What’s On

Performances/Lectures/Events

 

JAN. 27 - FEB. 9

Thursday, Jan. 27

TALKS

 

  • LET’S HAVE LUNCH: Writers House Program Coordinator Tom Devaney (“Letters to Ernesto Neto,” 2004) hosts a lunch and conversation from noon to 1 p.m. at Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk. RSVP required to wh@writing.upenn.edu. Info: 215-573-WRIT or www.writing.upenn.edu/~wh/.

  • IT’S CRIMINAL: Penn Law professor Paul S. Robinson asks “Does Giving People The Punishment They Deserve Help Reduce Crime?” as part of the Provost’s Lecture Series. 4 to 6 p.m. in Amado Recital Hall, Irvine Auditorium, 3401 Spruce St. Tickets/info: 215-898-7227.

FILM

  • THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES: The series, “History, Memory and Cinematic Representation” continues with Patricia Flynn’s 2003 film, “Discovering Dominga: A Survivor’s Story,” about an Iowa housewife who returns to her Guatemalan birthplace. Preceded by Silvio Caiozzi’s 1998 video, “Fernando is Back.” 7 p.m. at International House, 3701 Chestnut St. Tickets: $6; members/students/seniors $5. Info: 215-387-5125 or www.ihousephilly.org. Series continues through Jan. 30.

PERFORMANCE

  • GATHER ‘ROUND: The gathering features an open mic, turntabilists and live graf by the Lost Children of Babylon and more. 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St. Info: 215-573-3234 or www.foundationarts.org.

Friday, Jan. 28

FILM

  • THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES: See Thursday, Jan. 27. Tonight: Arthur’s Penn’s 1970 film, “Little Big Man,” a revisionist history of how the West was won. 7 p.m. at I-House. Info: 215-387-5125 or www.ihousephilly.org. Series continues through Jan. 30.

MUSIC

  • ALL OVER THE MAP: Celebrate world music—from Celtic to Turkish to Persian—with the group, Jaffna. 7:30 p.m. at World Café Live. Info: 215-222-1400 or www.worldcafelive.com. Tickets: $13.
  • EVERYTHING THAT GLITTERS: The Gold Sparkle Trio performs acoustic avant-garde jazz. 8 to 10 p.m. at Slought Foundation, 4017 Walnut St. Info: 215-222-9050 or www.slought.org. Tickets: $12.

SPORTS

  • MEN’S BASKETBALL: Penn takes on Yale. 8 p.m at The Palestra, 33rd St. below Walnut. Info: www.pennathletics.com.

VIDEO

  • FOUND ART: VJ Large Marge presents “Look What I Found,” a night of found video from camps, weddings and bar mitzvahs. 8 p.m. at The Rotunda. Info: 215-573-3234 or www.foundationarts.org.

Saturday, Jan. 29

SPORTS

  • SWIMMING: Penn vs. Navy. Men at noon; women at 3:30 p.m. at Sheerr Pool, Gimbel Gym, 37th and Walnut sts. Info: www.pennathletics.com.

  • MEN’S BASKETBALL: Penn vs. Brown. 7 p.m. at The Palestra. Info: www.pennathletics.com.

FILM

  • THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES: See Thursday, Jan. 27. Today: Marcel Ophüls’ 1969 much-lauded masterpiece, “The Sorrow and the Pity,” a documentary that challenges the conventional wisdom that everyone in Nazi-occupied France was either against the Resistance or for it. The film will be shown in two parts at 1 and 5 p.m. at I-House. Info: 215-387-5125 or www.ihousephilly.org. Series continues through Jan. 30.

MUSIC

  • ELLAS Y AMIGOS: The Latin dance and jazz band, founded by percussionist Donna Bostock, heats up the World Café Live stage. 8 p.m. Info: 215-222-1400 or www.worldcafelive.com. Tickets: $6.
  • CARNAVAL: Dance to samba, batucada, maracatu and more at the Brazilian Carnaval Costume Ball, featuring world music ensemble Alo Brasil Percussion, Song & Dance. Costumes are optional; prizes awarded for the best costumes. Brazilian/Latin DJ at 8 p.m.; Alo Brasil at 9 p.m. at World Café Live. Info: 215-222-1400 or www.worldcafelive.com. Tickets: $20; students $10.
  • GROOVY: Join the open mic jam session, The Groove, hosted by Stephanie Renee and Bernard Collins. 8 p.m. at The Rotunda. Info: 215-573-3234 or www.foundationarts.org.

Sunday, Jan. 30

MUSIC

  • GOSPEL BRUNCH: Gospel greats The Huff Singers entertain a Sunday crowd as part of the Gospel Brunch series. Brunch at 11 a.m.; music begins at 12:30 p.m. at World Café Live. Info: 215-222-1400 or www.worldcafelive.com. $30 includes ticket, brunch and beverage.
  • IT DON’T MEAN A THING: . . .if it ain’t got that swing. Local swing band Superspec plays both old and new swing. 7:30 to 10 p.m. at The Rotunda. Info: 215-573-3234 or www.foundationarts.org.
  • LEROY FOSTER: Catch the blues guitar wizard—known as “the best-kept secret in Philadelphia.” 8 p.m. at World Café Live. Info: 215-222-1400 or www.worldcafelive.com. $6.

FILM

  • THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES: See Thursday, Jan. 27. Today: The series concludes with “Prisoners of War 1914-1918” and “People, Life, Years” by Yervant Gianikian and Angela Ricci Luccia at 1 p.m. Atom Egoyan’s 2002 film, “Ararat,” about a contemporary Armenian family living in Turkey shows at 7 p.m. at I-House. Info: 215-387-5125 or www.ihousephilly.org.

SPECIAL EVENTS

  • JUST A QUIZ: Johnny Goodtimes (City Paper’s Local Celebrity of 2004) hosts the ultimate trivia quiz game—the Quizzo Superbowl. 6 p.m. at World Café Live. Info: 215-222-1400 or www.worldcafelive.com. $10.

Monday, Jan. 31

TALKS

  • OUT OF THE LAB: See “Editor’s Pick.”

READINGS

  • LIVE ART: Join writers for a taping of “LIVE at the Writers House,” with readings from Temple professors Pattie McCarthy (“Verso”) and Will Esposito (“Hinchas de Poesia”), and J.C. Hallman (“The Chess Artist”), Octavia McBride-Ahebee (“Assuming Voices”) and Ian Keenan (contributor to “Exquisite Corpse”). 8 p.m. at Writers House. Info: 215-573-WRIT or www.writing.upenn.edu/~wh/.
 

Fun & games

Queen Nur, a nationally renowned storytelling and teaching artist performs “The Games We Play: Stories, Rhythms and Rhymes in the Oral Tradition” as part of Penn Museum’s 16th Annual Celebration of African Cultures on Saturday, Feb. 12. The Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble, the Women’s Sekere Ensemble and Penn Museum docent Mawusi Renée Simmons will also perform. Activities begin at 11 a.m. and run to 4 p.m. at the Museum, 3260 South St. For information, call 215-898-4000 or go to www.museum.upenn.edu.

 

Tuesday, Feb. 1

SPECIAL EVENTS

  • ON THE ROAD: Take a bus trip and explore the Guggenheim Museum’s special exhibition, “The Aztec Empire,” a collection of art objects created by people who lived in the Late Postclassic age. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The bus departs from the Kress Entrance, Penn Museum, 3260 South St. Tickets: $65; members $50. Price includes transportation, admission with a guided tour and late afternoon snack. Info: 215-898-4890.

TALKS

  • JEWISH LIT: The Center for Advanced Judaic Studies presents the symposium, “What is Jewish About Jewish Literature?,” with fellows Deborah Starr, Bryan Cheyette, Michael Kramer and Amelia Glaser. 5 p.m. at TBA. Info: 215-898-6654.

MUSIC

  • PROPHETIZING: Chuck Prophet brings his alt-country roots, influences from ‘70s soul and hip hop to the World Café Live stage. 9 p.m. Info: 215-222-1400 or www.worldcafelive.com. Tickets range from $20 to $47.

Wednesday, Feb. 2

TALKS

  • DROP THE POUNDS?: Lisa Hark, director of the Nutrition Education and Prevention program at Penn Medicine talks about her new book, “Nutrition for Life: The No-fad, No-nonsense Approach to Eating Well and Reaching Your Healthy Weight.” (See “Eating by the book,” Pg. 2) Noon to 12:45 p.m. at the Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St. Info: www.upenn.edu/bookstore.
  • IN THE PAST: Haverford College post-doctorate fellow Yiman Wang delivers the talk, “The Past is Elsewhere: Wong Kar Wai’s Nostalgia in His Transitional Hong Kong Cinema.” 5 p.m. in Room 314, College Hall, 3450 Woodland Walk.

SPORTS

  • MEN’S TENNIS: Penn takes on University of Maryland-Baltimore County. 3 p.m. at Levy Tennis Pavilion, 3120 Walnut St. (behind Class of 1923 Ice Rink). Info: www.pennathletics.com.

FILM

  • HALL OF MIRRORS: Catch the Orson Wells classic, “The Lady from Shanghai,” a film noir that features a memorable final shoot-out in a hall of mirrors and is inspiration for the art of Barry Le Va, now showing at the ICA. Penn’s Director of Cinema Studies Timothy Corrigan introduces the film. 7 p.m. at the Institute of Contemporary Art, 118 S. 36th St. Info: 215-898-5911 or www.icaphila.org.

MUSIC

  • TOMMY STINSON: One of the founders of the legendary rock band, The Replacements and current musician for Guns N’ Roses performs at World Café Live. 8 p.m. Info: 215-222-1400 or www.worldcafelive.com. Tickets: $13.

PERFORMANCE

  • SPEAK UP: “Speakeasy,” the open mic performance night features poetry, prose and everything in between. 8 p.m. at Kelly Writers House. Info: 215-573-WRIT or www.writing.upenn.edu/~wh/.

Thursday, Feb. 3

TALKS

  • “PREP” TALK: Salon and New York Times contributor Curtis “Prep” Sittenfeld talks about her new book, “Prep” (Random House, 2005), a funny coming-of-age story. 6 p.m. at the Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St. Info: 215-898-7595 or www.upenn.edu/bookstore.

MUSIC

  • BLUES MASTER: Tommy Castro, acclaimed force in the American blues and roots arena, combines soul, rock and blues on stage. 7:30 p.m. at World Café Live. Info: 215-222-1400 or www.worldcafelive.com. Tickets range from $23 to $50.
  • DUST TO DUST: Join Assembly of Dust featuring Reid Genauer as they tour in support of their new album, “The Honest Hour.” 10:30 p.m. at World Café Live. Info: 215-222-1400 or www.worldcafelive.com. Tickets: $15.

Friday, Feb. 4

TALKS

  • GUIDED INQUIRY: Franklin & Marshall’s Rick Moog talks about “Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning, Part 2,” part of the Teaching & Learning of Science Seminar Series. 1:30 to 4 p.m. at TBA. RSVP: PennSTI@sas.upenn.edu. Info: www.sas.upenn.edu/PennSTI.
  • KAREN BECKMAN: The Penn Cinema Studies and History of Art professor talks about “Crash Aesthetics: ‘Amores Perros’ and the Dream of Cinematic Mobility.” 3 p.m. in the Rich Seminar Room (201), Jaffe Building, 3405 Woodland Walk. Info: www.cinemastudies.sas.upenn.edu.

SPORTS

  • SWIMMING: Penn men and women teams battle West Chester. 6 p.m. at Sheerr Pool. Info: www.pennathletics.com.

MUSIC

  • JUMP ON THE BANDWAGON: One of the hippest rising stars in jazz, Jason Moran and the Bandwagon, performs on the Penn Presents stage. 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St. Tickets: $38, $33, $27, $19. Info: 215-898-3900 or www.pennpresents.org.

PERFORMANCE

  • WHAT A RELIEF: Join host Russell Brand, emcee Martha Gay and comedians for “Comedians That Care: Operation Tsunami Relief.” All ticket proceeds will be donated to The American Red Cross. 10:30 p.m. at World Café Live. Info: 215-222-1400 or www.worldcafelive.com. $10.

Saturday, Feb. 5

MUSIC

  • GET SICK: The Sick City showcase presents Japanese punk rockers The Spunks, Jersey punk from The Comrades, local punk from the Blessed Muthas, rock ‘n’ roll from The Brimstones and local punk fusion from The New Minority. 7 p.m. at The Rotunda. Info: 215-573-3234 or www.foundationarts.org.

  • LET IT SLIDE: Louisiana-based singer-songwriter Sonny Landreth combines slide guitar mastery with insightful lyrics. 7:30 p.m. at World Café Live. Info: 215-222-1400 or www.worldcafelive.com. Tickets: $28.

  • BEAT A DRUM: The great drummer Jack Dejohnette celebrates an evening of Latin percussion with the Latin Project. 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Theatre. Info: 215-898-3900 or www.pennpresents.org. Tickets: $43, $38, $31, $21.

  • NICE PRICE: The Rob Price group, Featuring Jim Black (drums), Ellery Eskelin (tenor sax), Trevor Dunn (bass) and Rob Price (guitar plays from 8 to 10 p.m. at Slought. Info: 215-222-9050 or www.slought.org. $12.

  • NEW REVOLUTION: David Newman and his band play an eclectic blend of music and are celebrating the release of their new album, “Lotus Feet: A Kirtan Revolution.” 9 p.m. at World Café Live. Info: 215-222-1400 or www.worldcafelive.com. Tickets: $18.

SPORTS

Sunday, Feb. 6

TALKS

  • SCATTER ART: Penn History of Art Ph.D candidate Meredith Malone leads a tour and lectures on the various manifestations of violence in the art of Barry Le Va, currently on display at the ICA. 1 p.m. at the ICA. Info: 215-898-5911 or www.icaphila.org.

READINGS

  • JAZZ HISTORY: Jazz impresario George Wien, who staged the first Newport Jazz festival in 1954, reads from his 2003 autobiography (“Myself Among Others”) and talks about his life. Wien’s autobiography co-author Nate Chinen, a JazzTimes columnist and former assistant coordinator of KWH, chats about collaborative writing. 6:30 p.m. at Kelly Writers House. Info: 215-573-WRIT or www.writing.upenn.edu/~wh/.

MUSIC

  • ALEX RADUS: The guitarist from the band, Duende, published poet and burgeoning screenwriter performs at 8 p.m. at World Café Live. Info: 215-222-1400 or www.worldcafelive.com. Tickets: $6.

Monday, Feb. 7

TALKS

  • KINDER CARE: Coleen Kinder chats about her book, “Delaying the Real World: A Twentysomething’s Guide to Seeking Adventure” (Running Press, 2005), which features advice for those who aren’t ready to enter the cubicles of the corporate world. 4 p.m. at the Penn Bookstore. Info: 215-898-7595 or www.upenn.edu/bookstore.

READINGS

  • GAME TIME: Roger Angell—essayist, satirist and fiction editor for the New Yorker and one of America’s finest sportswriters—reads from his work (“Game Time,” 2003; “The Summer Game,” 1972) as part of the Kelly Writers House Fellows Program. 6:30 p.m. at Writers House. RSVP required: whfellow@writing.upenn.edu. Info: 215-573-WRIT or www.writing.upenn.edu/~wh. See “Talks” on Thursday, Feb. 8.

Tuesday, Feb. 8

TALKS

  • KWAME ANTHONY APPIAH: This renowned philosopher and African Studies scholar, Princeton professor and co-author with Penn President Amy Gutmann of “Color Conscious,” talks about his latest book, “Ethics of Identity” (Princeton, 2004). 3:30 p.m. at the Penn Bookstore. Info: 215-898-7595 or www.upenn.edu/bookstore.

DANCE

  • RUSSIAN DANCE: The Moiseyev Dance Company performs breathtaking physical feats to Russian folk music. 7:30 p.m. at Irvine Auditorium. Info: 215-898-3900 or www.pennpresents.org. Tickets: $50, $45, $30. Additional performance Feb. 9.

MUSIC

  • OUT TO PASTURE: The Hot Club of Cowtown performs hot jazz and western swing. 7:30 p.m. at World Café Live. Info: 215-222-1400 or www.worldcafelive.com. Tickets range from $23 to $50.
  • FREE @ UPSTAIRS LIVE: The series continues with The Matt Rae trio at 8 p.m. and Erron Olive at 10 p.m. at World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St. Info: 215-222-1400 or www.worldcafelive.com.

SPORTS

Wednesday, Feb. 9

TALKS

  • CRITICAL MASS: Barnard/Columbia philosophy and German Professor Frederick Neuhouser speaks about the idea of critique in European philosophy, beginning with Rousseau. 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at Writers House. Info: 215-573-WRIT or www.writing.upenn.edu/~wh/.
  • GREY MATTER: Jack El-Hai talks about his book, “The Lobotomist” (Wiley, 2005), the biography of Walter Freeman, a Penn Med graduate and inventor of the lobotomy. 4 p.m. at the Penn Bookstore. Info: 215-898-7595 or www.upenn.edu/bookstore.
  • MORSE’S CODE: Stephen J. Morse, Penn professor of law and psychology speaks about “To Sleep, Perchance to Kill: Altered Consciousness and Responsibility,”as part of the Penn Humanities Forum. 5 p.m. in Room 100, Pepper Hall, Penn Law, 3443 Sansom St. RSVP required. Registration/info: www.humanities.sas.upenn.edu.

DANCE

  • RUSSIAN DANCE: See Tuesday, Feb. 8. Tonight: 7:30 p.m. at Irvine Auditorium, 3401 Spruce St. Info: 215-898-3900 or www.pennpresents.org. Tickets: $50, $45, $30.
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