Mailboxes Are Vanishing

All over Philadelphia, U.S. Postal Service mailboxes are vanishing.

Tracking the Wild Phanatic

IN THE INTEREST OF SCIENCE I’ve been chasing down all appearances of the rare and notoriously wild “Phanatic” species in this city. Though one has yet to be credibly spotted outside Philadelphia, they’re apparently breeding/multiplying within these environs. I’ve photographed several, and will soon enough post those photos on this blog as proof. Phanatics are known to have a love of hotdogs, baseball, and the City of Brotherly Love. They are large, furry, somewhat goofy looking and usually green in color. Please report all sightings and/or encounters with this animal to this blog, so I can follow up.

CAUTION: Phanatics are known to be boisterous but gentle creatures, but can become hostile in the presence of New York Yankees logos. If you see a Phanatic—especially if you confront one face-to-face—to ensure your safety repeat over and over, “Go Phils! Go Phils! Go Phils!”

Experimental Dead End

Last week at Liberty Place and the Kimmel Center were appearances of something called "Man vs. Machine"-- a performance of the Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Daniel Spalding, together with Partiall Artificial Musicians. From what I saw of it, the result was horrendous. Memories of the recent movie "Untitled" flashed through my head.

The project is a typical intelligentsia attempt to revive a moribund art. The same thing occurs in literature. An art form isn't connecting with the public, so they move farther AWAY from that public while attempting to engage it. Inept cluelessness. The intellectual placed over humanity, emotion, and art.
www.philadelphiavirtuosi.com

American Pop Lit Will Conquer the World

After it first conquers Philadelphia. Coming soon enough-- exciting new products and writers.

Rittenhouse Musicians

RATING current Rittenhouse Square street musicians playing for the lunchtime crowd:
-The guitar-wielding goatteed folk singer is much better than last year, when he was afraid to belt his songs out, and was frankly embarrassing.
-The flute guy is horrendous. He's got to go.
One man's opinion.

Big Lit Show

I'm told there's an explosive lit event upcoming at South Philly's famous Dive Bar promising to blow the doors off the place. By repute, it's way better than the tame literary fare being presented at the Free Library on the Parkway. How does one rescue literature? By giving people excitement-- breaking the stale lit-reading stereotype.

Here are the details:
"Toiling in Obscurity."
The Dive Bar
947 East Passyunk Avenue
Friday 3/26/10 at 7 pm.

Organizer Jaime Fountaine presents dynamic readings from:
Christian TeBordo
poet Justin Audia
Jeremy Eric Tenenbaum
Blaise Fountaine
and Jaime, along with songs by
Emily and Micah McGraw.

The flavor of South Philadelphia? Find out!
For more info contact Jaime at
www.jaimefountaine.blogspot.com

Carmina Burana!

The Pennsylvania Ballet's "Carmina Burana" is the ultimate artistic experience. No one does it better. It is-- mind-blowing. I was very fortunate to grab a last minute ticket to Friday night's performance at the Academy of Music.