Pianist Jacky Terrasson will perform at the Annenberg Center as part of the first "Go West! Go International! 3rd Thursdays" program.

You may have noticed that most of the listings for Thursday, Sept. 17, refer to this department. That's because this evening marks the start of the University City District's "Go West! Go International! 3rd Thursdays" campaign. From now through next May, University City will be the place to be on the third Thursday of the month, as the area's museums and galleries stay open late and host special events and local restaurants offer special discounts and activities. In addition, on-street parking will be free after 5 p.m. and shuttle buses will loop throughout the area.

The "Go West!" campaign kicks off this evening with the Go West! Arts and Restaurant Festival. The retailers of Sansom Common will offer discounts, and the restaurateurs of University City will offer tastings, discounts and special events along 36th Street from Walnut to Chestnut and Sansom Street from 34th to 36th. Two festival stages will feature performances by the renowned Philadanco dance troupe, drill-team performances by local teen groups, and a live broadcast of WXPN's "World Cafe."

Penn's cultural institutions are all participating in the campaign as well. Tonight's special events include:

• ZESTY FIESTA: The University of Pennsylvania Museum shows off its Mesoamerican treasures at a festival featuring south-of-the-border fare in the Museum Cafe and the hot Mexican sounds of Domo Records performing artist Luis Perez.

• ICA's 35th BIRTHDAY: Penn's contemporary art gallery officially blows out the candles on its 35th birthday cake tonight, and you get to have a piece while touring the ICA's "From Warhol to Mapplethorpe" exhibit.

• JACKY TERRASSON: The iconoclastic jazz pianist brings his trio, consisting of Ugonna Okegwo on bass and Leon Parker on drums, to the Annenberg Center for a live performance in Zellerbach Theatre.

All of this evening's cultural events feature special discounted tickets and admission; see the day-to-day listings for exact prices. And watch these pages for more fun Third Thursday events in the coming months.

--S.S.

Front page for this issue | Pennsylvania Current home page | What's On