It’s back! My totally biased, totally nepotistic list of the most awesome stuff you can entertain yourself with in the greater Philadelphia area over the next week.
Take note: though these are events from my favorite artists, you have to be pretty awesome to rank on that list at all. I’m not going to send my dear readers to anything sucky. Or, at least, if I am I’m going to be clear that it might be sucky.
First, I must plug the thing that actually involves me, which I have the most power over making un-sucky:
Saturday 8/13
Who: My acoustic duo, Arcati Crisis, plus bass!
Details: 6pm, FREE & BYOB, All Fired Up, 602 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood NJ
Why? Arcati Crisis habitually enjoys a summer hiatus, but we’ll make a rare appearance outside of our rehearsal cabana to play three-ish hours of acoustic music in this awesome pottery arts studio. That’ll include the entire AC repertoire, plus a few special solo tunes. Plus wine. How can this possibly go wrong?
Now, on the rest of the next week…
Alexandra Day & Samantha Rise
Thursday, 8/11
Who: Alexandra Day & Samantha Rise-Roberson
Details: 7:30p, $10, Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd Street, Philly
Why? It physically pains me that I cannot attend this show due to rehearsal, so you should go in my place. Alexandra Day is one of my favorite songwriters in Philadelphia. I know I say that a lot, but how many other people did I ask to play the first dance at my wedding, hmm? Alex has a voice like red wine and an utterly riveting stage presence at the piano. She’ll be backed by a band on this co-bill with Samantha Rise-Roberson, a phenomenal vocalist who I highlighted on CK way back in 2008. This show is a must-see.
Thursday, 8/11
Who: Balkan Dance Party with West Philadelphia Orchestra and the Electric Simcha
Details: 10p, $5, Tritone, 1508 South, Philly
Why? WPO crosses demographics to unite street punks, hipsters, and U-City intelligencia into a frothing crowd of folk-dancing fiends. This is their monthly dance party, with special guest “Hasidic punk band” the Electric Simcha.
Friday, 8/12
Who: Mieka Pauley and Dwight & Nicole
Details: 7:30p, $10, Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd Street, Philly
Why? You may recall a certain Cosmo-contest-winning alt-folk troubadour Ms. Pauley playing in my dining room for CK’s 10th Anniversary Concert last year. There is video evidence to prove that (a) she was here, and (b) she is 100% awesomesauce. I have a whole live album of hers to mix down and release any month now. Until then, catch her in a rare Center City appearance.
Friday, 8/12
Who: York Street Hustle at World Cafe Live w/DJ Apt One
Details: 9p, $7 advance, World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St, Philly
Why? Spend less than $10 on a Friday evening dance party with a Motown-fueled 10-piece cover band fronted by one of my Philly vocal crushes, Aaron Brown. Shall we watch them sing my favorite Marvin Gaye song? Yes, let’s:
Friday, 8/12
Who: Bevin Caulfield In the Round with Ami Verill, Sarah Flynn, & Clara Lofaro
Details: 10:30p, $10, Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd Street, Philly
Why? I sorely miss shows from Bevin, who is now a West Coast fixture in sunny CA. Her fingers pick out sure folk but her voice is pure blue-eyed soul. When she closes her eyes and digs into a song it’s like a fully-hinged Amy Winehouse alive and unplugged.
Friday through Sunday, 8/12-14
What: Three Days of Rain, Presented by Stage Left Theatre Company
Details: Fri/Sat at@ 8p & Sun @ 3p, $8, Playhouse 22, 721 Cranbury, East Brunswick, NJ
Why? Okay, so this is way farther outside of Philly than most of my events. It’s also an outstanding play by Richard Greenberg that’s called “Stoppardian” (as in Tom) that opened on Broadway starring Julia Roberts, Paul Rudd, and Bradley Cooper. This iteration is a black box production starring (nepotism alert!) my brother, but (non-hyperbolic truth alert) both of his black boxes last summer were pro-caliber, so I have faith. I’ll be there on Sunday.
Saturday, 8/13
What: Bouffant Bangout
Details: 10p, $5, The Barbary, Philly
Why? How I haven’t yet been to this ultra mod, 50’s & 60’s dance party I’ll never know, because that sounds like my ideal way to spend a Saturday night. Or a Tuesday night. Any night, really. Did I mention a dance contest at 11pm? I’ll probably be an empty husk after our three hour show, but I liked the hell out of their FB page so I don’t miss the next party.
Sunday, 8/14
What: Madonna(kara)oke
Details: 9pm, FREE, Bob & Barbara’s Lounge, 1509 South Street, Philly
Why? As if you have better things to do than wail Madonna songs at my favorite awesomely dingy bar in Center City on a Sunday night to commemorate Madonna’s upcoming birthday. Plus? This karaoke showdown is hosted with efficiency by concert promoter Sara Sherr.
Monday, 8/15
What: “Standing Yoga” & “Do your fats right”
Details: 12:30p, FREE, PHS Pops Up Garden @ 20th & Market, Philly
Why? Are you a Center City desk jockey? Unslouch from your awful office chair and spend your Monday lunch break in Philadelphia Horticultural Society’s suddenly-green guerrilla urban garden at 20th and Market, where Mayor Nutter assures us Philly is growing only “legal herbs” (seriously, he said that at the press conference). Participate in a free yoga fundamentals class that won’t ask you to get down on all fours, and learn a little about getting the right fats into your diet.
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That’s all the Things to Do news that’s fit to print, my Phine Philly Phriends. If you’re headed to any of these activities let me know in the comments below and maybe I can meet you there!