Fortune cookie: Friday brings hope. THE FIRE PRESENTS: CROOKED LOOKS New York descends on the Philly music scene tonight in the form of three acts. Headliners Crooked Looks, Renminbi, and The Everybrothers hail from NY and are joined by Philly's own Rotosonic, a reggae outfit. Crooked Looks has an intense shpiel on Skin Radio that does the job of whetting your sonic appetite very well. Also, bring your dancing legs. WHO: 21+ WHERE: The Fire,......

These days, Death Cab for Cutie (MySpace) is seeming a little bit more alive. When we heard “I will possess your heart” and other new tracks from the band’s latest album, Narrow Stairs, we thought our favorite music for melancholy moods had been injected with some happy pills. Lead singer Ben Gibbard recently told Gothamist he and the band were proud of this album. “I think it's far more loud and more raw than......

Probably not. At least not consciously. After all, they don't seem to have a problem with the countless four-legged friends people bring with them for their weekend walks along Kelly Drive. But still, they've given us pause by approving a planned sculpture by Tom Otterness in Aviator Park. Otterness is well-known for his works of public art that can be found all around New York City. He's also well-known for the whirlwind of controversy that......

Ross and I were invited down to Atlantic City this past weekend for a mini blogger meetup sponsored by the four Harrah's casinos there. I'll write more about that in this week's Return to Sender, but for now, I'm only mentioning it to set the scene. In all, there were ten of us in attendance. The two of us from Philly, two others from Chicago, and the balance from New York City. During dinner,......

We would like to take a moment to thank this week's advertisers on Phillyist. The 2009 Toyota Corolla, which encourages you to "Live the Dream for Less Coin." UWISHUNU, because you wish you knew. Busted Tees, which introduces three new designs a week. If you're interested in advertising on Phillyist or any other site in our network, check out our online mediakit.......

F is for freedom. R is for relaxing. I is for imbibing. D is for designated driver. A is for after-party. Y is for, um, yodeling? Oh whatever, it's Friday people, so look alive and act like it! Get the blood pumping by singing along, to the tune of "This Is How We Do It": This is how we Fridaaaaay....this is how we fri-i-i-day. La da da da di da da da...this is how......

Sorry we left you craving more juicy commentary on yesterday's evening preview. We've added more juice to today's listings and we hope the added flavor is subtle but effective, leaving a lingering but not unpleasant aftertaste. PHILADELPHIA FUTURE SALON Most of us can agree that we want to be around for as much of the future as we can, but not everyone agrees on what it should like when we get there. Luckily, someone......

This is the part where we [try to] say something funny. But this is one hell of a Wednesday, so think of something funny in your head. Today, it's all about short and sweet. GRADUATE STUDENT MIXER WITH IRISH RED ALE SAMPLES Graduate students are cool because they're like, totally graduated, but, like, totally still in school. If you are one, go meet more. Drink. Rinse. Repeat. WHO: 21+ WHERE: Sláinte, 30th and Market......

Looks like we're in for some flooding tonight, so bring your galoshes. But don't let the forecast foil your fun. There's plenty to do in Philly tonight, and a good swim is an excellent cardio workout, gets the endorphins pumping, and leaves one feeling fit and invigorated. Or, you could just get a cab home. THE PAUL GREEN SCHOOL OF ROCK ALL-STARS WITH SPECIAL GUEST JON ANDERSON FROM YES You remember Yes, no? Well......

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......

Photo by Andy Sternberg/LAist A posthumous tribute wall dedicated to singer/songwriter Elliot Smith sat defaced by graffiti for months on end -- LAist said enough, so did the fans and city council.SFist was surprised to learn that chronic presidential candidate Ralph Nader picked former San Francisco Supervisor Matt Gonzalez as his running mate.Phillyist explored the possibilities of green cleaning.In the latest edition of Reel Toronto, a bi-weekly feature looking at films shot in Toronto......

We would like to take a moment to thank this week's advertisers on Phillyist. The 2009 Toyota Corolla, which encourages you to "Live the Dream for Less Coin." UWISHUNU, because you wish you knew. Busted Tees, which introduces three new designs a week. If you're interested in advertising on Phillyist or any other site in our network, check out our online mediakit.......

Friday is the drug that keeps everyone going. Race, creed, political stance, and musical preferences all break down at the singularity that is Friday. Friday shares its first two letters with another word near and dear to every American's heart: freedom. And what better place to celebrate Freedom Fridays but Philadelphia? If Elton sang it, it must be true. AFRICAN FOOTPRINT: PHILADELPHIA PREMIER! This South African born-and-bred song and dance performance is already a......

It's cold out today, so don't plan on any of that trendy "frolf" you and your phellow Phishers like so much. No, today is definitely an inside day, so we have done our best to bring some most excellent indoor activities in which you may indulge the warmth-loving tendencies of your evening self. THE ENGLISH BEAT AT THE TROC We'll admit that we don't know much about The English Beat, but if they're touring......

Okay, today marks the Day of 27th-itude. We have declared it a holiday because there are simply not enough holidays out there. On this day, it is righteous to give thanks to those upon whose backs we make our desperate capitalist reach toward the starry skies of independent wealth. Or something. We just love making up holidays. CHRIS ROCKS THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC That's right, folks, the man himself descends upon the city. We're......

Today is another irresponsibly light day when it comes to Can't Miss This! fare. It's not that we don't love you, it's just that we are very popular and everyone wants to spend time with us and, some days, it gets out of control. Like today. So, here's the short-and-sweet skinny on what you should do tonight instead of staying home to defragment your hard drive. Nerd. THE LEGACY OF 1808: THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION......

There is only so much to be said about Monday. We are running out of metaphors, puns and descriptive analogies. So, let's make a brief mention of walking etiquette. You can read a more in-depth discussion via a past edition of Monday Manners. The people who can't walk a straight line must be corralled into maintaining a steady course. Often, as was the case this morning, these people are not homeless or drunk: they......

Photo credit: sniderscion Torontoist spent its week uncovering who was behind mysterious ads for a drug called "Obay" that popped up across the country (Scientology? Frank Shepard Fairey?), first tracing them to an advocacy group called Colleges Ontario and then confirming their suspicions a few days later.Phillyist learned how to put on a puppet show – it's not as easy as you might think!Shanghaiist discovers that the average starting monthly pay for fresh graduates......

We would like to take a moment to thank this week's advertisers on Phillyist. The 2009 Toyota Corolla, which encourages you to "Live the Dream for Less Coin." UWISHUNU, because you wish you knew. Joe Jackson's Rain, available now on Amazon.com. Busted Tees, which introduces three new designs a week. If you're interested in advertising on Phillyist or any other site in our network, check out our online mediakit.......

Today is not a snow day for us here at Phillyist. We are still working hard to bring you the best the city has to offer. Well, maybe not that hard. But we're still busier than ever today, so here comes your first lean helping of Can't Miss This, Lite! Lite as in brief, but also Lite as in, all about drinking! As for the children, well, word on the street is that you......

Thursday has often been called a day of thirst, probably because we need an excuse to drink on a week night, and the wordplay writes itself. We wish we could refrain from suggesting at least one bar, just to rebel against the 'thirsty' designation. Well, we can't refrain. We just plain can't. But at least we have some music to serve before the booze. THE FOO FIGHTERS AND SERJ TANKIAN AT THE WACHOVIA SPECTRUM......

Wednesday is named after the Germanic god Woden – god of gods in the Anglo Saxon pantheon, who was swallowed up by generations of cheeky Christian settlers who gradually morphed his religious stature into that of a folkloric king for the sake of proselytizing those who once believed in him. He is the basis for a primary character in Neil Gaiman's novel American Gods. THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE LUNAR ECLIPSE EVENT We wanted to toss......

Tuesday is traditionally a day of stupid two-for-one deals, twice the music from awful radio bands and similar disappointments of daily proportions. Let's see if there's anything low on disappointment and high on "Thanks-for-telling-me-about-this-awesome-event!" Or something like that. PATRICK MURPHY - TAKING THE HILL: FROM PHILLY TO BAGHDAD TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS The North Philly native is coming to the UPenn book store tonight to discuss his autobiographical release Taking the Hill, which......

Some of you have off today. Others, not so much. In fairness, we will restrict today's list of things you should do to convince yourself that you are engaged and in tune with your city, if not the rest of your life, to things that fall into the "after work" category. LOST BOYS OF SUDAN STORYTELLING AT THE WHITE DOG CAFE Sudan's "Lost Boys" - children forced to become soldiers in the humanitarian nightmare......

Photo by Phillyist's Matt Johnson, SkyscraperSunset.com, December 19, 2007. Phillyist explored an impending implosion and lived to tell the tale.Gothamist marveled at the city's new NYC-branded condom campaign - especially the use of a Toronto landmark in the advertising. (Also, fun fact: Gothamist turned five years old yesterday.)Tired of the worldwide Scientology protests? Torontoist totally isn't: they covered the big downtown protest the day it happened, and followed up with an examination of all......

We would like to take a moment to thank this week's advertisers on Phillyist. The 2009 Toyota Corolla, which encourages you to "Live the Dream for Less Coin." Joe Jackson's Rain, available now on Amazon.com. UWISHUNU, because you wish you knew. Busted Tees, which introduces three new designs a week. Jeremy Fisher, performing at the Tin Room on Feb. 20th, but you can win a pair of tickets to the show today. If you're interested......

The sweet scent of Friday is in the air, and as those without significant others recover from their hangovers and push their anti-couples bitterness back into the depths of their souls, let us all unite in giving thanks for another weekend. To whom shall we offer this thanks? Well, how about Mayor Michael "Here's My Budget" Nutter? A WALK INTO THE SEA: DANNY WILLIAMS & THE WARHOL FACTORY (2007) If you're an Andy Warhol......

The sun is out and, although it looks pretty, it isn't doing us much good. It's still colder than a Phillyist's, uh, hand, in a, um, brass, hm, glove? Politically correct humor is an oxymoron. Since it's Valentine's Day, we'll offer something angry for the loners, something romantic for the lovers and something educational for the learners to do in the city that is suddenly too cold for murderers. At least there's something good......

The weather is causing a flare-up in our SADS and we aren't too optimistic for much improvement before the big V-Day tomorrow. It's a busy day in IstVille, and we can't promise the same amount of wit (we are witty, aren't we?) and substance we usually offer to our Can't Miss This! readers, but we hope you find something below to keep you busy tonight. Here are a few things to do inside, away......

Tuesday brings us several events chosen only on the merits of their names. While this is not always a wise principle by which to live, it will certainly serve to spice up an otherwise Snoozeday Tuesday. Yup. We made that up, right on the spot. What? We don't care if you've heard it before! We haven't, so it's ours! PHILADELPHIA PHANTOMS VS SYRACUSE CRUNCH Okay, okay, we'll admit it: We're not the biggest Phantoms......