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ISSUE . July 9th 2009

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Cover Story

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Oh, Baby

QFest goes family-friendly with a slate of gay parenting movies.

by Shaun Brady

QFest programmer Kelly Burkhardt has seen the parenting theme expand over the past few years, even as the rest of the country remains mired in debating same-sex marriage.

Nobody's Perfect

Ray Murray on 15 years of gay film festing.

by Molly Eichel

"The biggest change between back then and now is that the audience was really hungry for a fest like this. They felt they could go in and there was a gay and lesbian crowd and they felt solidarity."

QFest Movie Shorts A-M

QFest Movie Shorts N-Z

Fly on the Wall

H.P. Mendoza, the recipient of this year's Rising Star Award, talks about his new movie-musical, Fruit Fly.

by Shaun Brady

"I realized maybe musicals aren't for everybody, and that attracted me even more."

Get Free

Sharon Gless talks about Prop 8, Hannah Free and her role as a lesbian icon.

by Neal Santos

How can a heterosexual person win a Gay Icon Award? Sharon Gless will find out firsthand when she receives her statuette at this year's QFest.

Opinion

Loose Canon:

The Handmaiden's Untold Tale

by Bruce Schimmel

Oney Judge is a new character in a cast of some 30 historical figures that wander around the Liberty Bell, fixing visitors with glittering eyes and curious tales. Judge's story is especially compelling — from Virginia field hand, to Martha Washington's favorite handmaiden in the new President's House in Philadelphia.

Editor's Letter:

The Comics Issue

Submissions due by August 3

Feedback:

Letters to the Editor

What You Say

"Was I the ONLY one reading this detritus spewed forth by a bitter old man that hates summer movies?"

News

Organic No-op

It's not easy opening a co-op in Strawberry Mansion.

by Andrew Thompson

The further the plan progressed, the longer the queue of obstacles seemed to reach: People in the neighborhood couldn't or wouldn't afford to spend membership fees; organic anything was far too expensive; and foundations offering urged EPRA to move the store down to Girard so as to attract wealthier Fairmounters.

A Million Stories

The Beirut Boys | A Delicate Procedure

Icepack

by A.D. Amorosi

Say a prayer for Eda before you go to sleep, dear readers. And thanks.

Sports:

The Jrue Holiday Project

Why the 76ers' top draft pick can and will pay dividends.

by E. James Beale

It would be a sad day if the organization caved to fans' wishes, because in this case the conventional wisdom — that the 76ers need to improve immediately — is wrong. Jrue Holiday wasn't an excellent pick despite being a few years away. He was an excellent pick because of it.

The Bell Curve

City Paper's Quality-o-Life-o-Meter

When news breaks in Philadelphia, we make jokes.

Arts

Art:

History Lessons

By unveiling its past, Arthur Ross Gallery gives West Philly new presence.

by Shaun Brady

Think of it as a 19th-century Google Street View: watercolors depicting Market Street from the Schuylkill through West Philly.

Arts Picks:

Anonymous Theatre

Mon., July 13, 8 p.m., $16-$20, Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad St. 215-546-7824, pdc1.org.

by Matt Petrillo

When actors meet for the first time on the opening night, one can only expect the show to go horribly, horribly wrong — which is just what the folks at the Philadelphia Dramatists Center want.

Kaleidoscope

Regina Spektor's Far | The Kinks "Waterloo Sunset," | Karl Malden | Percival Everett's | I Am Not Sidney Poitier

Shelf Life:

Behind Bars

Under the Covers with Justin Bauer

by Justin Bauer

Bonk's Bar | Ablutions | The Regulars

Arts Picks:

Jennifer Weiner

Wed., July 15, 7:30 p.m., free, Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St., 215-567-4341, freelibrary.org.

by Carolyn Huckabay

In local lady Jennifer Weiner's latest novel, Best Friends Forever (Atria, $26.99), it's not Facebook or a 10-year reunion that brings protagonist duo Addie and Val back together after years of angst — it's the fact that one of them has done a very bad thing.

A Midsummer Night's Dream(s)

Through Aug. 2, $25-$49, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, 2755 Station Ave., Center Valley, 610-282-WILL, pashakespeare.org; and through July 25, free, Commonwealth Classic Theatre Co., various locations, 610-202-7878, commonwealthclassictheatre.org.

by Mark Cofta

Philadelphia's Scott Greer stars as bewitched blockhead Bottom, who, along with two pairs of lovers, becomes the unwitting plaything of mischievous fairies.

A Cause for Art

Opening reception Fri., July 10, 6-8 p.m., free, exhibit through Aug. 29, Sande Webster Gallery, 2006 Walnut St., 215-636-9003, sandewebstergallery.com.

by Lauren Fleming

"A Cause for Art," a fundraising exhibition featuring 31 juried artists and benefiting the Alonzo Davis Fellowship Fund, which supports residencies of Latino and African-American artists.

Andrew's Video Vault: Revenge Night

Point Blank and Hit Man, plus Midnight Heat, Thu., July 9, 8 p.m., free, Andrew's Video Vault, The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., armcinema25.com

by Molly Eichel

Lee Marvin is an absolute badass, so he's the perfect fit for mono-monikered killing machine Walker in John Boorman's '60s noir Point Blank.

Movies

The Great Pretender

Brüno fails to detonate with the force of its predecessor.

by Sam Adams

The movie's provocations connect only fitfully, and despite its comparatively strong narrative, it feels less of a piece than Borat, and more like an overlong episode of Cohen's TV show.

The Hurt Locker

City Paper Grade: A-

by Sam Adams

Beginning with the epigraph, "War is a drug," The Hurt Locker puts forth a theory of adrenaline addiction. These are men who live for the high of imminent danger — and, according to the movie's blunt and superfluous coda, can't live without it.

The Bomb Squad

Kathryn Bigelow on taking risks in The Hurt Locker.

by Sam Adams

"Sensation comes from emotional investment. If you're not emotionally invested in the character, it doesn't matter how quick your cuts are or how much the camera moves or how kinetic the surfaces. It all comes from character."

Repertory Film

Send repertory film listings to molly.eichel@citypaper.net.

Music

Aid or Invade:

Oklahoma!

The single gay-est recording of all time.

by Rodney Anonymous

This month's Aid or Invade is dedicated to Oklahoma state Rep. Sally Kern, who recently issued a proclamation blaming America's current economic woes on our on our president.

Music Picks:

Univox

Mon., July 13, 8 p.m., $8, with Jeff the Brotherhood, Anders Manly and The Invincible Gods, Khyber, 56 S. Second St., 215- 238-5888, thekhyber.com.

by A.D. Amorosi

Just last week I was talking to a friend about one of my faves, Univox — Philly's answer to the question: What would it sound like if The Kinks covered Wire's Pink Flag? — and where they had been hiding.

Future of the Left

Tue., July 14, 9 p.m., $10, with Sunshine Recorder, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 215-739-9684, johnnybrendas.com.

by Atom Goren

Future of the Left sound like a band that I want to see play in person. Sure, I imagine that, as is often the case, what I hear will resemble their records — but louder.

Jucifer

Tue., July 14, 9 p.m., $10, with Mount Vicious, Workhorse (ex-Lisa Christ Superstar) and Hatchetface, Manhattan Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 215-739-5577, themanhattanroom.com.

by Patrick Rapa

Athens, Ga., duo Jucifer is best known for blasting out massive, sludgy rock 'n' roll in front of a colossal wall of amps.

Edgar Bateman/Julian Pressley

Fri., July 10, 9 p.m., $10, with Yolanda Wisher, Moonstone Arts Center, 110 S. 13th St., second floor, moonstoneartscenter.org.

by Shaun Brady

At 80, drummer Edgar Bateman has all the makings of a local legend except for the requisite accolades.

Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women

Fri., July 10, 7:30 p.m., $25-$40, with Clarence Bucaro, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

by Molly Eichel

Few can claim the cross-genre appeal of punk rock plucker Dave Alvin, erstwhile centerpiece of the Blasters.

Handsome Furs

Thu., July 9, 9 p.m., $12, with Dri and Cinnamon Band, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 215-739-9684, johnnybrendas.com.

by Patrick Rapa

Released in March, Montreal duo Handsome Furs' second LP, Face Control (SubPop) is a plague of gritty, sweaty dance-rock.

Food

Strike A Pose

What do pinup girls and craft beer have in common? Find out at Varga Bar.

by David Snyder

What do 2-D coquettes have in common with this smoky glass of Founders Backwoods Bastard beer, or this vibrant pot of house-pickled vegetables?

Portion Control:

Right on 'Cue

Bebe's Barbecue

by Trey Popp

With meat this expertly smoked and hospitality this genuine, Bebe’s is set to become my biggest temptation on a street teeming with them.

What's Cooking

Get Out!

by Lauren Fleming

Cheesesteak Bike Tour with Carolyn Wyman | Fairmount Bastille Day Festival | Doris Day Brunch at Q BBQ | Summer Staycation Beer Tasting at World Café Live | XMas in July

Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending

by Drew Lazor

Yogorino | Leila Café | Sycamore BYOB

Agenda

Agenda Lead:

Reppin' It

Don't forget the repertory films at this year's QFest.

by Molly Eichel

As with every year, QFest offers up a platter of repertory films — old faves and camp classics — as a delectable side dish to its litany of originals. Here are the ones worth tasting.

Shopping Spree

Fashion > Forward

by Felicia D'Ambrosio

"Ma Vie En Rose" Opening At Amberella | Summer Sale At Topstitch | Blondes In The Jungle Screening at Oma Vintage | Sugarhabit Warehouse Sale

Agenda Picks:

Survivorman

Sun., July 12, 2-4 p.m., $3, Warwick County Park, 191 County Park Road, Pottstown, 610-469-1916 (pre-registration required).

by Lauren Fleming

In his two-hour course, Zurga will teach students some of these basic skills, like how to tap into your wide-angle vision, build a debris hut and, most importantly, remain positive.

Cardboard Tube Fighting Tournament

Sat., July 11, 12:30 p.m., free, grassy area across from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Ben Franklin Parkway, tubeduel.com.

by Morgan Davis

Newbies should be warned: Cardboard tube fighting isn't for the faint of heart. Expect to be bludgeoned by your opponents, and whacked until you have welts.

Philadelphia Record Fair

Sat., July 11, 9-11 a.m., $10; 11 a.m.-5 p.m., free; Institute of Contemporary Art, 118 S. 36th St., 215-898-7108, icephila.org.

by Kristen Humbert

"Think of the most obscure genre, such as psychedelic religious music played by long-forgotten cults from middle America. All of this and more will be there."

Blobfest

Fri., July 10, 7:30 p.m., $5, Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 9:30 p.m., BlobBall, $12-$15, Molly Maguire's Irish Restaurant & Pub, 197 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-1228, thecolonialtheatre.com.

by Brion Shreffler

The fest's main event, of course, is the reenactment of the running-out scene, which anyone can partake in.

Nikola Tesla's Birthday

Fri., July 10, 6 p.m., pay as you go, Balkan Restaurant, 2237 Grays Ferry Ave.; Sat.-Sun., July 10-11, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., free, Independence Mall, 1 N. Independence Mall W.; 6-11 p.m., $12, Philadelphia Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Square; 215-253-5610, nikolateslainventorsclub.com.

by Adam Scavette

To celebrate his 153rd birthday Friday, the Nikola Tesla Inventors Club is holding a three-day fest.

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