The Penn Current / November 8, 2001 / What's On

November 8, 2001

Clothes and the Renaissance man
The Modern Language Association recently honored English Professor Peter Stallybrass and his wife for their book, "Renaissance Clothing and the Materials of Memory."

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What's On

PERFORMANCES | LECTURES | EVENTS

Nov. 8-28

We have the score
How’s this for calling attention to hidden treasures? To celebrate the exhibition “Hidden in Plain Sight: Musical Treasures in the Penn Library,” the Cassatt Quartet will perform Bartók’s Third String Quartet, one of the original manuscripts in the Penn Library’s collection, shown here. See Friday, Nov. 9.

Thursday, Nov. 8

TALKS

FOCUS ON LA FOCE: Practice Professor of Landscape Architecture Laurie Olin talks about the new book “La Foce: A Garden and Landscape in Tuscany,” to which he contributed (“Bookquick,” Current, Oct. 25). Noon at the Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St.

EXHIBITS

A LA CHINESE: Beth Ann Johnson’s ink paintings and calligraphy follow the Chinese style. Opening reception: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Burrison Art Gallery, Faculty Club, 3611 Walnut St.

READINGS

DOCTORS OF LETTERS: Penn doctoral students Amina Gautier, Matt Hart, Carmen Higgins, Jessica Lowenthal, Kathy Lou Schultz and Lance Wahlert read from their works. 7 p.m. at the Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk. Info for all Writers House events: dept.english.upenn.edu/~wh or 215-573-WRIT.

THEATER

“THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES”: Penn Presents brings Eve Ensler’s Off-Broadway hit back to Philly, this time with Andrea McArdle, to explore the most intimate part of women’s lives. 8 p.m. in Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center. Tickets $45, $40 and $35. Additional performances Nov. 9-11.

Friday, Nov. 9

TALKS

DISCOVERING MR. DREXEL: Freelance writer and Family Business editor Dan Rottenberg discusses his new book, “The Man Who Made Wall Street: Anthony J. Drexel and the Rise of Modern Finance” (“Bookquick,” Current, Oct. 11). Noon at the Penn Bookstore.

NOT JUST SAFE TO DRINK: WHYY President Bill Marrazzo, onetime Philadelphia water commissioner, speaks on “Performance Beyond Benchmarks: Trends in the Nation’s Water Industry.” 12:15 p.m. in the Wistar Institute auditorium, 36th and Spruce streets.

THE WEAKEST LINKS: Estelle Richmond, social services director for the City of Philadelphia, speaks on “Vulnerable Populations in American Health Care.” 2 to 3:30 p.m. in Room 211, Steinberg-Dietrich Hall, 3620 Locust Walk.

SPORTS

VOLLEYBALL: Penn vs. Dartmouth. 4 p.m. at the Palestra, 33rd St. below Walnut.

FILM

“INTOLERANCE”: D.W.Griffith’s 1916 epic flopped when it was released, but time has been kinder to this complex film than to his more successful “Birth of a Nation.” 8 p.m. at International House. Tickets $5, available one hour before show time.

MUSIC

WE HAVE THE SCORE: The Cassatt String Quartet opens a reception for the exhibit “Hidden in Plain Sight: Musical Treasures in the Penn Library” with a performance of one of the library’s treasures, Bartók’s Third String Quartet. 5:30 p.m. in Kamin Gallery, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library, 3420 Walnut St. Reservations required: 1-800-390-1829.

THEATER

“THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES”: See Thursday, Nov. 8. Tickets $50, $45 and $40.

Saturday, Nov. 10

TALKS

GRINDING IT OUT: Novelist Justin Cronin delivers the keynote speech for the seventh annual Writers’ Conference at Penn, “Ten Years at Hard Labor or Why I’m Glad My Orthopedic Surgeon is Not a Novelist.” 9 a.m. in Room 17, Logan Hall. Admission $5. Advance registration required: CGS Special Programs, 215-898-6479.

SPORTS

VOLLEYBALL: Penn vs. Harvard. 4 p.m. at the Palestra.

PERFORMANCE

POE’S EGYPT: See “Editor’s Pick.”

MUSIC

DAVID DARLING: The classically-trained cellist performs in a wide variety of genres, from jazz to country and New Age, incorporating electronics into his solo performances. 8 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 3916 Locust Walk. Admission $20, students with ID $10. Info: www.thegatherings.org or 610-734-1009.

TITANS OF MODERN MUSIC: The Cassatt String Quartet performs works by emeritus professors of music George Crumb and George Rochberg, with Lambert Orkis and James Primosch at the piano. 8 p.m. in Irvine Auditorium. Tickets $12, Penn students free with PennCard (limit one). Info for all Music Department concerts: www.sas.upenn.edu/music or 215-898-6244.

THEATER

“THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES”: See Thursday, Nov. 8. 2 and 8 p.m. in Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center. Tickets $50, $45 and $40.

Sunday, Nov. 11

PERFORMANCE

POE’S EGYPT: See “Editor’s Pick.”

MUSIC

JAZZ IN THE AFTERNOON: The Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral presents the Eric Mintel Quartet performing original works and the music of Dave Brubeck. 3 p.m. in the cathedral chapel, 38th and Chestnut streets. Tickets $10, students/seniors $8.

SPIRITUAL BEAT: Penn Presents the Japanese drum ensemble Yamato, whose performances pay homage to the traditions of Japanese drumming and display a strong sense of the theatrical. 7 p.m. in Irvine Auditorium. Tickets $40, $35 and $25.

GROOVELILY: The dynamic electric folk-rockers return to Philly to energize the Cherry Tree Music Co-op stage. 7:30 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Church parish hall. Tickets $10 in advance, $13 at the door. Info for all Cherry Tree events: www.cherrytree.org or 215-386-1640.

THEATER

“THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES”: See Thursday, Nov. 8. 3 and 7 p.m. in Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center. Tickets for 3 p.m. show $50, $45 and $40.

Monday, Nov. 12

WORKSHOPS

WHEN EVERYONE’S WRONG: A case study of the Challenger disaster shows how group-think can lead otherwise intelligent people to make disastrous decisions. Noon in Suite 1B South, 3624 Market St; bring your lunch; popcorn provided. Registration required: www.hr.upenn.edu/learning.

TALKS

THE NEXT GENERATION: Alejandro Portes of Princeton speaks on “Mainstream Ideologies of Immigration and the Future of the Second Generation.” 4:30 p.m. in Room 200, College Hall, Locust Walk between 34th and 36th streets.

READINGS

OLD WRITERS HOUSE HANDS: Two poets—Penn doctoral student and “PhillyTalks” series editor Louis Cabri and Kelly Writers House vet Michael Magee—read from their recent works. 7 p.m. at the Writers House.

Tuesday, Nov. 13

TALKS

BEAUTY BANISHED: English Professor Wendy Steiner discusses her book “Venus in Exile: The Rejection of Beauty in 20th-Century Art.” Noon at the Penn Bookstore.

WHERE LAW IS USELESS: Attorney David Boies, who argued Vice President Al Gore’s case in Bush vs. Gore, speaks on “The Limits of Law.” 4:30 p.m. in Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center. Tickets required. Reservations: Sharon D’Hurieux, 215-898-2808.

WOLF AT THE DOOR: Author Melissa Goldstein discusses her first book, “Travels with the Wolf,” a chronicle of her growing up and becoming a teacher while struggling with lupus. 6:30 p.m. at the Kelly Writers House.

SPORTS

VOLLEYBALL: Penn vs. Princeton. 7 p.m. at the Palestra.

MUSIC

THEY HANDEL BACH: The Penn Baroque and Recorder Ensembles perform Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto No. 2” and works by Handel and Vivaldi under the direction of flutist Gwyn Roberts. Sponsored by the Music Department. 8 p.m. in Amado Recital Hall, Irvine Auditorium. Tickets $5, Penn students free with PennCard.

PERFORMANCE

OPEN-MIKE NIGHT: Tonight’s your only chance this month to get a word (or song or poem…) in edgewise at the “Speakeasy” open-mike performance night. 8 p.m. at the Kelly Writers House.

Wednesday, Nov. 14

TALKS

SOUNDS LIKE NOW: “World Cafe” host David Dye leads a discussion on contemporary music. Noon at the Penn Bookstore.

REVOLUTION IN TIME: David Landes of Harvard University, author of “Revolution in Time: Clocks and the Making of the Modern World,” gives a tour of timekeeping from medieval to modern times. 5:30 p.m. at the Penn Humanities Forum, 3619 Locust Walk.

EXHIBITS

FUTURE MASTERS: The annual Second-Year MFA Exhibition features some of the best works by Penn’s Master of Fine Arts class of 2002. Opening reception: 5 to 7 p.m. in the Meyerson Hall Gallery, 210 S. 34th St. Exhibit continues through Dec. 5.

READINGS

ALLEN GROSSMAN: The award-winning poet, Johns Hopkins professor and collector of old pots reads from his work. 6 p.m. at the Kelly Writers House.

FILM

“HUMAN RESOURCES”: The French Institute’s series showcasing new French cinema kicks off with Laurent Cantet’s 1999 film about a Parisian business-school student who ends up firing his father after joining Dad’s factory’s human-resources department. 8:30 p.m. at International House. Tickets $5, available one hour before show time.

Thursday, Nov. 15

TALKS

NO WAY OUT: Local author Nicole Bailey-Williams discusses her debut novel, “A Little Piece of Sky,” about a North Philly girl who struggles with feelings of isolation and issues of belonging after moving to a middle-class neighborhood. Noon at the Penn Bookstore.

TALK OF CONVERSION: Harvest USA founders Richard and Andrea Yates speak about going “From ‘Gay’ to Grace.” 7 p.m. in the Terrace Room, Logan Hall, 249 S. 36th St.

WORKSHOPS

BEAT THE WINTER BLUES: This Quality of Worklife Programs workshop helps you cope with the mood swings that accompany the change of seasons. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Room 223, Houston Hall; bring your own lunch. Registration required: www.hr.upenn.edu/training_coursecatalog/search_criteria.asp.

READINGS

LEEWAY TO CREATE: Melisa Cahnmann, Mytili Jagannathan and Lisa Sewell, recipients of this year’s Leeway Foundation Awards for Poetry, read from their works. 7 p.m. at the Kelly Writers House.

THEATER

“SWEENEY TODD”: Stephen Sondheim’s musical about “the demon barber of Fleet Street” is the Penn Players’ fall show. 8 p.m. in Harold Prince Theatre, Annenberg Center. Tickets $7. Additional performances Nov. 16-17.

Friday, Nov. 16

SPECIAL EVENTS

HOLIDAY BAZAAR: The A-3 Assembly’s holiday fair features craft and gift vendors, music, entertainment, raffle prizes and more. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the lobby of Houston Hall, 3417 Spruce St. Info: www.upenn.edu/A-3 or 215-573-3525.

TALKS

FOOD FOR BODY AND SOUL: Keith Wright (W’74) signs and discusses “The Healthy Foods and Spiritual Nutrition Handbook.” Noon at the Penn Bookstore.

SLOW-MOTION RESEARCH: Patricia Thomas talks about her book “Big Shot: Passion, Politics and the Struggle for an AIDS Vaccine.” 2 p.m. at the Penn Bookstore.

MUSIC

GUITARES FRANÇAISES: Classical guitarists Philippe and Josiane Spinosi perform works by French composers Jean-Philippe Rameau, Napoléon Coste and Antoine de Lhoyer. 5 p.m. in Amado Recital Hall, Irvine Auditorium. Admission/info: www.upenn.edu/FI or 215-573-3550.

THEATER

“SWEENEY TODD”: See Thursday, Nov. 15.

THE BAWDY VERSION: Micky O’Donoghue and his zany New Vic Theatre return to the Penn Presents stage with an uproarious, off-color production of “The Canterbury Tales.” 8 p.m. in Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center. Tickets $35, $30 and $25. Additional performances Nov. 17.

Saturday, Nov. 17

SPORTS

FOOTBALL: The Trustees’ Cup game vs. Cornell. 12:30 p.m. at Franklin Field, 33rd and Spruce streets. Tickets/info: www.pennathletics.com or 215-898-6151.

Exploding star
Cuban-born pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba has become a force to be reckoned with in jazz, blending Latin, Afro-Cuban and African-American influences into his sizzling performances. His visit to the Penn Presents stage Nov. 18 features music from his most recent album, “Supernova,” and his 1999 release “Inner Voyage.” See Sunday, Nov. 18.

READINGS

POETS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE: Two regional poets whose work confronts injustice, Leslie Anne McIlroy and Aaren Yeatts Perry, read from their work. 4 p.m. at the Kelly Writers House.

DANCE

THE DANCING CURE: I Giullari di Piazza perform “Tarantata: Dance of the Ancient Spider,” based on the tarantella, the traditional Italian dance performed by women to cure the mythical bite of the tarantula. 8 p.m. at International House, 3701 Chestnut St. Tickets $17. Info: www.ihousephilly.org or 215-895-6537.

THEATER

“SWEENEY TODD”: See Thursday, Nov. 15. 2 and 8 p.m. in Harold Prince Theatre, Annenberg Center.

THE BAWDY VERSION: See Friday, Nov. 16. 2 and 8 p.m. in Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center.

Sunday, Nov. 18

SPORTS

WRESTLING: The Keystone Classic. 10 a.m. at the Palestra. Tickets/info: www.pennathletics.com or 215-898-6151.

MUSIC

GONZALO RUBALCABA TRIO: The prolific Cuban jazz pianist — who’s produced nine albums in 11 years—performs music from his latest release, “Supernova,” and his 1999 album “Inner Voyage” in a Penn Presents concert. 8 p.m. in Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center. Tickets $29, $25 and $21.

Monday, Nov. 19

TALKS

LIVE FROM KYOTO: Frank Sherlock, Fran Ryan, Tom Devaney and Professor of English Al Filreis converse with pioneering modernist poet/publisher Cid Corman via live audiocast from Corman’s home in Kyoto, Japan. 9 p.m. at the Kelly Writers House. Conversation also Webcast live; see dept.english.upenn.edu/~wh/corman.html for details.

Sunday, Nov. 25

MUSIC

VOICES OF WINTER: The trio of Priscilla Herdman, Anne Hills and Cindy Mangsen will warm up the Cherry Tree audience for the coming season with their collective vocal talents. 7:30 p.m. in St. Mary’s Church parish hall. Tickets $15 in advance, $18 at the door.

Wednesday, Nov. 28

EXHIBITS

TWO LOCAL ARTISTS: Illustrator Ilaria Arpino and Pennsylvania Gazette art director Catherine Gontarek display their works. Reception from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. at the Kelly Writers House.

TALKS

CARING BY NATURE?: University of Massachusetts economist Nancy Folbre speaks on “The Invisible Heart: Gender Norms and the Supply of Caring Labor.” Noon in the Stiteler Hall lounge, 208 S. 37th St.

SHE SHATTERED THE MYSTIQUE: The History Department’s “20th Century Lives” series continues with Professor Kathy Peiss speaking on Betty Friedan. 4 p.m. in Room 200, College Hall.

WHAT’S PRESENT IS PAST: Oxford Professor of History Felipe Fernández-Armesto speaks on “What Is History Now?” 5:30 p.m. in Room B-1, Meyerson Hall.

GOOD, BAD OR VERSE?: Poet Leonard Gontarek hosts a panel discussion, “Is there a poetry scene in Philadelphia,” featuring Eileen D’Angelo, Gil Ott, Kelly Writers House Director Kerry Sherin and Frank Sherlock. 7 p.m. at the Writers House.

FILM

“LA CAPAGIRA”: International House’s Italian Film Festival opens its third season with Alessandro Piva’s 1999 film about a group of small-time crooks looking for a mysterious package from the Balkans. 8 p.m. at International House. Admission free; tickets available one hour before show time.

MUSIC

CHORAL SPLENDOR: The Music Department presents the University of Pennsylvania Choir and the University Chamber Singers performing works by Bach, Victoria and Brahms. 8 p.m. in Irvine Auditorium. Tickets $5, Penn students free with PennCard (limit one).