Ari Hest with Julian Velard
Wednesday, 10/29/2008@ 8PM

What:   Ari Hest left his label at Columbia Records and has since been working on 52 songs that he will independently release in 52 weeks, they will be on his next studio album in 2009. Joined by songwriter and storyteller Julian Velard who has been compared to artists like Elvis Costello and Elton John. Also, a performance by Marianne Keith.

Where:   World Cafe Live, Upstairs Live 3025 Walnut St Philadelphia, PA

Cost:   Advance $15 | Day of $17

Dracula Festival
Wednesday, 10/22/2008 to Wednesday, 10/29/2008@ 6PM

What:   The 6th Annual Dracula Festival is kicked-off with a reading and book signing by Leslie Klinger, the author of the New Annotated Dracula, and follows with events such as a Dracula Puppet Parade and an exhibition of the original research notes and outlines for Dracula

Where:   Rosenbach Museum & Library @ 2008-2010 Delancey Place Philadelphia, PA

Cost:   $10 adults | $8 seniors | $5 students | free for children under 5

www.rosenbach.org/programs/releasethebats.html

Gee's Bend
Tuesday, 09/16/2008 to Sunday, 12/14/2008@ Tues-Sun, 10AM-5PM; Fridays, until 8:45PM

What: See the truly extraordinary creations by members of the Gee's Bend community in Alabama. This exhibition of quilts made in the unique, African-American tradition, includes some from the early 20th century as well as very recent work.

Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th St. & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA

Cost: $14/adults, $12/Seniors (65+), $10/Students, 13-18, Free/12 and under

James Castle Retrospective
Tuesday, 10/14/2008 to Friday, 01/09/2009@ NA

What:   The Philadelphia Museum of Art will present the first comprehensive museum exhibition of the art of James Castle (1899-1977), one of the most enigmatic and remarkable self-taught artists to emerge in the United States during the 20th century.

Where:    Philadelphia Museum of Art (26th Street & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway)

Cost:  $7 adults $5 students

Making a Scene
Wednesday, 10/29/2008@ 10PM-2AM

What:   Socialite Scott hosts a night of fashion, music, and glam at the Vango Lounge. DJ Michael Anderer will heat up the night with dance beats while Philadelphia's fashion experts take over the dance floor.

Where:   Vango Lounge and Skybar @ 116 S. 18th St Philadelphia, PA

Cost:   free

Museum of Art:
Saturday, 09/27/2008 to Sunday, 12/28/2008@ 6 PM

What:  19th century artist Thomas Chambers' 15 prints will be displayed including American Marine and Landscape Painter.

Where: Museum of Art

Cost: $19

Natalie Walker
Wednesday, 10/29/2008@ 9PM

What:   Check out Natalie Walker's CD release show  of "As Human" at Johnny Brendas as well as have the chance to watch the World Series game 6 (if necessary) downstairs.

Where:   Johnny Brendas. 1201 N. Frankford Ave. Philadelphia, PA (Frankford and Girard Aves)

Cost:   $10 | all ages

Poetry Contest
Monday, 09/22/2008 to Saturday, 11/01/2008

What: Thoughts Kept Hidden Publishing Company encourages you to submit your poetry and gain some recognition for your well-deserving talent. $1000 cash grand prize as well as opportunities for 20 poets to have their work published in an upcoming book.

Where: Submit no later than Nov. 1 via email to thoughtskepthidden@yahoo.com or check out thoughtskepthidden.com/. You can also mail poems to PO Box 25150, Philadelphia, PA, 19147

Cost: Free

Real Pirates
Saturday, 05/31/2008 to Sunday, 11/02/2008@ Mon-Tues: 9AM-5PM, Wed-Sat: 9AM-8PM, Sun: 9AM-7PM

What: Fulfill all of your unrealized childhood fantasies with a look at the world's first exhibition of authentic pirate treasure. The Real Pirates Exhibition, produced by National Geographic, displays over 200 artifacts from Whydah- a real pirate ship discovered off of the coast of Cape Cod.

Where: The Franklin Institute, 222 N 20th St., Philadelphia, PA

Cost: Varies, see www2.fi.edu/exhibits/traveling/pirates/tickets.php for more information.

Group pricing can be found here. or by calling 1.800.285.0684

Tickets can also be found at www.ticketmaster.com

Terror Behind the Walls
Friday, 09/19/2008 to Sunday, 11/02/2008@ 7P.M. to 10P.M. weeknights, 7P.M. to 11P.M. Fridays & Sundays, 7P.M. to 12A.M. Saturdays

What:    Called “perfect for Halloween” by the New York Times and ranked No. 5 in the nation by A.O.L. Digital City, Terror Behind the Walls is the region’s premier haunted attraction - a special, spooky Halloween tour of Eastern state Penitentiary.

Where:    Easter State Penitentiary, 22nd and Fairmount Ave

Cost:    $20 Monday through Thursday; $25 Fridays and Sundays; $30 Saturdays

The Hotel Cafe Tour 2008
Wednesday, 10/29/2008@ 6PM

What:   Some of the biggest female names in indie songwriting come together in one tour. Meiko, Thao Nguyen, Rachel Yamagata, and Samantha Crain just to name a few.

Where:    World Cafe Live, Downstairs Live @ 3025 Walnut St Philadelphia, PA

Cost:   $20

www.thehotelcafetour.com/

The Urban Archives
Monday, 10/13/2008 to Friday, 01/30/2009@ Monday-Friday, 8:30AM-5PM

What: The 10-million item Urban Archives collection held at Temple University's Paley Library holds exclusive insight into the city of Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley, from the 18th to 20th centuries. The collection includes print materials and visual media and the opening of the Manuscript Collection will offer incredible knowledge on the political and community organizations in Philadelphia.

Where: Samuel Paley Library, Temple University; 1210 W. Berks Street, Philadelphia, PA

Cost: N/A; All Ages

Tokyo Police Club
Wednesday, 10/29/2008@ 8PM

What:   What can easily be mistaken as yet another emo band, Tokyo Police Club delves deep into the emotions of youth with their lyrics. Performing with them is cyborg pop band Mobius, who uses electronics and sampled strings to entice the listener.

Where:   The First Unitarian Church. 2125 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA. (22nd and Chestnut)

Cost:   $12 in advance, $14 at door | all ages

www.r5productions.com