artsquicks

THEATER

Since its premiere in 1996, Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues has always been associated with one sort of activism or another. Flashpoint Theatre Company's production is no different. The company will donate all proceeds from its show to WAVE (Women's Anti-Violence Education), a local organization that offers self-defense classes, and to V-Day, the worldwide movement founded by Ensler that works to stop violence against women and girls. Directed by Meghann Williams, the show features Madi DiStefano, Nako Adodoadji, Mary Lee Bednareck, Erin Reilly, Janice Rowland, Gigi Naglak and Erin Lucas.
Mon., Feb. 28, 8 p.m., $25, Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., 215-569-9700.

BENEFIT

Theatrically deprived the folks of Azuka Theatre Collective are not. But this isn't about them. It's about you. It's always about you, isn't it? You, and your desperate need for drama, drama, drama. Well, they're going to give it to you. Azuka-Thon: A Benefit for the Theatrically Deprived promises to be a night of naughty and nice fun with performances by the one and only Martha Graham-Cracker (that'd be Pig Iron's Dito van Reigersberg), Greg Giovanni, Fran Prisco, and Maggie Lakis and Josh Lyman (both excellent in the Arden's recent A Year With Frog and Toad) and laugh-a-minute comedy troupes Skitsoid and Bad Hair. Victor Fiorello (of Brothers Suggarillo fame) oversees all the splashy musical numbers. Too much drama? Your ticket includes food and drink, too. God, it's never enough for you, is it?
Sat., Feb. 26, 8 p.m., $25-$30 , 2111 Sansom St., 215-733-0255, ext. 1.

CEREMONY Poet Sonia Sanchez will be honored at the Painted Bride Art Center this weekend as an "Icon: Artist of Excellence." This is the inaugural award to be bestowed by the Village of Arts and Humanities on a Philadelphia artist. Besides the award presentation, Sanchez will read, and The Village Griots, a spoken-word troupe, and the T.S. Dancers will perform. Price of admission goes to Learning Through the Arts, which provides more than 3,000 kids in North Philadelphia with afterschool, weekend and summer programs.
Fri., Feb. 25, 8 p.m., $50, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914.

ART

Living up to the formidable legacy of her grandmother, Philadelphia artist Maria Nevelson makes ponderous abstract, minimalist sculpture. She works with found wood objects and draws influence from Eastern meditation practices for her monochromatic black pieces. University City Arts League is now showing an exhibit of her wall sculpture, "Flora Boucle's Mandala Musings," that would surely make Louise proud.
Through March 4, University City Arts League, 4226 Spruce St., 215-382-7811.

DANCE

Temple dance faculty show off their own moves, to the choreography of Philip Grosser (another Temple teacher and Martha Graham alum). Dancers Tina Bracciale, Bethany Formica and Hannah Park and others will perform pieces set to Chopin, Herbie Hancock and more.
Fri., Feb. 25 and Sat., Feb 26, 8 p.m., $8-$10, Conwell Dance Theater, Broad St. and Montgomery Ave., 215-336-2000.

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