Q&A
| by Stephen H. Segal | Twitter: @stephenhsegal
3 questions: Terry Gross
T
he reigning queen of public radio and Philadelphia’s best-known public intellectual, Fresh Air host Terry Gross will be getting out of the WHYY studio to host a live “Off Air” show at the Grand Opera House in Wilmington, Delaware on Sat., June 7. (More info: 215.351.0511.) First, Philly Weekly chatted her up on the phone this week.
What will the live show be like? I’ll play clips—mostly of interviews that didn’t go very well, so some of them are kind of funny. I’ll talk about what happens behind the scenes on the show, a little bit about my life—the stuff I don’t talk about on the air. You have such amaz-
ing conversations with your interview subjects—do you ever remain friendly with them afterward? Not so
much. Sometimes we’ll continue emailing each other. but most of my guests don’t live in Philly, and most of them are really busy. I’m really busy; I hardly get
to see my friends who do live in Philly... Sometimes I’ll meet someone later who I talked to, and I love meeting them, but it’s a little awkward, because we had this incredibly intimate conversation on the air, and I feel like we’d both like to pick up at the level we left off—but it’s hard to do that in a quick, casual conversation in real life. Your work is so thoroughly
shaped by its presence in the public broadcasting world. Do you have thoughts about what’s happening these days with your counterparts in the commercial media? A lot of journalists are being encouraged to write the headline or the lead that’s going to go viral on Twitter, and that doesn’t necessarily make for the most thoughtful journalism... The stories that are going to get the most hits are about food and animals and health, and some of the more important stories aren’t going to get that same response—but that doesn’t mean you should stop doing them. n
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philadelphiaweekly.com | June 3-10, 2015 | Philly Weekly | 3
IN THIS ISSUE:
4 PHILLy NoW What’s up this week
12 FooD+DRINK Philly Beer Week brews
14 SummeR guIDe Three months of fun
36 muSIC Top 10 shows around town
39 Savage Love To tell the truth
40 CLaSSIFIeD 52 ReaL eSTaTe
CONNECT WITH US!
Philly Now
Facebook: Philly Weekly Twitter: @phillyweekly Instagram: @phillyweekly
Stephen H. Segal Editor & art director stephen@phillyweekly.com Twitter: @stephenhsegal
WHaT To Do IN & aRouND THe CITy • MORE AT PHILLYNOW.COM
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ADVERTISE WITH US! Deidre Simms Advertising director Phone: 215.563.7400 ext 163 deidre@phillyweekly.com
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go with the flow
Poet-tree En Motion fills the Rotunda with swirling swords, words and colors.
T
hings are flowing again: The seasonal performing arts showcase Poet-tree En Motion returns to the Rotunda on June 10 with a new lineup of movement-based performances titled “Salutation to the Art of Flow!” Poet-tree En Motion is the brainchild of multiaward-winning Philadelphia performance artist and poet Gabrielle de Burke, whose stage name is Plum Dragoness. These free events, ongoing since 2007, present regional multidisciplinary artists while giving the community a chance to shine on the open mike and open stage. “All of the artists are expressing poetry but just in different forms,” de Burke says. “I want the event to be an expression of the many different ways in which poetry is present in our lives, whether it’s music, dance, art or visual performance.” De Burke will give three flow arts perfor-
4 | Philly Weekly | June 3-10, 2015 | philadelphiaweekly.com
mances at the June 10 event. In the collaborative piece, “Trinity Tribal Stomp,” she’ll wield a staff while Michelle Armour performs with poi and Angela Armour hoola hoops. During de Burke’s solo spoken-word piece, she’ll flow with a sword. And she’ll present a performance of the Yang Shi 36 fan form, which is based on the martial/internal arts of tai chi chuan and kung fu. “But I am not presenting it like a martial arts form,” she says. “I am doing it slow and flowing.” Another performance at the event will be the group 7 Textures, who recently performed the “Ghostly Circus” at the Laurel Hill Cemetery. They’ll reprise a choreographed piece featuring the art of S-staves and buugeng—Japanese martial arts illusion flow tools that spin and create a kaleidoscope effect. Musicians Tom Phoolery and Josh the Architech of Research and Development will provide an avant-garde sound-
scape with analog synthesizers while the group performs. Plus: The Dead Bishops, a teenage power rock trio, will perform songs inspired by Led Zeppelin, the Foo Fighters and Nirvana. Visitor 10 is an MC who will collaborate with the audience in a storytelling hip-hop style. And VJ Spooky will enhance the entire show with his multimedia visual projections. “Flow is connecting to your rhythm, to your connection to the life force,” she explained. “It’s when people find their own groove, whether it’s through music, dance, movement, theater, martial arts, internal arts, through their breath or through their voice.” —LORENDA KNISEL
Wed., June 10, 7pm. Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St. Free; donations appreciated. therotunda.org
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PHILLY NOW WEDNESDAY, JuNE 3 COMEDY
STAGE
Annual comedy blast returns with another laughter-filled weekend of improvised shows by performer pairs. Comedy duos from all across the country and the U.K. are scheduled to appear, along with standup workshops, parties and more. June 3-6. Philly Improv
Bask in the personal stories of international raconteurs at First Person Arts’ Translation Slam. Stories will be translated into English, allowing storytellers from all across the world to share their unique experiences with the audience. Hosted by Alejandro Morales. Directed by Jen Cleary. 8pm. $15. I-House, 3701
Duofest
Theater, 2030 Sansom St. 267.233.1556. duofest.com/2015
Translation Slam
Chestnut St. firstpersonarts.org
THurSDAY, JuNE 4
Photo by Michael Ermilio
PEr FO rMAN CE
Intersections: Free Circus-Theater Tangle Movement Arts’ pop-up circus has its acrobats pose as ordinary park-goers before breaking out into performance, climbing ropes and swinging from trapezes. The show, “Intersections,” is a celebration of the chance meetings that happen in public spaces. 6pm. Free. Clark Park, 43rd St. and Baltimore Ave. friendsofclarkpark.org
AuTH Or
HW Brands
New York Times bestselling author HW Brands has written biographies on Benjamin Franklin, Andrew Jackson and Bill Gates. Today, he discusses his latest, Reagan: The Life, which chronicles the former president’s life and political career. 7:30pm. Free. Central Library, 1901
Vine St. freelibrary.org
the prized possessions back to life. 6pm. Free. Shissler Recreation Center, 1800 Blair St. phillyfixersguild.org
BENEFI T
raise the rails
Talk with friends and supporters of the Rail Park while enjoying cocktails and snacks. Proceeds benefit Friends of the Rail Park. 6pm. Brick & Mortar, 315 N.
12th St. brickandmortarphilly.com EV EN T
Philly Fixers Guild: repair Fair The Philly Fixers Guild—a collective of volunteers committed to the idea of “repair rather than replace”—spreads the love this week at its 5th annual Repair Fair. Participants are encouraged to bring their damaged or broken stuff, and a fixer will do their best to bring 6 | Philly Weekly | June 3-10, 2015 | philadelphiaweekly.com
COMEDY
Vinnie Brand
One of New York City’s best known comics takes the mundane topics of daily life—bills, marriage and kids—and spins them into punchline gold. Through June
6. Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St. 2154969001. heliumcomedy.com
FRIDAY, JUNE 5 ART
Rittenhouse Square Fine Arts Show
The country’s oldest outdoor original artwork show features the work of more than 140 artists in a variety of techniques, mediums and subject matter. Through June 7. Rittenhouse Square,
18th and Walnut sts. rittenhousesquareart.com PER FOR MANCE
Mash Up Body
In this thoughtful dance performance, anonymous bodies’s Kate Watson-Wallace creates a performance piece and then invites fellow artists to interpret and add in their own spin, eventually destroying the original. 8-9pm. $15-$25. Through
June 6. FringeArts, 140 N. Columbus Blvd. fringearts.com COMEDY
Chris Hardwick
The stand-up comic, @midnight host and creative head of Nerdist brings the funny to Philly. 8pm. The Troc, 1003 Arch St.
215.922.6888. thetroc.com MIN D & B ODY
Yoga on the Race Street Pier
All summer long, enjoy free yoga classes on the Race Street Pier, led by Yogis United. Kids and pets are welcome. Various times.
Through Nov. Race Street Pier, Race St. and N. Columbus Blvd. delawareriverwaterfront.com STAGE
The Three Christs of Manhattan
An atheist psychiatrist is visited by three men who each claim to be Jesus. Directed by Kittson O’Neill and Seth Rozin. Through
June 21. Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St. interacttheatre.org EX H IB IT
Spectrumsempra: A Harry Potter Group Show Kate Eagan and Annabelle Buck host a Harry Potter-themed art show for all the wizards, witches, and warlocks needing their Hogwarts fix. The show features the work of more than 50 artists, and will feature themed snacks, Butterbeer and potions.
5pm. Milk and Honey, 518 S. Fourth St. CON F ER EN CE
Philadelphia Trans Health Conference
P E R FOR MA NC E
Butt Kapinski Creator/performer Deanna Fleysher stars as Butt Kapinski, a private eye who’s producing a film noir. The one-woman interactive show has Kapinski moving through the audience as she crafts a hilarious story filled with mystery, impromptu singing, dirty jokes and more. 9-10:30pm. $15. Quig’s Pub, 1714
Delancey Place. buttkapinski.com
The 14th annual event offers a space for trans people to come together with allies and providers to learn about healthcare, legal rights and documents, hormore therapy, family planning and more through workshops, discussions and talks. June 4-6.
Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch St. trans-health.org
THIS WEEK ON THE OUTSKIRTS M USIC
The Steve Cal Band
Suburban Square’s summer music series returns with free outdoor concerts every Wednesday night through July. This week, catch local blues act, the Steve Cal Band. Wed., June 3, 5:30pm Free. Suburban Square, An-
derson and Coulter Ave., Ardmore. suburbansquare.com AUTHOR
Lovely Ladies & Naughty Books
Meet the literary genius behind your favorite steamy
romance book. Authors include Mia Sheridan (Archer’s Voice); A.M. Madden (Back-Up series); and Monica James (Surrender trilogy). Sat., June 6,
6, 8pm. Borgata, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J. 609.317.1000. theborgata.com
11am. Harrah’s Resort, 777 Harrahs Blvd., Atlantic City, N.J. allromancereviews.com
S PORTS
M US IC
Lana Del Rey
The singer/songwriter stops in A.C. to promote her third LP, Ultraviolence and sing her chart-topping hits, including “Summertime Sadness.” Sat., June
Monster Truck Day
EXPERIENCE! THE!! POWERPOWERPOWER!!! at this family-friendly day devoted to mega-machine worship. Climb inside a cab, or just watch trucks roll over stuff, while you munch on monster smoked turkey legs, jumbo hot dogs and ice cream. Sat., June 6,
10:30am. Oasis Farm, 3 Circle Drive, Robbinsville, N.J.
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PHILLY NOW SATURDAY, JUNE 6 STAGE
favorites. Noon. $5-$15. Fairmount, 2120 Fairmount Ave. upcomingevents.com
Ask a Sex Abuse Survivor
Sexual abuse survivor Michael Broussard performs an interactive one-man show about childhood sexual abuse. In “Ask a Sex Abuse Survivor,” Broussard shares the story of the abuse he suffered and his path to healing, while encouraging audience members to share their own stories and ask questions.
8pm. $15. White Pines Place, 7908 High School Rd. 877.674.8338. sexabusesurvivor.com FESTIVAL
Fairmount Avenue Arts & Culture Day
The inaugural event celebrates Fairmount’s musicians, artists, artisans and neighborhood with live entertainment, craft booths, food and prizes. 11am. Free. Fairmount
Avenue, between N. 22nd & Corinthian. fairmountartsandculture.com KIDS
Created by kids for kids, the inaugural Philadelphia Festival of Play includes obstacle courses, face painting and a giant Boggle tournament. The family-friendly activities are for kids of all ages. 10am. Free. Independence
Seaport Museum, 211 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd. 245.413.8655. phillyseaport.org PER FOR MAN CE
School of Pennsylvania Ballet: A Glorious Beginning
FO OD
Prison Food Weekend
This end-of-year performance is dedicated to the school’s founder, Barbara Weisberger, and includes pieces featuring all 160 students ages 5-19. The program includes George Balanchine’s Serenade and a world premiere by Durante Verzola among other works. 7pm.
$30. Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St. 215.898.3900. annenbergcenter.org DR IN K
Eastern State’s Prison Food Weekend offers visitors a chance to sample the typical fare of an inmate, including Nutraloaf, the “food product” issued as punishment in many American prisons. Guests are encouraged to rate the samples and decide whether they believe the controversial meal is considered cruel and unusual punishment.
Through Sun., June 7. Eastern State Penitentiary, 2027 Fairmount Ave. 215.236.3300. easternstate.org
The Independence Dragon Boat Regatta
The 9th Annual Independence Dragon Boat Regatta hosts more than 80 teams from all over the East Coast competing in 500 meter races. The regatta—run by active members of Team USA—is open to the public, no experience necessary. Just round up 20 friends, family members or co-workers and register to race on the four-lane setup. Or make a day of it, and bring out the barbeque and picnic blanket for some outdoor fun.
8am. Free. Schuylkill River, Kelly Drive. phillydragonboat.com RUN/ WALK
The Super Run
Philadelphia Festival of Play
Photo by J.R. Blackwell
SPORTS
The Great Philadelphia Craft Beer Crawl
Crawl through Fairmount while sampling delicious craft beer selections at 13 bars and restaurants, including Alla Spina, Urban Saloon, Fare and London Grill. Each location will offer discounted prices on local food
Holy charity! It’s a 5k walk/run that partners with non-profit organizations to put on superhero-themed events to help raise funds and awareness for their cause. Sat., June 6.
8:30 am. $30-$40. Navy Yard, 4747 S. Broad St. thesuperrun.com PERFORMANCE
Anna Crusis Women’s Choir
The first feminist chorus in the country celebrates its 40th anniversary with “Reclaiming the ‘F’ Word,” a celebration of women who sing for justice. The chorus, which was founded in 1975, features 60 singers and a sign language interpreter. 7:30pm. $20-
$25. International House, 3701 Chestnut St. 215.387.5125. ihousephilly.org STAGE
The Great & Terrible and The Small & Meek: Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz
In this eco-friendly adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, the set is created from mountains of cardboard, reclaimed wood, foam scraps and old house paint. The performance is a culmination of the work of more than 50 collaborators and community members in an effort to celebrate individual and collective creativity. 4pm. Free. Batram’s Garden, 54th Street.
215.729.5281. dorothy.bpt.me
SUNDAY, JUNE 7 FE STIVAL
Irish American Festival
Enjoy performances from Irish musicians, dance schools, bagpipers, and traditional foods including shepherd’s pie and bangers and mash. 1pm. Free.
Bassett’s, Little Baby’s and Shake Shack. The $10 bowls— created by teachers from the Arts League’s pottery studio—are made in funky shapes and sizes and come complete with all-you-can-eat ice cream, chocolate sauce, whipped cream and sprinkles. 1pm. $10. Univer-
Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, 101 Columbus Blvd. 215.629.3200. delawareriverwaterfront.com
sity City Arts League, 4226 Spruce St. ucartsleague.org
FO OD
Tibet Fest
Ice Cream Bowl
Fill a hand-crafted bowl with delicious ice cream from 8 | Philly Weekly | June 3-10, 2015 | philadelphiaweekly.com
F ESTIVAL
Celebrate the music, dancing, food and cultural gems of Tibet. 11 am. Free. Clark Park, 43rd and Baltimore Ave.
215.683.3679. friendsofclarkpark.org EX H IBI T
Animal Grossology
Based on Sylvia Branzei’s best-selling children’s book series Grossology, this hands-on 3-D exhibit features worms, poop, cow eyeballs and other disgusting treats. Watch a dissection of a squid, match the (rubber) scat to the animal, and get an up-close look at invertebrates at this kid-friendly exhibit. Through Aug. 30. Academy of
Natural Sciences, 1900 Ben Franklin Pkwy. ansp.org
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PHILLY NOW MONdaY, JuNe 8 Pa RT Y
2015 Philly Happening List
A red carpet bash in honor of the 2015 Philly Happening List winners, finalists and nominees. Sample delicious food from the newly opened U-Bahn, chat with Philly Happening TV and enjoy more than 15 beer taps and draft cocktails. 6:30pm. $20.
U-Bahn, 1320 Chestnut St. philly.happeningmag.com
TueSdaY, JuNe 9 FOO d
Great Chefs event
More than 40 chefs and beverage professionals from around the country—including Jose Garces, Marco Canora, Tom Kehoe and Mindy Segal—will set up stations offering samples of their classic meals in support of Alex’s Lemonade Stand and the Vetri Foundation for Children. The event includes a variety of different dishes to try, silent auctions and more. 6pm. $350. Navy Yard, 4747 S. Broad St. 610.649.3034.
alexslemonade.org STaGe
Passion
The Stephen Sondheim musical set in 19th-century Italy follows an Army captain stationed far away from his wife when a mysterious woman develops an unhealthy obsession with him. Directed by Terrence J. Nolen. 8pm. $36-$50. Through June 28.
Arden Theatre, 40 N. Second St. 215.922.8900. ardentheatre.org
WedNeSdaY, JuNe 10
STaGe
Murder for Two In this award-winning musical, two performers play 13 roles in a murder mystery involving a great American novelist. A police officer and his silent sidekick try to solve the case; was it the scheming wife, the prima ballerina, or the unassuming psychologist? 7pm. $73. Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St. 215.985.0420.
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FOOD & DRINK
|
Tweet us your food pics: @phillyweekly
FI VE B EER S ON TAP
TRY THESE BREWS DURINg PHILLY BEER WEEK, PT. 2
1
Samuel Adams Pigs in a Blanket. A second full week of Philly Beer Week? Thank the Mayor of Beer or whatever mystical person is responsible for PBW planning, because you need a second week just so oddball delights like Pigs in a Blanket don’t pass you by. This unusual little smoked beer aims to recreate the taste of, yes, pigs in a blanket, aka hot dogs wrapped into doughy biscuits. They manage to nail it, too: Bready, doughy malts give off a faint aroma of smoke with a touch of light fruits. The taste is mildly meaty, with hints of pork bacon. Trust us, it tastes better than it sounds. Try it at the June 4 SAM-wich event at City Tap House or at Isaac Newton’s.
2
Cantillon Iris. One of the great pleasures of Philly Beer Week is getting a chance to try beers you’d normally have to commit degrading acts to get your hands on, such as anything with the Cantillon name on it. Iris is a sour that defies normal sour categories, but which is best described as a soured pale ale aged for two years in oak barrels, then freshly hopped prior to bottling. The result is a beer that has many of the qualities of a lambic, such as a fiercely sour tang, upfront wood, and hints of vinegar, while also featuring zesty citrus, juicy fruits, and aromatic hops. It’s complex and delicious, letting you know exactly why this brewery is legendary. Swing by the Memphis Taproom for its All Wood Weekend June 5-7 and get some before it’s gone.
3 4
Allagash James Bean. Some beers are worth knocking down your
own mother to get to—figuratively speaking, of course! Allagash’s remarkable James Bean is absolutely one of them. This Maine brewery takes a beer that is already world-class, the bourbon-barrel aged tripel called Curieux, and injects it with massive amounts of cold-brewed coffee. The result is quite complex. Coffee, bourbon, oak, notes of vanilla, Belgian yeast—there is a lot going on here. However, the robust coffee takes charge and keeps the whole thing focused; muted tones of grass and bready sweetness round out the package. This beer is potent but drinks so easily you’d never know it. It will be featured June 6 at The Industry during their Allagash spotlight.
Spencer Trappist Ale. For a time, Trappist ales were elusive,
mysterious beers that came out of monasteries in Europe, heady concoctions that brought about images of robes and monks and cheese and chanting. Then some Trappist monks in Massachusetts, of all places, created a brewery, got approved for the exclusive Trappist label, and suddenly you can get Trappist ale made right here in the States. Lively carbonation, aromas of banana and clove, taste that blends open fields with peppery spices and sweet bubblegum, it’s all there. It’s frothy, golden, delicious, and comes from one of only ten breweries in the world that can call themselves Trappist. Hit up Bierstube on June 7 for their Biblical Brunch, or try it at Tria Taproom. It will be a great way to start the last day of Philly Beer Week.
5
A Simple, Cheap Lager. No, that’s not the name of a beer. Rather, it’s a style. No, it’s not even that: It’s a philosophy. For the last two weeks, you’ve probably been drinking palate-destroying double IPAs, massive barrel-aged imperial stouts, mouth-puckering sours, and beers brewed with ingredients you hadn’t heard of until last week. That’s how it should be! The camaraderie that comes with sharing such beer experiences is what Philly Beer Week is all about. But we’re going to change the usual mission statement of this column for a moment and instead recommend that you close out PBW with something we’ve never recommended before: a simple, cheap, easy-drinking beer you don’t have to think about too hard. Doesn’t matter the brand, just take a few moments to appreciate the wonderful simplicity of a stripped down thirst-quencher. Swing by Taproom on 19th on June 7 as they close out PBW with “beers like your dad used to drink.” After a week of heavy-hitters, you’ll be glad you did. | ERIC SAN JUAN
12 | Philly Weekly | June 3-10, 2015 | philadelphiaweekly.com
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PHILLY WEEKLY’s
Summer Guide
2015 FROM MUSIC LEGENDS TO TASTY STREET FESTIVALS, TAKE A LOOK AHEAD AT THE NEXT THREE MONTHS OF SUMMERTIME FUN IN THE CITY.
Angela Brown costars in Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD. (Photo by Roni Ely)
MUSIC
One night in Birdland...
Opera Philadelphia kicks off summer with a bang: its first world premiere in 40 years, the jazzy ‘Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD.’ BY BILL CHENEVERT
C
harlie Parker is easily one of the most iconic jazz artists of a certain generation. Lovingly referred to as “Yardbird” or simply “Bird,” his saxophonic prowess is damn near unparalleled. Calling Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and John Coltrane creative contemporaries isn’t so bad, either. Sadly, Parker died at 34, and all kinds of writers and fans have been mining bits of history and technology for the purposes of actualizing his robust legacy. Opera Philadelphia’s among them, doing its best to canonize the legend with Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD. Technically, this is OP’s first world premiere since 1976. Of course, they’ve had countless rolling world premieres, a smart and effective way to both contract and 14 | Philly Weekly | June 3-10, 2015 | philadelphiaweekly.com
attract new work by sharing in the burden with other companies across the country. But this one’s special. With a five-performance run that closes out their dynamic 40th season, Opera Philadelphia seems to be making an overt grab at a new and younger audience with YARDBIRD. It’s under two hours long, with no intermission; it’s sung in English; it’s about a modern jazz master, and it stars black singers conveying a twisted time in American culture. If that isn’t about as far away from a four- to five-hour opera composed in the 1800s and performed in Italian, I don’t know what is. February’s stellar Oscar was a start. YARDBIRD pushes things further. Valerie Gay, the effervescent executive director of Art Sanctuary, recently hosted Lawrence Brownlee—who
plays Parker in YARDBIRD—at the 16th and Bainbridge facility, and she’s been singing the praises of opera to diverse audiences for years. In fact, in a visit to South Philly High recently, her suspicions were confirmed: Young folk think opera’s not for them. “Who’s opera for?” asked Gay, an accomplished singer in own right. “Old rich white people,” they seemed to answer in unison. “And what about hip-hop?” she asked. “Young black kids,” said some, while others protested with a “Hey!” She then offered to sing a bit, but not before asking, “How many of you agree that I’m not white?” All hands went up. “The question is,” they prodded, “are you rich?” Despite their initial reluctance, by the end of their
session, Gay had successfully initiated some youngsters into the pleasures of opera. “It’s about engagement,” she says. “Opera Philadelphia is doing a lot of things right.” Greenlee agrees. “Opera Philadelphia has built a legacy of doing a lot of new work,” he says. “I’ve been in the business about 15 years, and I hadn’t heard of an opera about a modern jazz musician. I’d seen operas about Malcolm X and different subjects, but not on a jazz great.” And great Parker was. He got his sax at 11, practiced liked a lunatic for the next half-dozen years—for nearly 14 hours a day—and was soon pioneering bebop, scaling key changes with virtuosity and fueling jam sessions that would go down in history books. Unfortunately, Parker was in a car accident which resulted in a morphine drip that transitioned very easily into a heroin addiction. When heroin wasn’t around, which was rare, he turned to booze. He died at 34, and, supposedly, the coroner claimed his body looked like that of a 50- or 60-year-old. “That’s a hard life. He endured a lot,” says Greenlee, who wasn’t necessarily a Parker or jazz super fan, but has become one over the course of the production process. He’s studied YouTube clips and biographies, but one thing he won’t do is pretend like he can play the sax. “I don’t play at all, and I won’t even mimic it on stage. I would never put the instrument to my lips and fake play.” YARDBIRD will touch on things like Parker’s addictions, one of which was dangerous at the time without being a deadly substance: Parker loved white women. “The libretto itself talks about his struggles, his obsession with white women, and for a man coming from the South in the 1920s, that was a big no-no,” Greenlee says. The Kansas and Missouri native soon found a home in New York City—Harlem especially— where he tore up the jazz scene alongside some of the greats, who lived long enough to establish a legacy simply by outliving peers. According to Greenlee, “[Parker’s] legacy was something you had to go and search for, as opposed to someone like Miles or Dizzy.” There’s a term in the business, he declares, for the phenomenon of seeing only elders in one’s audience: Sea of Foam—meaning “everyone in there has white hair,” says Greenlee. Diversifying the audience—not just from a racial standpoint, but from an age standpoint—is tough, he admits. “We can’t just keep it the way it’s always been. We have to put out material that’s provocative and fresh.” Gay couldn’t agree more. “In a city, particularly like Philadelphia, where [there are] more and more ethnic groups who do not necessarily look like the average patron of any classical arts, I think there is a mandate or imperative by those arts organizations to reach out to those communities, and a lot of it is making it relevant,” she opines. As a child, she saw a woman of color on stage in an Opera Philadelphia class trip, and she’s certain it had something to do with her trajectory towards song. As a jazz opera, YARDBIRD may be more easily digestible for less tony tastes, something local audiences could wrap their heads around quicker. Gay describes it as “worlds colliding the way they’ve always collided,” arguing that, just like any art form, it simply has to connect with people. “It doesn’t matter what the setting is, it doesn’t matter what the time frame is–humans are humans. We all have drama in our lives, and usually it’s around family.” She’s right. It just so happens that Charlie Parker’s drama is as uniquely fascinating as his music is uniquely sensational. And Opera Philadelphia’s journey through Birdland should beautifully capture both.
Fri., June 5-Sun. June 14. $19-$239. Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St. 215.893.3600. Radio broadcast: Sat., July 4 at noon on WRTI-FM 90.1 and online at wrti.org. More info: operaphila.org
PW’s Summer Guide 2015
COMEDY
...and 20 nights of laughter T
his summer’s chock full of zany comedians coming through Philly to leave their mark on our collective psyches. Break out the calendar, and get to planning some evenings out filled with sheer comic ecstacy.
Reginald Ballard You know him from Martin as Bruh Man from the fif’ floor and as one of Mac’s homies on The Bernic Mac Show, but this cat’s comedic skills have extended into stand-up for years. Also: Our man Mr. Sonny James is spinning at both shows. Wed., June 10. The Pearl Theatre, 1600 N. Broad St. 215.763.7700. standupatthemovies.com. Flannelpalooza Chuckochella For the first time ever, local bands, parody teams, vendors and chefs come together to put on the coolest—and potentially only—music satire event redesigned to mimic an outdoors festival. Expect over 10 eclectic groups, a raffle, drinks, munchies— and a lot of fun. Thurs., June 11. Figment Theatre. 1219 Vine St. 267.441.4780. figmenttheatre.org.
Aries Spears This famed alumni of the MADtv sketch show and master of impersonations takes the stage for a special four-night run. Thurs., June 11-Sun., June 14. Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St. 215.496.9001. heliumcomedy.com. Jon Reep He’s starred on sitcoms,
Godfrey He’s toured internationally, rocked a Comedy Central special and warmed hearts on 30 Rock and Louie, and now he’s co-hosting the reality competition show Bullseye. Thurs., June 25-Sat., June 27. Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St. 2154969001. heliumcomedy.com. Jim Jefferies The Australian funnyman, a worldwide favorite, hit stateside popularity after a hysterical HBO special. Sat., June 27. Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., in Glenside. 215.572.7650. keswicktheatre.com.
Russell Howard This UK superstar and esteemed BBC comedy writer extended his hilarious Wonderbox tour to entertain fans in the states. Another English export we can fall in love with. Sun., June 28. Theatre of Living Arts, 334 South St. 215.922.1011. tlaphilly. com. Alingon Mitra Haven’t made any exciting July 4th plans yet? Grab some tickets to this Comic Comeback contest winner, who has also lit up the stage of Conan and The Late Late Show. Thurs., July 2-Sat., July 4. Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St. 215.496,9001. heliumcomedy.com. Philadelphia Comedy Academy Graduation Show Presenting the
comedy shows and even a Harold and Kumar movie, but is most noted for winning season five of Last Comic Standing. Thurs., June 18-Sat., June 20. Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St. 215.496.9001. heliumcomedy.com.
June 2015 graduating class! Check out what skills these entertainment neophytes learned after their monthlong education in how to make people laugh. Sat., July 11. Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St. 215.496.9001. heliumcomedy.com.
T.J. Miller He plays an eccentric
Steve Byrne Don’t miss your
tech entrepreneur-stoner on HBO’s Silicon Valley, but has been performing his self-proclaimed absurdist observational stand up for roughly 10 years. Uh, and he raps. This jawn’s gonna be a real hoot. Fri., June 19. Trocadero Theater, 1003 Arch St. 215.922.6888. thetroc.com.
Doug Benson Call this one of the most anticipated nights of the summer, featuring the one-of-a-kind comedy of this podcast megastar, documentary filmmaker and High Times-crowned Stoner of the Year. (Later in the week, he’ll do a live “Doug Loves Movies” podcast.) Wed., June 24. Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St. 215.496.9001. heliumcomedy.com.
chance to see this zany, high-energy performance by one of the entertainment world’s most beloved comedians. Thurs., July 16-Sat., July 18. Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St. 215.496.9001. heliumcomedy.com.
Seth MacFarlane with the Baltimore Symphony The wackygenius creator of Family Guy teams up with the talented Baltimore Symphony to croon everyone’s favorite “American Songbook” classics. Be very afraid. Sat., July 18. The Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Ave. 215.546.7900. manncenter.org.
Academic Probation Tour: Philly’s Hottest Comics What a
loaded bill: Chris Nee, Rick Mirarchi, Tim Raymus, Bob Kaplan, Alex Magakis, Chris Whitehair, Rick Juliani, Glenn Deery, Jared Ellman and James Weir. Whew! Sat., July 18. Trocadero Theater, 1003 Arch St. 215.922.6888. thetroc.com.
Josh Blue The college act crowd pleaser and Last Comic Standing season four victor captivates audiences with his unwavering talent and open personality. Find out why. Thurs., July 23-Sat., July 25. Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St. 215.496.9001. heliumcomedy.com.
Jim Breuer The former Saturday Night Live cast member and comic actor—time to watch Half Baked for the 238th time—is sure to elicit screams of laughter, and not just ‘cause of that killer Joe Pesci impression. Fri, July 24. Valley Forge Casino Resort, 1160 1st Ave., King of Prussia. 610.354.8118. vfcasino.com.
Iliza Shlesinger One of the hottest stars of the moment. She’s taken the comedy scene by storm through the Last Comic Standing, Excused and her two Netflix specials. Thurs., July 30-Sat., Aug. 1. Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St. 215.496.9001. heliumcomedy.com. Don Rickles Now, here’s the rare chance to catch a bonafide legend on stage—the guy who paved the way for every insult comedian working today while earning the respect and admiration of the high-rollers around him. Sat., Aug. 8. Valley Forge Casino Resort, 1160 1st Ave., King of Prussia. 610.354.8118. vfcasino.com.
Miranda Sings With over 60 million views on YouTube, this funny girl has because an international sensation. Her live stage shows feature singing, magic, dramatic readings and exclusive videos. Tues., Aug. 18Wed., Aug. 19. Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., in Glenside. 215.572.7650. keswicktheatre.com. Kevin Hart The proud Philly native, one of the biggest names in Hollywood today, is back with the What Now? tour, his fifth national outing, and he’s left audiences sobbing and exhausted. Not bad, hometown hero. Sun., Aug. 30. Lincoln Financial Field. 1 Lincoln Financial Field Way. lincolnfinancialfield. com. — HELEN KUHN
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The Odunde Festival. (Photo by J.R. Blackwell)
PW’s Summer Guide 2015
OUTDOORS
Follow us on Twitter for daily event reminders: @phillyweekly
Festivals, block parties & outdoor fun BY ANASTASIA BARBALIOS
JUNE Franklin Flea Shop for vintage, reclaimed and locally-made goods. Second and Fourth Saturdays through Oct. 10, Headhouse Plaza, 550 S. Second St. franklinflea.com/ headhouse
Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest RiverRink transforms into a warmweather wonderland, complete with roller rink, arcade, boathouse and more. Through Sept. Blue Cross RiverRink, Free. 101 S. Columbus Blvd. 215.629.3200. delawareriverwaterfront.com
40th Street Summer Series Free concerts once a month featuring a variety of local musicians. Through Sept. 26. Free. 40th Street Field, 40th and Walnut sts. universitycity.org/40th-streetsummer-series
Radio 104.5 Summer Block Parties Live concerts this summer include Nate Ruess, Matt & Kim and Panic! at
the Disco. Through Sept. 13. Free. Festival Pier, 601 N. Columbus Blvd. radio1045.com
Fairmount Avenue Arts & Culture Day Musicians, artists and performers from in and around Fairmount present their work, along with craft booths and food. Sat. June 6, 11am-3pm. Fairmount Avenue, between N. 22nd St. and Corinthian Ave. fairmountcdc.org
Islamic Heritage Festival
Odunde Festival
Follow the Unity in Diversity Parade down Market street to Penn’s Landing, where the Islamic Heritage Festival will take place, featuring games, speakers, health fair and global open market bazaar. Sat., June 13, 1-8pm. Free. The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, 101 Columbus Blvd. delawareriverwaterfront.com
The largest African-American Street Festival in the country features authentic crafts, goods and food from the African Diaspora. For the fest’s 40th anniversary, Odunde presents a performance by hiphop legends Kurtis Blow, Chubb Rock, Special Ed and Kwame. Sun., June 14, 10am-8pm. 23rd and South sts. odundefestival.org
Vendy Awards
The Zoo’s concert series kicks off on June 9 with Steve Pullara and the Cool Beans Band and continues throughout the summer with Ernie & Neal, Mister G and the Paisley Pickles. June 9-Aug. 18. Philadelphia Zoo, 11am. 3400 W. Girard Ave. philadelphiazoo.org
Competition for the best street food in Philly featuring more than 15 vendors, including Foolish Waffles, Flying Deutschman, UndrGrnd Donuts and Philly Fry. Sat., June 13, 1pm. $50 and up. JFK Bridge, JFK Boulevard from Schuykill Ave. to N. 20th St. vendyawards.streetvendor.org /philadelphia
West Park Arts Fest
Art for the Cash Poor
Performances by Renee Hines, Kyo Daiko, Lady Hoofers and DMNQ along with family-friendly fun. Sat., June 13, 11am-5pm. Free. 4021 Parkside Ave. westparkcultural.org/westparkartsfest
Block party open to artists, designers and crafters selling work under $199. Sat., June 13-Sun., June 14, noon-6pm. Crane Arts Building, 1400 N. American St. inliquid.org
Rock ‘N’ Roar at Philadelphia Zoo
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Philly Pride Parade and Festival Pride parade celebrating acceptance and culminating at Penn’s Landing with a festival featuring drinks, food, and Fran Drescher. Sun., June 14, Various locations. phillygaypride.org
Chestnut Hill Plein Air Fine artists painting and selling their work outdoors, along with chef demonstrations, arts & crafts and live music. Sun., June 14, 10am-3pm. 8600 Germantown Ave. chestnuthillpa.com
Night Market: Callowhill The Food Trust sets up their outdoor
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PW’s Summer Guide 2015
OUTDOORS | continued
Philly Pride Parade. (Photo by J.R. Blackwell)
dining fest in Callowhill with delicious street eats and a peek at the neighborhood’s art galleries, bars and restaurants. June 18, 6-10pm. 13th and Callowhill sts. thefoodtrust.org/night-market
Clark Park Music and Arts Festival Celebrate West Philly with live music, arts & crafts and family friendly activities. Sat., June 20, noon. Free. Clark Park, 43rd St. and Chester Ave. clarkparkfest. wordpress.com
Portuguese Festival The 21st annual Portuguese Festival offers a variety of traditional foods and wines, art, music and Portuguese crafts. Sat., June 21, 1-7pm. Free. The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, 101 Columbus Blvd. delawareriverwaterfront.com
Manayunk Arts Festival Manayunk hosts our area’s largest outdoor arts festival with 300 artists showcasing their work. Sat., June 20 & Sun., June 21, 11am. Free. Main Street, between Green and Shurs Lane. manayunk.com
Juneteenth Festival Commemorating the ending of slavery with re-enactors, historical exhibits, site tours and stage performances. Sat., June 20, 10am. Free. Germantown Ave. and Wister St. 6300gtownave.org/juneteenth/
Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll University City businesses along Baltimore Ave offer $1 bargains on food, drinks, crafts and neighborhood favorites. Thurs., June 25, 5:30-8:30pm. Baltimore Avenue, between 43rd and 51st sts. universitycity.org/baltimore-avedollar-stroll
Tall Ships Challenge Step aboard more than a dozen of the tallest ships in the world and see the world’s largest rubber ducky. Through June 28. $12-$150. 211 S. Columbus Blvd. tallshipsphiladelphia.com 18 | Philly Weekly | June 3-10, 2015 | philadelphiaweekly.com
JULY Wawa Hoagie Day Wawa celebrates our Independence with a 5-ton hoagie that will feed thousands of lucky Philadelphians. Thurs., July 2, noon. Free. Independence Visitor Center, 1 N. Independence Mall West. welcomeamerica.com
Equality Forum The epic LGBT summit features panel discussions, screenings, art exhibits, Sunday OUT! and more. July 2-5, Various locations. equalityforum.com
Wawa Welcome America Week-long celebration featuring movie screenings, fireworks and a July 4th concert hosted by The Roots, and performances by Miguel and Jennifer Nettles. Sat., July 4. Free. Ben Franklin Parkway. welcomeamerica.com
Bastille Day Festival Catch delicious Tastykakes as they’re thrown off the top of Eastern State Penitentiary and check out neighborhood restaurants offering French-cuisine specials. Sat., July 11, 5:30pm. Fairmount. easternstate.org/bastille-day
Hispanic Fiesta The Hispanic Fiesta celebrates Latin American culture with a mixture of music, dance, food and artisan crafts. July 11-12, 2-8pm. Free. The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, 101 Columbus Blvd. delawareriverwaterfront.com
Screening Under the Stars: The Wizard of Oz Catch a screening of the beloved classic outdoors on the big screen. Thurs., July 16, 8:30pm. Free. Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, 101 S. Columbus Blvd. delawareriverwaterfront.com
Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival Free outdoor fest celebrating the rich
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OUTDOORS | continued from previous page
history of jazz in Philadelphia with food trucks, vendors and a performance by Sonny Fortune. Sat., July 18, noon-7pm. Free. Penn Presbyterian, Saunders Park Greene, 39th St. and Powelton Ave. lancasteravejazzfest.com
Party in the Park Comedian Seth MacFarlane heads to the Mann for an outdoor cocktail party featuring the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Sat., July 18, 6pm. Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave. manncenter.org
Philadelphia Zoo Summer Ale Fest Sample more than 40 regional craft beers and local cuisine while gazing upon the majestic animals of the zoo. Sat., July 25, 6:30pm. $25-$90. Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Ave. philadelphiazoo.org
Philadelphia Craft Beer & Music Festival Unlimited sampling of more than 150 beers, live music, outdoor fire pits, games and giveaways. Sat., July 25, 2-7pm. XFINITY Live!, 1100 Pattison Ave. xfinitylive.com
East Passyunk Car Show & Street Festival Five blocks lined with more than 130 antique, vintage, classic, muscle, custom cars, trucks and motorcycles. Sun., July 26, 11am-4pm. Free. 1904 E. Passyunk Ave. visiteastpassyunk.com
Shakespeare in Clark Park: The Winter’s Tale Free outdoor performance of a Bard classic. Directed by Kittson O’Neill with puppetry by Aaron Cromie. July 29-Aug. 2. Free. Clark Park, 43rd St. and Chester Ave. shakespeareinclarkpark.org
Hemp Heals Festival Performances by Sublime with Rome, Rebelution, Pepper and Mickey Avalon. Fri., July 31. Festival Pier, 601 N. Columbus Blvd. hemphealsphilly.com
AUGUST Second Street Festival Neighborhood block party featuring workshops, art, food, beer gardens and more. Sun., Aug. 2, noon-10pm. North Second Street. 2ndstfestival.org
ACANA Festival The African Cultural Alliance of North America (ACANA) hosts an outdoor concert and African festival featuring dance performances, food and traditional clothing, arts and crafts. Sun., Aug.
PW’s Summer Guide 2015
STAGE Rosencrantz at the Wilma Theater. (Photo by Alexander Iziliaev)
2, 2-8pm. Free. The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, 101 Columbus Blvd. delawareriverwaterfront.com
Mad Decent Block Party The touring music fest stops in Philly with Flosstradamus, ILoveMakonnen, Jack U, Jauz, Nadus, Porter Robinson, Swizzymack, What So Not. Thurs., Aug. 6, 3:15pm. Festival Pier, 601 N. Columbus Blvd. maddecentblockparty.com
Night Market: Lancaster Avenue The festival heads to Lancaster Ave with a slew of food trucks, street eats and more. Aug. 6, 6-10pm. Lancaster Avenue. thefoodtrust.org/night-market
Festival of India Hosted by the Council of Indian Organizations, the Festival of India celebrates India’s Independence Day with traditional food, art, dance and more. Sat., Aug. 15, 1-7pm. Free. The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, 101 Columbus Blvd. delawareriverwaterfront.com
Caribbean Festival Celebrate the culture, music and food from 14 Caribbean islands with workshops and a traditional marketplace. Sun., Aug. 16, noon-8pm. Free. The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, 101 Columbus Blvd. delawareriverwaterfront.com
Screening Under the Stars: Guardians of the Galaxy Last summer’s blockbuster hit is screened outdoors on the waterfront. Thurs., Aug. 27, 8:30pm. Free. Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, 101 S. Columbus Blvd. delawareriverwaterfront.com
Philly Naked Bike Ride Take it all off for the annual bike ride that raises awareness about fuel consumption and promotes positive body image. Sat., Aug. 29, 3pm. phillynakedbikeride.org
Philly 10K Race through the heart of Philadelphia and finish with a post-race festival on South Street where runners will receive a PBC beer and Federal Donuts-infused shake shack custard. Sun., Aug. 30, 7:30am. 8th and South sts. thephilly10k. com
SEPTEMBER Made In America The massive music fest returns with a two-day set in Philly. Sept. 5-6. Ben Franklin Parkway. madeinamericafest.com n
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13 can’t-miss theater happenings BY BILL CHENEVERT
W
hile most of our fine local theater outfits take a break until the fall, opportunities to catch amazing productions on stages across the city still abound. Some dramas, comedies and dance performance series are just getting into the full swing of their respective runs, while others await your attendance in July and August. Don’t disappoint them! Here’s a preview of summer stage shows, in alphabetical order of the companies presenting them:
BalletX
This short series is all about Adam Hougland, a longtime collaborator with BalletX, and here, they’ll present three of his pieces: a brand new world premiere set to Philly-based Americana folk songwriter Chris Kasper, along with Mashup (2012) and Risk of Flight (2007). Hougland’s the principal choreographer for the Cincinnati and Louisville Ballets, but he’s been working with Philly for years. Commemorating BalletX’s first seasons as the resident dance company at the Wilma, Risk of Flight’s a little bit of nostalgia. And Mashup is an ‘80s send-up that fuses ballet with tap and jazz. Wed.,
July 8-through Sun., July 12. balletx.org
Bearded Ladies Cabaret
Somehow, the Bearded Ladies convinced the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to welcome them into their popup gardens for some impromptu performances, lovingly titled Bitter Homes & Gardens: A Botanical Hoe-Down. Dates
haven’t been nailed down yet, but look for a short late-June/early-July run of gender-bending and interactive theater. It appears that right in the middle of that run, they’ll do their annual Edith Piaf celebration at Eastern State Penitentiary. It’s a Fairmount tradition—and one not to be missed. beardedladiescabaret.com
Flashpoint Theatre Company
In its 11th season, Flashpoint’s cooked up what looks like one of the most compelling summer options in Hands Up: 6 Playwrights, 6 Testaments (Wed., June 10 through Sun., June 28), a world premiere commissioned by The New Black Fest, which explores being black in a modern, policed state rife with brutality. Later in the summer (Wed., July 15 through Sun., Aug. 2), they’ll do Lulu’s Golden Shoes by Pulitzer-winning author Quiara Algeria Hudes (In The Heights, Water by the Spoonful). This one’s about a North Philly barrio girl who idolizes her neighbor and her shoes in satirical, comic book-inspired fashion. flashpointtheatre.
org
Interact Theater Company
From the mind of Interact head honcho Seth Rozin comes The Three Christs of Manhattan, a witty and weird exploration of a “neurotic Jewish atheist psychiatrist” who gets visited by three iterations of Christ: one in dreadlocks, one in sandals and the other in a slim suit. It’s a riff on the ever-changing conceptual-
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PW’s Summer Guide 2015 ization of Christ that fixates Americans, and one that’ll no doubt get executed with characteristic dexterity. Now through
Sun., June 21. interacttheater.org
Koresh Dance Company
For three years strong now, Roni Koresh & Co. have pulled together fantastic dance companies—themselves included—from across the region for its Come Together Dance Festival, five enriching days of classes, performances, talks and workshops. Their homebase at the Suzanne Roberts houses almost all of it, and it’s a dance-lover’s dream come true. Wed., July
22 through Sun., July 26. koreshdance.org
Lantern Theater Company
The Hound of the Baskervilles is—and always will be—a Sir Arthur Conan Doyle crowning achievement. Sure, he’s essentially responsible for Sherlock Holmes and what we now consider to be modern crime fiction, but there’s nothing like the creepiness of the moors and the eerie, goosebump-inducing fright in this classic text, not far off from legends like Poe and Lovecraft. Now through Sun., June 28.
lanterntheater.org
Mauckingbird Theatre Company
Their highly anticipated Miss Cast 6 (Fri., Aug. 28), an annual treasure in the theater community, celebrates “songs sung by the wrong people.” It’s like a Mauckingbird pageant that gets as weird as you’d imagine. Philadelphia treasure Jennie Eisenhower hosts, and it’s a definite hoot. A beautifully fitting finale to the summer season, they’ll also stage a reading of Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart (Sat., Aug 29-Sun., Aug. 30), which was catapulted back into the zeitgeist last year with a gut-wrenching HBO rendering.
mauckingbird.org
Orbiter 3
We really can’t wait for this one. Orbiter is the crowd-funded magic of six local theater dynamos, and this play represents their first work for public consumption. James Ijames, Barrymore winner and playwright extraordinaire, leads us off with the Ed Sobel-directed Moon Man Walk, the story of Monarch’s return to Philly to bury his mother, discover truths about his absent father and fall in love along the way. Sat., June 27 through Sun.,
July 19. orbiter3.org
Pennsylvania Ballet
Keigwin, Fonte & Forsythe brings all kinds of new choreography to the stage in three never-before-seen dances—and maybe in ways you wouldn’t expect. Larry Keig22 | Philly Weekly | June 3-10, 2015 | philadelphiaweekly.com
STAGE | continued
win’s Canvas will be an atypical merging of contemporary dance with ballet; Thom Willems provides an electric soundtrack to William Forsythe’s work in The Second Detail, and what’s not to love about a Philip Glass-scored Nicolo Fonte moment in Grace Action? Thurs., June 11-Sun., June
14. paballet.org
Philadelphia Theater Company
Murder for Two is a musical whodunit that’s ideal for a lighthearted dinnerand-a-show date, billed as the “perfect blend of music, mayhem and murder!” Clue superfans know where to get their mystery fix this month. You may even feel flames, flames burning about your face, as twists and turns reveal themselves. Now through Sun., June 28.
philadelphiatheatrecompany.org
Shakespeare in Clark Park
It doesn’t get much better than this, friends. This year, it’s The Winter’s Tale. Celebrating 10 years of thankfully-free entertainment that celebrates the Bard, it’s a perennial summer favorite—especially for those on the periphery of one of Philly’s biggest and most beautiful park assets. You can always expect production surprises and dynamic staging. And it’s outside! Perfect for a family-friendly evening picnic. Wed., July 29-Sun., Aug.
2. shakespeareinclarkpark.org
Walnut Street Theater
Get your musical ya-yas out at the Walnut with two distinctly different productions. On the main stage is Memphis (now through Sun., July 12), a feel-good musical that steamrolls racism in midcentury America and does it with song. A mixed-race romance is the backbone of this Tennessee tale, but the Tonywinning musical’s much more than an integrationist Romeo & Juliet. Get some Irving Berlin worshiping in (now through Sun., June 28) with I Love A Piano, too.
walnutstreettheatre.org
The Wilma Theater
In 1966, early in Tom Stoppard’s career, he riffed off of Hamlet with a bit of absurdist, comedic meta-theater that earned the Broadway production four Tonys. The two titular characters, friends of the prince, lose and regain their identities, merge em’ together and crack us up along the way. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead gets direction from the justprevious Shakespeare classic’s Wilma team care of Blanka Ziska, with namesake characters filled out by Keith Conallen and Jered McLenigan respectively. Now through Sat., June 20. wilmatheater.org n
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PW’s Summer Guide 2015
FOOD & DRINK
It is time once again to drink outside A happy-hour expert’s top 10 places to sit & sip in the sun.
L
ike so many of us, I spent the winter drinking alone, hunkered down inside, often on my couch, because I couldn’t face the Arctic outside world. I’m pretty sure that, between Thanksgiving and St. Patrick’s Day, I drank twice my body weight in homemade Manhattans and Old Fashioneds, and grew weirdly obsessive about my citrus-peel-removal technique as the season dragged on. But now, with spring speeding by and summer having made an early appearance on the banks of the Schuylkill, I’m ready to start imbibing publicly again, and preferably outdoors. Luckily, there are plenty of options for doing so. Here are ten of my favorite, in no particular order. Morgan’s Pier. It’s not summer until Morgan’s Pier open up for business, and this year promises to be a standout in a string of notable runs. With Chef Nicholas Elmi at the helm and the Pier’s always stellar range of cocktails and beers, I plan on stopping by more often than is strictly healthy. And I’m okay with that. Le Cheri. This is one of the more lovely outdoor spaces in the city, made even more so by the stunning French food and amazing French and Swiss wines, as well as cocktails, all of which pretty much guarantees you’ll spend more time here than you initially plan on. Which is nothing to complain about. Frankford Hall. Beer in the great outdoors? Beer cocktails as the day bleeds into the evening? A happy 26 | Philly Weekly | June 3-10, 2015 | philadelphiaweekly.com
BY BRIAN FREEDMAN
hour that includes $3 sausages and $2 pretzels? Ja, das ist gut! Lo Spiedo. With its generous outdoor space and a happy hour menu that includes $1 grilled wings, $4 meatdripped polenta cornbread, and $3 ribs, not to mention the restaurant’s always excellent selection of cocktails, this is a spot more than worthy of the drive to get there. Bing Bing Dim Sum. It can get crowded inside, what with everyone clamoring for the creatively constructed menu here and the swirl of staff running plates and cocktails, but the outside seating offers a bit more calm. Which is good, because happy hour will get your heart racing: Pan-fried bao, fried cauliflower and more, paired up with a bartender’s-choice $5 cocktail, $10 family pitchers, and more make this a necessary stop on any outdoor-drinking tour of Philly. Drury Beer Garden. Opa has been a standout destination for Greek food since it opened several years ago. Now, with the Drury Beer Garden, it has solidified its place as one of the city’s top destinations for drinking al fresco. Look for a fantastic selection of craft domestic canned beers and classic outdoor treats like corn on the cob, pork sandwich, a Vidalia onion fritter and more. City Tap House, University City. This year-round destination is even more appealing now that the weather is warmer and the outdoor patio is in full swing. Check the web site for an amazing lineup of events in the com-
ing months. On June 4, for example, the team here will be bringing in what they refer to on their site as a “GIANT INFLATABLE POOL” (caps their own) and the great beers of Victory and Firestone-Walker. Sounds pretty much perfect to me. Sancho Pistola’s. With happy hour deals including $17 sangria and margarita pitchers and $2 cans of Tecate, this is a great option for getting your outdoor drink on. I’d also recommend checking out the web site to see all of the upcoming events (the Too Many Cooks Beer Dinner looks particularly excellent), and then getting there early to throw a few back while waiting the festivities to begin. American Sardine Bar. Another great destination with an outdoor space that deserves wider recognition, ASB is set to take full advantage of its patio this summer not just with its happy hour deals, but also with plenty of grilling. June 6th will be the Oskar Blue’s Rodeo (what the site describes as “a veritable rib-fest”), but it’s worth stopping by any—or every—other day, too. Tria, Fitler Square. Whenever I walk by any of the Tria locations, and see guests enjoying the day either from their cozy inside seats or in the city’s sun, I find myself completely envious. This one, on Fitler Square, embodies everything that makes all of them so beloved: Excellent food, great service, and a fantastic beverage program. n
S:9.75”
To Be A PerfecT PArenT. There are thousands of kids in foster care who will take you just the way you are.
AdoptUSKids.org
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PW’s Summer Guide 2015
MOVIES
Take a risk on some odd summer flicks
T
his summer’s movie schedule is so carefully tentpoled you could host Cirque du Soleil in it: The next Jurassic Park installment follows the latest Mad Max and Pitch Perfect in the sequel game, and Marvel’s hurling as many origin stories as it can ahead of the next Captain America. (We don’t necessarily recommend the Edgar Wright-abandoned Ant-Man; Fantastic Four is a judgment call.) But what if you want something a little different? A guide to some of summer’s quieter flicks, including some big risks and the occasional excuse to sit in air conditioning for two hours.
Mad Max: Fury Road (May): Sure, it’s out already, but we loved it last week, we still love it, and if you haven’t seen it, you should: lean on dialogue, overflowing with practical effects, and with a thrashing guitar-and-drum soundtrack that’s largely diegetic, thanks to the most hilarious ride-along musician of the year. Make sure your screening’s in 2D, so the supersaturated desert really sinks in. Testament of Youth (June): This World War I drama was a centerpiece of the London Film Festival in 2014, and follows nurse Vera Brittain’s time on the front lines, emotionally anchored by Alicia Vikander’s second star turn this year. Around her, a handful of the United Kingdom’s fine ensemble actors gather to do well and check off more squares on their Also Worked With bingo cards. A Little Chaos (June): Alan Rickman moves behind the camera for this drama about the fight to design the gardens at Versailles. Judging from The Winter Guest, his directorial efforts are secretly cinematic essays about how much he likes former costars (first Emma Thompson, now Kate Winslet), which could be more interesting than the court intrigue, Heaven Knows What (June): This intense indie from the Safdie brothers is designed to make you uncomfortable: it stars amateur actor Arielle Holmes reenacting some of her own experiences as an addict, in a cast that blends amateurs with pros (like Caleb Landry Jones, bringing his usual weirdo intensity as Holmes’ boyfriend). Dope (June): A decidedly more lighthearted drug movie, this diverse high 28 | Philly Weekly | June 3-10, 2015 | philadelphiaweekly.com
school comedy follows a nerd in LA who ends up having to sell drugs, because girls.
Magic Mike XXL (pictured, July): Listen, you already know if you’re going to see this or not. We respect your decision.
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (July): The Film Society’s making the most of summer with a mini-revival of this bittersweet musical that’s influenced dozens of movies since. If you haven’t seen in the big screen, what are you waiting for? (Too cutesy/not cutesy enough? Hit up Clueless instead. It’s just as fun as when you left it.)
Mr. Holmes (July): Sir Ian McKellen plays a retired Sherlock, coming to terms with his humanity—probably while solving a mystery, let’s be honest—and Laura Linney plays his housekeeper Mrs. Munro. If that cast doesn’t interest you, the movie’s being sued for complicated public-domain reasons, so maybe the scandal will.
American Ultra (August): If you watch only one movie this summer in which a pair of stoners must outwit a government plot, you might as well watch this one, which at least has Kristen Stewart in it. After Clouds of Sils Maria, you’ll want to follow her career a little better, anyway – an early start on that hipster cred when she starts winning acting awards.
Carmen (August): The Film Society knows that the best way to beat the heat during summer’s new-release cinema graveyard is watching a little of Bizet’s finest play out with some hot-rod staging. Help yourself. —GENEVIEVE VALENTINE
MUSIC
| Tweet us your show pics: @phillyweekly
pine Barons
Top 10 ShowS ARoUND phILLY ThIS wEEK
1
Dan Mangan + Jessica hernandez and The Deltas + pine Barons + Foxtrot & The Get Down + John Vettese June 3 at Milkboy Philly. Communion Philadelphia’s latest residency features another motley mix of top-notch talent. milkboyphilly.com
2
LoUDS + The Extraordinaires + Fiancé June 4 at Boot & Saddle.
3
Indigenous + Selwyn Birchwood June 5 at Ardmore
4
Michael Franti & Spearhead + The Soul Rebels June 5 at Elec-
If More People Bought Art More People Would Buy Art, the headliners’ bouyant, brilliant debut EP, is due out this day. bootandsaddlephilly.com
Music Hall. Mato Nanji’s an amazing musician and able advocate for his Natoka Nation tribe. Bet he and Birchwood have a killer B.B. King tribute in store. ardmoremusic.com
tric Factory. Activism away from the stage is part of what makes Franti such a force. On stage, he and his brethren powerfully personify peace and passion. electricfactory.info
5
Behn Gillece June 5 at Chris’
Jazz Cafe. His bold new album, Mindset, is a resonant reminder of how intregral adriotly-played vibraphones are to really good jazz. chrisjazzcafe.com
6
Beanie Sigel June 6 at Theatre of Living Arts. Ol’ boy’s still riding high from State Property’s surprise mini-reunion with Jay-Z at his B-Sides concert a couple weeks ago. tlaphilly.com
7
Ross Bellenoit + Madalean Gauze + Morgan pinkstone
June 6 at Johnny Brenda’s. The affable axeman-songwriter’s The Wreckage dropped nearly a month ago, so this performanceparty’s long overdue. johnnybrendas.com
8
Charlie wilson + KEM + Joe
June 7 at the Mann Center. No disrespect to the junior crooners on this bill, but c’mon: Even they know Uncle Charlie’s the lone reason to be here. manncenter.org
9
The B-52s June 7 at Keswick Theatre. Next year, Athens’ peerless new wave legends celebrate their 40th (!) anniversary, and their flavor hasn’t lessened one iota. keswicktheatre.com
10
Belle and Sebastian + Lucius June 9 at Tower
Theater. Nearly 20 years and nine LPs in, these Stuart Murdoch-led rabblerousers still thrill. The acclaimed five-piece from Brooklyn opens. thetowerphilly.com philadelphiaweekly.com | June 3-10, 2015 | Philly Weekly | 29
ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT WILDFIRES.
SMOKEYBEAR.COM
Looking for Classifieds? See page 32. 30 | Philly Weekly | June 3-10, 2015 | philadelphiaweekly.com
SAVAGE LOVE
by Dan Savage | Twitter: @FakeDanSavage
Better late than never? A cheater wants to tell the truth—all of it.
I
’m a 35-year-old divorced man. I’ve been on plenty of dates since my marriage ended, but I invariably get asked this question on or before date #2: “Why did you get divorced?” I’m honest: “We got divorced because I cheated on my wife. A lot.” This usually catches my date off guard because I’m “not the kind of guy I’d have thought could do that.” But I can hardly get past date #2 after this, because this information is “too much to handle.” Sometimes my dates will admit to having cheated too. Not even other cheaters are interested in seeing me again. I was a good husband and father for seven years. But after four sexless years of marriage, I strayed. Crying myself to sleep every night took its toll, and I self-medicated with casual sex with attractive women. Two years and 20 women later, I got caught. I don’t hide the facts; I own my mistakes. I’ve grown and learned from my mistakes. But it’s hard for most women to see past “cheater.” —Forthright About Cheating, Then Silence I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt, FACTS, and assume that mistreatment, neglect and stress didn’t extinguish your wife’s libido. (You weren’t shitty to your wife, right? You were helping with the kids, right?) I’m also going to assume that you made a good-faith effort to address the sexless state of your marriage before you began self-medicating with all those beautiful women. (You sought counseling and got medical checkups, right?) And I’m going to allow for the possibility that your wife may have married you under false pretenses, i.e., she wasn’t into sex or you or both, but she wanted marriage and kids and figured you would do. (I’m going to allow for that because that shit happens.) These favorable assumptions—of the kind typically extended to persons seeking advice in a format like this—don’t exonerate you of all responsibility for cheating on your wife. But if they’re accurate, FACTS, they do put your cheating in a particular guilt-mitigating context. And that’s what you need to do when you answer that question about why your marriage ended: Put your cheating in context. Most people intuitively understand that wedding vows aren’t sexual suicide pacts and are capable of feeling sympathy for those who find themselves in sexless marriages. But instead of emphasizing the context in which you cheated—the emotional dynamics of your marriage, those long sexless years— you’re emphasizing the breakdick pace at which you cheated and the quality of the pussy you landed. “I cheated! A lot! With 20 beautiful women!” is one telling of the truth, FACTS, but it’s not the most flattering telling of the truth (for you) or the most comforting telling of
the truth (for your date). Instead of saying, “I cheated with 20 women, all of them babes. I banged the living shit out of each and every one of them!” which makes you sound more boastful than remorseful, try saying something like this: “After four sexless years of marriage, I strayed. It was the wrong thing to do, but I was desperate. The cheating ended my marriage, which obviously needed to end, but it’s not something I ever want to do again.” Omit the detail about the number of women you cheated with while emphasizing your determination to avoid making the same mistake in your next committed relationship. Tell your date that you are looking for a strong sexual connection (and other things) with someone you can communicate with about sex (and other things). Because you’re not a cheater—not anymore. I’m a 36-year-old female who has been reading you for the better part of 20 years. That’s why when my formerly lovely husband descended into a hellish depression that turned our 10year marriage into a loveless, sexless, miserable thing, I knew what I had to do. I couldn’t get out for various financial, personal and practical reasons, so I began an emotionally fulfilling, sanity-saving affair with a married man in the same situation. My emotional and sexual needs are getting met for the first time in years. The problem is that when we are together, my mind goes to how much I wish we could both chuck our marriages and be together all of the time. Do you have any advice for keeping from mentally going to “happily ever after” when you are trying to stay balanced in marriage-saving-affair land? —Secret Affair Necessary Escape An affair doesn’t come bundled with the same crap that a marriage does, SANE, so your time with Happy Affair Man isn’t burdened by mental and/or physical health crises, just as it’s not roughed up by ever-festering conflicts about money or chores or kids or all of the above. So let’s say you left Depressed Husband Man for Happy Affair Man, and he left his wife for you. How long would it be before you and Second Husband Man were facing down some similar crap or brand-new crap? Probably not long. You might be happier, but you won’t be happilyever-after happier because no one ever is. The subject is moot, of course, if you’re not in a position to end your marriage and Happy Affair Man isn’t either. n
There’s more Savage Love!
Read more at ph.ly/savage Ask a question: mail@savagelove.net
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