Fun around town, for $10 or less: Put the Candle Back: Screening of Young Frankenstein as part of Laughter on the Banks under the Walnut Street Bridge (25th and Walnut), 8PM. Free Put the Rat Back: Screening of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? at the International House (3701 Chestnut), 8PM. Free Andrew’s Video Vault: This month’s theme is "Stockhausen Syndrome, Day 7,'' featuring People on Sunday and Sunday in the Park with George at......

Happy Birthday Funkmaster Flex! PHILLY GEEK DINNER AT NATIONAL MECHANICS Tonight you can celebrate geekdom with fellow geeks and scarf some quality eats at the same time. Head to National Mechanics and join local geeks for the inaugural Philly Geek Dinner meetup. Don't bring your "I-know-what- venture-capital-is-and-how-to-beg-for-it" slide show, though. Good food will satisfy your analog hungers and the drink selection will help the shy ones start geeking it up with the group. There will......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: In Honor of Girls Rocking: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi reads from her new book Know Your Power: A Message to America’s Daughters at the Central Branch of the Free Library (1901 Vine), 7PM. Free Two-Step Program: Folk dancing lessons sponsored by the Fairmount Park Commission at the Art Museum Steps (26th and the Parkway), 8-10:30PM. $3 Game Night!: Game night every Tuesday at The Dive (947......

We're only listing two events tonight, but they are diverse enough that you should find one of them suitable to your discerning tastes. SPIRITS OF '76 GHOST TOUR You're right: it's nowhere near Halloween yet, but, alas, there won't be such a massive population of Philly-hungry tourists by then, either. We know what you're thinking: It's a tour, you know, for tourists. But we suggest having a little fun with this one. Blend in with......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Night of the Sixpack: Philly's Joe Sixpack reads from his new book Joe Sixpack's Philly Beer Guide: A Reporter's Notes on the Best Beer-Drinking City in America at the Central Branch of the Free Library (1901 Vine) at 7PM, then heads to McGillin's (1310 Drury) for a giant after-party at 9PM featuring a “Joe Sixpack of Beer” samples. All free (except the beer itself) Theater in Your Backyard:......

It should never be 74 degrees when you leave for work in the morning. Ever. PHILADELPHIA'S LARGEST SINGLES KICKOFF TO SUMMER PARTY We can neither confirm nor deny that Meet Market Adventures is a good idea. We're not here to advertise or criticize. However, we do appreciate the efforts of any group that tries to lube up the lonelier locals with some booze, food, music, and prizes. It's hot as hell, so we hope you......

Happy Portugal Day! ANDRE DUBUS III: THE GARDEN OF LAST DAYS We had to list this reading/signing because we had heard on NPR that the novel is about "terrorists and strippers." The author himself is most notable for coming down with a severe case of fame after Oprah implored her minions to read The House of Sand and Fog and they did so, in rabid droves. According to the Library's web site, a group of......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: What It Is: Cartoonist and author Lynda Barry presents her new book What It Is, exploring channels of creativity, at the Central Branch of the Free Library (1901 Vine), 7PM. Free Wide Open: Grand Opening of Walking Fish Theater with ribbon cutting and reception at the Theater (2509 Frankford), 5PM. Free Chill Out: Buddhist meditation classes at Philadelphia Ethical Society (1906 Rittenhouse Sq), 7-8:30PM. Free Martyrdom: Last Martyr......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Bring a Shovel: James Frey of A Million Little Pieces fame speaks about his “first” novel at the Central Branch of the Free Library (1901 Vine), 7PM. Free Slamming: First Person Story Slams: Secrets at the Gershman Y (401 S Broad), 7PM. $10 Spades: The Spades, Sunday’s Murder, Gene Micofsky, Drop Anchor, and Dinner and a Suit at North Star Bar (2639 Poplar), 8PM. $5 Got a frugal......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Filthy Liberals: Washington Post political correspondent and NPR commentator E.J. Dionne, Jr. reads from his new book Souled Out, on the history and present of liberalism in America, at the Central Branch of the Free Library (1901 Vine), 7PM. Free Om: Buddhist guided meditation class at the Philadelphia Ethical Society (1906 Rittenhouse Sq), 7PM. Free Get on the Train: Whiskeytrain, Enter the Rooms, Kill the Alarm, and Mercy......

The Daily News points out that while the Philadelphia School District is looking for ways to balance its budget, the organization might want to consider cutting the abnormally high salaries of its legal counsel. "Jury selection is expected to begin today in the 19-year-old murder of a North Philadelphia black man in what has been labeled a 'racial killing.'" "The Esherick House, a rare private residence designed by revered 20th-century architect Louis Kahn and tucked......

Sure, one of the great pleasures in the world is curling up alone with a good book, but sometimes voracious readers need to leave the house and hear the authors of their favorite books bring their stories to life in person. At the Philadelphia Book Festival this weekend, held in the blocks surrounding the Free Library Main Branch, you have this chance with over 60 authors reading on six different stages this Saturday and Sunday.......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: FRIDAY SURFGARAGEPUNKROCKNROLL!!! Whoo!: Positively Sick on South Street with Flag of Democracy, The Ripovs!, Voodoo Reef, and cheap drinks at Tritone (1508 South), 9PM. $6 Funstival: First annual Mascher Space Coop Funstival, featuring The Hessians, Gemini Wolf, Umlaut, The Mural and the Mint, and dance performances by New Extreme Dance Explosions Awesomes, PIMA group, M.I.A., ChristinaZani/DevynnEmory /Sam Miller, Megan Bridge, and MAPcollective at Johnny Brenda’s (1201 Frankford), 8PM.......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: The English Patient Guy: Author Michael Ondaatje discusses his latest novel, Divisadero, at the Central Branch of the Free Library (1901 Vine), 7PM. Free Yuck It Up: Helium Comedy Club (2031 Sansom) presents twenty up and coming comics at 8PM. Free New Music Tuesdays: Young Gene Buffalo, Goodbye Etc, Beyond The Black, and Bushbomb at the North Star Bar (2639 Poplar), 8PM. $5 Local Shots Live: WMMR and......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: The Mogul: Author Rich Westcott signs copies of his book The Mogul, chronicling the life and work of Eddie Gottlieb of Philadelphia Warriors fame at the Central Branch of the Free Library (1901 Vine), 7PM. Free Warm Up: Center City Residents' Association present their Chili Challenge, part community potluck and part chili cook-off, featuring beer from the Philadelphia Brewing Company, at the Philadelphia Ethical Society (1906 Rittenhouse Sq),......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: The Place to Be: Roger Mudd discusses the CBS news bureau in the good old days at the Central Branch of the Free Library (1901 Vine), Noon. Free St. George Day: Celebrate the patron saint of England in good fashion at the Grey Lodge Pub (6235 Frankford), all day. Pay as you go Anniversary: Celebrate one year of performances inspired by exhibitions at NEXUS (1400 N American) with......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Zodiac at the Library: Poet and performance artist Jaamil Olawale Kosoko will read from his new poetry collection Ninth Sign of Zodiac at the Central Branch of the Free Library, Skyline Room (1901 Vine, 4th Floor), 7PM. Free (RSVP for light refreshments) Yoga at the Library: Yoga for Teens and Adults at the Thomas F. Donatucci, Sr. branch of the Free Library (1935 Shunk), 5PM. Free Get Oral:......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Free Funny: Helium (2031 Sansom) presents 20 up-and-coming comics at their Open Mic Extravaganza, 8-10PM. Free Local Shots Live: Stellabelly, Papa Midnight, Montoj, and Stillicide at Doc Watson’s (216 S 11th), 8PM. $5 RIP: Fred Is Dead, A Zero Complex, David Janes, The Greyjacks, and Sweetheart Parade at North Star Bar (2639 Poplar), 8PM. $5 Good Fences…: Author Brian Hall reads from his new novel Fall of Frost,......

Two more days, two more days, two more days. As repetitive hopeful phrases go it may not be "There's no place like home...," but it gives us the same sense that life is, in fact, worth living. At least for two more days. SHECKY'S GIRLS NIGHT OUT This one is for the ladies. And the men who wear ladies' clothing sometimes. One Phillyist bore witness as droves of Center City females descended upon the......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: If You’re Traitorous: Author Richard Price reads from his latest novel Lush Life, a story of Manhattan and its inhabitants, at the Central Branch of the Free Library (1901 Vine) Nicer Way to Pull the Trigger: Wellness practitioner Scott Yorker teaches the basics of trigger point massage every first Tuesday at Sweat Fitness Club (700 E Passyunk), 8-9PM. Home For a Hero: Home For a Hero, Hale Allen,......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: FRIDAY Bring Your Own Tank: SCUBA National Touring Dance Alliance at the Conwell Dance Theater on Temple’s campus (Broad and Montgomery), 8PM. $10 (also on Saturday) Last Friday: Celebrate March’s last Friday with poet Matthew Dickman, singer/songwriter Irene Molloy, and extended gallery hours at the Philadelphia Art Alliance (251 S 18th), 7PM. $5 SATURDAY Free Classical: The Six, performing Bach and Monteverdi and conducted by Matt Glandorf at......

Another totally insane day. Crazy day. A day so busy and hopelessly intense that it can be referred to by one name only: Thursday. CHINUA ACHEBE: THINGS FALL APART When Achebe set out to rewrite the systematic literary misappropriation of his Nigerian culture and cultures like it, he was probably not aware of the power and lifespan of the impact this book would have. Things Fall Apart was first written in 1958 and remains......

It's a little warmer today, which is good, because we're expecting the weather to get its spring on pretty soon. The clouds, though, remind us that Wednesday is not always as close to Friday as we want it to be. We don't know about you, but as far as work is concerned, March 2008 is really turning out to be one of those months we'll never, ever miss. Five more days until those April......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Our Style: Improv Philly Style, featuring Zombie Shark, MakeOut Clinic, and Drexel University Football Team at the Central Branch of the Free Library (1901 Vine), 7PM. Free Get Your Fiber: Ashley Anderson, Jung-eun Kim and Danielle Paloumpis of the map dance collective perform as part of the “8 Artists, 8 Viewpoints” at Nexus in the Crane Arts Building (1400 N. American), 8PM. Free Don’t Drink and Purl: Weekly......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Rise and Fall of the Comics: Author David Hajdu discusses his latest book, The Ten Cent Plague: The Great Comic-Book Scare and How It Changed America, at the Central Branch of the Free Library (1901 Vine), 7PM. Free Fancy Pants: Fancy Pants Cinema, short films by local filmmakers, in the Lounge at North Third (801 N. 3rd), “starting long after 10PM.” Free every Tuesday (if you have a......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: A Reading that Has Nothing to Do with the Sudan: Authors Lionel Shriver (The Post-Birthday World) and Laura Lippman (Another Thing to Fall) read from their latest works at the Central Branch of the Free Library (1901 Vine), 7PM. Free Moonstone Poetry Series: Local poet Justin Vitiello and non-local poet Jon Thompson read from selected works at Robin’s Bookstore (108 S. 13th), 6PM. Free Who's the Boss?: Vibrophonist......

The new writers just keep on coming – this time, in the form of Stephanie Mannis, a chronic Yelper who won us over when she sent us a bit of marketing collateral she wrote for work about an American answer to the Beatles. Welcome aboard, Stephanie! Here's the buzz in the 215 blogs this week: Jeff Deeney over at Phawker sang the praises of author Susan Jacoby, who in turn railed against the dumbing down......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: XPN Presents: Griffin House and Sons of William at Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd), 8:30PM. $10 Japan/USA: Dance and music as part of the ongoing Sound Space: Japan/USA project at the Mascher Space Coop (155 Cecil B. Moore Ave), 8PM. $10 Kulu Mele: West African dance workshop with Kulu Mele at the South Philadelphia Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia (1700 S. Broad), 6PM. Free Quizzo Mania:......

We love food. Not just because it's a necessary substance for sustaining life. Perhaps, we should say we're in love with food. That's why we would risk personal relationships for an ourstanding meal, why The Food Network is one of the only TV stations we can find without using the guide, and why we comb the pages of picture-heavy cookbooks the way most people thumb through the latest edition of Playboy (NSFW). And so......

Monday challenges the average human to perform incredible feats of bravery and strength every week. It is the Goliath to our David, the Microsoft to our Yahoo!, the [insert viable presidential candidate here] to our Ron Paul. We do not choose it – it chooses us. Then it abuses us. Degrades us. Makes us to feel as if our feelings, if they exist at all, don't actually matter. Yes, we will say it, because......