Friday – 8/28 – 7:30pm – Gardner Dozois and Michael Swanwick

Friday, August 28th, 2009

FRIDAY AUGUST 28, 7:30pm – SCI-FI
Philadelphia Fantastic Presents:
GARDNER DOZOIS
MICHAEL SWANWICK
The Year’s Best SF Collection (21.95 St. Martin’s)

yearsbestsf2009

“Veteran editor Dozois, 15-time Hugo winner, offers 30 stories, several of them Hugo-nominated. The table of contents is dominated by familiar names like Michael Swanwick and Greg Egan, but occasionally leavened with relative newcomers like Hannu Rajaniemi and more obscure authors like James Alan Gardner. Settings range from the present-day (Nancy Kress’s “The Erdmann Nexus”) to the distant future (Ian McDonald’s “The Tear”) and alternate history (Aliete de Bodard’s “Butterfly, Falling at Dawn”). Similarly the moods range from relatively upbeat (Dominic Green’s “Shining Armour”) to pessimistic (Swanwick’s “From Babel’s Fallen Glory We Fled”). In some entries the SF elements appear to be almost an afterthought, but most earn their inclusion. Dozois also provides short biographies, a detailed overview of the year in SF and a lengthy list of honorable mentions. This is a worthy addition to a venerable series.” – Publishers Weekly

Thursday – 8/27 – H.M. Naqvi Author of Home Boy

Thursday, August 27th, 2009

THURSDAY AUGUST 27, 7pm – FICTION
H.M. NAQVI

Author of HOME BOY ($23.00 Crown)

homeboy

Naqvi’s debut novel introduces Chuck, a 20-something Pakistani living in New York and one of the most engaging protagonists to come along in a while. After moving from Karachi to attend NYU, Chuck readily adapts to the customs of his new home-especially those involving alcohol, cocaine and skirt chasing-but he’s not the average drunk college kid: he and his friends, AC and Jimbo, are like a Pakistani-American version of the Three Musketeers-in their own eyes, “boulevardiers, raconteurs, renaissance men.” After graduating, Chuck lands a job as an investment banker (his mother’s idea), and after a good run, he’s fired during a brief economic downturn. Shortly thereafter, his former office building, 7 World Trade Center, is the third building to go down on 9/11. Suddenly, the act of the debonair dandy is a little harder to pull off: with no job, little money, and the rapidly increasing hostility of Americans towards all things Muslim, Chuck struggles to make sense of his newfound status as an outsider. Naqvi’s fast-paced plot, foul-mouthed erudition and pitch-perfect dialogue make for a stellar debut. Beautifully written, sharply observed, and very funny, Home Boy is a heartbreaking story of a young immigrant’s romance with America.

H. M. NAQVI taught creative writing at Boston University. He divides his time between Pakistan and the United States.

Wed. – 8/26 – 7pm – View From a Grain of Sand

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26, 7pm – FILM AND DISCUSSION – $5
VIEW FROM A GRAIN OF SAND

The war of aggression against Afghanistan initiated by George W. Bush in October 2001 and now maintained and expanded by Obama is “NOT THE GOOD WAR“.

Philadelphia World Can’t Wait is proud to present a showing of the film “View From A Grain of Sand” and a discussion of why this war must be opposed and how it can be resisted.

Shot in refugee camps of Pakistan and the war-torn city of Kabul, three remarkable Afghan women lead us through the maze of Afghanistan’s complex history, informing this examination of how international interventions, war and the rise of political Islam have stripped Afghan women of their freedom over the last thirty years. Combining verité footage, interviews and rare archival material, this evocative film is a harrowing, thought-provoking and movingly intimate portrait of a still divided and brutalized nation. Addressing timely issues of women, Islam, and US foreign policy, the film is a compelling and vital addition to the global dialogue of our times.

“View From a Grain of Sand”
Today I had the experience of seeing one of the most moving documentaries I have ever seen, ‘View from a Grain of Sand’ which focuses on three Afghani women, telling the story of all women in Afghanistan. All I can say is that everyone should see this film, absolutely everyone. The status of women now in Afghanistan is a DIRECT result of the US and Saudi Arabia funding the mujahadin in order to drive the Soviets out. It is OUR fault the women of Afghanistan have gone through this. If our country is occupying Afhanistan, YOU need to know what has gone on there.

thehollytree.blogspot.com/2009/02/view-from-grain-of-sand.html

Tuesday, 8/25 – 7pm – Katrina Poetry & Politics

Tuesday, August 25th, 2009

TUESDAY AUGUST 25, 7pm – POETRY
MOONSTONE POETRY SERIES and
the NATIONAL BLACK ARTS SPOKEN WORD TOUR
& NATIONAL BLACK AUTHORS TOUR Presents

KATRINA: POETRY & POLITICSmaurice henderson
Poetic & Spoken Word Performances by the Cast members from the Katrina Storm drama series and New York productions of “Wade in the Water” and “One More River to Cross”.

“MINE EYES HAVE SEEN INTO THE MILLENNIUM”
10th Anniversary Salute of the Anthology of African American Poets Contributors: Lois Mose, Kimmika Willimas, Kyle Morris, Eric Webb, Ronnie Way, Bill Holmes. E. Vardry Moses, Mbali Umoja, Paget Athena Jones, Tameka Wilcox, Anika Ragins, Margie Shaheed, Stacey Nicole Barney, M. Rose Barkley and Regie Gibson
Maurice Henderson, coordinator. Open Reading to follow.

8/21 – Nomos, Leather, Triac, Trip Ruiner

Thursday, August 20th, 2009

821

8/18 – Poets & Prophets Open Reading

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

TUESDAY AUGUST 18, 7pm – POETRY
POETS & PROPHETS
Open Reading

poetsandprophets.com

SAT. 8/15 – 7:30pm PETER BEAGLE

Saturday, August 15th, 2009

SATURDAY AUGUST 15, 7pm – SCI-FI/FANTASY
PETER S. BEAGLE

Author of We Never Talk About My Brother ($14.95 Tachyon)

Although millions know and love his bestselling book THE LAST UNICORN and the movie based upon it, few realize how many other projects have the name Peter S. Beagle attached to them. Aside from his usually best-known persona as fantasy author, he is also an accomplished screenwriter, novelist, songwriter, and all-around cool guy. His works have won him numerous industry awards and widespread acclaim, as well as the devotions of not only his fellow authors but also his inumerable fans.

peterbeagle

Peter S. Beagle was born in New York City in 1939 and raised in the borough of that city known as the Bronx. He originally proclaimed he would be a writer when 10 years old: subsequent events have proven him either prescient or even more stubborn than hitherto suspected. Today, thanks to classic works such as A FINE AND PRIVATE PLACE, THE LAST UNICORN, TAMSIN, THE INNKEEPER’S SONG, and the Hugo and Nebula award-winning story “Two Hearts,” he is acknowledged as America’s greatest living fantasy author; and his dazzling abilities with language, characters, and magical storytelling have earned him many millions of fans around the world.

In addition to stories and novels Peter has written numerous teleplays and screenplays, including the animated versions of THE LORD OF THE RINGS and THE LAST UNICORN, plus the fan-favorite “Sarek” episode of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION. His nonfiction book I SEE BY MY OUTFIT, which recounts a 1963 journey across America on motor scooter, is considered a classic of American travel writing; and he is also a gifted poet, lyricist, and singer/songwriter.

Now 70 years old, Peter is writing more than ever, having completed and sold 30 new stories and two new novels in the last three years. To mark his 50th year as a professional writer, in April 2009 he launched “Peter S. Beagle’s 52/50 Project” – a marathon set of 52 week-by-week releases of new poems and song lyrics. For more information on Peter and his works, see www.peterbeagle.com and www.conlanpress.com.

Friday 8/14 – 8:30pm – Jef Lee Johnson + Bottom Feeders

Thursday, August 13th, 2009

FRIDAY AUGUST 14, Doors: 8:30, Show: 9pm – Music – $10
LUCKY OLD SOULS @ MOONSTONE Presents
Jazz and more every 2nd Friday

Jef Lee Johnson

JEF LEE JOHNSON BAND
Jef Lee Johnson, guitar
Chico Huff, bass
Adam Guth, drums

Chaka Khan called him “a gift from god.” ?uestlove went one step further and said he is god. Guitarist JEF LEE JOHNSON has played with Aretha Franklin, Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, McCoy Tyner, George Duke, and a long list of popular musicians, but it’s his own music that’s truly mind-blowing. Comparisons to Hendrix and Prince are obvious, but Johnson’s music is really all his own, a product of his incredible technique and brilliant mind.

DanPeterson

THE BOTTOMFEEDERS
Dan Peterson, BBb clarinet
Elliott Levin, baritone saxophone
Dan Blacksberg, trombone
Travis Woodson, guitar
Tony Catastrophe, drums

THE BOTTOMFEEDERS is a low-end free-jazz/funk project from the mind of multi-instrumentalist/composer Dan Peterson, a member of Bobby Zankel’s Warriors of the Wonderful Sound. The group includes some of the city’s busiest and most creative improvisers–the ubiquitous Elliott Levin (Warriors of the Wonderful Sound, West Philly Orchestra), Travis Woodson (Make A Rising, Papa Shango Curse), and Tony Catastrophe (the MLMs, Papa Shango Curse).

A Lucky Old Souls production…

Produced by Matthew “Feldie” Feldman
myspace.com/luckyoldsouls
Lucky Old Souls on gtownradio.com, Tuesdays, 2-4 P.M. EST

for more info email feldie@gtownradio.com

OPEN MIC @ Moonstone – 8/12 – 7pm

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

khalsa811

Tuesday 8/11 – Glad Hearts, Controlled Storms, and Toy Soldiers

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

TUESDAY AUGUST 11, 9pm – MUSIC – $5 – ALL AGES
EPICURATOR PRODUCTIONS presents:
GLAD HEARTS
CONTROLLED STORMS
TOY SOLDIERS

glad hearts

GLAD HEARTS Indie, Folk-rock from Wilmington, DE
“Glad Hearts is like the family car when your older brother just gets his license. We’re out to see what we can see, and I hope pick up some friends along the way. I’ve moved around some in my life, and through the motion blurs, cracked windshields, and cardboard boxes, I’ve been lucky enough to see and hear a lot of beauty. The songs are meant to be a tribute to all that.” www.myspace.com/gladhearts

controlledstorms

CONTROLLED STORMS Experimental, Ambient Indie from Philadelphia
“The three members of Controlled Storms shuffle instruments, moving from the standard drums, bass, and electric guitar to dual basses, acoustic guitar, keyboards, sampler, and the occasional trumpet or balafon. Although some songs have vocals, the band creates moods and tells stories without a voice or particular instrument taking the lead. Controlled Storms songs often conjure up elements of post-rock, progressive, ambient, jazz, and world music, but their members have referred to their elusive style as “Paranormal Blues” or “Weightless Metal.” They self-released a full-length album, “Abandoned Amusement Parks,” in 2008, and just returned from their first National tour in June of 2009.” www.myspace.com/controlledstorms

toy soldiers

TOY SOLDIERS Blues/Soul/Roots from Philadelphia
Ron Gallo (and friends?) playing a special stripped-down acoustic set of Toy Soldiers songs. “We’re both really appreciative of the beginning of [rock and roll],” Gallo said. “Everything that happened before plays a major role in what we do.” www.myspace.com/ohnotoysoldiers

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