THE N CROWD TEACHES IMPROV You've seen them perform, now you can learn of the dark arts from those who know best. The N Crowd is offering improvisation classes every Thursday. They last a couple of hours and set you back $40 a pop (or you could drop $200 for 7 weeks' worth, at a savings of $80). We suggest considering this a date-worthy outing, especially if you and yours are a recent match. Improv......

We are already having a bad Friday. Why? The Flyers didn't win last night, as they probably should have. And today just feels like a long day. We're not feeling positive about it right now. WHAT'S NEW AT THE PHILADELPHIA ZOO We're stretching this right now, but how can you say no to a smile like that?! The zoo is open from 9:30am to 5pm every day. That excludes the possibility of a visit......

It's Friday. We're getting in, and getting out. No cheeky puns, cliches or metaphors. Just 100% pure, unadulterated event listings. Deal with it. SUBURBAN LOVE SONGS 1812 Productions brings you yet another hilarious show. Suburban Love Songs, according to the web site, is a "dance comedy extravaganza set in a Tupperware/Swingers Party in 1968." What more could you possibly ask for? (Editor's note: how about an extremely positive review from Phillyist?) WHO: Anyone! WHERE:......

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: 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: 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,......

Finally! The Day of Days, only hours away from the Hour of Hours, when the bright and beautiful dawn of the Weekend shall arise above our spellbound eyes, pushing the darkness and decrepitude of the week deep into the recesses of distant memory! Huzzah! Huzzah! BLUE MAN GROUP HOW TO BE A MEGASTAR 2.1 TOUR If you thought that intro up there would be a hard act to follow, well, we'll put our humility aside......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: FRIDAY The N Crowd Thanksgiving Special: Improv Comedy with the N Crowd at the Actor’s Center (257 N. 3rd), 8PM. $10 The Delaware Rag: The Delaware Rag celebrates the release of their new CD at Upstairs Live at the World Café (3025 Walnut), 8PM. Also performing is The Josh Olmstead Band. $9 SATURDAY Rittenhouse Square West: Guided architectural walking tour of the Square (18th and Walnut); meet the......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: FRIDAY Flea Market, Theater Style: Clothing Flea Market from theatrical stock at the Wilma Theater (265 S. Broad), 3-7PM. Free admission (most items $2-20). Also on Saturday, 12-4PM. Requires Audience Participation: Improv with The N Crowd at the Actor’s Center (257 N. 3rd), every Friday, 8-10PM. $10 SATURDAY Rare Bird: Part of the Philly Improv Festival, featuring Jackie, Cathcart & Olson, and iMusical at the Mum Puppettheatre (115......

Once again, nothing new this week, as theatre companies and performers around the city prepare for the Live Arts and Fringe Festivals. Check back here next week for our preview. Meanwhile, to make up for the short listings, here's a longer quote, from 1930s and '40s star of stage and screen Nelson Eddy (the handsome devil you see here): I know, I know the world wants love. I know that the fans want love on......

As with last year, Phillyist will be giving separate coverage to Philadelphia Live Arts and Philly Fringe shows, so our listings through the end of the month may look a little sparse. No fear – there’s still plenty of live entertainment around the city. Now, on with the listings! Nunsense - It’s not nonsense. Through September 30. For more information, call 302.475.2313. Wicked - We hear it’s quite “popular.” Through September 9. Tickets online. It......

Things are slowing down right now, in the weeks before the Philadelphia Live Arts and Philly Fringe Festivals. But that doesn't mean that all of the theatres in Philadelphia are dark. Now, on with the listings! Those Were the Days - We think we can safely say: they don’t write ’em like that anymore! Through August 12. Tickets online. Nunsense - It’s not nonsense. Through September 30. For more information, call 302.475.2313. Wicked - We......

This week’s quote comes from a song that actually has nothing to do with theatre, even though it’s been popularized in cabaret clubs and piano bars since Mary Hopkin made it a hit in the 1960s. It’s called “Those Were the Days,” and we’ve had it stuck in our head since we saw the title of the first show listed below. The chorus goes in full: Those were the days, my friend We thought they'd......

This week, we're echoing Juliet's famous line, in honor of the new free production of Romeo and Juliet opening next week. Now, on with the listings! Nunsense - It’s not nonsense. July 27-September 30. For more information, call 302.475.2313. Romeo and Juliet - Impress your date! Show her you’re romantic! Take her to see that play she remembers weeping over in high school! August 1-5. Tickets are free. Wicked - We hear it’s quite “popular.”......

Kristen Schier of The Philly N Crowd...

ALL WEEKEND - Sherman Community Arts Says Goodbye to The Cinema: Sherman Community arts is giving The Cinema (3925 Walnut St.) one last hurrah with a weekend of cheap and/or free film events, including screenings of Dünyayi kurtaran adam (The Turkish Star Wars), Bad Brains Live CBGB, Let's Scare Jessica to Death and more. For information on admission prices (where applicable), features and show times, visit the Sherman Community Arts Events page. FRIDAY Clamor:......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Friday BC Camplight: BC Camplight and Josh Olmstead play The Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd Street) at 10:30 PM. $8 Improv from the N Crowd: Local improv troupe The N Crowd play The Actors Center (257 North Third Street) at 8PM. $10 In the Grape Room: Local musician (and blogger) Your Secret Identity plays the Grape Room at Grape Street Pub (4100 Main Street, Mannayunk) with Almost......