These all appeared in the Calendar section of Philadelphia Weekly throughout the summer of 2011.
Ghosts Among Our Graves
Even if you don’t believe in ghosts, we’ve all seen something that just didn’t make sense at one point or another. There are plenty of ghost-hunting shows and movies dedicated to the phenomenon; there’s definitely entertainment, and a little bit of excitement, in the possibilities. Here’s your chance to be a part of that action, whether you truly believe or are a hopeless skeptic, by joining Free Spirit Paranormal Investigators as they reveal their findings of an investigation of the Lauren Hill Cemetery. The cemetery, which was founded in 1835, is a historic part of Philadelphia and holds the graves of numerous prominent people, from local leaders like Rittenhouse and Widener to national historic heroes such as Civil War-era generals and even Titanic passengers. With all these souls in one cemetery together, the members of the FSPI sought to uncover the haunted side of all this history and are sharing their revealing investigations. Explore the cemetery’s “most active sections” while learning about types of hauntings, electromagnetic fields and psychic protection, which is always a useful skill. -Kristin Toussaint
Read more: http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/arts-and-culture/Calendar-July-6-12-125069639.html#ixzz2DTfibCbH
Maps & Atlases
In an age where even our iTunes feels the need to apply a genre to all music, Maps & Atlases elude all classifications by incorporating everything from folk to experimental to progressive and math rock, all while continuing to prove their music knows no bounds. After their self-released EP Tree, Swallows, Houses in 2006, mthey released another self-recorded EP, You and Me and the Mountain, two years later before signing with Barsuk Records. They spent most of 2009 working on their long-awaited first full-length album. Perch Patchwork debuted June 2010 with interesting time signature changes, highly addictive pop-influenced melodies and Philadelphia-native Dave Davison’s distinct and confident voice. Maps & Atlases will leave you satisfied while wondering what could be next. -K.T.
6:30pm. $29. With RX Bandits + Zechs Marquise. TLA, 334 South St. 215.922.1011. livenation.com
Florence + the Machine
With powerful lungs and positive lyrics, Florence + the Machine belted onto the music scene with their passionate and instantly popular hit “Dog Days Are Over,” appearing on their A Lot of Love, A Lot of Blood EP and their album Lungs, both released in 2009. After winning the 2009 Critics Choice Award at the Brits, Florence hopped across the pond and performed the song at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, capturing the crowd with her strong vocals and fiery red hair. Florence evokes strong emotions with her voice, saying on her website she wants her music to “sound like throwing yourself out of a tree, or off a tall building, or as if you’re being sucked down into the ocean and you can’t breathe.” Mission accomplished. -Kristin Toussaint
8pm. $42. Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing, 301 Columbus Blvd. 215.923.0387. livenation.com
Pizzalympics
More than 20 local pizza parlors put their pies to the test this week at the third annual Pizzalympics. Sample as many slices as you want from places like Chickie’s and Pete’s, SliCE and Napoli Pizza and rate them on best crust or best Sicilian slice. Philadelphia Entertainment Co.’s DJ Russ Ferrante will be kicking tunes to help you burn off all that cheesy goodness and there will be givaways and a raffles to benefit the Katie Kirlin Fund, an organization to foster participation in wheelchair sports for children in the Philadelphia area. Food, free stuff and a fundraiser—the Olympic gods would be so proud. -Kristin Toussaint
6pm. $10. Penn’s Landing Caterers, 1301 S. Columbus Blvd. southphillyreview.com
Read more: http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/arts-and-culture/Calendar-July-20-26-125831588.html#ixzz2DTgJY2Et
Flea Market Madness
Sifting through piles of antiques and crafts to discover that ultimate flea market find can be maddening, but this Sunday Flea Market Madness will make the whole experience a lot more enjoyable. With 200 inside tables featuring vintage clothing, handcrafted jewelry, antiques and even repurposed furniture, hundreds of vendors will be laying everything out for the taking. Get there early—it’s set to start at 10 a.m.—to score the best flea market finds. -Kristin Toussaint
10am-3pm. 461 N. Ninth St. 609.589.3300
Man Man
“In their lost divinity, Man Man took up residence in Philadelphia, perhaps because of the Sweet Philly sound, Noam Chomsky, the water Sun Ra was drinking, Charles Barkley’s elbows, the excellence of the Philly lacrosse team or Rocky or Betsy Ross or John Coltrane. Or maybe it was its close proximity to South Jersey,” says the bio on the experimental band’s Facebook, which released their fourth full-length album Life Fantastic in May. Honus Honus, Pow Pow, Chang Wang and the rest of the gang continue to bring the bizarre with even more unsettling lyrics (the track “Haute Tropique” tells the story of a woman who disliked her children so much that she “hacked them up with an old machete and threw a party with dead daughter confetti”) and a variety of instruments—the usual guitars and drums along with squeaky toys, chopsticks, cap guns and … stuffed frogs? Whatever, it works. These slightly unsettling songs will definitely get stuck in your head. -Kristin Toussaint
8pm. $14. With West Philadelphia Orchestra + Grandchildren. Trocadero, 1003 Arch St. 215.922.6888. thetroc.com
High Point Market
The High Point Cafe at the historic Allens Lane Train Station (in the West Mt. Airy Section of Philadelphia) boasts its old Victorian charm with modern, tasty treats like handmade pastries and made-to-order crepes. This Sunday, celebrate local crafts and urban farmers with live music and a street fair that takes over outside the cafe. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., you can peruse the vendors who all make their own items or grow their crops within Philadelphia city limits, and enjoy a concert while sipping on the “best espresso in town.” K.T.
10am. Allens Lane Train Center, 7210 Cresheim Rd. 215.248.1900. highpointcafe.us.com
Memory Tapes
Memory Tapes are one of those bands that create dreamy electro soundscapes with pop approachability and a whole lot of nostalgia and melancholy wrapped in a fuzzy, reverb haze. New Jersey native Dayve Hawk—the brainchild behind this chillwave, synth-tastic goodness and former frontman of Philadelphia-based rock band Hail Social—first released material under the monikers “Memory Cassette” and “Weird Tapes” before combing the two and releasing Memory Tapes’ first LP, Seek Magic, in September 2009. Now their second full-length, Player Piano, released in July, will have this slow-pulsed electronica pumping through your veins, mellowing you out and making you understand the simplicity of singing out “this is uh-huh.” -Kristin Toussaint
8pm. $10-12. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave. 215.739.9684. johnnybrendas.com
Philly Market Street Book Expo
If you love books—whether reading, writing or smelling the pages—head down to the Market Street Book Expo to celebrate literature and its authors in all its glory. With workshops and panel discussions like “Writing My First Book” or “Starting a Community Nonprofit,” this year’s theme of “Empowering a New Generation Through Pages” will definitely hit its mark. The expo puts a special focus on the African-American genre with more than 20 black authors revealing their latest releases in an open discussion with their fans. Suavv magazine will host a special event at the expo called the “Philly Author Ambassador.” This year’s “Philly Author Ambassador” is Solomon Jones, who will be on hand to discuss his journey as a bestselling author. -Kristin Toussaint
10am. $5. First Unitarian Church, Griffin Hall, 2125 Chestnut St. 267.797.7173.
Male Bonding
Male Bonding is either a term to describe a bunch of bros hanging out or a noise rock band made up of three bros from London, England, but we’re here to talk about the latter. After releasing their debut album Nothing Hurts last year, they’ve been preparing for their follow up album Endless Now, which drops this month. Male Bonding have been bonding with female groups as well, such as their 7-inch single with Dum Dum Girls titled “Pay For Me / Before It’s Gone” and a collaboration with Vivian Girls on their track “Worse to Come” off Nothing Hurts. With MB’s super catchy, fast fuzzy sound, you’ll find yourself bonding with everyone around you. -Kristin Toussaint
8pm. $10. With Love Inks + Break it Up. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St. 215.291.4919.
kungfunecktie.com
Kristin Toussaint 