Weekday events of note, 11/28-12/1:

Hello!  Had a nice Thanksgiving?  Here are a few interesting things to do this week, before the Holiday Machine that is December makes mad men and women of us all.  

(My tip for getting through the holidays?  Bundle up, take a long walk in one of our gorgeous state parks, and drink in the natural stillness.  Never fails to add some reality to the holiday-addled brain.  Like: "Oh yeah, not everything revolves around the holidays.  There's still this big, beautiful world that goes on living and knows nothing of Target 2 Day Sales and juggling family visits and neighbors who put up Christmas lights before Thanksgiving".  Fill a thermos with coffee and Grand Marnier, if it helps).

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Monday 11/28:

• Movie Monday at the Kennett Flash: Fantastic Mr. Fox. Free, donations encouraged. Doors at 7pm, show at 7:30.
• Movie Monday at the Trocadero: Edward Scissorhands.  21+, $3.  Doors at 6:30, show at 8, arrive before 7 and get a free beer and popcorn.

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Tuesday 11/29:

• "Don't Call Me Lager", a celebration of Pearl Jam 20 and Dogfish Head's Faithfull Ale, at WCL at the Queen. Ticket link.
• Wilm. Classical Guitar Society presents Paulo Martelli, at the Music School of DE. More info.

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Wednesday 11/30:

• Ignite Wilmington #6 at the Queen. "Ignite Wilmington is a night of presentations with a twist. Presenting on a subject of their choice, speakers have exactly five minutes to teach something, enlighten us, or simply inspire". Speakers include non-profit directors, Food Network writers, former NPR personalities, and museum curators.  Interesting People with Things To Say, in other words.  I like this idea.  More info.
• 4W5 Blues Jam at the Queen. 7pm, free.
• Free show Wednesdays at Mojo Main, with a rotating cast of local up-and-comers, the names of which are posted weekly here: http://www.mojomain.com/calendar . 21+, 9pm, no cover. 

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Thursday 12/1:

• WSTW's Hometown Heroes Holiday Show at the Queen, featuring Charlie Phillips, Lori Citro, Erik Mitchell, Yes Virginia, Battleshy Youths, and more. Ticket link.
• Karaoke at Mojo Main. 9pm, free
• The String Cheese Incident at the Tower Theatre. Ticket link.

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Upcoming: Wilmington Art Loop Fri., Alternatives Holiday Craft Show at the DCCA Fri., Pearl and the Beard at the Queen Sat., Spinto Band & Jukebox the Ghost at Union Transfer Sat., Carbon Leaf at WCL Philly Sat., Crazy Stupid Love screened at the Queen Sat., Dashboard Confessional solo acoustic at the TLA Sun., Duncan Sheik at the Queen next Wed., Raul Malo at the Queen next Thurs., Between the Buried & Me at the TLA Sat., 12/10.

Black Friday idea

So my spouse and I were talking about how stores are opening earlier and earlier on Black Friday, to the point where they're now officially opening Thursday night.  And how much that must suck for people who have to rouse themselves from Thanksgiving gluttony to get ready for work, after the meal.  Forget having wine with dinner.  Seriously - think about how lethargic you feel after all that turkey, the wine, the desserts, the massive clean-up effort.  What if you had to go off to work right afterwards?  Maybe some of you already do, and you have my sympathies.

I don't really participate in Black Friday because I can't stand crowds, and even if I did, I wouldn't go to any place that opens ridiculously early on principle (let's cut those poor employees a break being the general idea).  But I realize this is a thing that is not going to go away, so I have an idea for stores that are thinking about how they can keep up, next year.

Instead of this continuous downward spiral where, eventually, Black Friday will be starting right in the middle of everyone's Thanksgiving meal, why don't some of these stores open at, say, noon on Friday?  Or two o'clock?  They can offer their door-buster specials, and they'll catch everyone who is just getting out of the house for the day and doesn't feel like going to stores that have already been picked clean.  Or they'll clean up on shoppers who were standing in line early at other stores, but who were disappointed in their searches.  An afternoon opening time would give everybody a fresh start.  And it would be kinder to employees.  (And don't say "They should be thankful they even have a job and not complain", because that's a bullshit reason to make bad working conditions, and forget about turning that kind of "progress" back once the economy is better).

Why compete, like a lemming going over the cliff, by opening earlier and earlier?  That race has no end.  Why not try something different and cater to those people who want to do Black Friday shopping, but would welcome a fresh, fully stocked store at noon on Friday?

One Black Friday deal I don't mind recommending:

Today (Friday) only, Chelsea Tavern on Market St. is selling gift certificates at buy one, get one free.  According to them, there are no limitations.  It's like a Groupon, but without the annoying fine print!  Niiice.

This weekend, 11/25-11/27:

General Events:
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Friday:

• Alternative to Black-Friday event: Green Friday. Donate or take "regift" items for free on Rodney Square, courtesy of Occupy Delaware.  Also: "Make and Take" art station.  10am-2pm. More info.
• Fall Harvest Festival at Auburn Heights Preserve. 12-4. More details.
• Free Lunchtime Live show at the Queen.  Noon. More details.  
• Showings of Melancholia and Weekend at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

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Saturday:

• Small Business Saturday.  See my recommendations for local small businesses.
• Christmas parade in Wilmington.  3pm
• Showings of Melancholia and Weekend at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Open Studio Reception at Alan Burslem's pottery studio in Arden. 5-9pm. 1801 Green Ln, Arden DE 19810. 302-494-3487 (after the reception night, the studio will be available by appointment).
• Showing of Secretary at the Trocadero. Dressing in costume encouraged. 21+, doors at 10/show at midnight, $3.

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Sunday:

• Sunday Bird Walk at Bucktoe Creek Preserve  in nearby PA (weekly until Jan. 2). 8-10am, FREE.
• Silver Screen Sundays at Delaware Art Museum: showings of old films that inspired Howard Pyle works.  This week: Captain Blood, 1934. Snacks available in the museum. 1pm, FREE.
• Showings of Melancholia , Weekend, and the ballet Sleeping Beauty at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Steelers vs. 49ers game shown at Theatre N, 8:20 pm, FREE. (I have to wonder - are there really that many Steelers fans in Wilmington?)

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Band shows:

Friday:

• Apex Watson at the Queen Theatre, 9pm, $5.
• Ryan Tennis and band (micro review: squeaky clean and heavy on the Jack Johnson influence, but has a nice voice) at Extreme Pizza. Presented by Gable Music Ventures. All ages, 7-10pm, FREE.

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Saturday:

• Wilmo Rock Circus music festival. 10 bands, 2 stages, $10. See link for complete list of bands. Shipyard Shops parking lot. More info.  All ages, 7pm, $10.
• Angel Band at Trinity Church (that big stone church on the right as you're coming down PA Ave. into downtown, just after you cross over I-95).  All ages, 7:30pm, FREE. More info.
• Mean Lady at Homegrown Cafe, Newark. All ages, (9pm-ish?), FREE.
• Judas Priest with Black Label Society and Thin Lizzy at Sovereign Center in Reading, PA (I'm not really sure why I'm listing this, either.  I already started typing before I realized this is in Reading, and Saturday is looking a little thin, so... it stays). 6:30pm, $35+ to $65+.

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Upcoming: Showing of Edward Scissorhands at the Troc on Mon., showing of A Christmas Story at the Kennett Flash on Mon., a Pearl Jam anniversary celebration at the Queen on Tues., Pearl and the Beard at the Queen next Sat., Jukebox the Ghost & Spinto Band at Union Transfer next Sat., solo acoustic Dashboard Confessional at the TLA next Sun.

Public House on Market St. closes

The Second Helpings blog broke the story: http://blogs.delawareonline.com/secondhelpings/2011/11/23/public-house-wilmington-closing-for-good-at-10-tonight/

I'll shed no tears for a gimmicky chain restaurant, but I must say I'm surprised that, according to an employee, business had become slow at Public House.  It seemed like a very popular place with a savvy marketing team.  The menu and decor were too conservative for my tastes, but I often heard others speak of going there.  It didn't get great reviews, though.  Maybe that finally caught up to them.  Again, I'll not be sad to see them go, but I *am* disheartened that a restaurant can't seem to stick on that block of Market Street.  That should be a prime location, with the Grand and Theatre N a block away, the Hotel DuPont across the street, and some of the highest paid workers in Wilmington in the surrounding office buildings.  Why can't any restaurant stay there for more than a year or two?  And yet Deep Blue and Mikimotos seemingly do fine.  Chelsea Tavern is sticking around.  Meanwhile, many new places have opened at the lower end of Market in the past year.  Maybe they're drawing business away from the Rodney Square end of Market.  I'd like to think there are enough diners for both ends, but I guess that's the nature of today's economy. 

Prediction: I bet a larger chain moves into the spot.  Something like a McCormick & Schmick's, Legal Seafood, or Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.  I would feel ambivalent about that (I'd rather something less bland than a chain, even a nice one, but I'd rather have that there than an empty room), but the lawyers in the area would eat it up.   We shall see.

Speaking of empty restaurants, I wish someone would buy or lease the former Armitage restaurant on 9th & Orange (which I think was Brandywine Brewing Co. years before that).  It depresses me to pass it by and see ads for theme dinners this place had 3 years ago.  But I can't say I blame restauranteurs for not wanting to take a chance a block away from Market when even restaurants right on Market don't have it made.

Review of Dr. Dog show at Kung Fu Necktie on Tuesday 11/22/11

What hasn't already been said?  The Swollen Fox blog called it one of the best shows of the year.  Philly.com's music blog Phrequency echoed that, calling it "one of the raddest shows of the year", and noted:

"It was a rare gem to witness a band, who just announced two shows at the Electric Factory in March (which equals nearly 6,000 people over a two night span), play to 100 fans and friends in a small intimate bar."

Yeah, that about sums it up.  Tickets to this sold out in under 5 minutes, and unless you were on Facebook when it was announced, and quick fingered, you missed it.   It was classic Dr. Dog, in terms of impeccable performance that tends to win over even the most curmudgeonly souls.  It was also, surprisingly, classic Dr. Dog in terms of set list.  They opened the set with one very early Dr. Dog song, and one new song, so I assumed we were in for a tour warm-up show where they play only all new stuff or deep, deep cuts, bypassing the favorites of the past 3 albums.   Which would still have made for a good show; but that wasn't the case at all.  Much of the set was from their excellent last album, Shame, Shame, with plenty of favorites mixed in from previous albums, like "Oh No" and "Worst Trip".   The two new songs they played, for the record, were well-crafted, joyous affairs, and I wouldn't be surprised if this next album bumps them up a level or two on the indie rock ladder. 

It deserves mention that Philly's Mitch Fiction & The Shits were surprise, unannounced openers for the show.  Mitch Fiction is made up of one former Dr. Dog member, and several guys (former members of National Eye, Like Moving Insects, and Raccoon) who Toby and Scott have known for many years.  They don't play out often, but were a good fit for the show, musically and from a homecoming perspective.  The Swollen Fox blog admiringly noted that Dr. Dog didn't have to pick a friend band to open, as if they were somehow put-upon to do so.  But, knowing what I know about this band, I think Dr. Dog welcomed the chance to share the stage with old friends, and to not have to fight their management over whether to have a crowd-drawer of an opener who means nothing to them, or friends who might have less ticket-sale cachet.
It is a complicated world at the level of success that Dr. Dog occupies (with entire management teams, publicists, booking agents, and labels to answer to), and something as simple as letting your friends open your show can be way harder for a popular band to finagle than you might imagine.

The set list (borrowed from the Phrequency blog):

Fuck It / new song / Easy Beat / Hang On / Control Yourself / Stranger / Mirror, Mirror / The Ark / I Only Wear Blue / The Way The Lazy Do / Shame Shame / Shadow People / The Beach / Livin’ a Dream / Worst Trip / The Rabbit, The Bat, and the Reindeer / Heart It Races (Architecture In Helsinki cover) / Oh No // Encore: Warrior Man / Fat Dog / Nobody Knows Who You Are / Jackie Wants A Black Eye

The only negatives for me were some pretty obnoxious fans. Such as middle-aged guy wearing the Ron Paul shirt who violently lurched from side to side, forwards, and backwards the whole set, repeatedly elbowing people (and then sometimes affectionately placing his hand on top of strangers' heads - because that makes it all okay?).  Or how about the two pint-sized girls who opportunisticly weaseled their way to the front just at the moment we stepped aside to let the band actually get on stage, thus managing to both butt in front of people who'd been waiting in the same spots for hours, and get in the band's way.   The one who took the cake, though, was another short woman who pretended to be trying to retrieve something dropped on the floor, near the stage, and instead just jumped into the spot newly made by people who stepped aside to let her get her non-existant stuff.   Way to go, you just got yourself closer to the stage by taking advantage of our instinct to be courteous.  You fan, you.   I know it comes with the territory, but the older I get, the less patience I have for that sort of douche-baggery.  Anyway - moving on.

I enjoyed most of the set from just off the stage, but eventually had to make my way to the back of the bar to get some air and to leave the fray to the younger fans.  Maybe these kids haven't seen Dr. Dog many times before - I've seen them about 16 times over the years.  And there was more room at the back for this curmudgeonly soul to dance and sing along to hearts content.

Dr. Dog will be releasing a new 7" on the Black Friday edition of Record Store Day, and have two all-ages dates scheduled at the Electric Factory in March. 

Not from the boxcar-sized KFN, but from the 9:30 Club last January. My photo.

WTB's thoughts on the "Occupation" movement in general.

When the national Occupy movement rolls to its natural stopping point (at least in its current tent-city form), I believe the scattered messages coming out of it won't have mattered as much as that it inspired a lot of people to go outside the comfort of their own lives: to take action, implement ideas, DO something.  Or at least try.  Who knows what political powerhouse could emerge from this movement, having known nothing of that world previously?  Who knows what lasting, influential ideas will be hatched here before the tents inevitably come down? 

A common Occupier is someone who has been out of work for a long time.  That's a person who is not currently curled up on the couch, wallowing in depression.  That's someone who's giving themselves a sense of purpose, whether this movement ultimately affects any change or not.  That's someone who may be learning new skills or sharpening latent ones, like negotiating, public speaking, or working on a team towards a common goal.  And that's a person who may emerge from this with a new sense of themselves, of what they're cut out for in this world.  I think the benefits to this movement go way beyond whether anything will really change with the economic system in this country.

I like to look at it from that angle, at least, even while I doubt the impact that a bunch of people camping out will have on Wall Street's immediate future.  But, bottom line, it's been a long time since large groups of Americans got this fired up over anything in this country.  Maybe the point of all of this is for us to collectively remember how to do it, whether we were directly involved or not.

Happy Thanksgiving: to Occupiers, non-Occupiers, and Monday morning quarterbacks like myself.

WTB's recommendations for shopping locally this holiday season

Small Business Day isn't officially until Saturday, but any day is a good time to support local businesses.  You're not only supporting business owners, but also their employees, their local suppliers, and the employees of the local suppliers, possibly your own neighbors.  I don't mean to turn this into an anti-Walmart rant, but when you buy from a local small business you're also helping to stave off the slow but relentless encroachment of national conglomerates and big box stores into our shopping districts.

The following are some of my favorite ideas for local shopping:


Arden Holiday Shop at Gild Hall.
Sunday November 27th, 11am-4pm
2126 'The Highway' (off of Harvey Rd.)
Art, pottery and crafts made by locals

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Rainbow Records
What was once a small empire of stores in Delaware has now boiled down to one very small store, occupying a corner of the larger room it once was.  It's almost hard to believe that this is the same Rainbow as the vast store on Concord Pike that I built my first CD collection from in the early nineties. Needless to say, Rainbow Records could use your business, whether it be for LPs, CDs, or books.  But it seems to me that, even though the owner has had to whittle down his former local chain to one tiny spot, he's still living his dream.  Maybe more so now than before.  Now he's catering to avid record collectors (his people, I imagine), and that's probably what he set out to do in the first place.  The guy's been through a lot - let's help him retain this piece of his dream.
Rainbow will be having Black Friday version of Record Store Day specials, in addition to their usual deals (I think they had everything Black Keys discounted this week, for instance).

Hours are slightly longer on weekends but you can always count on them being open 11-7, 11-5 on Sundays.

54 E. Main St., Newark DE, 19711
302-368-7738
http://www.rainbow-online.com/

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Bellefonte Arts
This recently-opened shop, by the people who run the Bellefonte Arts Festival, features arts and crafts from local artists.  They also plan to host shows and events, and are a very worthy endeavor to support.
Tues-Sat. 11-6, Sunday 11-4.
803 Brandywine Blvd, Bellefonte DE 19809
302-762-4278
http://www.bellefontearts.com/

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The Chef's Haven
Cooking supplies, classes, gourmet take-out
But what caught my eye is that they will sharpen knives for you.  This is a great gift for foodies and serious home cooks.  Don't buy an automatic knife sharpener from a big box kitchen store - it will ruin good blades.  Have a professional like the owner of this store, chef Mark, 'tune up' your honey's best knives.

1304 Old Lancaster Pike, Hockessin
Hours: Tues-Fri, 10-6:30; Sat. & Sun. 10-4.  Closed Mondays.
http://chefshavenonline.com/

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Spaceboy Clothing
Besides offering interesting clothing and tchotchkes for the more punk-rock minded among us, they're running a great deal on one-off customized t-shirts this week.  Through Saturday the 26th, you can select an American Apparel t-shirt of your choice, provide the shop with a design to be screen-printed, and get a single, customized t-shirt for only $30.  Yes, I wouldn't normally call $30 for a t-shirt a deal, but when you're getting it screen-printed to your specifications and the shop is willing to do a batch of just one t-shirt, that's a really great deal. 

2306 Kirkwood Hwy, Wilmington DE, 19805
302-225-9781
http://www.spaceboyclothing.com/
Hours: Mon-Fri 10-7, Saturday 12-5, closed Sunday

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Kinetic Skateboarding

I was going to say that this will only interest the skateboarders, but in looking at their website it seems they have way more than just skateboard equipment, and are worth dropping in on, for the rest of us.  (I desperately wanted to learn to skateboard at one time, but didn't have the balance for it.  It is like a hot knife through my cold, dark heart every time I see some little kid get the hang of it immediately).  This shop, which recently celebrated the opening of a 2nd location in Haddonfield, is owned by a young father of two with connections to the local music world.  He's good peeps, and this shop deserves your business.

Hours: Mon-Sat. 10-8, Sunday noon-5.

5319 Concord Pike
Wilm. DE
302-477-1533
http://kineticskateboarding.com/

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Newark Arts Alliance's Holiday Art Market

Arts and crafts made by locals, including textiles, jewelry, ceramics, children's items, photography, paintings, glassware, and more.  The market will be holding a reception on December 2nd, 8pm, during which you can meet the artists and crafts people.
276 E. Main St.
Newark DE 19711
Runs Nov. 22-Dec. 31 from 11am-3pm

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Accent Music
Accent, a two-store small business, is in a little bit of a struggle right now with the newer and larger Guitar Center that just opened.  The thing to remember about Accent is that they employ not just the men and women selling guitar strings and amps, but literally dozens of music teachers.  You're helping all of them out when you choose Accent over Guitar Center, when possible.  (They are not paying me to post this coupon, though I do have several friends who work there).

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Honorable mentions: Grass Roots, Wild Birds Unlimited, Harvest Market, Delaware Local Food Exchange: good gifts for mom and dad and your granola sister.

Delaware Humane Association is running a 50% sale on many of their animals on Friday.

From DHA:

Instead of fighting the crowds at retail stores, why not spend a relaxing day surrounded by adoptable cats and dogs at Delaware Humane Association?

On Black Friday, November 25th, receive 50% off the regular adoption fees for animals with black fur—even just a small spot!  Qualifying animals who are adopted or receive a Pre-Adoption Application on Black Friday, whether at DHA or one of our satellite adoption centers, are eligible for this special pricing.

The DHA shelter at 701 A Street in Wilmington will be open to the public on Black Friday from noon until 7pm for this special event.

BLACK FRIDAY SALE ADOPTION FEES

Adult Dogs (7 months to 6 years)
Reg. $150 each   $75 each

Senior Dogs (7 years and older)
Reg. $75 each   $37.50 each

Special Needs Dogs (any age)
Reg. $50 each   $25 each

Sorry, puppies six months and under are not eligible.

Kittens (6 months and younger)
Reg. $80 each / 2 for $130   $40 each / 2 for $65

Adult Cats (7 months to 6 years)
Reg. $80 each / 2 for $120   $40 each / 2 for $60

Senior Cats (7 years and older)
Reg. $40 each   $20 each

Special Needs Cats (any age)
Reg. $25 each   $12.50 each
Same day adoptions of cats and kittens will be available for qualified applicants.  Adopters must provide proof of address, proof of home ownership or written permission from their landlord, and proof of current vaccinations and spaying/neutering of any current pets at the time of the adoption.  All principal family members must be present for the adoption.

Although we cannot complete same day adoptions for dogs, Pre-Adoption Applications will be accepted that day and we will contact qualified applicants to schedule an adoption counseling session at the DHA shelter within a few business days.

All animals available for adoption from DHA are spayed/neutered, tested for FIV/FeLV (cats), tested for heartworms (dogs), vaccinated, microchipped, examined by a veterinarian, exercised/socialized daily, and loved!

For more info about DHA and list of adoptables: http://www.dehumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=adoption_overview

Occupy DE is hosting a holiday re-gifting event on Market St. on Friday.

This is a smart idea.  It would be a smart idea even without the association with a political movement.  I've often thought that large neighborhoods (like my own) should bring the community together with events like this - give a gift that's nice but something you never wanted, take away something more useful to you. And it gives Occupy Delaware a lot of credit, in my book, for coming up with ideas that have purpose, and for implementing those ideas.  I would go as far as to say that, stacked up against other Occupy locations, this makes Occupy DE look like a stand-out. 

From Occupy Delaware:

Green Friday: the people's re-gifting giveaway, an alternative to Black Friday
A free shopping event planned for November 25th on Market St. in front of Rodney Square in the city of Wilmington.

Members of the Occupy Delaware movement are planning "Green Friday:  The People's Re-gifting Giveaway", which will be a free marketplace where shoppers can "shop" for free goods, all of which have been donated.  This event is a response to the consumerism and corporatism of Black Friday, and the goal is to encourage people to think about their shopping choices, including: supporting locally and independently owned businesses, evaluating the environmental impact of the goods they buy, considering where and how goods are manufactured and at what cost to the people producing them, how goods are advertised and marketed to the public and to consider who really benefits from mass-consumerism.
The public are invited to "shop" as well as to donate goods for the marketplace.  Both new (re-giftable) and gently used goods are both fine, but please, only items in good working order.  Donated items can by dropped off the day of the event or dropped beforehand to the Occupy Delaware site located at: Spencer Plaza, 800 N. French St., Wilmington DE.
In addition, there will be resources for shoppers who are interested in supporting locally owned independent businesses as well as a "Make and Take" free art table.

What: Green Friday: The people's Re-gifting Giveaway
Date: November 25, 2011
Time: 10 am – 2 pm
Place: Sidewalk in front of Rodney Square (Market St. side)
For more information:
Webpage: http://www.occupyde.org/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OccupyDE
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/occupydelaware

CONTACT: Jen Wallace
Phone: 302-588-6919
E-mail: jenwallace@comcast.net

Want to get into next Saturday's inaugural Wilmo Rock Circus for free?

Gable Music Ventures, the organization behind this 10 band showcase at the riverfront on Saturday Nov. 26th, are looking for a few more volunteers to assist with the event.  Volunteers get in for free (though tickets are a friendly $10, anyway).  Here's a link to the basic details for Wilmo Rock Circus (by the way - I'm not a big fan of the "Wilmo" shortening.  I can't put my finger on why, but it just doesn't work for me.  Maybe because it rhymes with "Elmo"):
http://www.wilmorockcircus.com/

If interested, contact gablemusicventures@gmail.com

Amazing folk art at the Center for the Contemprary Arts

An exhibit called Five Stumps, running now through mid-February, features the hand-hooked wool rug art of Baltimore artist Susie Brandt.  I know what you're thinking: "Great - more Etsy old lady art that the world doesn't need".  But there's so much more than that going on here.  For one thing, Brandt bases the designs on graphite etchings that she takes of old tree stumps in Baltimore city parks.  The artist, a fibers instructor at Maryland Institute College of Art, doesn't then buy skeins of wool to make her stump design rugs.  She repurposes clothes and blankets from thrift stores, and uses those materials to create the colorful designs.  The tree stump etchings, the repurposed fibers - I'm totally sold.
It's an obvious and yet totally original idea.  One of those - "Wow - I wish I had A) thought of that and B) had the technical know-how to execute it" ideas.  I love folk-art like that.

One of the rugs that will be on display at the Delaware Center for Contemprary Art.  What you might not be able to tell from the picture is that the rug is sitting on top of the tree stump that inspired it
:

Link to exhibition info: http://www.thedcca.org/exhibit/five-stumps



Weekday events of note, 11/21-Thanksgiving day

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Monday:

• Movie Monday at the Kennett Flash: The Darjeeling Limited. Free, donations encouraged. Doors at 7pm, show at 7:30.
• Movie Monday at the Trocadero: Superbad.  21+, $3.  Doors at 6:30, show at 8, arrive before 7 and get a free beer and popcorn.

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Tuesday:

• The English Beat, around since 1979, at the Queen. Locals Bullbuckers opening.  Note that this show was changed to Tuesday from Sunday.  8pm, $23. http://queentickets.worldcafelive.com/
• Dr. Dog surprise show at Kung Fu Necktie - but Oh!  It sold out within 5 minutes of being announced.  Guess who happened to be online at the time of the announcement and snagged tickets...

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Wednesday:

• This is one of the biggest drinking nights of the year.  Be careful out there. 
• Mad Sweet Pangs perform a musical tribute to The Band, at the Queen. 8pm, $12.
• Mean Lady is playing Mojo Main, 9pm. Broadcast by Graffiti Radio.
• The Bullets rockabilly at the Blue Parrot (good to see them putting on shows again after swearing it off).  9pm, cover unknown.
• 4W5 Blues Jam at the Queen. 7pm, free.
• No free show Wednesdays this week at Mojo Main - looks like it resumes next week.

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Thursday:

• 33rd PNC run/walk for MS in Wilmington. Race details.
• Ravens vs. 49ers game shown for free at Theatre N, 8:20 pm (pity the volunteers who have to open up the theater that day). 
• Happy Thanksgiving!  PSA: if you're not doing the cooking, don't be a turkey and immediately sit down and start watching tv when your meal is done.  Help the hosts / cooks out with the dishes, will ya? 

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Upcoming: Yay, finally some events I can put in this space after a hiatus of a couple of weeks...
Lars von Trier's Melancholia at Theatre N next weekend, Apex Watson at the Queen on Friday, Wilmo Rock Circus (10 reputable local bands) at the riverfront on Saturday, Judas Priest at Temple U's theater on Sat., cheap midnight showing (costumes encouraged) of Secretary at the Troc on Sat., Jukebox the Ghost / Spinto Band / Spring Standards at Union Transfer on 12/3, a solo acoustic Dashboad Confessional at the TLA on 12/4.

Ever thought of doing a one-off volunteer job for the local environment?

If so, you can find out about such volunteer opportunities via a website maintained by DNREC's division of Fish and Wildlife.  These are events during which you can lend a hand to upkeep trails, plant trees, pull invasive weeds, set up a festival, etc. 

It's a good site to keep in your browsers 'favorites', to reference when you have extra time and a desire to be outdoors, doing something beneficial for the First State:
http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Volunteers/Pages/Calendar.aspx

There aren't actually many events listed now that the weather has gotten cold (and boy has it - it's hard to believe I was on Lewes beach earlier this week in summer clothes), so check this website again in the spring.  In the meantime, there's a weeding day, a reforestation project, and a festival (set-up volunteers needed) in late winter.

Many of the volunteer events take place in lower Delaware, but there are some NCCo opportunities to be found, such as the aforementioned day of weeding two invasive species in New Castle (of course, if you're anti-hunting, it might be a problem that this takes place at a hunter education and training center run by DNREC.  But my feeling about hunting is this: while I could not personally shoot an animal, I'm really glad there are people helping to keep the numbers of local deer down.  It has gotten really dangerous at night/early morning on the roads leading into and out of Wilmington.  I am actually way more wary of deer on the roads than of drunk drivers and texters, and that's sad.  So animal rights aside, it's just not feasable for me, personally, to be against a program that teaches safe hunting practices.  /soapbox).

Local business shorts:

Congratulations to the Bellefonte Arts, the new gallery from the people who make the Bellefonte Arts Festival happen.  They just celebrated their opening weekend.  Photos of the grand opening party are here.

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Congratulations also goes out to Delaware Local Food Exchange, who just raised enough money to install a freezer in their space in within the natural foods store at the southern end of Elsmere.  They're good folks who showcase locally grown and produced foods - remember them in your holiday shopping.

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Newark's Rainbow Records, which has, in the past year, morphed into a very small store that mainly focuses on LP sales (but still with some CDs and books), is now offering new turntables from sale.  These Audio-Technica units run from $90 to $260.

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

Good news on the fracking of the Delaware River front.

Governor Markell his indicated his intention to vote against a proposed plan to frack the Delaware river (a controversial method of extracting gas that has untested environmental effects).  The Delaware River Basin Commission has, in turn, postponed their planned meeting around this subject. 

WVUD wants your input in who should headline their WVUD fest.

Survey here: https://qtrial.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_098BCbC32RYAVFi

The choice seems to be between these bands:

• No Age
• The Wombats
• Big D and the Kids Table
• Atlas Sound
• Every Avenue
• Andy Grammar

I know a couple of these bands have figured into my weekend listings, but other than that, I cannot begin to recommend one over another.  However, there's no harm in passing this along if any of these names really mean anything to you.

This weekend, 11/18-11/20:

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

• Free Lunchtime Live show at the Queen.  Noon. More details.
• Kennett Square Farmers' Market - the FINAL outdoor market of the season.  2-6pm. 
• Showings of Gainsbourg and The Women on the 6th Floor at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Candlelight Comedy Club at the New Candlelight Dinner Theatre. 6:30pm, $25. Details.

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

Saturday:

• Showings of Gainsbourg and The Women on the 6th Floor at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• 38th Turkey Trot 5k/10k in Newark.  Details here.

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

Sunday:

• Sunday Bird Walk at Bucktoe Creek Preserve  . 8-10am, free, nearby PA.
• Newark Co-op Farmers' Market - like Kennett Square, this is the FINAL market of the season.  If they do something indoors in the winter, I'll post about it here.  10-2pm, E. Main St.
• Showings of Gainsbourg and The Women on the 6th Floor  at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Free showing of the Eagles vs. Giants game at Theatre N, 8:20pm.

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

Band shows:

Friday:

• Singer/songwriter showcase at the Film Bros. Co-Op on 2nd & Market, put on by Gable Music Ventures. Featured artists are Gina Degnars (of Little Invisibles, formerly Stygian Veil), Angela Sheik, Leslie Carey, "Butchie from Stackabones", Geoff Giordano, and Chris Bruni.  7-10:30pm, $6.
• A bevy of young, local bands at the Queen, for fans of young, local bands.
• Los Campesinos! and Philly critical darlings Reading Rainbow (confession - while I've read a lot about them, I've never heard their name spoken out loud, and I don't know if it's supposed to be pronounced like the kids' tv show, or like... Reading, PA.  I mean, it could conceivably be like Reading, PA, right?  Right?)  at Union Transfer. All ages, 8pm, $18.
• Joe Lally (bass player from Fugazi) at Kung Fu Necktie.  21+, 8pm, $10.

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

Saturday:

• Tric Town November at Mojo Main: Dear Althea with Revolution, I Love You, and more (I'd name them all, but there's some discrepancy on Mojo's calendar and Tric Town's event listing as to which bands constitute the "and more"). But the two I mentioned, alone, should make it a worthwhile show. All ages, 9pm, $6. 
• Todd Rundgren's Utopia at the Tower Theatre. 8pm, $50+.
• Ray Davies at Temple U.'s Perfomring Arts Center, with full choir and some Kinks tunes.  8pm.  Ticket info was way too hard to find out, so you're on your own there.
• Jim Boggia at the Kennett Flash.  8pm, $20.

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

Sunday:

• Enjoy the sound of your neighbor testing out his turkey fryer.  And remember, if your house catches fire this Thanksgiving: stop, drop and roll.

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

Upcoming:  Next week is a slow-to-nonexistant week for shows and events because of the holiday, but there are some smaller, local things that I'll mention next week. 

On volunteer opportunities for children:

I don't have children, myself, and I largely steer clear of 'family' events and issues when I post here, but child rearing does enter my brain sometimes, in between curmudgeonly rants about the local music scene and searches for the next great local happy hour.  And if there's one thing I'm pretty sure I would do as a parent, it would be to instill a sense of volunteerism in my child.  Empathy (even for those of us who tend towards the misanthropic) seems to me to be the most important thing you could pass on to a child - more important than the sports teams, the music lessons, etc., and definitely more important than the acquisition of "stuff".  So what do you do?  How do you help kids to learn about helping their fellow man, or standing up for things that have no voice, like pets or the enviroment? 

Volunteer Delaware has some ideas.  From their blog - http://networkedblogs.com/q9sh5:

"Almost every day, a parent contacts me about wanting their child to volunteer. No matter the age, I encourage the parent to work with the child to find a volunteer opportunity that speaks to their interests. The feeling this child gets by helping others or supporting those who do through donations of money or time is the best way to feel rich and set them on the path of service for a lifetime.

Below are some ways for children, or even this child within us all, to give back and have fun.

For older children, being a youth mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America or the Boys and Girls Clubs of America may be a great opportunity. Both organizations provide youth mentors to children and is a great way for teens to share their love of a particular subject with a younger child. Contact your local club to find out about youth mentoring or one of the other many volunteering opportunities they may have.  For more information about BBSSA, go to www.bbbsa.org for Boys and Girls, visit http://www.bgca.org/

Locks of Love is one charity that encourages participants to work as a team. It is not unusual to hear of specific girl’s organizations or groups, such as a youth group, school club, or other entity, encouraging all members to grow their hair and donate it when it has grown enough. The donated hair is used to make wigs and hairpieces that are given to children who have lost their hair due to medical conditions. The hair is provided free of charge or for a fee that is set based on a family’s income.
Go to www.locksoflove.org to learn more about this very special charity.

Ger creative! Host your own food drive though a local food bank, collect school supplies for those in need in your school district, have a bake sale to raise funds for a local youth organization…your creativity is the only limit. "

Environmental shorts.

Against fracking of the Delaware River basin?

Visit http://savethedelaware.wordpress.com/ for suggestions on how to help fight a proposed plan to implement hydraulic fracking - a method of gas extraction that puts the drinking water of the Philadelphia and NYC regions in jeopardy.

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

Jobs for environmental executive types:

In other news, the Delaware Nature Society is looking for a new executive director.  Details here: http://www.nature.org/aboutus/careers/index.htm

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

New online guide to native plants is launched:

The Mt. Cuba Center has just announced the unveiling of Mt. Cuba Connects, which is an interactive website that teaches residents about native Delaware plants.  Find out more here:  http://www.mtcubacenter.org/education/distance-learning/

Excellent news for residents of Wilmington's southwest suburbs

Proposed condo development on the site of the old Pike Creek Golf Course, which surrounds several existing townhouse, condo, and apartment communities between Limestone and Polly Drummond roads, has been largely blocked by New Castle County courts this week.  The ruling allows for 28 acres to be developed as the current ownership sees fit (and not operated as a golf course, as some had hoped), but that still leaves 177 acres of designated open space.  An appeal to Delaware's Supreme Court is expected, but for now, most of the old golf course will remain open. 

Here's hoping the county manages to buy the land - Carousel Park West, perhaps?

 Full story from the News Journal here.

And the exploitation of the 'Occupy' concept for marketing purposes continues.

This time Wilmington councilwoman Loretta Walsh thinks we should have buttons, like the current "IN Wilmington" buttons, that say "Occupied IN Wilmington".  From the News Journal:

Wilmington Councilwoman Loretta Walsh let her disappoint with John Rago, director of communications and policy development for Mayor James M. Baker, be known this Friday in an email to him and other council members.

“John, you have fallen down on your job. I for one am very disappointed. If you have actually done this already but I just don’t know about it then forgive me………………where is my IN with Occupy Wilmington button?”

Wilmington may not have an Occupy Delaware “IN” slogan yet, but creative minds with nothing better to do think it might look something like this:

[Insert hastily made graphic of the IN Wilmington button with the word Occupied pasted on the top].

Link: http://blogs.delawareonline.com/dialoguedelaware/?p=3647

*Sigh*.

I'm not even an 'occupier'.  I'm not close to anyone who is.  I have decidedly mixed feelings about the whole thing.  But shouldn't we wait until after the protestors have packed up and gone home and aren't getting themselves hurt and arrested before we start attempting jokes about using the phrase in ad campaigns?  That's the first problem I have with this. 

The second problem is something I've long been uneasy about - that arts development in this city is being driven by city council and corporate marketing experts, in the absence of actual grass roots or youth movements.  But that is a discussion for another day.

Tuesday: National Recycle Day event at the riverfront.

10-2pm, Shipyard Shops parking lot, Wilmington.
Goodwill, Office Movers, and a company that shreds documents will be there.

The public can bring papers to be shredded, or used office equipment and furniture to be donated.  What Goodwill and Office Movers can't use will be disposed of or further recycled.

Weekday events of note, 11/14-11/17:

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

Monday:

• Free screening of Gasland (documentary about gas fracking and something people in this area should probably watch at some point) at UD's Trabant Theatre on Main St., Newark. 7pm. 
• Movie Monday at the Kennett Flash The Royal Tenenbaums. Free, donations encouraged. Doors at 7pm, show at 7:30.
• Movie Monday at the Trocadero: Showgirls (I guess there could be a certain charm in seeing one of the worst movies of all time on the big screen?).  21+, $3.  Doors at 6:30, show at 8, arrive before 7 and get a free beer and popcorn.

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

Tuesday:

• National Recycle Day celebration on the Wilmington riverfront. 10-2pm, Shipyard Shops.  Bring items to be shredded, or used office equipment or furniture to be donated.  Goodwill and Office Movers will take what they can use and recycle or dispose of the rest.
• Grilled cheese & craft beer tasting at the Queen Theatre. Preview of the pairings on offer: "Yards Saison paired with Old Bay cheddar on brioche, with a mini crab cake" and "Cacio de Lazio on Herbes de Provence bread with tomato & kalamata olive puree along with New Holland Brewing’s Golden Cap Saison Ale".  There are desserts too, such as "Darkhorse Raspberry Ale sea salt chocolate mousse". 6-8pm. $34, call 994-1400 to reserve tickets because these allegedly sell out. 
• PSA: the Das Racist show at the TLA has been cancelled.

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

Wednesday:

• Showing of My Sister's Keeper at Theatre N (one showing only). 7pm, $7. Description.
• 4W5 Blues Jam at the Queen (upstairs). 7pm, free.
• Zoe Keating (cellist with a loop pedal - either you're into this or you're not, so it needs no more introduction from me) at the Queen. 8pm, $23.
• Free show Wednesdays at Mojo Main, with a rotating cast of local up-and-comers, the names of which are posted weekly here: http://www.mojomain.com/calendar . 21+, 9pm, no cover. 
• Architecture in Helsinki at Union Transfer.  All ages, 8pm, $17.
• The Sadies and Asteroid #4 at the North Star. 21+, 8pm, $15.

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

Thursday:

• Showing of Out in the Silence at Theatre N (one showing only). 7pm, 56 min. $5.  Film-makers will do live Q & A afterwards. Description.
• Karaoke at Mojo Main. 9pm, free

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upcoming: Thanksgiving.  Honestly.  It's not that there are no semi-interesting national shows coming up in the next 10 days, just nothing worth telling you about in advance.

Delaware Art Museum starts celebrating 100 years in the business today.

They don't officially turn 100 until 2012, but they're kicking off the centennial celebrations today.  Check out what they have planned for the coming weeks: http://www.delart.org/home.html

Also: Happy Nigel Tufnel day!

This weekend, 11/11-11/14:

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

• Free Lunchtime Live show at the Queen.  Noon. More details.
• Penultimate Kennett Square outdoor Farmers' Market.  2-6pm.  I believe they switch to an indoor market during winter - will have more details about this later.
• Showings of Mozart's Sister and Restless at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Wine tasting to benefit Wilmington Flower Market charity, at University & Whist Club, 8th & Broom.  Guest sommeliers will pour and discuss wines from around the world.  $30 at the door. 6-9pm Friday.
• Comedians Michael Ian Black and Doogie Horner at the Trocadero. 18+, 8pm, $20+.
• Full Moon Owl Prowl at Bucktoe Creek Preserve. 6:15-8pm, $5.  Call 610-347-0347 to register and get more details.

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

Saturday:

• Girls of the Run Fall 5k in Wilmington. Details.
• Colonial Fall Festival 5k in New Castle.  Details.
• Showings of Mozart's Sister and Restless at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Music master class by the DePue Brothers, in N. Wilm.  They'll be giving tips on both violin and percussion.  10-11am, open to the public.  Location: Music School of Delaware, 4101 Washington St.
• Delaware Humane Associations's monthly traveling "Wellness Clinic".  Discounted shots and microchips for cats and dogs, as well as licensing.  1-3pm at the Concord Pet on Concord Pike, N. Wilm.  http://www.dehumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=wellnessclinics

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

Sunday:

• Engineers without Borders 5k in Newark. Details.
• Sunday Bird Walk at Bucktoe Creek Preserve  8-10am, free, nearby PA.
• Newark Co-op Farmers' Market (only about 3 left until this closes for the season). 10-2pm, E. Main St.
• Showings of Mozart's Sister, Restless, and the Puccini opera Tosca at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

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

Band shows:

Friday:

• The Spinto Band with The Spring Standards at the Kennett Flash. 8pm, $15.
• Stargazer Lily reunion show at the TLA (there are other bands on the bill).  All ages, 7:30pm, $15.
• Black light party with multiple DJs, at Mojo Main. 18+, 9pm, $10.
• Noel Gallagher's new project at the Academy of Music. 8pm, all ages, $25-$95.

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

Saturday:

• DePue Brothers Band at the Arden Gild Hall (on "The Highway" off of Harvey Rd. in N.Wilm). "Four violinist brothers encompass a vivid blend of bluegrass, classical, and rock genres".  All ages, 8pm, $25 or $20 for club members. Email concerts@ardenclub.org to reserve tickets, if you want.  I'm sure they'll still be available at the door. 
• Fishbone at the North Star. 21+, 9pm, $18.
• Kurt Vile and the Violators, with Far-Out Fangtooth and Blues Control, at Union Transfer. All ages, 8pm, $15.
• Frontier Ruckus (you may remember them from Hoots & Hellmouth's cd release show a month back.  If not, I'll fill you in - they were very good) at Kung Fu Necktie. 21+, 8:30pm, $10.

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

Sunday:

• Beirut with Basia Bulat at the Electric Factory. 21+, 8pm, $27.

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

The Grand Opera House offers 3 November shows at half-price. Through Friday.

Sadly not anything I can take advantage of, but I'm sure this will be a good deal for someone out there:

"We take a break from Pixies goodness to tell you about a sale: Want to attend a show at The Grand for 50% off? We're now offering half-off tickets for the following November shows: Beakman on the Brain (11/13), the National Acrobats of China (11/22), and Classic Albums Live's tribute to The Beatles' Abbey Road (11/26). The offer's only good until 7PM Friday, Nov. 11, so take advantage of this sale while you can by calling the Box Office at 800-37-GRAND or 652-5577!"

Can anyone temporarily house a friendly, trained doberman for this military family?

I found this on Craigslist this morning, and the nature of it stood out from the usual pet posts.  Location: Dover AFB.

"My husband is getting deployed in February and I'm leaving the state. He'll be gone for 6 months. I'm flying to WA to assist my grandmother with her business and i cant bring her with me. I need to find someone to watch her. I will supply money for food/etc. She's good with other dogs and cats AND ABSOLUTELY LOVESSSS children. My husband and i dont want to give her up. She's extremely obedient. She knows Sit, Stay, Up, Shake, and Laydown. I just need someone to watch her from late february to June.Please help me out. I'm paying for this service :/ My number is nine.three.one.four.three.six.eight.one.two.nine. If you can help please call me or respond ASAP. please and thank you. <3"

Email address to contact if you can help (even if you know of resources for military families in this situation): comm-ruyt6-2690944086@craigslist.org

Weekday events of note, 11/7-11/10:

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

Monday:

• Monday night football on the big screen at Theatre N, free.  Eagles vs. Bears. 8:30 pm. No charge, beer and wine available in the theatre. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Movie Monday at the Kennett Flash: Rushmore (November is "Tribute to Wes Anderson" month.  To be honest, I never got the appeal of Rushmore.  Although I like other Anderson films, there's always something just a little bit smug about them). Free, donations encouraged. Doors at 7pm, show at 7:30.
• Movie Monday at the Trocadero: Bronson, The Movie (you tell me.  Here are the details.)  21+, $3.  Doors at 6:30, show at 8, arrive before 7 and get a free beer and popcorn.

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

Tuesday:

• Ugh.  Why is Tuesday such a hard day to find anything for?  Always Tuesday. 

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

Wednesday:

• 4W5 Blues Jam at the Queen. 7pm, free.
• Free show Wednesdays at Mojo Main, with a rotating cast of local up-and-comers, the names of which are posted weekly here: http://www.mojomain.com/calendar . 21+, 9pm, no cover. 
• The Sea and Cake at Union Transfer, with Brokeback.  All ages, 8pm, $17. Tickets.

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

Thursday:

• Karaoke at Mojo Main. 9pm, free
• The Meters Experience with Leo Nocentelli at the Queen.  Funk is more my spouse's milieau than mine, but I've picked up enough to know that The Meters were one of the greatest funk bands of all time.  $20 and up. $20-$28, 8pm. Tickets.

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

Upcoming:
Movies Mozart's Sister and Restless at Theatre N on the weekend, Spinto Band and the Spring Standards at the Kennett Flash on Friday, comedian Michael Ian Black at the Troc on Friday, Fishbone at the North Star Sat., Kurt Vile at Union Transfer Sat., Beirut at the Electric Factory on Sunday, Das Racist at the TLA next Tues., Architecture in Helsinki at Union Transfer next Wed.,

Craigslist ad of the week.

Job Title: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Location: Sewer by Rt. 202

[You know I had to click and read the ad after the 'sewer by Rt. 202' part.]

Text:

Now recruiting talented ninjas to join our elite team of crime fighters. Apply within.
NOTE* No more Foot Clan in clever turtle disguises.

UPDATE* The Ninja Turtle position has been filled. However, reply to this email with a small paragraph about yourself and why you would make a great server at Lucky's Coffee Shop and we may grant you the opportunity to go through our rigorous screening process. Full-timers make approx. $500 a week. Ninja skills preferred but not required.

There you have it - Lucky's is hiring, and they have a sense of humor.  The "$500 a week" part is a little dubious, because I know servers at $$$$ places that have a hard time pulling in that much.  Still, management with a sense of humor can be a huge perk in and of itself.

This weekend: 11/4-11/6

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

• First Friday ART LOOP in Wilmington (and other towns).  http://www.wilmingtonde.gov/visitors/artloop
• Free Lunchtime Live show at the Queen.  Noon. More details.
• Kennett Square Farmers' Market.  2-6pm. 
• Robot art on display at Poppycock Tattoo (7th & Orange). I'm not a tattoo person.  Nothing against them, but in my experience, it's more uncommon and interesting these days to *not* have a tattoo. But I am a fan of businesses trying to make a go of it in the Market Street area.   Details.
• Showings at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Turkish belly dancing and French gypsy jazz at the Phila. Museum or Art's "Art After 5" event. Details.

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

Saturday:

• Brandywine Village Fall Festival.  Produce for sale, cooking demonstrations, food sampling.  11am-2pm, corner of Concord Ave. and Market St. 
• Downtown Fall Fest on Market Street, noon to 4 (seems like mostly a family thing.  But, honestly, festivals to report on get a little sparse as the weather gets cold, so I'm working with what I've got.  See the details, here).
• Showings at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• 3rd Delaware Futures 5k in Wilmington. Details.

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

Sunday:

• CSC Veterans 5k in Wilmington. Details.
• Newark Co-op Farmers' Market. 10-2pm, E. Main St.
• Showings at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

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

Band shows:

Friday:

• Mean Lady and Atlas at Homegrown (luckily no cheeky misappropriations of other people's causes in this flyer).  All ages, 9:30pm, FREE.
• Mister Heavenly (members of Modest Mouse, Man Man, and Islands) at the First Unitarian Church. All ages, 8pm, $13. Ticket link.
• Several lauded local original bands at the Queen. Ticket link.
• Dar Williams at the Gild Hall in Arden, but it's sold out.  (Mentioning it just to help get the word out about Gild Hall concerts). 

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

Saturday:

• Mason Porter and Ben Smith at the Kennett Flash. 8pm, $15.

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

Sunday:

• Pixies at the Grand.  It's sold out (although it took a lot longer to sell out than I thought it would).  But you can find tickets on Craigslist.  Trust me.

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

Upcoming: The Sea and Cake at Union Transfer on Wed., Spinto Band and Spring Standards at the Kennett Flash next Fri., Fishbone at the North Star next Sat., Kurt Vile and Far-Out Fangtooth at Union Transfer next Sat.

Free and public talk on Iceland's culture and landscape at the Delaware Center for Horticulture, Wed. afternoon

[From theDCH.org]

Iceland’s Culture & Landscape

Join TheDCH staffer Joe Matassino for a presentation about Iceland’s unique cultural landscape including his February 2011 visit to the Icelandic Horticultural College, or Landbúnaðarháskóli Íslands Reykjum and the Reykjavik Botanical Garden.  Bring a bag lunch.  Icelandic water will be served.

Supported by the Nancy Corroon Travel Scholarship Fund.

Date	Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Time	12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location	Event held at TheDCH
Registration cost	Free and Open to the public
Contact	Joe Matassino