Philadelphia premiere of Azuka Theatre’s “Act A Lady”
The men of a small Prohibition-era town decide to stage a play dressed in “fancy-type, women-type clothes.” As the production begins to take shape, gender lines blur, eyebrows raise, identities explode and life and art are forever entangled. “Act A Lady” is a thoughtful and exuberant Midwestern fable about the woman in every man, the man in every woman and the power of theater to uncover both. Accompanied by accordion.
Thursday, Nov. 3-20
First Baptist Church at 1636 Sansom St.
Tickets: $15-27
www.azukatheatre.org
Two Brothers — Two Profiles: Ira and Len Upin
Projects Gallery is pleased to present Two Brothers — Two Profiles, featuring Ira and Len Upin. Ira, a Philadelphia-based artist, is known for his provocative, figurative juxtapositions rendered with awe-inspiring skill and frequently challenging narratives. New to Philadelphians is Len Upin, who made a series of expressive and arresting images that, though based on a photographic reference, plunge the viewer into the torment and angst of the human spirit as the body and mind wrestle with sickness and a near-death experience.
The force of these powerful works, in the simple language of black and white in the tradition of Rembrandt and Lucian Freud etchings, engages the viewer in the artist’s unrelenting struggle with mortality. This confrontation brings the artist’s emotions into the empathetic core of his audience, allowing us all to ponder this mythic plane. His subjects are himself, family and friends. His results are arresting glimpses into our deepest felt desires. One does not feel pity for the struggling artist but rather anguish for mankind itself and the fleeting nature that is life and the torment of the unknown, which is its inevitable conclusion.
The Projects Gallery at 629 N. 2nd St.
Nov. 4-26
www.projectsgallery.com
Yannick conducts “Pines of Rome”
Be there when Yannick Nezet-Seguin, the next music director of The Philadelphia Orchestra, conducts Italian-inspired classics. Yannick conducts Tchaikovsky’s searing “Francesca da Rimini” and Respighi’s thrilling “The Pines of Rome,” with brass blazing from the four corners of the Kimmel Center.
Thursday, Nov. 10 through Saturday, Nov. 12 at 8 p.m.
www.philorch.org
Philly Zine Fest 2011
The Philly Zine Fest showcases local artists and zinesters, as well as zine distros, bringing DIY, radical, whimsical and artistic small-press publications to the public. Ranging from bike repair to poetry to crafts, the Zine Fest is a great place to go to learn new things, connect with local writers and get involved with creating new forms of accessible media. See the list of this year’s participants at www.phillyzinefest.com.
The Rotunda at 40th and Walnut streets
Sunday, Nov. 13, 12-6 p.m.
Admission: free
www.therotunda.org
An Evening with Alash
Alash ensemble is a quartet of master throat singers (xoomeizhi) from Tuva, a tiny republic in the heart of Central Asia. The ancient art of throat singing (xoomei) developed among the nomadic herdsmen of this region. Alash remains grounded in this tradition while expanding its musical vocabulary with new ideas from the West.
All members of Alash were trained in traditional Tuvan music since childhood, first learning from their families and later becoming students of master throat singers. Alash’s inaugural U.S. tour was sponsored in 2006 by the Open World Leadership program of the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Arts. Since then, they have returned to tour extensively, playing to enthusiastic audiences and presenting workshops to eager students of all ages.
Both the Alash ensemble and individual members have consistently won top honors in throat singing competitions. The ensemble was awarded first prize in Tuva’s International Xoomei Symposium competition in 2004. At the Fifth International Xoomei Symposium in 2008, three Alash musicians swept the top prizes for individual throat singing, and the fourth took top honors for his duet performance with his wife.
The Rotunda at 40th and Walnut street
Sunday, Nov. 13 at 8:30 p.m.
Admission: free
www.therotunda.org
Philadelphia Produces Original Design
This holiday season, art lovers stumped to find gifts for everyone on their list will enjoy one-stop shopping at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Store with eclectic finds showcased at Philadelphia Produces Original Design (P.POD), a pop-up bazaar created by artist, designer, author/illustrator and proud Philadelphian Alex Stadler. Inspired by the risd|works store, which exclusively stocks items designed by Rhode Island School of Design alumni, P.POD will only showcase items designed or produced in Philadelphia. This community-oriented pop-up store will occupy a 300-square-foot footprint within the Museum Store’s central retail space, selling Philadelphian products ranging from $30 to $3,000.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art at 26th Street and Benjamin
Franklin Parkway
Friday, Nov. 11-Dec. 31
www.philamuseum.org