Here is my totally biased and personally endorsed calendar of things to check out this week in Philly.
Let me know if you’re headed out to one, and maybe I’ll come too! And, don’t forget about my two upcoming shows:
Cris Valkyria, as shot by me at the Northstar Bar, earlier this summer.
Wednesday 9/1
What: Amazing local indie rock!
Who: Post Post
Where: 7:00pm, Rittenhouse Square Park, Free!
Why: Filmstar split a bill with Post Post earlier this summer, and Post Post blew me away. Like a cross between Built to Spill & Thao w/the Get Down Stay Down. They will NOT be playing free shows in Philly for long, so get on it now!
Thursday 9/2
What: 90s-esque girl rock!
Who: Cris Valkyria & The Opponents
Where: 8:30pm, The Tin Angel, $8
Why: I was dumbstruck when I first heard the typically acoustic Cris with this fantastic backing band. Shades of Heather Nova, Bjork, Alanis, and Elvish Costello, among others.
Friday 9/3 (I’ll Be There!)
What: Gallery show opening & entrancing music
Who: Jennifer Vessells & Dante Bucci
Where: 5:30pm, Muse Gallery, 52 North 2nd Street, Free!
Why: Jennifer is an amazing visual artist whose paintings I completely lose myself in; Dante is a hypnotic hang drum player who I’m splitting a show with later this month.
Britt Miller's "Pieces of My Heart"
Friday 9/3 (I’ll Be There!)
What: Gallery show, drinks, & mingling!
Who: Britt Miller, my arty partner in FAME
Where: 5-9pm, Drink Philly Office & Gallery, 239 Chestnut St., 2Flr. B
Why: Britt and I keep each other on the path to fame, and this is one of the many gallery shows that are on her road this year. Plus, free food and drinks. Be there!
Friday 9/3
What: Chunky folk riffs!
Who: Andra Taylor supports Charlie Phillips
Where: 7:30pm, Burlap and Bean, Newton Square, PA
Why: Andra is one of my favorite people to split a bill with – if you share my love of Ani DiFranco and Patty Griffin you’ll adore her.
Friday 9/3 – Monday 9/6
What: World premiere play!
Who: Gina & Ocelot on a Leash Theater Company
Where: 3/4 @ 8pm & 5/6 @2pm, The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street, $10
Why: My musical other half Gina Martinelli costars in Prudence, a play by one of my former directors Mary Ellen Cosaboon. I got a sneak preview of this last fall, and it’s a legitimately funny – not some freaky unintelligible Fringe-fest-thing.
Saturday, 9/4
What: Local CD release!
Who: Boy Wonder
When: 7:00pm, World Cafe Live, $10
Why: Boy Wonder is a crazy-amazing songwriter – every one of his tunes is immediately catchy with some wicked guitar interludes. Also, one of the nicest dudes I have met in the Philly music scene.
Saturday, 9/4
What: Chill acoustic tunes!
Who: Bill McConney
When: 9pm, Myra’s Place, 615 Macdade Blvd, Collingdale, PA
Why: Bill’s folk riffs and legato baritone voice are sometimes a dead ringer for Nick Drake, but the songs are all his own.