Fun around town, for $10 or less: Friday: N It: Enjoy some improv with The N Crowd at The Actors Center (257 N. 3rd), 8PM. $10 Ashley Deekus: Ashley Deekus, Jesse Sparhawk, and Eichen Oaks at Brickbat Books (709 S. 4th), 8PM. Free. Why Do You Build Me Up: Drink Up Buttercup, Moneynotes, Jukebox the Ghost, Modern Skirts, and Madi Diaz at the Khyber (56 S. 2nd), 9PM. $8 Saturday: It’s International Women’s Day: Celebrate......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: There Goes That Spielberg Again: “Sharks, Spaceships and Spectacles: The Films of Steven Spielberg,” a presentation by Dr. Lester Friedman, with hors d’oeuvres and drinks, at the Prince Music Theater Independence Black Box (1412 Chestnut), 6PM. $10 As We Look Forward: Author Mitch Nathanson discusses his new book The Fall of the 1977 Phillies: How a Baseball Team's Collapse Sank a City's Spirit at the Penn Bookstore (3601......

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:......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: The Music of Regret: Artist Laurie Simmons introduces her The Music of Regret, a mini-musical in three acts, as part of the ICA Puppet Show, at the International House (3701 Chestnut), 7PM. $6 Thinking Is Hard: "Critical Thinking," a panel discussion of Philly’s One Film The Emperor of the Sun, at World Café Live (3025 Walnut), 7PM. Free Drinking Is Not: Test your knowledge of The Emperor of......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Philly Music on the Parkway: Local songwriters perform original works; hosted by Dan Collins at the Central Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library (1901 Vine), 7PM. Free A Streetcar Named Desire: Staged reading of the classic Tennessee Williams play with reception following at the Ethical Society of Philadelphia (1906 S. Rittenhouse Sq), 7:30PM. $8 Open Mic: Free at The Fire (412 W. Girard). Sign up at 8:30PM. (21+)......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Friday: Better Late Than Never: Anne Lamott reads from her latest book Grace (Eventually) at the Free Library of Philadelphia Central Branch (1901 Vine), 7PM. Free Don’t Shoot First: Space 1026 (1026 Arch) converts their space into the Mos Eisley Cantina for their food show and potluck tonight from 7-10PM. $5 (Free with a dish to share—they request special brownies) Feeling Like Some Lebanese: "Improvisation and Emotion in......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: London Calling: Free dance party featuring Brit Rock from the '60s to today spun by DJs Jared Styles and Jim McGuinn at World Café Live (3025 Walnut), 6PM. Free (pre-registration required) Exit A: Anthony Swofford, author of Jarhead, reads from his latest book Exit A at the Penn Bookstore (3601 Walnut), 7PM. Free Deep Breath: Introduction to Buddhist meditation presented by the Menlha Buddhist Center at the Ethical......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Poemergency: Local poets Frank Sherlock and Paul Siegell read selections from theirs works at Bubble House (3404 Sansom), 8PM. Free Get Your Law on: “Auteurism on Trial: Spielberg and Copyright Law,” a lecture by Penn Professor of Cinema Studies Peter Decherney, at the Free Library of Philadelphia Philadelphia City Institute (1905 Locust), 6PM. Free Jam Wednesdays: Circadian Rhythms, Saudi Arabia, Lexington Down, and The Highball Kids at the......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Experimental Music: Slought Foundation and Soundfield, NFP present Vienna/London-based ensemble Polwechsel at the Slought Foundation (4017 Walnut), 8PM. $10 Poetry Night: Local poets Cindy Savett and Kate Greenstreet read from their new works at Robin’s Bookstore (108 S. 13th), 6PM. Free All Ages: Dalek, Russian Circles, and Young Widows, courtesy our friends at R5, at The Barbary (951 Frankford), 6:30. $10 Got a frugal tip? Don't be stingy!......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Combat Footage: “Steven Spielberg, Special Effects, and the War Film,” a workshop examining Spielberg's use of special effects in Empire of the Sun and other works, at Scribe Video Center (4212 Chestnut, 3rd Floor), 6PM. Free (Part of One Film, One Philadelphia) Die Actor Die: Die Actor Die, comedy of many stripes, standup, sketch, and “other silly brick-a-brac” hosted by (Phillyist) Don Montrey at the Khyber (56 S.......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: FRIDAY Famous Films II: The Secret Cinema presents a second installment of their Famous Films series, including A Trip to the Moon (you've seen clips, trust us), at the Moore College of Art and Design (20th and Race), 8PM. $7 Jeannie Gagne: Jeannie Gagne at the Unitarian Society of Germantown (6511 Lincoln Drive—West Mt. Airy), 8PM. $10 Cold: Absolute Zeros, Parsnip Revolt, and Dylan McGuire at Fergie’s Pub......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Chicken!: Wissahickon Chicken Shack at the Dawson Street Pub (100 Dawson), 9:30PM. Free One Film to Rule Them All: Kick off One Film, One Philadelphia with a screening of Empire of the Sun at Moore College (N. 20th and the Parkway), 6PM. Free New Idioms: Ongoing concert series by Bowerbird, featuring artists working in composed, electronic and electroacoustic music, free improvisation, and other creative, genre-defying forms, at the......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Iron Ladies: The Independent Television Series presents Iron Ladies of Liberia, a documentary of Liberian president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, followed by a discussion at the National Constitution Center (525 Arch), 6:30PM. Free Jazz Premiere: Famed jazz-pianist Dave Burrell performs four new works, all inspired by the works of poet Marianne Moore, at the Rosenbach Museum (2008 Delancy), 6PM. $5-8 Crashers: Fatal Seduction, a Dumpsta Players production, wherein celebrities crash......

It might seem to you, the casual reader, that Phillyist is everywhere, covering everything from theatre to concerts to film – but every once in a while, there's an event that we don't cover and we really wish we had. Enter The Artclash! Collective's Fun-a-Day 4 event that took place on Saturday. Fortunately for us, although we couldn't be there, Studio 34 Yoga, which hosted the event, put up a nice little timelapse video so......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Culture and Art: Discussion of graffiti photography and hip-hop culture by Henry Chalfant at Drexel University’s University Screening Room (3175 JFK Blvd), 8PM. Free Narco Lolo: Narco Lolo, Freaks Arise, Figo, and The Campbell Apartment at the Khyber (56 S. 2nd), 8PM. $6 Local Shots Live: Head, Nowhere, and The Mikey Potatoe Show at Doc Watson’s (216 S. 11th), 8PM. $5 The Killing: The Green Evening Requiem, Syrrah,......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: The Shame of a City: Inside the Filmmaker’s Studio, a film screening and discussion series showcasing local artists and benefiting Gtown Radio, shows The Shame of a City at the Video Library (7141 Germantown Ave), 7PM. $5 Brassy: Chestnut Brass Company performs works by Krzwycki and Higdon at the Ethical Humanist Society of Philadelphia (1906 S. Rittenhouse Sq), 8PM. Free Honky: Full reading of Honky by Greg Kalleres,......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: FRIDAY The N Crowd: Weekly improve comedy show at The Actors Center (257 N. 3rd), 8PM. $10 Andrew Gregory: Andrew Gregory (CD release party), John Francis, and Ian Thomas at Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd), 10:30PM. $10 Leslie and the Ly’s: Leslie and the Ly’s, MC Digga and Sgt. Sass at North Star Bar (2639 Poplar), 9PM. $10 Intertwine: Opening reception for Intertwine, with work by Brooke Hine,......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Double Feature: Andrew's Video Vault presents Zabriskie Point and Secret Ceremony at the Rotunda (4014 Walnut), 8PM. Free (donations accepted) Valentine’s Grinches: Anti-love party with readings from Joey Yearous-Algozin, Hailey Higdon, Maria Raha and others at The Dive (947 E. Passyunk), 8PM. Free Love Letters: Poet Susan Windle reads from her collection “Love Letters” at the Big Blue Marble Bookstore (551 Carpenter Lane), 7PM. Free The Buddha is......

Colgate-Palmolive has a great little contest running where you vote for one of nine children's hospitals around the country, and the one with the most votes gets a Fun Center where sick kids can go to forget about their illnesses for a moment and remember how to have fun. Each Fun Center will be equipped with a flat screen monitor, DVD player and a Nintendo Wii. Sweet! The promotion has gone so well, all......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Love Songs: Dolce Suono Chamber Music Concert Series presents Love Songs: A Valentine’s Serenade at the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia (2125 Chestnut), 7:30PM. Free Lopez: The Lopez, The Dollyrots, and Percocettes at the North Star Bar (2639 Poplar), 8PM. $8 Jazzy: Ars Nova presents Ben Ratliff, author of the new book “Coltrane: the Story of a Sound,” speaking on jazz history at the Kelly Writers House (3805......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Mercy Blue: Mercy Blue, Somerset Project, Countervision and The Siren Thesis at the Khyber (56 S. 2nd), 8PM. $6 Nouveau Riche: Nouveau Riche, Tu Phace, and Patty Crash at Silk City (435 Spring Garden), 9PM. $5 Exercise Your Rights: Planning and instructional meeting for protesting the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis at LAVA Space (4134 Lancaster), 7PM. Free Organic Chemistry: The Schuylkill Center goes dowtown to celebrate an......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: What?: Discussion of What is the What, led by Elizabeth Adler, at the Walnut Street West Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library (201 S. 40th), 5:30PM. Free Open Mic: Free at The Fire (412 W. Girard). Sign up at 8:30PM. (21+) Sing Your Life!: Karaoke With DJ Sara Sherr Mondays upstairs at the Khyber (56 S. Second), 9PM - 2 AM. Free (21+) Got a frugal tip? Don't......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: FRIDAY Some Art for the Wall: 5th Annual Emerging Artists and Emerging Leaders Art Auction, with entertainment by local guitarist Marisol Rampolla and an open bar, at Drexel University - Paul Peck Alumni Center (32nd and Market), 7PM. $10 There Are Some Who Aren’t?: Local author Lynn Hoffman reads from his novel bangBANG, the story of “a feisty Philly waitress,” at Molly’s Bookstore (1010 S. 9th), 7:30PM. Free......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Small Changes: Smells Like Teen Spirit and Building a Broken Mousetrap, two films by Jem Cohen, presented by the Small Changes film screening series at the International House (3701 Chestnut), 7PM. $7 Solstice Film Series 07: Third installment of the Solstice Film Series, a showcase for short independent films, at National Mechanics (22 S. 3rd), 8PM. Free Single Mingle: Perfect Pairings Tasting Event, benefiting Philly PAWS (the Philadelphia......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Puppets!: Doug and Mike’s Adult Entertainment at the Institute of Contemporary Art (118 S. 36th), 6PM. $6 Further Afield—But Worth It: The Best of Black Lily Film and Music Festival 2007 at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute (824 W. Lancaster), 7PM. $9.25 It’s Just a Flesh Wound: Fred Is Dead and Joe Jordan’s Experiment at Tritone (1508 South), 10PM. $5 Quizzo Mania: Get your Quizzo on at 12......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Certain Tragedy: Certain Tragedy, The Bourbon Armory, The Sweetheart Parade, and Johnny Forbin at the Khyber (56 S. 2nd), 8PM. $8 Five Bands Five Dollars: Drive Fast Take Chances, Mr. Radar, Skeleton Rock Shock, The Slot Cars, and Jessy Tomsko Band at the North Star Bar (2639 Poplar), 8PM. $5 Got a frugal tip? Don't be stingy! Send it here and share the wealth!......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Local Shots Live: Shannon Cole, Your Best Friend, and Desoto Jones at Doc Watson’s (215 S. 11th), 8PM. $5 Open Mic: Free at The Fire (412 W. Girard). Sign up at 8:30PM. (21+) Sing Your Life!: Karaoke With DJ Sara Sherr Mondays upstairs at the Khyber (56 S. Second), 9PM - 2 AM. Free (21+) Got a frugal tip? Don't be stingy! Send it here and share the......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: FRIDAY Massive: WZT Hearts, Wet Hair, Secret Abuse, Nimby, Evan Miller, Teeth Mountain, and Prince Hand Vs. Prince Hand at the Rotunda (4014 Walnut), doors 7:30PM. $5 Celebration: Opening reception for A Celebration of Life and Art, works by the late Marge Peterson, at Highwire Gallery (2040 Frankford), 5-9PM. Free Reading: David Levithan reads from his new short story collection, How They Met and Other Stories, at Giovanni’s......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Garlic and Watermelons: Screening of the documentary Garlic and Watermelons, about Gypsy families being evicted to make way for the 2004 Athens Olympics, at Firehouse Bicycles (50th and Baltimore), 8PM. Free (donation requested) Jazzy Jazz: Author Howard Mandel reads from his work and leads a discussion about jazz at the Kelly Writers House (3805 Locust Walk), 6PM. Free Dropshift: Dropshift, Morning Story, and Black Sheep Caravan at Grape......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: If the Opera’s Not Your Thing: Cyrano de Bergerac with Gerard Depardieu at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute (824 W. Lancaster Ave), 7PM. $9.25 Jeff Kessler: Jeff Kessler, Kyle Herring, and Sarah Marie White at Upstairs at World Cafe Live (3025 Walnut), 7PM. $8 Feel Bad About Your Shoes: Fashion’s Environmental Footprint, a talk about the real cost of cheap clothing by Heather Iwanow at Ruth Auditorium/Nesbitt Hall......