What’s On

lectures/readings/events

April 29-May 12

	Editor's Pick: A show about nothing Event listings Child's play Conference Call People's Choice: Hall of Famers

Thursday, April 29

TALKS

• RAYMOND V. DAMADIAN: The founder of the FONAR corporation who did much of the theoretical work on MRIs and was the first person to bring the technology to market will be honored with the 2004 Bower Award for Business Leadership. 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Biomedical Research Building 2/3, 421 Curie Blvd. RSVP to 215-662-3044 or cme@rad.upenn.edu.
  
  
• RHYMES WITH: Jim Carpenter premiers his Electronic Text Composition project with a presentation and demonstration of the software components that generate different texts, including poetry. Poet and English professor Bob Perelman, Ph.D. CIS student Nick Montfort (see “Student Spotlight”) and English and comparative literature professor Jean-Michel Rabaté will follow the presentation with a conversation. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Slought Foundation, 4017 Walnut St. Info: 215-222-9050 or www.slought.org.

READINGS

• COMING TO AMERICA: Students from the Edison-Fereira High School in North Philly read original monologues about the complexity of the immigrant experience and coming to Philadelphia. 4 to 6 p.m. at Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk. Info for all Writers House events: 215-573-WRIT or www.english.upenn.edu/~wh.

THEATER

• NO PLACE LIKE HOME: Jeffrey Solomon’s play, “Over the Rainbow. . . Seeking Queer Asylum in America” puts a human face on the hundreds of sexual minority refugees who risk torture, imprisonment and death and apply for asylum in the U.S. every year. 8 p.m. at International House, 3701 Chestnut St. Tickets: $12, $10 members/students/seniors. Tickets: 215-895-6544 or email tickets@ihphilly.org. Info: 215-387-5125 or www.ihousephilly.org. Additional performance April 30.

PERFORMANCE

• THE GATHERING: Philly’s b-boys, emcees, turntablists and graf writers get together for the monthly hip hop showcase, led by hosts I BE and resident DJ M-SKI. 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St. Info: 215-573-3234 or www.foundationarts.org.

Friday, April 30

TALKS

• ROBERT S. GALVIN: The director of global health care for General Electric speaks on the economics and policies of employer-sponsored health care. Noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Colonial Penn Center Auditorium, 3641 Locust Walk. RSVP: westsi@wharton.upenn.edu. Info: www.upenn.edu/ldi.

EXHIBITS

• WALK ON THROUGH: Join artists and curators for walkthroughs of three new exhibitions opening at the Institute of Contemporary Art: “The Big Nothing” (see “Editor’s Pick”); an installation by nationally renowned artist Judy Pfaff, who uses materials such as paint, plastic, glass, metal and wood to create spiky abstract works, and Yun-Fei Ji’s exhibit, “The East Wind,” in which he uses traditional Chinese painting techniques to explore historic subjects. Walkthroughs at 5 p.m., followed by an opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. at the ICA, 118 South 36th St. Admission $3, artists $2, members/PennCard holders free. Info: 215-898-5911 or www.icaphila.org. Exhibits run through August 1.

THEATER

• NO PLACE LIKE HOME: See Thursday, April 29. Tonight: Jeffrey Solomon’s play, “Over the Rainbow. . . Seeking Queer Asylum in America” at 8 p.m. at I-House. Tickets: $12, $10 members/students/seniors. Tickets: 215-895-6544 or email tickets@ihphilly.org. Info: 215-387-5125 or www.ihousephilly.org.

PERFORMANCE

• A MONTH OF VERSE: The National Poetry Month wraps up with a continuation of the Verve Poetry Festival, which features multimedia performances from Michael D., Devin D’Andrea, Gabrielle Cassella and others. 8 p.m. at The Rotunda. Info: www.foundationarts.org.

Saturday, May 1

FOR THE KIDS

• BAG IT: Children ages 8 to 12 can see an Innuit fish skin bag and Tlingit bentwood bowl in the galleries, and get to make their own container in the third and final workshop in a series exploring the culture of the maritime peoples of the Arctic and Northwest coast. 10 a.m. to noon at the Penn Museum, 3260 South St. $10 for the day. Pre-registration required: 215-898-4016. Info: www.museum.upenn.edu.

PERFORMANCE

• IT’S ELECTRIC: The two-day Philadelphia Electronic Music and Arts Festival explores the many different facets of electronically created and enhanced artistic expression. Expect all types of music, from singer-songwriters to industrial dance, as well as installation, performance and video artists. 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. at The Rotunda. Info: www.foundationarts.org.

READINGS

• FRESH TALK: The magazine freshbuckets hosts a lunch party and reading at 6 p.m. in Kelly Writers House. Info: www.english.upenn.edu/~wh.

Sunday, May 2

PERFORMANCE

• IT’S ELECTRIC: See Saturday, May 1. The two-day Philadelphia Electronic Music and Arts Festival concludes. Noon to midnight at The Rotunda. Info: www.foundationarts.org.

FILM

• LENS ON INDIA: “Amrit Beeja” (“Eternal Seed,” 1996) documents the lives of rural Indian women who reject the Western model of modern farm technology. 6:30 p.m. at the Graduate Student Center, 3615 Locust Walk. Info: 215-746-6868 or www.upenn.edu/gsc. Series continues on May 9.

Monday, May 3

TALKS

• GET SAUCED: Barbara Nowak and Beverly Wichman (real-life sisters) discuss and sign copies of their recently published book, “The Saucy Sisters’ Guide to Wine” (New American Library, 2004). 12:30 p.m. at the Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St. Info: 215-898-7595 or www.upenn.edu/bookstore.

Tuesday, May 4

READINGS

• IT’S A FIND: Davy Rothbart reads from “Found: The Best Lost, Tossed and Forgotten Items From Around the World” (Fireside, 2004), a collection of letters, flyers and other miscellany from the pages of Found magazine. 12:30 at the Bookstore. Info: www.upenn.edu/bookstore.

TALKS

• GREEN SCENE: Join Arboretum Director of Horticulture Anthony Aiello as he highlights some of the unique plants at this year’s sale. 7 p.m. at Morris Arboretum, 100 Northwestern Ave. $5, members free. Registration required: 215-247-5777, ext. 169. Info: www.morrisarboretum.org.
  
• MERE MORTALS: Stephen S. Hall speaks about aging, cancer, stem cells and cloning explored in his new book, “Merchants of Immortality.” 7 p.m. at The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce St. Registration required: 215-898-3943 or wyce@wistar.upenn.edu. Dessert reception follows. Info: www.wistar.upenn.edu.

Wednesday, May 5

TALKS

• SARA J. CORSE: The author of “Cradled all the While: The Unexpected Gifts of a Mother’s Death” (Augsburg Fortress, 2004) talks about the unexpected spiritual journey she experienced after her mother’s death. 7 p.m. at the Bookstore. Info: www.upenn.edu/bookstore.

Thursday, May 6

READINGS

• LET THEM EAT CAKE: Tristan Davies reads from his book “Cake: Stories” (Johns Hopkins, 2003), a collection of short stories that explore love in contemporary society. 6 p.m. at the Bookstore. Info: www.upenn.edu/bookstore.

FILM

• LOVELY DREAMS: The Africa Film Series continues with 1997’s “Africa Dreaming,” (SouthAfrica/Mozambique/Nambia/Senegal/Tunisia), a series of short films about the broad theme of love in Africa. 7:30 p.m. at I-House. Admission $6, members/students/seniors. Info: www.ihousephilly.org.

MUSIC

• SURVIVORS: Alto saxophonist Marco Eneidi performs with his Sound on Survival group, with members Lisle Ellis on bass and Peter Valsamis on drums. 8 to 10 p.m. at Slought Foundation. Admission $12. Info: www.slought.org.

Friday, May 7

FILM

• FAMILY TENSION: Nance Oku Bright and Jean Philippe Boucicaut’s 2004 documentary, “Liberia: America’s Stepchild,” presents the parallel stories of America’s relationship with Liberia and the settlers’ relationship with the native people. Emmy-award winner Boucicaut will be in attendance. Preceded by Filmon Mebrahtu’s portrait of a Liberian grandmother living in Philadelphia, “Hadja.” 7:30 p.m. Admission $6, members/students/seniors $5. Info: www.ihousephilly.org.

TALKS

• MANAGED HEALTH: University of Minnesota professor Stephen T. Parente presents an “Evaluation of the Effect of a Consumer-Driven Health Plan on Medical Care Expenditures and Utilization.” Noon to 1:30 p.m. Colonial Penn Center Auditorium. Info: www.upenn.edu/ldi.

Saturday, May 8

FILM

• “WET SAND”: Dai Sil Kim-Gibson’s 2003 documentary explores the aftermath of the 1992 Los Angeles civil unrest in multi-ethnic communities. Gibson, Stephen Glassman, chairperson of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and Nudia Han, reporter for ABC, Channel 6 News, will discuss issues of race, gender and urban struggle after the film. 6:30 p.m. Free. Info: www.ihousephilly.org.

FOR THE KIDS

• MOM’S THE WORD: Children ages 8 to 10 can celebrate Mother’s Day by honoring their moms—and Mother Earth. The workshop includes a visit to the Southwest gallery to learn about Hopi women and their pottery before creating a handmade gift of their own. 10 a.m. to noon at the Penn Museum. $10. Pre-registration required: 215-898-4016. Info: www.museum.upenn.edu.

SPECIAL EVENTS

• GET YOUR GREENS: Bring mom to pick out rare and top-quality perennials, annuals and woody plants at the Arboretum’s annual sale. Plant experts will be on hand to help. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Morris Arboretum. Info: www.morrisarboretum.org. Sale continues May 9.

PERFORMANCE

• SHOGHAKEN FOLK ENSEMBLE: The 8-piece Armenian ensemble brings folk dances, haunting love songs and lullabies to the Penn Presents stage on their first U.S. tour. 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St. Tickets $41, $35, $29, $24. Tickets/info: www.pennpresents.org or 215-898-3900.

Sunday, May 9

SPECIAL EVENTS

• GET YOUR GREENS: The Arboretum’s annual plant sale continues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Morris Arboretum. Info: www.morrisarboretum.org.
  
• A MEAL WITH MOM: Treat your mother to an elegant brunch buffet of muffins, bagels, omelets, salads and more with musical entertainment at 10:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. at the Morris Arboretum. Tickets: members $21, adults $25, member children 3-12 $6, nonmember children $8. Reservations required: 215-247-5777, ext. 181. Info: www.morrisarboretum.org.

SPORTS

• MEN’S LIGHTWEIGHT CREW: Penn battles Navy and Delaware for the Callow Cup. 11 a.m. at the Schuylkill River. Info for all athletic events: www.pennathletics.com.

FILM

• LENS ON INDIA: Tonight: “Aftershocks—The Rough Guide to Democracy” (2002), the story of the government-controlled mining company that sought to acquire lignite-rich villages after a devastating earthquake in 2001without dealing with issues of compensation or resettlement. 6:30 p.m. in the Graduate Student Center. Info: www.upenn.edu/gsc.

Monday, May 10

PERFORMANCE

• LIVE AT THE WRITERS HOUSE: This month’s taping features poet and social worker Trapeta B. Mayson, poet Lamont B. Steptoe, novelist and short story writer Mark Sacharoff, the poetry collective, Daughters of the Diaspora, poet Maleka Fruean and cellist Monica McIntyre. 8 p.m. at Writers House. Info: www.english.upenn.edu/~wh.

Wednesday, May 12

FILM

• TURKISH DIASPORA: The series “Young Turks of the German Cinema” kicks off with Faith Akin’s 2000 film, “We Forgot to Go Back,” a documentary that records Akin’s relatives in Germany and Turkey and explores ideas of homeland and belonging. Preceded by Akin’s 1996 short film, “Weed,” the story of a German immigrant who spends the holidays with his mother at the coast. 8 p.m. at International House. Admission $6, members/students/seniors $5. Info: www.ihousephilly.org. Series continues through May 16.