know her. Unlike other shows you'd seen before, she was willing ...
An Unreasonable Man
Feb 07, 2007; ... An Unreasonable Man Directed by Steve Skrovan and Henriette Mantel B Reviewed by Angelina Conti Opens Fri., Feb. 9 When you know Ralph Nader took on the American auto industry and forced legislation on consumer rights issues as varied as seat belts and ...
Because I Said So
Feb 07, 2007; ... Because I Said So Directed by Michael Lehmann D- Reviewed by Sean Burns Now showing I guess there's something to be said for a movie awful enough to make me despise Diane Keaton. One of the big screen's all-time greatest comediennes delivers the most ...
Ongoing
Feb 07, 2007; ... Babel Through director Alejandro González Iñárritu's signature method of interwoven storytelling, Babel examines the blend of connectedness and misunderstanding that characterizes life in the 21st century. It's an ambitious topic. But the film's four storylines, transpiring across ...
Repertory
Feb 07, 2007; ... Ambler Theater $4.50-$8.108 E. Butler Ave. 215.345.7855. www.amblertheater.com Over the Hedge (2006) (Shown on DVD): An inexplicably watchable product from the usually soulless DreamWorks animation department (Shrek, Shark Tale, Madagascar). This CGI comedy finds a host ...
Ahoy, Pricey!
Feb 07, 2007; ... Ahoy, Pricey! The Oceanaire offers fresh seafood at luxury prices. The Oceanaire 700 Walnut St. 215.625.8862. www.theoceanaire. com/philadelphia Cuisine: Seafood. Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 11:30am-10pm; Fri., 11:30am-11pm; Sat., 5-11pm; Sun., ...
The Song Riders
Feb 07, 2007; ... LUSH LIFE A karaoke quest leads to South Philly. This is a story about three uptown girls who'd been living in their uptown world as long as anyone with hot blood can. It's also a story about karaoke, which means all otherwise groan-inducing lyrical puns are to be considered ...
SIDE DISH
Feb 07, 2007; ... Mind Your Manners Don't put your elbows on the table. Chew with your mouth closed. Always say please and thank you. Doesn't anyone remember these being drilled into your head by Mom and Dad at every family meal during your formative years? I, for one, was brought up to believe no ...
Peace in the Pizza Shop
Feb 14, 2007; ... A Wynnefield entrepreneur can finally focus on his business. Nick Filopoulos finds comfort in the watchful eye of the metal box with blue lights atop the utility pole outside his Wynnefield pizza shop. That's because through his years in the pizza business, he's been repeatedly mugged by ...
The Object of My Perfection
Feb 14, 2007; ... Damn you, thieves. "You have no standards." I've heard that a lot in my life, and to some extent it's true. But I like to interpret my lack of standards as an ability to appreciate small things. I'm delighted by almost anything. "Oh, look at that," I'll say. "The Police are going ...
Making the Rounds
Feb 14, 2007; ... SPECTACLE Israeli fighters are taking over North Philly's Blue Horizon. The young Israeli army sergeant is in danger of falling victim to a missile attack that's occurring in neither Haifa nor Beersheba but rather under the hot ring lights of North Philly's Blue ...
Taken for a Ride?
Feb 14, 2007; ... RULES AND REGULATIONS Philly cab companies struggle with a new dispatch system. The cab business in Philadelphia has never been all that well-supervised from the consumer's perspective. Wouldn't it be great, for starters, if those rooftop lights that are supposed to tell ...
Give Them Credit
Feb 14, 2007; ... When the Philadelphia Parking Authority released an order last May that it would require all city cabs to carry credit card machines, it seemed like a great idea that would take this terrible cab town a step in the right direction. But months have passed, and things haven't gotten much ...
PHILLY IS BURNING
Feb 14, 2007; ... THE CITY'S BALLROOM SCENE IS BOTH A SOCIAL AND SUPPORT NETWORK FOR YOUNG LGBT AFRICAN-AMERICANS. When it comes to balls, there are mini balls, big balls and major balls. The 12th annual Dorian Corey awards being held on this evening in West Philly is a major ball-named in honor of the ...
SWORD IS BOND
Feb 14, 2007; ... A LOcaL StreetWear LabeL taKes an anti-StreetWear aPProach. BAPE. Supreme. Stussy. Nike SB. Raw denim. Limited edition sneakers. All-over print hoodies. They've all migrated from the margins to the center of the fashion world. It took some time, but streetwear culture has finally ...
BREAKING THE CODE
Feb 14, 2007; ... When door drama gets in the Way of a good night. Competing for attention is a natural law. Peacocks with the brightest feathers get all the birds. Deer with the biggest antlers get all the does. Our first impressions help us filter out whom we want to talk to, get a drink from ...
Chinese New Year Celebration
Feb 14, 2007; ... EVENT Sun., Feb. 17, midnight. Free. 10th and Race sts. 215.922.2156. www.chinatown-pcdc.org Unlike the coming of an American new year, which means the welcome presence of ubiquitous spirits (including champagne), the Chinese New Year is about warding them off-at least ...
Love Hurts
Feb 14, 2007; ... PARTY Wed., Feb. 14, 9pm. $10. North Bowl, 909 N. Second St. 215.238.2695. www.paper-street.com Valentine's Day, I'm so glad to see you. I was afraid there wasn't going to be a day devoted to love and romance reminding me of my miserable, lonely single life. Thankfully ...
Film Carnival!
Feb 14, 2007; ... FILM Sat., Feb. 18, 6pm. $5-$7. LAVA, 4134 Lancaster Ave. 215.387.6155. www.lavazone.org The motto of internationally renowned queen of cut-out animation Martha Colburn might be "good form, and bad taste." Her medium: brainwashed Japanese schoolchildren, demented home ...
How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (and Enjoy It)
Feb 14, 2007; ... FILM Wed., Feb. 14, 6:30pm. Free, reservations requested. International House, 3701 Chestnut St. 215.387.5125. www.ihousephilly.org. reelblackrsvp@gmail.com You have 364 other days to canoodle. This Feb. 14 go see Joe Angio's documentary about Melvin Van ...
Creative Righting
Feb 14, 2007; ... ON THE RADAR Porn-again Christians and neocon indie bands. Huh? I really hate columnists who write about their kids. Those losers have run out of things to write about. Which is just insane. I whack on my Mac in the morning and instantly my skull is sliced open like a soft-boiled ...
THE OUT-OF-TOWNER
Feb 14, 2007; ... Joey McIntyre, Entertainer Wachovia Complex, Tues., Feb. 4, 4:45pm. On Philadelphia: "You get a very, very distinct vibe in Philly. People here aren't as arrogant as New Yorkers, but they'll tell you where to go in a second. I still remember the Sixers and Celtics rivalry of the ...
Slams at the Slaughter
Feb 14, 2007; ... A debate grows within the black poetry movement. Before HBO's Def Poetry Jam, minority artists from all over the East Coast came to Philly to have their say in venues as big as the Rotunda and as small as poets' living rooms. Recently there's been a growing debate among Philly's ...
New Word Order
Feb 14, 2007; ... Using provocative words as fuel for combustible poetry, Reynald "Shyster" Williams has quickly become one of the most popular, most respected and hardest working poets to claim Philly as home. Shyster took his time making the move from page to stage. "I wrote my first poem in junior ...
OPENING RIFF
Feb 14, 2007; ... Trick a Chick in Miami Even when people bought music, they never really watched the Grammy Awards. That's a shame. The show's a three-and-a-half-hour hoot. Even in the absence of soy bombs being dropped on Dylan, or an angry and inebriated Ol' Dirty Bastard storming the stage, it's still ...
WHAT'S UP WITH VIRO
Feb 14, 2007; ... Real name: Calvin Howard (foreground) Age: 27 Hometown: Lindenwold, N.J. Why they sleepin'?: "It's different. Hip-hop fans in general have fallen right in line with a formula right now. I'm outside of that box so people aren't gonna just latch onto me. It's gonna take a ...
Floetic License
Feb 14, 2007; ... POWER OF SOUL Revisiting the most baby-makingest record of the decade. A long time ago I was involved in a hot, torrid romance with an insatiable lady. Actually, that's a lie. It was far from hot. There was nothing torrid about it. It was more pathetic than romantic. And that ...
UNWRAPPED
Feb 14, 2007; ... JUDGING TWO NEW CDS BY THEIR COVERS. Eddi Reader Peacetime (Compass) Described as: Solo release from the singer/ songwriter and former vocalist of Fairground Attraction. At a glance: I think the wind that's so elegantly whipping back her hair is coming from my ...
EVERYBODY'S SINGLE
Feb 14, 2007; ... As much as I'd love to throw caution to the wind and regale you with tracks from the forthcoming Arcade Fire album, legal counsel has strongly advised against such measures. Instead you can fill your earholes with these gems until Neon Bible renders any and all prior post-rock releases ...
Chris Thile and the How to Grow a Band
Feb 14, 2007; ... Sat., Feb. 17, 7:30pm. $20. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. 215.222.1400. www.worldcafelive.com When acoustic bluegrass heroes Nickel Creek announced plans to go on indefinite hiatus at the end of this year, no one doubted solo projects would soon follow-and lucky for us, the ...
Espers + Daniel Higgs
Feb 14, 2007; ... Wed., Feb. 14, 8pm. $1. Institute of Contemporary Art, 118 S. 36th St. 215.898.4980. www.r5productions.com Freak folk dream team alert! We've got an elder statesman (Higgs) and a collective of neo-hippies (Espers) who, if promo photos are to be believed, live inside of trees and ...
WestWax DJ Collective
Feb 14, 2007; ... Thurs., Feb. 15, 9pm. Free. Millcreek Tavern, 4200 Chester Ave. 215.222.1255. www.millcreektavernphilly.com WestWax is a gang of DJs too freshfaced to be trite but too green to be called a supergroup. Some may argue, though, that a number of members, including DJ ProperGanda, Apt ...
Tierney Sutton
Feb 14, 2007; ... Fri., Feb. 16-Sat., Feb. 17, 7:45pm and 10pm. $35. Zanzibar Blue, 200 S. Broad St. 215.732.4500. www.zanzibarblue.com Tierney Sutton, a statuesque blond and 2005 Grammy nominee, is a jazz vocalist with true interpretive gifts. She's just released On the Other Side, her sixth ...
Eighth Blackbird
Feb 14, 2007; ... Sat., Feb. 17, 7:30pm. $24-$36. Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Broad and Spruce sts. 215.790.5800. www.kimmelcenter.org. The latest release from new music group Eighth Blackbird shares a title with their upcoming concert: Strange Imaginary Animals. This is partly a ...