Metro, April 6-10

This week: a piece on banjoist Bela Fleck's recent African excursions and a preview of Exhumed Films' umpteenth screening of Evil Dead 2.

Citypaper, April 9

The first of what promises to be many light weeks following the recent redesign/budget slashorama: an arts pick for Zornitsa Stoyanova's Here[begin] Dance Co., a review of Observe and Report, and a blurb for vibist Kevin Norton's Counterpoint trio.

Metro, March 30-April 3

This week: an interview with Brendon Small, creator of Metalocalypse; and an interview with dancer/choreographer Gesel Mason (ignore the misleading headline - no local ties here).

Citypaper, April 2

Film Fest/Cinefest/Whateverpalooza week two brings a scant three reviews: American Violet, The Burning Plain, and Sita Sings the Blues. Plus, regular reviews of Greg Mottola's Adventureland and the dreary '50s sci-fi pastiche Alien Trespass, and Soundadvice blurbs for guitarist Julian Lage and the Blue Note 7.

Metro, March 23-27

This week, an interview with video artist/director Steve McQueen on his first feature, Hunger, which played the Film Fest; a preview of Danish symphonic-pop band Efterklang, at the First Unitarian Church; and an interview with opera singer Stuart Neill, singing Verdi's Requiem with the Mendelssohn Club.

Citypaper, March 26

Film Fest opening week, which this year brings 11 reviews: Able, Before the Fall, Eldorado, The King of Ping Pong, Goodbye Solo, Not Quite Hollywood, Number One With a Bullet, Wages of Spin, Art of the Devil 3, Left Bank, and Love, Soccer and Other Catastrophes.

Also this week, a feature on jazz cellist Erik Friedlander and his Broken Arm Trio, a pick for the exceedingly XPN-friendly Bad Plus +1, with vocalist Wendy Lewis; a Soundadvice blurb for ex-Wall of Voodoo frontman and all-around strange guy Stan Ridgway, and an arts pick for New Yorker reporter Steve Coll and his book The Bin Ladens.

Metro, March 16-20

This week, previews for Dianne Reeves at Annenberg and Tempesta di Mare's evocation of Berlin socialite Sara Levy's salons, and Latin Fiesta's Hispanic Music Festival at the Bride.

Citypaper, March 19

This week: Reviews of Knowing, I Love You, Man and The Great Buck Howard; a pick for Bowerbird's "Guitar Heroes II" show with David Daniell, Jack Rose, Glenn Jones, and Andy Giles; and a Soundadvice blurb for Ars Nova's third Julius Hemphill Composer Portrait.

Metro, March 9-13

This week, an overview of the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail's annual Barrels on the Brandywine festival of barrel tastings, small previews of Matthew Shipp's trio at Art Alliance and Curtis Opera Theatre's Wozzeck at the Kimmel, and a much-reduced interview with longtime James Brown saxman Maceo Parker, in town with his own group.

Citypaper, March 12

This week: A preview of I-House's wonderful upcoming retrospective on filmmaker, painter, composer, and philanthropist Jerome Hill and reviews of Wayne Kramer's Crossing Over and the wholly unnecessary remake of Last House on the Left. Then there's Soundadvice blurbs for German trio Grid Mesh at Gojjo and NYC's Ensemble Pamplemousse on a Bowerbird bill, and a Naked City feature about Chris' Jazz Cafe's R&B/funk/jazz happy hour, Sunset Sessions.

Metro, March 2-6

This week, a piece on British orchestral-Goth-lounge act the Tindersticks and an interview with composer Andrea Clearfield about her new piece, "Lung-Ta", inspired by a trek to Nepal.

Citypaper, March 5

Scored the cover of this week's Music Issue, with a piece on local percussion acrobat Toshi Makihara.

Metro, February 23-27

Just one piece this week, on PRISM Quartet's collaboration with Music From China, a set of world premieres of work's combining sax quartet with traditional Chinese instruments.

Citypaper, February 26

I'm all over this week's Citypaper, starting with the cover, my second interview piece with Philly-area-born identical twin animators/eccentrics the Brothers Quay. The brothers will be in town in conjunction with an exhibition of the decors (read: sets) from their films and an award ceremony/screenings at the Film Festival.

Also, a feature on the Painted Bride's Big Ears project, a residency with drummer/composer John Hollenbeck, culminating in performances by his Large Ensemble and a 12-piece ensemble of Philly musicians; a pick for the second of three Ars Nova Workshop-presented Composer Portraits of Julius Hemphill, this one featuring his big band music performed by Bobby Zankel's Warriors of the Wonderful Sound, supplemented by Marty Ehrlich; Soundadvice blurbs for Stebmo and Matt Wilson's Arts and Crafts; a film sidebar on I-House's screening of Urgh! A Music War, waxing nostalgic for Night Flight; a review of Two Lovers; and a pick for PMA's new "Cezanne and Beyond" show.

Metro, February 16-20

This week: A preview for Mardi Gras of the Boston-based avant-brass band Revolutionary Snake Ensemble, an interview with saxophonist Loren Stillman, and a piece on hip-hop dance choreographer Rennie Harris' sci-fi piece, 100NakedLocks.

Citypaper, February 19

This week: music picks for Junior Mance and the White Rocket/Herb Robertson/Pull triple-feature at Sci-Fi Philly; and Soundadvice blurbs for Chris' Jazz Cafe's second guitar week and teh Laubrock/Halvorson/Rainey trio.

Metro, February 9-13

This week in Metro: a preview of a busy weekend for the Chamber Orchestra, performing Brahms's Eine deutsches Requiem and hosting Placido Domingo; and a piece on Midwives Gallery's found-pieces art show "I Found Love."

Citypaper, February 12

This week, a preview of ICA's film and music event, "Melody, Melody and Meg", curated by Philly artist Anthony Campuzano. The event featured screenings of Serge Gainsbourg's Histoire de Melody Nelson and David Puttnam's 1971 kids-in-love cult film Melody, and a performance by Meg Baird. Also, a review of the new Friday the 13th reboot, a pick for Kahil El'Zabar's Ethnic Heritage Ensemble 35th anniversary tour, and Soundadvice blurbs for Felipe Salles and the Chance Trio.

Metro, February 2-6

This week: two dance pieces, on Tel Aviv's Batsheva Dance Company and new-to-Philly Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers; and a preview of Orchestra 2001's world premiere of a new opera based on a Sherlock Holmes story.

Abe Lincoln in Philadelphia

Returned to the feature fold in the Daily News last month, with a piece on two of the many projects celebrating Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday: the Rosenbach's "21st-Century Abe" website and the Walnut's Whitman-meets-Lincoln one man show O Captain, My Captain.

Citypaper, February 5

This week, the lead film review, on Henry Selick's 3-D stop-motion adaptation of Neil Gaiman's Coraline.

Metro, December 08-January 09

Rounding the new year corner at Metro:

A piece on Penn's exhibit of alum Steven Rothman's comic book collection; Exhumed Films' double feature of Killer Santa flicks; my interview with former Inky columnist Steve Lopez, whose book The Soloist is this year's One Book, One Philadelphia selection and soon to be a film; a profile of the Daedalus Quartet; a look at the Art Museum's exhibit of Japanese Crafts; a preview of Orrin Evans' DVD shoot at Chris'; a review of the ICA's three new exhibits, including the work of Anthony Campuzano; an overview of I-House's Frank and Eleanor Perry film retrospective; and a preview of Chamber Music Now!'s risque show "Love Machines and Shameless Hussies."

Citypaper, December 08-January 09

Bridging the holidays and into the new year, my pieces for the Citypaper included:

Dec. 18: A review, expanded from last year's Gay and Lesbian film fest, of the homo-Shakespeare farce Were the World Mine; a pick for Ari Hoenig's electric Oscillations Quartet; and a Soundadvice blurb for Tony Malaby's Cello Trio.

Dec. 25: A review of the inexplicably Oscar-reaping Kate Winslet Nazi-sex flick The Reader and my annual list of the year's top ten jazz CDs.

Jan. 1: To ring in Two-Double Zed-Nine: A list, with no explanations and all in all pretty unsatisfying, of the lackluster year's top ten films. If I get around to posting a year-end recap post, I'll probably have an amended list.

Jan. 8: A preview of the Jewish Film Fest's weekend of French fare, a Just Do It for George McGovern's chat about Abe Lincoln at the Constitution Center, and a Soundadvice blurb for the first installment of Ars Nova Workshop's Composer Portrait of Julius Hemphill.

Jan. 15: The annual Spring Jazz Calendar, and reviews of Defiance and Bride Wars.

Jan. 22: A feature on the Schuylkill Center's Ephemerality exhibit; a pick for Billy Childs and the Ying Quartet at Montgomery County Community College and a Soundadvice blurb for the Sten Sandell Trio; a review of the lackluster Brendan Fraser kid's adventure Inkheart; and a Now See This for Kafka Imagining America, a talk by translator Mark Harman.

Jan. 29: A feature on the duo of Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore and Swedish sax extremist Mats Gustafsson, a pick for the trio of Lotte Anker, Sylvie Courvoisier and Ikue Mori, and a Soundadvice blurb for saxophonist Glenn White; and a review of the lethargic gay indie Ciao.

Metro, December 8-12

Over the past week in the Metro: a preview of the Franklin's "eductional" (ahem) new Chronicles of Narnia exhibit; a piece on the Prince's live radio play adaptation of It's a Wonderful Life; and a look at Penn Museum's exhibit Iyare!, with art and artifacts from the kingdom of Benin in Nigeria.

Citypaper, December 11

In this week's CP, my feature review of Ron Howard's adaptation of Frost/Nixon, a preview of Jason Moran's new commission from the Art Museum based on their Gee's Bend quilt exhibit, featuring Bill Frisell, a pick for Ron Horton's performance of Andrew Hill's Passing Ships, and Soundadvice blurbs for mi3 and the duo of Kieran Hebden and Steve Reid.

Metro, December 1-5

This week, a preview of Doug Varone and Dancers' weekend of performances at Penn, a piece on I-House's series of classic films from the Russian Mosfilm Studio, and an interview with Dan Scofield, saxophonist for Shot x Shot and co-Founder of the Sci-Fi Philly series.

Citypaper, December 4

The string of cover stories comes to an end. This week, two reviews: one for the crudely made but nonetheless engaging doc Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer, and the second for Randall Miller's second film of the year, the hyperactive, twist-heavy "thriller" Nobel Son. In music, there's a pick for Rudresh Mahanthappa at the Painted Bride (I'm working on a DownBeat feature on Rudresh that should hit stands in the May saxophone issue) and a Soundadvice blurb for the Chicagoan/Dutch Flatlands Collective.

Citypaper, November 26

The second cover story in a row (the reasons why are in Brian Howard's Editor's Letter) tells the 35-year history of free-funk rhythm section Jamaaladeen Tacuma and G. Calvin Weston. Also, a review of Baz Luhrmann's simultaneously overindulgent and incredibly dull Australia, a Daytripper for an exhibit of punk rock photography in Lancaster, of all places, and a pick for pianist Kenny Werner, bringing his new trio to the Art Museum.

Metro, November 17-21

This week, two interviews with fellow journalists: NY Times jazz critic Ben Ratliff, promoting his new book The Jazz Ear via a live interview with pianist Orrin Evans, and New Yorker classical critic Alex Ross, interviewing John Adams at the Free Library. And a preview of I-House's 3-movie FilmChile series.

Citypaper, November 20

The first of two cover stories this week, with my delayed feature on John Oates, originally meant to run in October's music issue. Alongside the main story, there's this timeline of Oates' life and career. Also, reviews of Arnaud Desplechin's A Christmas Tale and the self-reflexive, surprising Jean-Claude Van Damme mindwarp JCVD. In music, a feature on turntablist Maria Chavez.

Citypaper, November 13

This week: A review of the French animated compilation film Fear(s) of the Dark, along with an interview with NoLibs graphic artist Charles Burns, one of the directors; a pick for Bowerbird's duos show, featuring the team-up of trumpeters Nate Wooley and Peter Evans; and a Soundadvice blurb for Nmperign.

November 3-7

In the Metro: An interview with Arie Kaplan, author of From Krakow to Krypton: Jews and Comic Books.

In the Citypaper: A feature on the First Person Festival's Complaint Choir; an interview with Bruce Campbell on his new film My Name is Bruce; a feature on the Music & Mentorship program's fundraising salute to drummer Mickey Roker; a pick for drummer/bandleader Bobby Sanabria; and another for I-House's Contemporary Voices show, featuring the duets of David Grubbs/Susan Howe and Alan Licht/Aki Onda.

October 27-31

In the Daily News: A feature on the Kimmel's season-long series celebrating the 50th anniversary of Miles Davis' Kind of Blue, including interviews with Jimmy Cobb, Bobby Watson, and Randy Brecker.

In the Metro: A look at the Art Museum's retrospective on outsider artist James Castle, and for Halloween, a piece on Secret Cinema's Bela Lugosi Halloween Grab Bag.

In the Citypaper: A piece on Exhumed Films' second annual 24-Hour Horrorthon - with an extra hour thanks to Daylight Savings; a feature on UArts' symposium on the life and music of Wilmington native Clifford Brown; a pick on the West Philadelphia Orchestra's CD release show; and Soundadvice blurbs on the Oscuro Quintet, Dynamite Club, and Joe McPhee's Trio X.

October 20-24

In the Metro: An interview with ex-Nickel Creek mandolinist Chris Thile about his duo gig at the Kimmel with bassist Edgar Meyer.

In the Citypaper: No music pieces in the Music Issue - my feature on John Oates got squeezed for space and will show up as the cover story on 11/20. So this week, just an interview with Philly Poe expert Edward Pettit, a brief discussion on the Roger Corman Poe films screening just before Halloween.

Citypaper Catch-Up

Foremost among the pieces I've written for the Citypaper over the past few months was the Fall Guide feature on Dear Old Captain Noah, for which I got to go hang with the Captain and Mrs. Noah at their house in Gladwyne, with a sidebar on the new Please Touch Museum. I also did features on bassist Todd Sickafoose, documentarian Frederick Wiseman, Germantown's Beyer Stained Glass Studio, guitarist Marc Ribot, Dean Ween's fishing show, Canadian banjo picker Jayme Stone, The Residents, and West Chester's Guerrilla Drive-In; reviews of CSNY Deja Vu, Bottle Shock (including an interview with filmmakers Randall Miller and Jody Savin), Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Hamlet 2 (including an interview with Steve Coogan), What We Do Is Secret, I Served the King of England, How To Lose Friends and Alienate People (including an interview with Simon Pegg), and Oliver Stone's W.

Metro Catch-Up

Metro subjects over the past few months have included: Robyn Hitchcock, Judas Priest's K.K. Downing, a Julie Andrews interview that unfortunately isn't online, the New Pornographers, Tommy Chong, Squeeze's Chris Difford, Kinky Friedman, Ben Folds bringing his orchestral act to the Mann, Motorhead's Mikkey Dee, Keith Jarrett in the inaugural edition of Metro's new weekly Guide to Arts & Culture, Chuck Palahniuk, in town promoting the film version of Choke, the Carolina Chocolate Drops, PMA's Thomas Chambers exhibit, Dennis Quaid, in Philly promoting The Express, and Danzig's 20th anniversary tour.

Daily News Catch-Up

Ok, I've been particularly neglectful of this blog for the past... three months now. A combination of a busy patch of work, running off to get engaged, and starting production on a documentary about pianist Jimmy Amadie pushed this site well into the background. So rather than noting every word I've written over that time, here's some highlights of each paper.

Daily News has slown down lately, but I've written features on Return To Forever's reunion tour, with a sidebar on Philly's own Stanley Clarke, and this year's Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe.

Citypaper, July 17

This week: Five more PIGLFF reviews: the stark Czech coming-of-age tale Dolls; the skeletal secrets-revealed drama The Lost Coast; the indie-expose of SF street hustlers 25 Cent Preview; the gay musical Midsummer Night's Dream adaptation Were the World Mine; and the apartheid-era South African romance The World Unseen (which doesn't have a direct link, but just scroll down one from the above. Also, a feature on Sci-Fi Philly, the new avant-jazz series centered at West Philly Ethiopian restaurant Gojjo; a Soundadvice mention for West Philly Orchestra Gregg Mervine's Mingus Thing quintet; and a review of the complex Czech drama Beauty in Trouble, which I'll link to as soon as it's posted.

Daily News, July 11

This week's pick is for the husband-and-wife team of pianist Hod O'Brien and singer Stephanie Nakasian, debuting at Chris' Jazz Cafe with a couple of decades of trench work under their musical belts.

Metro, July 7-11

A very light month for Metro continues with a single piece, again on the Gay & Lesbian Film Fest, this one an overview.

Citypaper, July 10

This week: Three meager reviews for week one of the 14th annual Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival: Between Something and Nothing, the latest, less-insufferable-than-usual Todd Verow effort; Four Windows, a too-opaque-for-its-own-good German psychodrama; and the too-lackluster-for-a-hyphenate-description Bollywood romancer When Kiran Met Karen. Plus, a review of the Brendan Fraser IN 3-D!!! action flick Journey To the Center of the Earth, a pick for Israeli folkie Noa Babayof and a Soundadvice blurb for Cape Verdean singer/guitarist Tcheka, and an artspick for David Maraniss, author of the politics-as-sport Rome 1960.

Citypaper, July 3

This week: A review of Alex Gibney's politically-minded Hunter S. Thompson doc, Gonzo; a pick for the melancholy folksters The Chapin Sisters and a Soundadvice mention for Japanese psych/rock power trio Boris; and a pick for the Art Museum's new Nandalal Bose exhibit.

Daily News, June 27

This Friday's pick is for singer Kate McGarry, due to drop a new CD in August featuring a surprisingly gorgeous cover of The Cars' "Just What I Needed." She unfortunately drops the verse repeat with the wonderfully inexplicable "time, time" lyric, though.

Metro, June 23-27

On Wednesday, my email interview with Rickie Lee Jones, just in time for the second of her three-week residency at the Painted Bride. Also note the [shudder] tiny image of my head on the byline. On Friday, a piece on PIMA Bingo, the annual fundraiser for dancer/choreographer Melisa Putz' PIMA Group; and a brief history of Sand Castle Winery, the rare good producer of vino in PA, on the event of the 20th anniversary of their first sold bottle of wine.

Citypaper, June 26

This week: A feature on the first annual Philadelphia Independent Film Festival, happening this weekend in NoLibs; a review of the Matthew Broderick/Brittany Snow semi-comedy Finding Amanda; a Soundadvice blurb for the Brubeck Brothers at Chris' Jazz Cafe; and a pick for historian Robert Schlesinger, author of the recent history of presidential speechwriters, White House Ghosts, appearing at the National Constitution Center.

Daily News, June 16-20

This week, my yearly feature on the West Oak Lane Jazz and Arts Festival, now in its fifth year. And on Friday, a pick for same - what can I say? The Daily News is a major sponsor.

Citypaper, June 19

This week: A feature on dancer/choreographer Zornitsa Stoyanova's evening -length piece, "Point of No Return"; a brief piece on Brothers Unconnected, the Bishop brothers' tribute show to their lamented fellow Sun City Girl, Charles Gocher; a sidebar overview of I-House's Jerzy Skolimowski retrospective; and a review of the Young Genghis Khan epic Mongol.

Daily News, June 13

This Friday, just a pick for this year's impressive Cliffore Brown Jazz Festival line-up down in Wilmington.

Citypaper, June 12

This week: A piece on this year's 21st Lawn Chair Drive-In series, kicked off by the wonderfully bizarre Phantom of the Paradise; a review of the straight-laced inspirational dross The Children of Huang Shi; and a Soundadvice plug for what turned out to be a very odd Sonny Simmons/Bobby Few duo gig at Art Alliance, with Sonny crooning some half-remembered lyrics to "It Was a Very Good Year."

Daily News, June 6

This week, just a pick for World Cafe's "Giants of Gypsy Jazz II", in which I got to slip in a reference to Woody Allen's last good film, Sweet and Lowdown.

Metro, June 2-6

This week, at least as far as Metros that have shown up online: a piece on "Benjamin Franklin Frankly", a musical biography of the Founding Father by Princeton-based composer Clive Muncaster. Bunch more last week, including an interview with ex-Door John Densmore that I found pretty entertaining, but none of 'em have been posted.

Citypaper, June 5

This week, I made the cover of CP, with my long-in-the-works story about the long-forgotten 1972 Philly-shot horror film Malatesta's Carnival of Blood. Also, keeping in the horror vein, a review of the tragically awful conclusion to Dario Argento's Three Mothers trio, Mother of Tears, and another for Kung Fu Panda. I may never live down the fact that I gave a better review to a Jack Black cartoon than an Argento film.

Daily News, May 26-30

This week: an interview with ex-Philadelphian Benjamin Wallace, author of the wine and Jefferson-related (and therefore, specifically targeted to me) new book The Billionaire's Vinegar; and a pick for local vocalist Joanna Pascale.

Citypaper, May 29

This week: a feature on local artist Zoe Cohen's "Show Someone How You Feel About Something" project; a Soundadvice pick for vocalist Grazyna Auguscik; and reviews for Tarsem's overindulgent The Fall, the Liv Tyler horror grind The Strangers, and the French Bond spoof OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies.

Daily News, May 19-23

This week, a story on The Rotunda's recent mural project, Collective Imprints, with a sidebar history of the venue; and a pick for the Oliver Lake/Andrew Cyrille/Reggie Workman supergroup Trio 3, at the Art Museum.

Metro, May 19-23

This week: An interview with clown/actor Bill Irwin, prepping his new show The Happiness Lecture at PTC.

Citypaper, May 22

This week, a short Q&A with Matt Davis about his year-long Aerial Photograph music-doc project, combining samples of interviews with Philly residents and music based on them; a pick for the Polish Marcin Wasilewski Trio, aka Tomasz Stanko's young backing band; and Soundadvice mentions for Nemeth and Efterklang. Plus, a generally happy review of the new Indiana Jones flick.

Daily News, May 16

This week, simply a pick for local vocalist Pearl Williams, enjoying a tribute show at LaRose.

Metro, May 12-16

Just one this week: an email interview with creepy magician and suspected rapist (though that doesn't come up) David Copperfield. Ugh.

Citypaper, May 15

This week's CP film section was all about the Troma, and features my review of the schlock-factory's latest, Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead, and my interview with head honcho Lloyd Kaufman. On the other end of the spectrum, a review of Merchant-Ivory's letst product, Before the Rains. Also: Soundadvice mentions for the metal/jazz double-bill of KTL and Beta Popes, and the inaugural edition of the new avant-jazz Sci-Fi Sessions, and an Artspick for Mascher Space Co-op's findraising Funstival.

Metro, May 5-9

This week in Metro: a preview of I-House's retrospective of Portuguese filmmaker Pedro Costa; a preview of the Rosenbach's new year-long Maurice Sendak exhibit (not currently online) and previews of the Lemony Snicket orchestral piece The Composer is Dead at the Kimmel on Sunday and the mother/daughter klezmer team of Elaine and Susan Watts, neither of which have been posted yet. I'll get 'em up here asap.

Citypaper, May 8

This week in CP: a feature on the great young Philly jazz quartet Shot x Shot; Soundadvice mentions for local saxist/psych Ph.D. Michael Pedicin and tenorman Donny McCaslin; a Day Tripper for the NYC gallery showing of photog Peter Beste's True Norwegian Black Metal; a review of the Wachowski Bros' anime sugar rush Speed Racer; a pick for the debut of Philly dancer/choreographer Meg Foley's new company Moving Research; and a preview of this year's Philadelphia Wine festival - more on which later, after we get to tasting on Saturday night.

Metro, May 2

The only piece this week is a preview of Megan Bridge's two-part dance piece at the CEC, Subject in Two Parts.

Citypaper, May 1

This week: a pick for William Parker's evening of music by and inspired by Curtis Mayfield at the Painted Bride; reviews for Iron Man, Helen Hunt's directorial debut Then She Found Me, and the French semi-political comedy My Brother is an Only Child; and an artspick for Peregrine Arts' latest Philly archaeological transformation, nothing but what is therein contained at Girard College's Founder's Hall.

Daily News April Wrap-Up

The usual weekly picks, this month on Dave Brubeck, Karrin Allyson, and Brad Mehldau; and a feature on Terence Blanchard's evening of Spike Lee movie music at the Kimmel, featuring interviews with both and a sidebar with some career highlights.

Metro April Wrap-Up

The month in Metro:

A piece on Chamber Music Now!'s text/music collaborations (not online); an interview with David Kessler, creator of Shadow World, a series of interviews with folks living under the Front St. El, who I've previously written about. He's got an installation based on the website up at I-House. Then there's a piece on collective psych-folk ensemble Dark Meat; and a cut-down piece on Charles Anderson's Dance Theatre X.

Citypaper April Wrap-Up

Between the Film Fest (I think the number ended up being about 60 films seen) and a small getaway to Virginia wine country for my birthday, I've neglected this space for about a month. So I'll do a lightning round of links for each of the usual papers.

As for CP:

April 10: Down from last week's total, a mere three reviews for Film Fest week two: Deep Sea Blues, Fados, and the Germs biopic What We Do is Secret; a regular review for the Ryan Reynolds vehicle Chaos Theory; and a pick for The Tiptons at Chris'.

April 17: A feature on local psych-noise label Fire Museum Records, previewing a label showcase at the Troc and an interview with Theo Bleckmann prior to his vocal supergroup MOSS appearing at the Art Museum; a review of Morgan Spurlock's Where in the World is Osama bin Laden? and an interview with the director; a review of the cloying oldsters-sing-hipster doc Young @ Heart, another for the belated poker mockumentary The Grand, and one more for the latest Apatow product, Forgetting Sarah Marshall; and a pick for the first anniversary of the dance/multi-media performance series paraphrase/NEXUS.

April 24: A pick for the Dylan-as-jazz trio Jewels and Binoculars; reviews of The Life Before Her Eyes, The Visitor and, yes, another poker flick, Deal; a piece on I-House's series of films on, about, or using still photos, Moving Pictures; and a pick for the collaboration of local improviser Jack Wright and Butoh master Katsura Kan.

Daily News, April 4

This Friday, just a pick for Philly trumpeter John Swana, celebrating First Friday in Mt. Airy with his quartet.

Metro, March 31-April 4

This week in the Metro: a preview of NoirCon 2008, a celebration of all things dark and shadowy; an interview with Bollywood icon Asha Bhosle, and another with avant-garde composer Phil Kline, bringing settings of Hunter S. Thompson prose and Vietnam G.I.'s lighter-inscribed poetry to the Kimmel.

Citypaper, April 3

The Film Fest issue. Tons of stuff this week, beginning with sixteen Fest reviews (just look for the S.B.s); an interview with Jeremiah Zagar, director of the doc In a Dream about his parents, Philly mosaic artist Isaiah and his wife Julia Zagar; a lead review in the regular film section for the Scorsese Rolling Stones concert film Shine a Light; a feature review of the treacly immigration melodrama Under the Same Moon; a short review of the Abigail Breslin/Jodie Foster adventure mess Nim's Island; a pick for tenorman Joe Lovano's Us 5 at Chris'; and Soundadvice blurbs for Ben Allison's Man Size Safe and Wolf Eyes.

Daily News, March 28

In this Friday's Yo section, my interview with sax legend Wayne Shorter, plus a pick for the smooth-jazz-happy 18th annual Berks Jazz Fest.

Metro, March 24-28

This week, a piece on Back Door Slam, a trio of blues-rockers from the Isle of Man, barely (or not even) old enough to drink. Had one or two things in Friday's issue as well, but that one isn't online as of now.

Citypaper, March 27

This week: a review of the lackluster Demi Moore/Michael Caine heist flick Flawless, and another for the disappointing Simon Pegg romcom Run Fat Boy Run; a Daytripper piece on First Person's bus trip to NY to view the lost Diane Arbus pics before they go up for auction; a pick for the Tony Malaby/William Parker/Nasheet Waits trio Tamarindo, and Soundadvice mentions for Bowerbird's evening of New Trombone and the Kimmel's Eastern European jazz show with Daniel Szabo and Marta Topferova.

Daily News, March 21

This Friday, a pick for Chris' second annual Big Band Festival, this time focusing on the region's university-based large ensembles.

Citypaper, March 20

In this week's CP: a review of Gus Van Sant's study of skater neurosis, Paranoid Park, and a short review of Ira Sachs' belated expose of '50s hypocrisy, Married Life; for the Book Quarterly, a brief review (scroll down) of Matt Taibbi's The Great Derangement; a pick for Russian dada-rock group Auktyon, and Soundadvice mentions for the Fonda/Stevens Group, James Fei Alto Quartet, and Brother Ali.

Daily News, March 14

Just a pick in this Friday's DN, for Our Father Who Art Blakey, the tribute group consisting of the mid-70s Jazz Messengers frontline of Dave Schnitter, Valery Ponomarev, and Bobby Watson. Sadly, the Blakey alums scheduled for the rhythm section couldn't be there - pianist Ronnie Matthews is suffering some health issues, and bassist Dennis Irwin passed away just a few days prior to the show.

Metro, March 10-14

Just two Metro pieces this week: an interview with Lisa O'Hare, playing Eliza in the Academy of Music's presentation of My Fair Lady; and a piece on First Person Arts' new series of Salons at the Gershman Y.

Citypaper, March 13

In this week's CP: a feature on Philly violinist Katt Hernandez, a pick for Dutch trombonist Wolter Wierbos, and Soundadvice mentions for the Pat Metheny Trio and The Bad Plus; a review of the blind Everest-climbing doc Blindsight; and Arts Picks for Chere Krakovsky, transplanting her kitchen to I-House, and Phillip Hamilton's Voices at the Painted Bride.

Metro, March 3-7

This week: an interview with Lester Friedman, author of "Citizen Spielberg", in town to lecture as part of the Free Library's One Film program; a preview of Pink Martini at the Kimmel Center; and a piece on Koresh Dance Co., with a U.S. and two World Premieres at their new home, the Suzanne Roberts Theatre.

Citypaper, March 6

Big week, as it's time for another Music Issue. As this one is themed "Philly Classics", I ended up profiling local lifer Bootsie Barnes. I also have the lead piece in the regular music section, on Ars Nova's presentation of Ikue Mori/Zeena Parkins duo Phantom Orchard at Bartram's Garden, with a light installation by LURE. Also, an interview with My Name Is Albert Ayler director Kasper Collin, a short piece on Joseph A. Gervasi's screening of Czech New Wave oddity The Cremator as part of the TLA/Philebrity screening series at National Mechanics and a review of the truth-is-duller-than-fiction heist film The Bank Job.

Barack Obama, babykiller

Now that Rick Santorum has been exiled from the corridors of power, it's much easier to appreciate his ravings for the adorable ugliness that they truly are. I couldn't pass up posting Rick's insane rant from last week's Inky, wherein our belovedly reviled ex-Senator lays out the case for Barack Obama being a staunch supporter of infanticide. I'm looking forward to upcoming exposes where he reveals Obama's secret passion for kicking puppies or hunting grannies for sport.

Daily News, February 29

A feature this weekend on Chris' First Annual Guitar festival, featuring my email interview with Philly native Kurt Rosenwinkel, and a pick for the John Zorn-centered Radical Jewish Music Festival.

Metro, February 25-29

Neither seem to be online at the moment, but this week I wrote a piece on the Israeli Film Festival and one on pianist Christopher O'Riley's classical takes on Radiohead, Nick Drake and Elliott Smith.

Citypaper, February 28

A light week; just Soundadvice mentions for Israeli-born singer/songwriter Keren Ann at Johnny Brenda's and Relache's performance of new Bobby Zankel compositions at I-house, and a review of the awful Scarlett Johannson/Natalie Portman Marvel team-up The Other Boleyn Girl.

50%

I failed to follow up my Oscar predictions here, but that's how I did - straight down the middle, all my so-called expertise amounting to no more than chance. I could've blind-guessed and did as well. Ah, well, it's all irrelevant in any case, especially for such a lackluster show (all due to the last-minute end of the Writers' Strike, so forgivable, and Jon Stewart did the best with what he had. Nice moment for Glen Hansard and especially Marketa Irglova, both of whom I interviewed (along with Once's director) for Metro at the Four Seasons last year.

Oscar Prognosticatin'

Before I put myself on record with my predictions for tonight's show, I'll come right out and admit: for someone who's spent a significant portion of his life obsessing over film, spent six years studying and/or working in a film school, and currently makes part of his living from film criticism, I have about the worst Academy Award prediction average on the planet. I'm guessing that Jenn, who hasn't seen almost any of the nominated films this year, will score higher than me on sheer guesswork. But here goes, in the order of the ballot - results after the show:

Actor - Leading:
I think Daniel Day-Lewis is the shoo-in here, and take a shot for every time someone makes an "I'll drink your milkshake reference" over the course of the evening.

Actor - Supporting
Casey Affleck should win for his uncomfortable-in-his-own-skin turn in The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford, criminally undernominated this year (as is Fincher's Zodiac), but it's actually a contest between Javier Bardem and Hal Holbrook. I'm predicting Bardem will take it, given his iconic stature in the year's filmic memory, but Halbrook has the sympathy vote behind him. Ruby Dee may well appease that instinct for voters, though.

Actress - Leading
Another toss-up, this one between Marion Cotillard in La Vie en Rose and Julie Christie in Away From Her. Cotillard has the advantage of that Academy favorite, a gorgeous actress uglied up by gobs of make-up, plus the impression of a famous personage, which tends to go over well; but it's a French film, and Oscar hates to read. Christie gets to suffer, from Alzheimer's in this case, plus has the aging-gracefully vote. I give her the edge.

Actress - Supporting
Cate Blanchett would seem a natural, given the fact that she's playing not only a well-known celeb but a male well-known celeb, but the power of sympathy will likely incline voters toward Ruby Dee, who's never won. Dee doesn't necessarily deserve the award for an underwritten, brassy-old-mother role from American Gangster, but this could be her compensation Oscar, especially with the loss of Ossie Davis so recently.

Animated Feature
I have a hard time believing voters could turn away from the greatness of Persepolis, even though the notoriously conservative award tends to go towards big-name family features, which would tend to favor Ratatouille (a really good film - I'm quite the Brad Bird fan - but not the best this year). We can ignore Surf's Up pretty safely, I think.

Art Direction
Could go to Sweeney Todd, but this is a category that worships big fantasy or sweeping period flicks, so I'm guessing Atonement will win, with its period mansions and WWII grime.

Cinematography
Kind of a tough call - I'd give it to Assassination, but I'll take a stab in the dark and say the flaming oil fields of There Will Be Blood do the trick for this one. Would be nice to see the double-nommed Roger Deakins (for Assassination and No Country For Old Men) take it, though. Would be well-deserved for a stunning year.

Costume Design
A walk for the over-the-top frills of the otherwise-dreadful Elizabeth: The Golden Age. Though it should lose for Clive Owens' puffy shirts.

Directing
This should be the Coens' year. They may sweep picture and director, but I think this one is the given of the two.

Documentary Feature
Missed most of these. Don't think anybody could stomach another Michael Moore win (though my own disgust with the health-care system made me more sympathetic with his propagandistic tactics in Sicko than usual, except for the Cuba-glorifying finale), and No End in Sight and Taxi To the Darkside may split the anti-Bush vote (haven't seen the apparently great Taxi yet, though). In short, War/Dance has kids and triumph over adversity. Oscar loves that shit.

Documentary Short
I've only seen one of these, Iraq in Fragments director James Longley's Sari's Mother, but it's gorgeous and something of a tearjerker, so I feel safe betting on it.

Film Editing
Hmmm... tough call. I'll go with The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, since it isn't likely to win anything else and has plenty of trickery that calls attention to editing rhythms.

Foreign Language Film
Because of all manner of nonsensical rules, some obvious nominees got excluded, and only one of these has played in Philly - and hasn't actually opened yet. I caught a screening of The Counterfeiters this week, and it's not particularly good, but has enough elements (WWII, redemption) that Academy voters fall for, so I'll go for it. This might be different if I'd seen any of the others, but I haven't, so it isn't.

Makeup
If Marion Cotillard doesn't win best actress for being transformed into Edith Piaf, those responsible for the uglying-up and aging will take it. La Vie en Rose.

Original Score
Why the fuck is Johnny Greenwood's brilliant score for There Will Be Blood not even nominated?!?! That's flat-out the most glaring misstep of the whole show this year. I'll bet on The Kite Runner undeservingly taking this one.

Original Song
Three Enchantment tunes cancelling each other out, and August Rush? Good lord, really? This will be the heartwarming win of the night, going to Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova for Once. Bound to be the performance highlight of the show as well.

Best Picture
The big'un, and the one where I'm most likely to go horribly wrong in my predictions. No Country for Old Men has all the momentum, and everyone seems to think it'll come down to a showdown between it and There Will Be Blood. But I've been saying since the nominations that Atonement is just the sort of epic, romance-and-war treacle that the Oscars tend to bend over for again and again, and it's also the one film among the nominees that I actively disliked, and will therefore win. I'm stubbornly sticking to that prediction, and hope to be proved wrong. If voters walk out after the bleak, nihilist ending of No Country and still vote for it, then I will publicly admit that I've underestimated Hollywood.

Short Film - Animated
Of the two shorts programs, the animations actually have a few deserving entries, especially the stunning, mysterious Madame Tutli-Putli. But my money is on My Love, an impressionist painting come to life whose style is gorgeous even if its story is overheated romanticism. As long as the nod doesn't land on the dull, by-the-numbers British/Polish adaptation of Peter and the Wolf.

Short Film - Live Action
A dreadful, ultra-conservative batch whose creators can hope at best to someday direct Super Bowl commercials. Award will likely go to the one-joke Tanghi Argentini, if only because people like cute gags and tango.

Sound Editing/Sound Mixing
Combining the two into one, because there's no pinging submarine movie this year. So I'll take The Bourne Ultimatum for both, if only because it's a loud action film. Whatever.

Visual Effects
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Had lots of effects. Therefore, it will win. That's my thought process. Keep it simple.

Screenplay - Adapted
Especially if I'm right about Atonement winning Best Picture (which I'm probably not), this'll be the concession for No Country For Old Men. Could very well reverse the two. I think the two will share screenplay and picture, though the Coens could well sweep.

Screenplay - Original
Ah, the Miss Congeniality award for the little picture with no real Best Pic hopes, but will get its moment of glory anyway. This year: Juno. Diablo Cody has such a rich backstory, too, this is the gimme to morning-after journos looking for an underdog angle.

Daily News, February 18-22

This week, a feature on the 20th anniversary of the left-leaning, new-play-focusing Interact Theater Company, with a small piece on their current production, "Black Gold"; and Friday's pick for trumpeter Sean Jones, at the Art Museum.

Metro, February 18-22

This week: a preview of I-House's annual selections from the Human Rights Watch Film Festival; and my piece on the PMA's stunning Frida Kahlo exhibit.

Dolls, Goons, and Mo(o)re

February continues to be excessively busy: on Valentine's Day, which we're pretty good at ignoring around here, the gf and I headed to South Philly's New Alhambra Arena, formerly home to Extreme Championship Wrestling and still primarily an indie boxing and wrestling venue, to catch the New York Dolls. It was Sylvain Sylvain's 57th birthday, which netted him a cake and an audience singalong. Sylvain was obviously overjoyed to be on stage and could've gone all night; David Johansen maybe less so, though he was in good form and nailed the songs' energy.

On 2/20, Dave Burrell premiered a new piece for piano and bass at the Rosenbach, inspired by the museum's collection of works by modernist poet Marianne Moore. Gorgeous pieces, restrained and minimal in a way that some of the film score pieces from his CD Momentum were; Burrell stressed that the poems were written so that every word was integral to the final effect, and his interpretations made sure that each note and gesture counted in the same way. Then he exploded in the improvised final piece, an explosion of pent-up flurries based on Moore's "O, To Be a Dragon." Michael Formanek, fresh off the Bloodcount reunion, again proved an able and sensitive partner for the pianist.

That same night, caught Roy Smiles' play "Ying Tong: A Walk With the Goons" at the Wilma Theater. Manic fun, though requiring at least some foreknowledge of the Brit comedy troupe.

Thursday night (2/21), an Ars Nova triple-shot at the Rotunda, kicking off with a stunner of a set by Jeremiah Cymerman's Silence & Solitude. Processing three clarinets (Cymerman joined by Matt Bauder and Josh Sinton) through electronics, the trio created a dense swirl of sound, alternating between brash squalls and sparse, breathy intervals. Next was a solo tenor set by Phillip Greenlief, which explored extremes of the instrument's range over the course of twenty minutes or so; and the Mary Halvorson Trio, with bassist John Hebert and drummer Ches Smith, rocketed through a set of Halvorson's quirky, off-kilter indie-pop/jazz miniatures.

And last night (2/22), braved the snow and other inclement climatic turns to see trumpeter Sean Jones put on an emotional show at the Art Museum, coming to tears and bringing much of the audience to their feet by the end. A little maudlin, but heartfelt. Then the blazing, witty virtuosity of accordionists Guy Klucevsek and Alan Bern at the Trinity Center, in a compelling show co-produced by Relache and Ars Nova.

Citypaper, February 21

In this week's CP: a feature on accordionists Guy Klucevsek and Alan Bern, coming to the Trinity Center for a Relache/Ars Nova co-presentation; a Soundadvice mention for Billy Milano's M.O.D., at the Khyber; my interview with zombie godfather George A. Romero; and a review, which may have accentuated the negative a tad more than I intended, though I have very mixed feelings, for Michel Gondry's far-from-Eternal-Sunshine latest, Be Kind Rewind, which is charming if threadbare.

Daily News, February 15

This Friday's DN featured my long-delayed (I wrote it back before the holidays!) feature on Philly's crop of alternative music presenting organizations, complete with sidebar bios; and a pick for Elio Villafranca's appearance at BLue Hair Studio with an all-star Latin jazz band to benefit the Philly-based Habitat for Humanity-like charity org Ray of Hope.

Metro, February 11-15

This week, a preview of the Franklin Institute's "Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination" exhibit, which really strains the Franklin's science-based mandate to squeeze in lots of ticket-selling movie memorabilia.

February So Far

The month began with an Ars Nova Workshop-presented double feature mismatch (nothing wrong with that), with the ultra-quiet duo of guitarist Tetuzi Akiyama and Dutch lutist Jozef Van Wissem preceding the rollicking Trio M, with Myra Melford, Mark Dresser and Matt Wilson having at least as much fun as their audience.

On 2/2, Elio Villafranca supplemented his quartet with the Osso String Quartet to perform a set of classical/jazz hybrids composed for documentary films. Some of the music was quite gorgeous, with spirited playing by his group - Jacam Menricks on reeds, Carlo DeRosa on bass, and Henry Cole on drums. The interplay between Cole and Villafranca was especially fun to watch, as the two obviously delighted in spurring each other on. The only downside was the dance number, performed by a trio of ballerinas who were perfectly capable but given little to do other than wander the stage throwing out what seemed an endless variety of stock moves with no throughline.

On 2/8, three shows, starting with Mike Holober's powerful Gotham Jazz Orchestra at the Art Museum. Holober premiered a lovely new suite, and sounded almost as fantastic in that environment as Maria Schneider did last month. Seems you need to overpower that space, so the PMA really should maximize the big bands that come through; may I suggest Jason Lindner's in the near future? Next up was an evening of new compositions by Susie Ibarra at Settlement Music School. Somewhat disappointing (I'll have a complete review in Downbeat in a couple of months), Ibarra's solo piece and percussion quartet were the highlights, with her piece for four pianists standing on shaky legs and the second half, consisting of her Electric Kulintang duo with husband Roberto Rodriguez, wholly uninspired - especially Rodriguez' factory-installed laptop beats. Finished the night with a blazing set by Wayne Krantz at Chris', a flat-out rock show with the guitarist virtually arm-wrestling with drummer Ari Hoenig.

2/9: Gene Coleman's Ensemble Noamnesia performing his score for the Soviet silent classic Aelita, Queen of Mars. Always a fun film to see with a crowd, as the turn from sci-fi and melodrama to bold propaganda is hilarious (the hammer and sickle shot always leaves the place in ruins). After the performance, theremin player Anthony Jay Ptak gave a talk and demonstration on the theremin, an unintentionally hilarious stream-of-consciousness ramble that had to be heard to be believed.

The next night, the most anticipated event of my calendar: the reunion of Tim Berne's seminal quartet Bloodcount, absent for a mere decade but sorely missed all the same. The show didn't disappoint; the foursome sounded like they played together every night (granted, most of them have continued to work regularly with one another in some form or another) and Berne's new pieces stood in good stead with the old. One of those shows that gets the blood pumping and reminds you why you slog out to these things night after night in the first place. More, please.

End-o-January Live Round-Up

Left off mid-month, and plenty has happened on Philly stages since. January 21-24, World Cafe hosted their first Israeli Jazz Festival. Missed the first night's Roni Ben-Hur show, but caught the remaining three nights. First up was saxophonist Eli Degibri, who led a fine quartet featuring bassist Barak Mori, pianist Omer Klein, and drummer Obed Calvaire; they got off to a slow start, piling on a few too many ballads and crawl-paced numbers at the outset, but eventually got into a steady groove and put on a solid performance. The next night, pianist Alon Yavnai brought his group with bassist Chris Lightcap, flutist Amir Milstein, and drummer Dan Aran. There was a bit too much pretty virtuosity for my tastes, but Yavnai's tunes, inspired by Israeli traditional songs and a blend of other influences, were enticing. The highlight of the fest was the final night's performance by a stellar quintet led by sibs Anat and Avishai Cohen. With Barak Mori back in the bass position, plus pianist Jason Lindner and drummer Daniel Freedman, the group smoked on a set of really inspired originals taken mainly from the 3 Cohens and Avishai's latest disc. Anat actually had me wishing she'd play more tenor rather than clarinet; she really sounded fantastic that night.

On 1/25, caught a matinee Philadelphia Orchestra performance, featuring a spirited rendition of Leonard Bernstein's "Jeremiah" Symphony and the premiere of the Bernstein Fest's second Higdon commission, The Singing Rooms, with the Philadelphia Singers providing the choral parts. While more successful than her Concert 4-3, the piece still dissipated into near-incoherence in some sections. Not in the avant, dissonant way, but in the aimless, directionless way. There was a thrilling moment when soloist Jennifer Koh broke a string and swapped violins with the first chair, while her instrument was fixed with the speed and precision of a NASCAR pitstop.

That same night, caught Phila Theatre Co's production of M. Butterfly in their new Suzanne Roberts Theatre. Was a great way to check out the new home, as the design was spectacular, even if the production itself was too noisy and obvious.

The next day, a double-feature of Chris Potter's untouchable electric band Underground at the Annenberg Center, and TBP drummer David King's other trio, Happy Apple, at I-House. Nobody puts on a better show than Potter right now, and the band was tight and firing on all cylinders; HA put on a typically raw, ragged-as-garage-rock show, engaging with a small crowd (splitting audience with Potter and Bill Frisell's show in Camden) with stories and patter.

On 1/27, saw a preview of PIMA Group's "Look!", a dance performance choreographed by Melisa Putz at Society Hill's Powel House. An intriguing piece, allowing small audiences to roam freely about the house as dancers dart in and out of rooms, occasionally creating uncomfortable atmospheres via eye contact or whispers to the onlookers.

1/30: Caught the premier of InterAct Theatre's new play Black Gold, written and directed by Seth Rozin. It moves at a dizzying pace, throwing ideas and jokes out faster than any crowd could catch them, but a good bit of it does stick. It definitely will have a short shelf life, but actually earns a few dramatic moments among all the broad comedy.

1/31: Matt Davis' Aerial Photograph at Tritone. Matt's got a monthly gig at Tritone, and he's using the dates this year to try out new material based around interviews with different groups of Philadelphians, the first using soundbites from a pair of octogenarians who've lived in the city their whole lives. Matt writes and plays beautifully and is truly one of the standouts in the city right now. And that night, Jason Fraticelli tore the roof off the place with a mind-crushing bass solo that had the whole place hooting and shouting like some old-school Jazz at the Philharmonic crowd.

Citypaper, February 14

This week: a feature review of George A. Romero's vital reboot of his zombie series, Diary of the Dead; a sider on A Walk Into the Sea, a doc about Factory filmmaker Danny Williams, to be followed at Friday's I-House screening by a 70-minute slate of his films, featuring Warhol and the Velvet Underground; a review of the bland Jedi-reunion actioner Jumper and another for the bland kids' fantasy film (with a better-than-bland cast) The Spiderwick Chronicles. And in music, a pick for saxophonist Kenny Garrett, coming to the Gershman Y, and Soundadvice mentions for Moppa Elliott's Mostly Other People Do The Killing and ex-DBTer Jason Isbell.

Daily News, February 8

In this Friday's issue, a feature on percussionist/composer Susie Ibarra, presenting an Ars Nova-sponsored set of new and recent compositions, currently not online; and a pick for Miek Holober's Gotham Jazz Orchestra, premiering a new PMA-commissioned suite for the museum's Art After 5.

Citypaper, February 7

This week: an online-only feature on the second coming of the monumental Tim Berne-led quartet Bloodcount; a review of the onerously-named Vince Vaughn comedy doc, whose hefty title I will opt not to replicate here; and a sidebar review of Jem Cohen's The Ex concert doc, Building a Broken Mousetrap, screening at I-House.

Daily News, February 1

This Friday, simply a pick for Trio M, the conglomeration of pianist Myra Melford, bassist Mark Dresser, and drummer Matt Wilson.

Metro, January 28-February 1

In this week's Metro: A review of Stealing Klimt, screening as part of the Philly Jewish Film Fest; my interview with filmmaker John Sayles, in town to promote his latest, Honeydripper; a preview of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company's piece "Chapel/Chapter"; a piece on Beth Nixon's West Philly puppet show, "Mite We?"; and all in the not-online Feb. 1 weekend paper, pieces on the PMA's Lee Miller exhibit, the PIMA Group dance piece "Look!", and Elio Villafranca's classical/Cuban/jazz octet suite at the Painted Bride.

Citypaper, January 31

In this week's CP, my interview with Dutch lutist Jozef Van Wissem, in town for an ultra-quiet duo set with Japanese guitarist Tetuzi Akiyama; a review of the rereleased 1988 Chet Baker doc Let's Get Lost and an interview with its director, Bruce Weber; and a sidebar on Exhumed Films' giallo double feature of Dario Argento's Tenebre and Sergio Martino's Torso.