Weekday events of note, 10/31-11/3:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Monday:

• Halloween show at Mojo Main with prodigal Newark sons Spin Drift, with Chrome Lord.  21+, 9pm, $7. 
• Showing of Halloween (the original, and one of the greatest films of all time imho) at Theatre N. 7:30pm.  FREE.  Theatre details.  And if you go and some drunken idiot starts nervously but loudly laughing through the pivotal scenes, as if to say "These quaint old horror films amuse us.  Right?  RIGHT?  I ain't skeered!", you have my permission to claw her eyes out.  Many a retro movie experience has been ruined by That Person.
•  Movie Monday at the Kennett Flash. Caveat: Call them to make sure - I could swear there was a horror film scheduled for Monday but I cannot now find reference to it on their site.  They have dedicated Mondays in November to Wes Anderson films, so I know it's not the case that they're discontinuing the movie series. Kennett Flash site. Free, donations encouraged. Doors at 7pm, show at 7:30.
• Movie Monday at the Trocadero: Horror/comedy classic Creepshow.  21+, $3.  Doors at 6:30, show at 8, arrive before 7 and get a free beer and popcorn.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tuesday:

• Some Noel Gallagher documentary screening at the Trocadero.  I am not a fan, so I'll leave it to you to peruse the link if you're so inclined.  More info.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wednesday:

• 4W5 Blues Jam at the Queen. 7pm, free.
• Rasputina at the Queen. (cello-driven rock.  I'm a string player, but they've always seemed a little gimmick-y for my tastes.  Still, a lot of people seem to love them, so... here you are).  8pm, $23. Ticket link.
• Goo Goo Dolls at the Grand Opera House. 8pm.  Ticket link.
• St. Vincent with Cate Le Bon at Union Transfer. All ages, 8pm, $18. Ticket link.  St. Vincent started as a back up singer for both Sufjan Stevens and the Polyphonic Spree, before going solo.  I know people who have met her, and claim she's "Blindingly, you-have-to-look-away beautiful" in person, to boot. Here's a perfectly-tempoed song from her excellent 2009 album Actor.  Also recommended is the much more upbeat song "Actor Out Of Work". 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thursday:

• Karaoke at Mojo Main. 9pm, free
• Meat Puppets at Johnny Brenda's. I could swear this wasn't on their calendar a few days ago.  21+, 9:15, $14. 
• Sold out Panic at the Disco show at the Troc.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Upcoming: Mister Heavenly (mems. Man Man, Modest Mouse and Islands) at FU Church on Fri., The Sea and Cake at Union Transfer next Wednesday.  Spinto Band at the Kennett Flash on the 11th.

Home Grown Cafe co-opts the "Occupy" phrase into a marketing tool for their business.

Rant warning: this may be a little caustic.

Here is the flyer that caught my attention this morning:

To be sure:  This is not an Occupy DE event.  It is meant only as a way to attract patrons to this Halloween themed show.  And Occupy DE does not seem happy about it.   In case you were thinking "Maybe Home Grown is trying to show solidarity with the movement", there's this subtitle which starts off the official Facebook invite: 

"...because you can't wasted and listen to rock music on Wall Street."

Yes, they wrote "Because you can't wasted".  And by the way, I'm pretty sure you can do those things at Occupy rallies, but I digress. 

Reaction was swift from actual Occupy DE supporters, who left the following comments for Home Grown:

"This is totally inappropriate. I used to support Homegrown, but this crosses a line. Its like having a bodybag party in honor of Iraq soldiers. TASTELESS."

"This is out of line and tasteless. Opportunist crap like this will make me take my business down to Mojo Main."

"I'll bring it to the group's [Occupy DE's] attention. Most of us are in Newark anyway, so we'll remember this shit when we make decisions about eating and drinking out on Main Street."

"I'm gonna light up a big blunt of homegrown marijuana in this place tonight. Just for using the name occupy and the name homegrown... i'm gonna show everyone just how much a bunch of posers you all really are."

"...this is an 'Occupy' event?"  [Answer from a different commenter]: "The exact opposite".

"I think using the OCCUPY association for your own profit is disgusting. The Occupy movement is working hard to improve all of our lives, while Homegrown, is a business for profit. Please consider using a different term to attract customers - and consider donating supplies or food to the REAL Occupy cause. Please come see the Occupy Delaware FB page for details." 

[This last comment was responded to by members of Villains Like You and Tail, the bands involved in the event, with chants of  "Occupy [commenter's name]!" and accusations that she's an uptight kill-joy who ruined the fun for everyone.  Later, one of the same band members advised the woman 'no hard feelings', because they were just 'pulling her leg'.  Guys, calling someone an uptight killjoy does not fit the definition of 'pulling ones leg', making that one weak attempt at an apology.]

But my absolute favorite part of the whole exchange was this official response from Villains Like You, ostensibly thought up after they realized that the numbers were growing of those not happy with the usage of the "Occupy" term:

"this is not an occupy event, though we encourage their movement and welcome all to come peacefully groove out to some rock and roll.  understand: we're young, pissed off musicians who feel the same way you do."

Oh. OH!  You're young, pissed off musicians, you say?  Well ... WHY didn't you say so in the first place!  Because that TOTALLY makes it cool.  D'ja hear that, Occupy DE organizers?  You can call off the dogs now, they're young, pissed off musicians.

Now it's time for my own caveat: I am not a supporter - or a detractor - of Occupy DE or Home Grown.  (The bands involved, however...oy).  And I'm not against humor - I've laughed at many jokes aimed towards this movement.  But I do agree this is an ill-thought and ill-timed marketing idea.  Especially, and this is the part that baffles me, in a hippy-themed cafe that's exactly the kind of place you would expect 'Occupy' supporters to patronize.  I can see this working for a place that's a hang-out  for conservatives, inclined towards ridicule of the Occupy movement, but why would Home Grown want to alienate the activist crowd?  

This weekend, 10/28-10/30:

Okay, so... we're looking at very few significant music options for this weekend, compared to other weekends.  Or maybe I'm just getting pickier.  At any rate, it's Halloween weekend, and I'm sure you know exactly what you're doing.  If I dig deep and come up with more to add to this over the weekend, I will.

General Events:
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday:

• Free Lunchtime Live show at the Queen.  Noon.  More info.
• Kennett Square Farmers' Market.  2-6pm. 
• Showings at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday:

• Final Lewes Farmers' Market of the year. 8-noon.
• Showings at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• SNOW!  And freezing, snow-tinted rain.  Ugh.  I hope I get called off work tonight. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunday:

• Sunday Bird Walk at Bucktoe Creek Preserve  (weekly until Jan. 2). 8-10am, free, nearby PA.
• Newark Co-op Farmers' Market. 10-2pm, E. Main St.
• Showings at Theatre N. http://www.theatren.org/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Band shows:

Friday:

• Matthew Sweet (20th anniversary of Girlfriend tour) at the Queen. 9pm, $20-$45. Ticket link.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday:

• Halloween show at The Wedge with The Collingwood. (The Wedge is just outside of Newark on New London Rd). 21+, 9pm, $5.
• (There are other Halloween shows in the area - you can find them recommended in the News Journal - but I cannot personally endorse the bands involved.  See the post after this one for one of the reasons why).
• Long, long-time Philly prog band Asteroid No. 4 (2nd of 3) at Johnny Brenda's. 21+, 9pm, $10.
• Okay, yes, there is a Halloween Loop in Wilmington tonight.  There.  I mentioned it.  I have acknowledged that while I have long since stopped enjoying the Loops, other people might not be so old and jaded and too cool for school, and might actually have a good time there.  Have at.  Don't let the bus drivers trick you into tipping them for letting you off the bus.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunday:

• (Note: this band is playing closer to home at the Queen Theatre next Wednesday).  The cello-driven rock of Rasputina at Johnny Brenda's. 21+, 9pm, $15.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Upcoming:

Spindrift at Mojo Main on Monday, Rachael Yamagata at Philly's WCL on Monday,  Rasputina at the Queen on Wednesday, St. Vincent at Union Transfer on Wed., Crooked Fingers at JBs on Wed., Yellowcard at the TLA Thurs., Panic at the Disco at the Troc on Thurs., Mister Heavenly (mems. Man Man, Modest Mouse and Islands) at the First U. Church next Friday, Pixies at the Grand next Saturday (still a few tickets left, which shocks me).

Weekday events of note, 10/24-10/27:

Monday:

• Movie Monday at the Kennett Flash: Halloween (the unsurpassed original). Free, donations encouraged. Doors at 7pm, show at 7:30.  By the way - if you miss it, it's also being played at Theatre N on October 31st. 
• Movie Monday at the Trocadero: Bram Stoker's Dracula.  21+, $3.  Doors at 6:30, show at 8, arrive before 7 and get a free beer and popcorn.
• Missed-It Monday at Theatre N: one last showing of Under the Boardwalk: The Monopoly Story.  7pm, $7.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tuesday:

• Ted Leo & the Pharmacists at Mojo Main, with Pujol. Early show. All ages, 6:30pm, $12.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wednesday:

• 4W5 Blues Jam at the Queen. 7pm, free.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thursday:

• Bi-weekly Brandywine Village Farmers' Market. Concord Ave. & Market St., 4-7pm.
• A film about beat-boxing at Theatre N. 7pm, $7.
• Movie night at the Queen Theatre: Bridesmaids. 7pm, $5. (Good to see a local music hall getting in on the movie night act.  I hope they keep it up.  And play good movies - not that I'm criticizing).
• Karaoke at Mojo Main. 9pm, free
• Delawarean-turned-Californian band Spindrift opens for The Black Angels at Union Transfer. Good gig score, boys.  All ages, 8pm, $15.
• Dawes and Blitzen Trapper at the TLA. 7pm, $29+. Ticket link.
• Grizzly Bear's angelic-voiced bassist Chris Taylor at Johnny Brenda's, with his side project Cant (no apostrophe).  Opening is the lead singer of Here We Go Magic, who opened for G.B. when they played the Troc a couple of years ago.  21+, 9pm, $14.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Upcoming:  Matthew Sweet at the Queen on Friday, Rasputina at JB's on Sunday,  St. Vincent at Union Transfer next Wednesday,.

This weekend, 10/21-10/23:

General Events:
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday:

• Free noon show at the Queen with Hot Breakfast.
• Kennett Square Farmers' Market.  2-6pm. 
• Brandywine Blvd (in Bellefonte) Shop Hop (an art stroll type thing).  5-9pm. 
• All weekend: South Pacific at the Dupont Theatre.
• Showings of The Hedgehog and Amigo at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday:

• Penultimate Lewes Farmers' Market. 8-noon.
• Run For Autism 5k in Pennsville, NJ. Details.
• Showings of The Hedgehog and Amigo at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunday:

• Sunday Bird Walk at Bucktoe Creek Preserve  (weekly until Jan. 2). 8-10am, free, nearby PA.
• Breast cancer 5k in Wilmington. Details.
• Pro Bono Celebration 5k in Wilmington. Details.
• 3rd Caffe Gelato 10mi. run, Newark. Details.
• Newark Co-op Farmers' Market. 10-2pm, E. Main St.
• Showings of The Hedgehog and Amigo at Theatre N, as well as the pre-recorded opera Adriana Lecouvreur. http://www.theatern.org/Films

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Band shows:

Friday:

• Mean Lady and Spontaneous Underground at Mojo Main (with matinee show by Katie Dill of Mean Lady). 21+, 9pm, $5
• Steve Forbert and Ben Arnold at the Queen. 7:30, $22+.  Ticket link.
• For folk music fans: Sarah Lee Guthrie (daughter of Arlo) and Johnny Irion at the Wilm. Friends Meeting House on Quaker Hill, 4th & West Sts. 7-9:30pm.   $15 at the door, $12 with any kind of advance RSVP (their words).  Details.
• Masters of Mali at Arden's Gild Hall. All ages, 8pm. $20-$25. Details.
• CSS at Union Transfer, with Men and Ema. All ages, 8pm, $15. Ticket link.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday:

• Andrew Bird at the Grand Opera House, with Martin Dosh. 10pm, $35-$43. Ticket link.
• Joe Keys & the Late Bloomer Band, with Universal Funk Order. Film Bros. Co-Op, lower Market. All ages, 6:30, $6.
• Buried Beds at Kung Fu Necktie, with Geology (Greg Jehanian of mewithoutYou) and Dignan (TX).  21+, 7:30pm, $8.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunday:

• Dum Dum Girls at Union Transfer, with Crocodiles and Royal Baths. All ages, 8pm, $15. Ticket link.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Upcoming: Ted Leo and the Pharmacists at Mojo Main on Tues., DE natives Spindrift (opening) at Union Transfer on Thurs., Sting at the Tower all next week, Grizzly-Bear-side-project Cant at JB's on Thurs., Dawes and Blitzen Trapper at the TLA on Thurs., Matthew Sweet at the Queen next Friday, Asteroid No. 4 at JB's next Saturday, Rasputina at JB's next Sunday.

Theatre N this week:

(Note - I just realized that I've been inadvertantly ripping off Spark this whole time with my "This Week at Theatre N" titles.  Sorry dudes - it was unintentional.  It took me so long to realize this because I never consult the Spark for leads, honestly). 

That said, this will have to be short and sweet and sparse on the personal interpretations - I have to get ready for work and am going to be working straight through (at my day job or official music making) until Friday.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Amigo

AMIGO, the 17th feature film from Academy Award-nominated writer-director John Sayles, stars legendary Filipino actor Joel Torre as Rafael, a village mayor caught in the murderous crossfire of the Philippine-American War. When U.S. troops occupy his village, Rafael comes under pressure from a tough-as-nails officer (Chris Cooper) to help the Americans in their hunt for Filipino guerilla fighters. But Rafael’s brother (Ronnie Lazaro) is the head of the local guerillas, and considers anyone who cooperates with the Americans to be a traitor. Rafael quickly finds himself forced to make the impossible, potentially deadly decisions faced by ordinary civilians in an occupied country.

Friday at 8, Saturday at 5, Sunday at 5:30.  $7.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Hedgehog

In French with English subtitles. 

Inspired by the beloved New York Times bestseller, The Elegance of the Hedgehog, by Muriel Barbery, THE HEDGEHOG is the timely story of Paloma (Garance Le Guillermic) a young girl bent on ending it all on her upcoming twelfth birthday. Using her father’s old camcorder to chronicle the hypocrisy she sees in adults, Paloma begins to learn about life from the grumpy building concierge, Renée Michel (FRENCH TWIST’s Josiane Balasko).

When Paloma’s camera reveals the extensive secret library in Renée’s back room, and that the often gruff matron reads Tolstoy to her cat, Paloma begins to understand that there are allies to be found beneath the prickliest of exteriors. As the unlikely friendship deepens, Paloma’s own coming of age becomes a much less pessimistic prospect.

Friday at 2, Saturday at 2 & 8, Sunday at 11:30 am. $5-$7.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Theatre N: indie films, cheap popcorn, beer and wine, validated parking, please patronize this place so I can stop being the youngest person there (and I ain't all that young).  http://www.theatern.org/

Weekday events of note, 10/17-10/20:

Notes: Thursday's Gillian Welch show at Union Transfer is now sold-out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Monday:

• Open mic night at Mojo Main, 9pm, free.
• Movie Monday at the Kennett Flash: Poltergeist. Free, donations encouraged. Doors at 7pm, show at 7:30.
• Movie Monday at the Trocadero: Horrible Bosses. 21+, $3.  Doors at 6:30, show at 8, arrive before 7 and get a free beer and popcorn.
• One last showing of  Senna, the documentary about a Brazilian auto racer, at Theatre N.  7pm, $7. The theatre is calling this "Missed-It Monday".  I like it!   And if you miss it on Monday, I guess tomorrow is Tough-Shit Tuesday. Ha.
• Duran Duran at the Tower Theatre. 8pm. "Oh, I wonder why this isn't sold out?" I asked myself.  "Um, maybe because tickets are $55-$175" is the answer I came up with. Ticket link.
• The Jayhawks at the Queen Theatre. But only XPN members can get in. 8pm, $25. Details here.
• Sara Bareilles at the Electric Factory. 8pm, $32. Ticket link.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tuesday:

• Seryn (from Denton TX - baroque folk pop with viola.  Sounds familiar).  Mojo Main.  The Cocks and George M. Murphy open. 18+, 7pm, $5. (By the way - they're playing at the North Star Bar in Philly on Monday 10/17).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wednesday:

• The FINAL Wilmington Farmers' Market of the season (sad face). Rodney Square, 10-2pm.
• "Shine A Light" block party at the Grand Opera House.  Free music in the Grand (Cole Younger band), party at Chelsea Tavern, facade-lighting ceremony.  5-8pm, free.  Details.
• DJ workshop at the Music School of Delaware.  DJ Amaze gives a masterclass on the art of DJing, part of the music school's new series on non-classical music. 12+,  7-9pm, $5. Details.
• 4W5 Blues Jam at the Queen. 7pm, free.
• The Delaware Humanities Forum presents a one-off showing of Justice For All at Theatre N.  Justice For All is a documentary about the juvenile justice system in America.  7pm, $7. Details.
• Grafitti Radio Presents: Battleshy Youths, Ryan P. Conaty, and Chris Bathgate at Mojo Main. 9pm, $5.
• British folkie Richard Thompson with DE native Richard Julian, at The Grand. 8pm, $34-$39. Ticket link.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thursday:

• Brandywine Village bi-monthly Farmers' Market. 3-6pm. Market St. & Concord Ave.
• (Whoops - just to be clear, the Seryn show was Tuesday, not Thursday.  I somehow mentioned it twice.  And man, was that a rad show).
• The Collingwood and Archie Powell and the Exports at Logan House.  9pm, $5.
• Karaoke at Mojo Main. 9pm, free
• Comedian Brian Posehn at the Trocadero. 18+, 8pm, $24.  Ticket link.
• Jackson Browne at the Grand.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Upcoming:
Mean Lady at Mojo Main on Friday. Villains Like You and Robot House at the Kennett Flash on Friday. Forbert and Ben Arnold at the Queen on Friday. CSS at Union Transfer on Friday. Andrew Bird at the Grand on Sat.  Geology (a mewithoutYou side project) at KFN on Sat. Dum Dum Girls at Union Transfer on Sunday. Sting at the Tower Theatre all next week.  Ted Leo and the Pharmacists at Mojo Main next Tuesday (yes, really!).  Cant (a Grizzly Bear side project) at JB's next Thurs. Dawes and Blitzen Trapper at the TLA next Thursday. Local legends Spindrift open for The Black Angels at Union Transfer next Thursday (a good but puzzling gig for them).

This weekend, 10/14-10/16:

General Events:
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday:

• Free noon show at the Queen with Alyssa Regan.
• Kennett Square Farmers' Market (until mid-November).  2-6pm. 
• Showings of Under The Boardwalk: The Story of Monopoly, and Senna, at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Art Is Social event at the Delaware Art Museum.  Free beer and wine tastings (full drinks $1-$4), DJ, burlesque show, art, burlesque model sketch session. May need reservation, see link.   $5, 8-11 pm. Full details here.
• Jazz pianist Jimmy Amadie at the Phila. Museum of Art in his first public appearance since 1967.  He once accompanied the likes of Mel Torme and Woody Herman, and is now coming back, Leon Fleisher style, after a decades long bout with tendinitis.  I couldn't make this stuff up.  This is part of the museum's Art After 5 event. http://www.philamuseum.org/artafter5/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday:

• Lewes Farmers' Market (until the end of October). 8-noon.
• Joy - Hope Foundation 5k/10k, Wilmington. Details.
• Hagley Craft Fair, 10-5pm, $5.
• Showings of Under The Boardwalk: The Story of Monopoly, Senna, and The Secret of Kells (Oscar-nominated animation) at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• For people with much bigger budgets than me and mine: Brandywine River Museum's 40th anniversary gala, at the museum.  $150 at the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunday:

• Sunday Bird Walk at Bucktoe Creek Preserve  (weekly until Jan. 2). 8-10am, free, nearby PA.
• SOAR 5k, Wilmington. Details.
• Hagley Craft Fair, 10-4pm, $5.
• Newark Co-op Farmers' Market (until late November). 10-2pm, E. Main St.
• Showings of Under The Boardwalk: The Story of Monopoly, Senna, and Esmerelda (ballet) at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Zombie Party at Mojo Main. 21+, 9pm-1am, free.  Does this involve costumes?  DJ?  Drink or food specials? Whoever writes their event listings didn't give many details.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Band shows:

Friday:

• New Sweden, The Splashing Pearls, and no less than 4 additional bands at Mojo Main. 21+, show at 7, $10.
• Gable Music Ventures presents the Joe Trainor Trio and 12 Mile Circle at the Film Bros. Co-Op on 2nd & Market. 7-9 pm, $6 at door.
• Still Moon Servants, Villains Like You, the LBG Project, and Robot House at the Queen. 8pm, $6.
• Newark folk-rock duo Battleshy Youths at Extreme Pizza on lower Market. 10pm-1am, free.  Happy hour food/drink pricing for anyone with a Joe Trainor ticket from earlier.
• Tric Town October features Marky Ramone (yes, of those Ramones) and NY's Evan Russell Saffer at Mojo 13 (don't say I never promoted a Mojo 13 show).  Note to 3rd band on the bill, Camp Dracula: work on that bio, boys.  It doesn't read well when you say you haven't accomplished all that much in the 4 years you've been together because you were too busy attaining [insert list of professional degrees].  This is rock music, not a job interview.
• RJD2 with Icebird and Lushlife (intelligent electronica/hip hop from Philly) at Union Transfer.  All ages, 8pm, $15-$17.
• Bonerama (horn-heavy funk and free improv from New Orleans) at the North Star Bar. 21+, 9pm, $20.
• Illinois at Milkboy Philly. 21+, doors at 8, $8-$10.
• Bush / Chevelle / Filter at the Electric Factory. $42.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday:

• Stallions with The Last Valorians, My Friends, and Tail at Mojo Main. 21+, 9pm, $5.
• Dirty Boots at the Kennett Flash. 8pm, $12-$15.
• Surf-rock legend Dick Dale at the North Star Bar. 21+, 9pm, $20-$25.
• Minus the Bear at the Electric Factory. $23.
• Slo Mo featuring Mic Wrecka at Johnny Brenda's. 21+, 9pm, $10. Ticket link. 
• Slutever at Kung Fu Necktie. 21+, 8pm, $10. Ticket link.
• Madeleine Peyroux and Nellie McKay at Temple Performing Arts Center. $45-$55.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunday:

• Southern Culture on the Skids at WCL Philly. 8pm, $17-$23.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Upcoming: Lots of good shows next week.

Duran Duran at the Tower on Monday, the Jayhawks at the Queen on Monday (open only to XPN members), Poltergeist screened at the Kennett Flash on Monday, NOFX & Anti-Flag at the TLA on Tues. & Wed., Richard Thompson at the Grand on Wed., Adam Arcuragi at Mojo Main on Wed., Plain White T's at the E. Factory on Wed., Gillian Welch at Union Transfer on Thurs., comedian Brian Posehn at the Troc on Thurs., Mean Lady at Mojo Main next Friday, comedian Steven Wright at the Grand next Friday, CSS at Union Transfer next Friday, Andrew Bird at the Grand Opera House next Sat., Buried Beds at KFN next Sat.,  Smashing Pumpkins at the Tower next Sat., Steve Forbert & Ben Arnold at the Queen next Sat., Dum Dum Girls at Union Transfer next Sunday.

Weekend spotlight: Art Is Social event at the Delaware Art Museum.

There is so much going on with this event that a short mention in my weekend listings doesn't do it justice.  Yes this is an attempt to bring younger people into the art museum's doors, but in my eyes, it's one of the most interesting, sophisticated things going on in Wilmington this season (burlesque model sketching session paired with cheap drinks?  Oh, this is going to be good).  In the museum's words:

Art Is Social.  Friday October 14th, 8-11pm.  $5.  Delaware Art Museum.

Mix up your social scene and head to the Delaware Art Museum for a night of free beer and wine tasting, salty snacks, experimental DJs, burlesque entertainment, and of course, art! Check out magazine illustrations by famed local artist and illustrator Howard Pyle and then try your hand at sketching some burlesque models clad in period costumes from Dr. Sketchy's Philadelphia! Never picked up a pad and pencil? Don’t worry, all amateurs are welcome (or if you just want to stand around and stare that’s okay too). Oh, did I mention that we'll have $1 - $4 drinks AND that we're within walking distance of Trolley Square?

Can’t wait to RSVP? Click here to register, then flash your printed confirmation receipt at the door for faster entrance. Payment is also accepted at the door.

Not sure and want to know more? Call 302.351.8520, email handerson@delart.orgor keep an eye out for more info in Out & About Magazine and Spark Weekly. Learn more about Dr. Sketchy at drsketchyphilly.com

Pat Metheny gives some heavy props to the Grand Opera House.

I didn't necessarily start this blog to talk about Pat Metheny and his ilk, but these are some pretty serious compliments that bear repeating.  And he's right.  We are lucky to have something as nice as the Grand in our town.

From the Grand's social networking page:

'Pat Metheny had this to say about The Grand when he played here last Friday: "I just love this place! This is really one of the best halls anywhere. I’ve played in lots and lots of places all over the world for the last forty years or so. This one is really, to me, one of the top handful of venues in the world. I’m not just saying that to butter you guys up – I know I say this every time I am here because it is really true. You are so lucky to have this here in your community!” Thanks, Pat!'

Kent County SPCA is in quarantine, but one shelter in Philly took in 350 animals over the weekend and is desperately looking for foster homes or adopters.

This may be a little far for most of us, but if intake is that high at this one shelter, you know the situation is probably similar at shelters and rescues nearer to where you live.  So if you've thought about adopting a cat or kitten or dog, now is the time.  And for God's sakes, spay or neuter your cats.

"Intake has been incredibly high this week and the shelter simply has NO ROOM. ACCT takes in between 100 and 200 animals each day! ACCT took in over 350 animals during this past weekend! We desperately try to move cats and kittens out of here but unfortunately many of our rescues are full to capacity as well. By taking in almost 200 animals in one day, the shelter is left with making touch decisions about the fate of our animals. If anyone can help by making room for just one cat or kitten, we would be very grateful! Please HELP if you can! The animals lives depend on it...

If you can help PLEASE GO TO:
Animal Care and Control Team (ACCT) powered by the PSPCA
111 W Hunting Park Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19140

Open from 9am to 7pm "

This week at Theatre N:

The Thing (1982, John Carpenter)

Nevermind that the theatre is calling it "the original" when the 1982 version is a remake of the black & white original.  They're showing it only one time, at 7:30 pm on Thursday, and admission is FREE.  Street parking will be free and you can get booze right in the theatre; why take your date to a bar on Thursday?  This is much more likely to impress.  Or how about this - park, go to a happy hour nearby (like Mikimoto's), walk to the theatre.  I think I may just be talking myself into doing that.  I'll be the one with the sushi breath.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Under the Boardwalk: The Monopoly Story

Documentary about how Monopoly became a worldwide success, and about the Monopoly players' yearly championship.  Friday at 8, Saturday at 5, Sunday at noon.  $5-$7.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Senna

In English, French & Portugese with English subtitles.   A documentary about the life of a Brazilian Formula One racer.  Friday at 2, Saturday at 5 & 8, Sunday at 6.  $5-$7.

~~~~~~~~~~

Animated selection of the week:  The Secret of Kells

By the producer of The Triplets of Belleville.  Oscar-nominated for best animated feature.  Starring the voice of Brendan Gleeson (once again: the red-headed middle-aged guy from Gangs of New York and 28 Days Later).  "Magic, fantasy and Celtic mythology come together in a riot of color and detail that dazzle the eyes in this sweeping story about the power of imagination and faith to carry humanity through dark times."    Saturday at 11am only.  $5.

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Ballet or opera selection: Esmeralda, ballet.  Recorded at the Bolshoi just this past Sunday. 
Sunday at 2:30. $15.
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Theatre N is northern Delaware's best option for indie, foreign, and art house films.  Beer, wine, popcorn and candy are available very cheaply in the theater before showings.  The theater is in the Nemours Building, at 11th & Orange St. (enter via the revolving doors on the courtyard side of the building).  Street parking is free on the weekends, or use the Community garage across 11th street for $1 validated parking.  Ask for a frequent viewer card.  For more info: http://www.theatern.org/Films

Free talk today on Salesianum's early history on Quaker Hill and as the first voluntarily integrated school in DE.

Who knew?  Sallies opened its doors to all races years before a court case forced all other schools to.  And it started on Quaker Hill, in downtown Wilmington.  From Quaker Hill Historic Preservation Foundation:

"The QHHPF is sponsoring a talk on the history of the Salesianum School's history in Quaker Hill on 11 October 2011. Hope you can come! Feel free to share this with Salesianum alumni and families who might be interested. Details:

The Quaker Hill Historic Preservation Foundation is presenting a free talk on the history of Salesianum School on Quaker Hill at the Wilmington Friends Meeting House, ...401 North West Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 on Tuesday, October 11, 2011, from 1:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Salesianum School was founded on Quaker Hill in 1903 by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. While there, it was the first school in Delaware to voluntarily racially integrate its student body, 4 years before the landmark case in the U.S. Supreme Court brought about mandatory integration.

Salesianum School President Brendan Kennealey will show a video about this special achievement as well as speak about other aspects of Salesianum’s illustrious history.

This event, sponsored by the Quaker Hill Historic Preservation Foundation, is free and open to the public. For more information, call Mary Starkweather-White at 302-299-5600."

Tuesday shorts: Give your input on the revitalization of the west side, benefit for the Arden Concert Gild, 15 year win streak for Iron Hill Brewery

1) New interactive website lets you have input on the revitalization of the west side of Wilmington (which includes the areas around Canby Park and Little Italy).  The site was designed by Interface Studio and commissioned by the West End Neighborhood House, as well as other neighborhood organizations and businesses.  How the website works: view the map of the west side that's provided on the site, click on a spot within the map that needs improvement, and submit comments and suggestions that will correspond with place markers that will then appear on the map.  As an example, someone else wrote "More trash cans" for a spot on Union Street.  I think this is a great idea.  Website here.

1) Have lunch, dinner or drinks at Stoney's Pub to benefit the Arden Concert Gild.
Spend money at Stoney's today (Oct .11), from 11am-1pm, and 10% of the proceeds will be donated to the Concert Gild to help with the enormous costs of replacing the roof of Gild Hall.

2) Congrats to Iron Hill Brewery for a 15 year winning streak at the Great American Beer Festival.  This year they received a bronze medal for their Grand Inquisitor Stout, a bronze medal for their Vienna Red Lager, and a silver medal for their Russian Imperial Stout.   Full story over at Iron Hill's webpage.

Farewell to nationally-known Wilmington painter Edward Loper.

Delaware Online has the story: http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20111010/NEWS/110100319/Painter-teacher-Ed-Loper-dies-inspired-generations?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CHome%7Cp

Weekday events of note, 10/10-10/13:

I was going to include the Wanda Sykes and Louis C.K. stand up shows at the Grand this week, but it seems all appearances are sold out. 

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Monday:

• Open mic night at Mojo Main, 9pm, free.
• Showing of Atlas Shrugged Part 1 at Theatre N. 7:30pm, $7. Film description.
• Movie Monday at the Kennett Flash: The Ring. Free, donations encouraged. Doors at 7pm, show at 7:30.
• Movie Monday at the Trocadero:  Scream Four. 21+, $3.  Doors at 6:30, show at 8, arrive before 7 and get a free beer and popcorn.
• The Rosebuds at Johnny Brenda's. 21+, doors at 8, $12.

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Tuesday:

• Fundraiser for the Arden Concert Gild all day at Stoney's, 11am-1pm.  10% of food/drink sales will be donated to the concert gild to help with the enormous cost of replacing the roof of the Gild Hall.
• Hunter's Moon Hike & Bonfire (with cider!) at Bucktoe Creek (just over the PA line).  6-8:30pm, $5. Must register - see details here.

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Wednesday:

• Wilmington Farmers' Market. Rodney Square, 10-2pm.  Penultimate market of the year.
• 4W5 Blues Jam at the Queen. 7pm, free.
• Langhorne Slim at Union Transfer. All ages, show at 8, $15.
• Genesis tribute band The Watch at North Star Bar, performing Selling England by the Pound in its entirety. 21+, 8pm, $15.

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Thursday:

• Brandywine Village Farmers' Market. Concord Ave. & Market St., 4-7pm.  Penultimate market of the year - the last one will be two weeks from now.
• Karaoke at Mojo Main. 9pm, free.
• Showing of John Carpenter's 1982 remake of The Thing, at Theatre N. 7:30pm, FREE.
• Shawn Q. and Sharon Sable play a lunchtime concert at First & Central church, at one corner of Rodney Square (across 11th street from the Hotel DuPont). 12:30pm. $3.
• Sisters 3 at the North Star Bar.  21+, 8pm, $8. [Oh, they're from Downingtown originally?  I thought they were from Wilmington.  They used to play here a lot, at any rate].

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Upcoming: An "Art Is Social" event at the Del. Art Museum on Friday, Tric Town October at Mojo 13 on Friday, New Sweden (on a 6-band bill - why so many?) at Mojo Main on Friday, a bevy of young local bands at the Queen on Friday, RJD2 at Union Transfer on Friday, Stallions at Mojo Main on Saturday, Dick Dale at the North Star on Saturday, Minus The Bear at the Electric Factory on Saturday, Slo-Mo feat. Mic Wrecka at JB's on Saturday, Slutever at KFN on Saturday, Duran Duran at the Tower Theatre next Monday 10/17,

This weekend, 10/7-10/10:

General Events:
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Friday:

• Free noon show at the Queen with Joe Trainor.
• Kennett Square Fermentation Festival (& market). (There is also a Brewfest this weekend, but it's long sold-out.  This event, however, is free). Includes cheesemaking, sauerkraut, and cooking demonstrations, wine & cheese tastings, and the usual market fare.  2-6pm.  First Friday Art Stroll follows from 6-9pm. http://www.historickennettsquare.com/farmers.html
• Showings of The Future and Toast at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Latin jazz quintet at the Phila. Museum of Art's "Art After 5" event. http://www.philamuseum.org/artafter5/

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Saturday:

• Lewes Farmers' Market (last market is 10/29), 8-noon.
• Woodside Creamery's Fall Festival, 12-4. Little Baltimore and North Star Rds, Hockessin.  No rain date. Local bluegrass and Old Time music, storytelling, Halloween ice cream, pumpkins & gourds for sale, 4H, free ice cream for kids in costume.
• Delaware Humane Assoc.'s monthly traveling "Wellness Clinic".  Discounted shots, microchips, and licensing. 1-3pm at Middletown Crossing, Middletown.  http://www.dehumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=wellnessclinics
• Showings of The Future and Toast at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

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Sunday:

• Sunday Bird Walk at Bucktoe Creek Preserve . 8-10am, free, in nearby PA.
• Newark Co-op Farmers' Market (last market is 11/20). 10-2pm, E. Main St.
• Showings of The Future and Toast at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

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Band shows:

Friday:

• Katie Dill (of Mean Lady) matinee show at Mojo Main. 21+, 6pm.  It's unclear if tickets are still available - call the venue if you're planning to attend.  Club link.
• Revolution, I Love You cd release party (Wilm. version) at the Queen. Also playing are My Friends, Atlas, and Alyson Greenfield. $9, 9pm. Ticket link.
• Ska legends The Toasters with Ruder Than You at the North Star. 21+, $14, 9pm.
• Kuf Knotz with Alien Architect and The Authentic at MilkBoy Philly. 21+, 9:30, $10.

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Saturday:

• tUnE-YaRdS (yes it kills me to type it out that way, but that's the [much-hyped-as-of-late] band's name, so...) with Pat Jordache and Les Blondettes at Union Transfer. All ages, 8pm, $15.
• The Lemonheads performing It's A Shame About Ray in its entirety. With The Shining Twins and New York Rival. 21+, $20-$25, 9pm.

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Sunday:

• Mary Chapin Carpenter with Tift Merritt at the Grand. 7pm, $30-$49. Ticket link.
• LadyTron at the TLA, with VHS or Beta. Doors at 7, $22.

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Upcoming: The Rosebuds at Johnny Brenda's on Monday, Langhorne Slim at Union Transfer on Wednesday, DE's Sisters 3 at the North Star on Thursday, RJD2 at Union Transfer next Friday, Dick Dale at the North Star next Saturday, Slo-Mo featuring Mic Wrecka at Johnny Brenda's next Saturday,

Jobs for people with arts degrees who aren't really using them.

(From Craigslist):

Art Program Facilitators Needed (New Castle and Sussex Counties):

The Brain Injury Association of Delaware (BIAD) is working to produce an arts program for brain injury survivors in Delaware. We are actively looking for paid art club facilitators who could implement the program in April and September 2012. Potential candidates should have a Bachelors or Masters in the Arts... a focus in the disabilities field or art therapy would be best. We will help candidates get acclimated to the job duties by providing supplemental training and direction. Candidates will be supervised by members of the BIAD Art Club Leadership Committee.

For more information, please contact Esther Curtis, Executive Director, at (302) 346-2083 or reply to this post.

Kennett Flash to begin Movie Monday series. October selections are horror classics.

This is exciting news, because let's face it: Movie Mondays at the Trocadero are a little far, and Theatre N doesn't show much in the way of Halloween films like they used to (remember when they had the Devil Music Trio provide live scores to classic black & white films?). 

The schedule is:

October 10th - The Ring
October 17th - Poltergeist
October 24th - Halloween (one of my all-time favorites)

No admission will be charged for these showings, though donations are encouraged.  The door time will be 7pm, with the showings starting at 7:30pm.  Food and drink are available at the Flash. 

http://www.kennettflash.org/

And now my rant about people who go to these things and ruin it for the rest of us by loudly making fun of the films as they're being shown:

I hope people don't show up to these screenings to just laugh their way through the pivotal moments.  Anytime I've seen a horror classic on screen, there is always at least one drunk d-bag (usually female, by the way) who forces out ironic gales of laughter at what are supposed to be the scariest moments, totally ruining the mood.  I say "forces out" because it never sounds like she thinks it's actually funny, but it's more like she's trying to impress a date by showing how unaffected she is by suspenseful cinematic moments.  Don't do this.  It's annoying to those of us who came out to appreciate the vintage film as it was originally intended.

Facebook is getting sued for major privacy violations (worse than any of us ever thought).

I thought I'd start this out by saying "This isn't exactly Wilmington news...", but then I realized it is.  A Wilmington class-action firm is one of the firms helping with the prosecution, and it could possibly come through Delaware courts.    I won't say which firm, because I'm not sure my contact there wants this type of publicity just yet, but I'm sure it will be in the news soon enough. 

More importantly, this class action suit may be the biggest Facebook has yet faced, with the most sinister of implications.  Allegedly, Facebook has been tracking websites that users visit after they log onto Facebook.  This includes bank websites, "naughty" websites, competitors' websites, political websites, and anything and everything you visit online in the course of a day.  Facebook allegedly has the technology to collect the website cookies that you accumulate, and they're logging them after you shut down your computer.    In the past, Facebook was sued for doing this on a smaller scale with their short-lived 'Beacon' program, which tracked when users visited only certain partner sites.  This new lawsuit alleges that Facebook is tracking not just partner sites that users visit, but all sites on the internet.

The excuse is, of course, that it helps Facebook tailor advertising to specific users.  But I can think of a myriad of much more sinister applications, if this practice is not curbed.  What's to stop any group, whether official or unofficial, from getting this information from Facebook?  What's to stop hackers from finding out exactly what websites a political foe visits in his spare time, for instance?

If this doesn't concern you or if I sound overly paranoid right now, consider this: if these instances of privacy invasion aren't curbed now, the internet is just going to become more and more Big Brother-like over time.  If this is allowed to slip by, what will we be dealing with in 5 years?   Spokeo-like sites where all you have to do is type in the name of your high school crush to find out what her top 20 most-visited websites are?

Okay, enough question marks out of this humble blogger.  Here's a news story with more details:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-30/facebook-may-face-group-privacy-suit-over-web-tracking-after-users-log-off.html

Weekday events of note, 10/3-10/6:

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Monday:

• Showing of interactive documentary Life In A Day at Theatre N.  7pm, $7.  Details.
• Open mic night at Mojo Main, 9pm, free.
• Movie Monday at the Trocadero.  21+, $3.  Doors at 6:30, show at 8, arrive before 7 and get a free beer and popcorn.

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Tuesday:

• Gringo Star (psychedelic Southern rock from Atlanta, featured recently on NPR.  Kind of a big score for a Newark bar!), with The Future Unwritten and The Jolly What, at Mojo Main. 18+, doors at 7, $7. 

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Wednesday:

• DelTech 5K at the riverfront. Details.
• Wilmington Farmers' Market, Rodney Square, 10-2pm.
• 4W5 Blues Jam at the Queen, 7pm.  Free.

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Thursday:

• Karaoke at Mojo Main, 9pm, free
• Railroad Earth, with Modern Babies, at the Queen.  Doors at 7, $28-$38. Ticket link.

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Upcoming shows: The Toasters (long-time ska band) at the North Star on Friday, Kuf Knotz at Milkboy Philly on Friday, The Lemonheads at the North Star on Saturday, Ladytron at the TLA on Sunday, Mary Chapin Carpenter at the Grand on Sunday, Tune-Yards (Philly band with mega, mega buzz right now) at Union Transfer on Sunday