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've seen a lot of these videos, but this is the first one we've posted from this vantage—and now we know why.......

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It's been quite some time since we showed one of these videos—and this time, the runners aren't just any old tourists.......

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Fun around town, for $10 or less: Medicine and Rats: Authors William Frankl and Harris Cohen read from their respective works The Merger and Rat Tales and Other Stories (the latter set in West Philly) at Robin’s Bookstore (108 S 13th), 6PM. Free Folky: The Fairmount Park Commission sponsors a folk dancing session with instruction (no experience or partners needed) every Tuesday on the Art Museum Steps (26th and the Parkway), 8-10:30PM. $3 White Rabbits:......

Anne d'Harnoncourt, the highly respected director of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and a vibrant force as an arts activist and advocate for the arts in Philadelphia, died unexpectedly late Sunday night. In a prepared statement, David B. Brownlee, professor and chair of Art History at the University of Pennsylvania stated that "Philadelphia has lost one of the greatest cultural leaders in its entire history. Anne d'Harnoncourt transformed the Philadelphia Museum of Art in a......

Walking into the Philadelphia Museum of Art's gallery where Frida Kahlo's iconic Las Dos Fridas (The Two Fridas) hangs as part of the PMA's massive Frida Kahlo exhibition brought forth memories of first seeing that memorable painting in Mexico City over 30 years ago. We were first hypnotized by Kahlo back then, and thus approached this show with over three decades of memories about that first visit and also having witnessed Kahlo develop from a......

Philadelphia Safe and Sound, a local non-profit focused on improving the health, safety, and well-being of children, sent out a press release yesterday revealing that the board of directors had voted to cease all operations as of June 30, 2008. The press release doesn't go into a lot of detail as to why PSS is shutting down, but it seems pretty clear it has to do with recent budget cuts. You can read PSS's letter......

Oh Friday, our Friday, how we love you, our Friday! We waited and waited, and lo, you have come! You teach us to smile, you show us the way. You are once and forever, our favorite day! ART AFTER 5: OUR FATHER WHO ART BLAKEY We spend a lot of time telling you to check out the local art scene and get involved in some of the incredible music that comes through our fine......

The Daily News analyzes Paris Hilton's visit to the area yesterday, and comes to the rather surprising conclusion that she's a nice lady and her only real fault is that she's not punctual. The Philadelphia Museum of Art's exhibition of American artist Bruce Nauman has been selected to appear in the US Pavilion of the the 53rd Venice Biennale, "one of the most important art gatherings in the world." Mayor Nutter revoked a license given......

Sometimes, people do stupid things that, while we can't say we'd do, we can understand the motivations behind. And then there's this guy.........

Every weekday of December (except for December 25, that is), Phillyist will be counting down to 2008 with our highlights from the past year and our predictions for the next. If you have a list you'd like to submit, let us know! Phillyist likes a good excuse to shop, and the holidays provide that in spades. This year we wanted to stay closer to home with our gift choices, and give things that were more......

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While I would hate to date myself…oh, what am I saying, I date myself just about every time my wife leaves the house for 15 minutes: I am a member of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Being a member of the Art Museum has many benefits. Tops on the list includes getting to see tons of filthy rich white people doing their best Rocky impersonation, the privilege of being serenaded by a sketchy guy......

Did anyone else see where September went? It was Labor Day, we went to the closet to pack up our white shoes, and suddenly it's the terminal week. Next year, September, give us a little more transition time? Also, knock it off with the 90s. One good thing about September's passing is that October is beginning, and all the lovely holidays and festivals that come with it. This weekend kicks off Oktoberfest in our......

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The Philadelphia Marathon is fast approaching (ha!), and those fleet-footed folks are looking for volunteers to help support the thousands of athletes who will converge upon the Art Museum on November 18. Tasks range from stuffing runner bags two weeks out to distributing blankets and Gatorade on race day. You can sign up for a specific job or offer your services as a general volunteer to be dispatched where you're needed most. You can also......

Architecture of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the nearby competition. Photo by author, SkyscraperSunset.com, July 26, 2006.......

As part of Sunoco's Welcome America! series, you'll be able to watch Rocky go the distance tonight on the steps of the Art Museum. And you'll get to watch it for free! This now annual event is a good time for all-- just be sure to bring a blanket. Those steps are hard whether you're pounding 'em or sitting on 'em. Sunoco Welcome America! Philly @ The Movies Rocky Thursday June 28, 9 pm Philadelphia......

Thomas FitzSimmons High School in North Philadelphia will graduate their first class of all boys this Thursday. The school went all-boys two years ago, and is the only all-boys public school in the state. Meanwhile, the Ada H. Lewis Middle School in East Germantown might be voted closed on June 20th by the School Reform Commission, due to declining enrollment and a $38 million repair estimate. But parents and teachers are fighting to keep the......

Some people have a "Things to do Before I Die" list. I don't necessarily have a "list," but since I am obsessive about having lists, I do have some idea what I would put on that list. I can honestly say that I can officially check "Have a famous talented musician play a private performance for me" off my list. While I am a bit upset no one took my advice to see Abra Moore......

This week's quote is an explanation of the theatre once given by Beatrice Wood, pictured here with the inimitable Marcel Duchamp (who's got a lot of work in the Philadelphia Museum of Art). Now, on with the listings! I Sent a Letter to My Love - Incest is best. May 11-June 10. Ticket information online. Splittin’ the Raft - It’s like Big River, only not. May 9-June 10. Ticket information online. True West - As......

Monday The Philadelphia Art Alliance's New Music Mondays series presents works by Jan Krzywicki, Professor of Composition at Temple University. Philadelphia Art Alliance (251 S. 18th St.); 7:30 PM; $20 Wednesday The Philadephia Chamber Music Society Presents the American Quartet with Lydia Artymiw, piano, in a program of Haydn, Shostakovich, Dohnanyi. The pianist will even give a free pre-concert lecture at 6:45! Perelman Theater (Kimmel Center); 8 PM; $22 Thursday The Academy of Vocal......

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Reader F. Lennox Campello tips us off in his blog that our favorite unibrowed artist, Frida Kahlo, will be featured in an exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art sometime in early 2008. It will be "the first American exhibition solely dedicated to Kahlo’s work in over a decade... [and] will explore the relationship between her art and her life by examining hauntingly seductive and often brutal self-portraits in addition to works that amplify her......

… and we’re back! Classical music is in full swing this week. From Vivaldi to Ligeti, Philly is popping with all sorts of concerts, including two Philadelphia premieres and several free concerts. Tuesday AVA continues with Von Weber’s magical Der Freischütz. Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center; 7:30 PM; $48 Thursday The Juilliard-bred Tokyo Quartet presents a program of delightful works by Mozart, Beethoven, and Debussy. Be sure not to miss the free pre-concert lecture. Perelman Theater,......

30th Street Station, the Cira Centre, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art stand over the Schuylkill to create one of the river's most picturesque areas. Photo by author via SkyscraperSunset.com.......

Don’t say I didn’t warn you - holiday concerts begin this week. But if you’re already sick of Christmas carols blaring at your nearby mall, there are other options for you as well. Tuesday The Philadelphia Orchestra continues with the Mahler 4 and Mozart Piano Concerto No. 23, with conductor Christoph Eschenbach at the piano. Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center; 8 PM; $28-$113 Wednesday The UPenn American Avant Garde Series presents “Dr. Guy's MusiQologY.” What is......