Thursday, Nov. 12
SONG OF SONGS: Attend a Yiddish sing-along with Alexander Botwinik, a Yiddish lecturer at Penn who also teaches music and choir at Har Zion Temple and the Kaiserman Jewish Community Center in Wynnewood. Noon to 1:30 p.m. at Penn Hillel, Steinhardt Hall, 215 South 39th St. Info: Email jsp-info@ccat.sas.upenn.edu.
CHERISH THE THOUGHT: The first all-woman traditional Irish band, Cherish the Ladies is one of the most successful Irish-American groups in Celtic music. They play Zellerbach Theatre on Nov. 15. For more information, call 215-898-6701 or visit www.pennpresents.org. Tickets run $20, $30 and $40.DROPPIN’ G’S: Drivin’ N Cryin’ present their fall release, “The Great American Bubble Factory,” their first album in 12 years. 7:30 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. Info: 215-222-1400 or www.worldcafelive.com. $16-$24.
Friday, Nov. 13
21ST CENTURY SLAVERY: Attend the symposium “Trafficking in Sex and Labor: Domestic and International Responses,” with panelists representing leading practitioners and scholars from the United States and abroad. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Penn Law School, 3400 Chestnut St. Info: 215-898-7060 or www.pennumbra.com/symposia. Symposium runs through Nov. 14.
STATE REP.: The Honorable Dwight Evans, representative for the 203rd Legislative District in Pennsylvania, speaks as part of the Distinguished Lecture Series. 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Fels Institute of Government, 3814 Walnut St. Info: 215-898-2600 or www.fels.upenn.edu.
MY FAVORITE THINGS: “Fräulein Maria” is Rodgers and Hammerstein’s complete soundtrack and story from “The Sound of Music” as seen through the mind of Doug Elkins, New York’s downtown answer to Robin Williams. 7:30 p.m. at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St. Info: 215-898-6701 or www.pennpresents.org. $28, $38, $42, $48. Additional performances on Nov. 14.
ROSE-COVERED: C. Brian Rose, curator-in-charge of the Mediterranean Section at the Penn Museum, discusses “Pompeii AD79: The Treasure of Rediscovery” at the Penn Museum on Dec. 2. For more information, call 215-898-4001 or visit www.penn.museum. General admission tickets are $5 in advance; $10 at the door; free for Museum members.
BIG TICKET: Garnet Rogers, brother of late folk legend Stan Rogers, sings about people who are not obvious heroes. 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live. Info: 215-222-1400 or www.worldcafelive.com. $15.
NEO SOUL: Nneka’s music has a big splash of Bob Marley, a measure of Nina Simone and a lick of Erykah Badu. Her first U.S. release is “Concrete Jungle.” 10:30 p.m. at World Cafe Live. Info: 215-222-1400 or www.worldcafelive.com. $13. Must be 21 or older to attend.
Saturday, Nov. 14
21ST CENTURY SLAVERY: See Friday, Nov. 13. Today: 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. at Penn Law School. Info: 215-898-7060 or www.pennumbra.com/symposia.
NEW MUSLIM COOL: Jennifer Maytorena Taylor’s film “New Muslim Cool” tells the true story of Puerto Rican rapper Hamza Pérez and his struggle to turn his life around as a young Muslim.
Pérez, a former drug dealer, moves to the rough-and-tumble mean streets of the North Side of Pittsburgh to start a new religious community and restore his broken family. As part of the hip-hop duo M-Team, he delivers his message of faith to other young people. But when the FBI raids his mosque, Pérez must confront the realities of the post-9/11 world.
The documentary follows Pérez on a spiritual journey that takes him to some surprising places on the streets as well as in the housing projects and jail cells of urban America. His experiences prompt him to start reaching for a deeper understanding of his faith, and to discover new connections with people from Christian and Jewish communities.
The film screens on Nov. 17 at International House as part of the Scribe Video Center and The Black Lily Film & Music Festival’s “Planet Rock: A Hip Hop Film Series.”
“New Muslim Cool” appeared on POV on PBS in June and also in the documentary competition at the San Francisco International Film Festival. It was an official selection at the Rooftop Film Festival and Lincoln Center Independents Night.
The screening takes place at 7 p.m. For more information, call 215-387-5125 or visit www.ihousephilly.org. Tickets cost $5 for Scribe and I-House members; $8 for students and seniors; and $10 for general admission.
CHILDREN’S WORKSHOP: Join The Caring Center and Penn students for a day of fun and learning through workshops and performances. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The ARCH Building, 3601 Locust Walk. Info: Email Betty Liao at bliao@wharton. upenn.edu.
COOL BEANS BAND: Steve Pullara and His Cool Beans Band have grown from local performers to a national act. Pullara’s new CD is “Zooboogie.” 11:30 a.m. at World Cafe Live. Info: 215-222-1400 or www.worldcafelive.com. Adults: $10; children 1-12: $7; free for children under 1.
RAIN MAKERS: The Tewa Dancers from the North are a traditional Native American dance troupe from the
Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo in northern New Mexico, near Santa Fe. The troupe’s dance is considered a prayer, performed to help the seasons flow and to bring harmony to the universe. 2 p.m. at Penn Museum, 3260 South St. Info: 215-898-4001 or www.penn.museum. Free with Museum admission donation.
MY FAVORITE THINGS: See Friday, Nov. 13. Today: 2 p.m. at Zellerbach Theatre. $24, $32, $36, $42. Tonight: 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Theatre. $28, $38, $42, $48. Info: 215-898-6701 or www.pennpresents.org.
Sunday, Nov. 15
KID ROCK: The “Kids Rock for Kids” concert series benefits children’s medical charities in the Philadelphia area. Concerts feature teenage rock bands from Music Training Centers’ Rock 101 program in a family-friendly atmosphere. Noon at World Cafe Live. Info: 215-222-1400 or www.worldcafelive.com. $10.
FANTASTIC VOYAGE: In “Painting a Fantasy Landscape,” children can create imaginary stories about jungle escapades and explore the joy and excitement of mixing new colors. 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Morris Arboretum, 100 E. Northwestern Ave. Info: 215-247-5777 or www.morrisarboretum.org. Members: $16; non-members: $19. Class is for ages 7 to 14.
CHERISH THE JOY: Cherish the Ladies has earned a stellar reputation for their energetic performances. The first all-woman traditional Irish band, they have become the most successful and sought after Irish-American group in Celtic music. 7 p.m. at Zellerbach Theatre. Info: 215-898-6701 or www.pennpresents.org. $20, $30, $40.
LONE STAR: Former Texas gubernatorial candidate and humorist Kinky Friedman returns to the East Coast for a series of exceedingly rare public performances with Little Jewford and Washington Ratso. 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live. Info: 215-222-1400 or www.worldcafelive.com. $35.
Monday, Nov. 16
HIGHER LEARNING: Public policy scholar Lew Daly discusses his book, “God’s Economy: Faith-Based Initiatives and the Caring State.” 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Penn Bookstore, 3601 Walnut St. Info: 215-898-7595 or www.upenn.edu/bookstore.
WRITING IRISH: Writers Without Borders presents “A Celebration of Poet Thomas Kinsella.” One of a number of young Irishmen who began to write following World War II, Kinsella has played a major role in invigorating the world of Irish verse. 6 p.m. at Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk. Info: 215-746-POEM or email wh@writing.upenn.edu.
Tuesday, Nov. 17
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: David Myers, a UCLA history professor serving as a fellow at the Herbert D. Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at Penn, discusses “Rethinking the History of Jewish Nationalism” for the Annenberg Seminar in History. 4:30 p.m. at History Lounge, College Hall 209, Levy Park. Info: 215-573-9241 or email Antonio Feros at aferos@sas.upenn.edu.
EVERYBODY LOVES ROBERTA: Roberta Romano, director of the Yale Law School Center for the Study of Corporate Law, discusses “Does the Sarbanes-Oxley Act Have a Future?” for the Risk Regulation Seminar. 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Huntsman Hall, 3730 Walnut St., Room F60. Info: 215-573-8151 or www.law.upenn.edu.
BAH! HUMBUG!: Joel Waldfogel, the Joel S. Ehrenkranz Family Professor at the Wharton School, discusses and signs copies of his book, “Scroogenomics: Why You Shouldn’t Buy Presents for the Holidays.” 6 to 7 p.m. at Penn Bookstore. Info: 215-898-7595 or www.upenn.edu/bookstore. See related story, page 1.
NEW MUSLIM COOL: See “Editor’s Pick.”
Wednesday, Nov. 18
HANS SOLO: Hans-Uwe Otto of the Center for Education & Capability Research at Germany’s Bielefeld University discusses “Evidence-Based Practice: Modernizing the Knowledge Base of Social Work?” for the Pauline Shaw Holsaert Research Colloquium Series. 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Caster Building, 3701 Locust Walk, D26. Info: 215-410-9901 or email Itay Greenspan at itay@sp2.upenn.edu.
EMPIRE STATE OF MIND: For the Penn Humanities Forum on Connections, Jim Endersby, a senior history lecturer at the University of Sussex, discusses “Darwin, Hooker, and Empire.” 5 to 6:30 p.m. at American Philosophical Society, 427 Chestnut St., Benjamin Franklin Hall. Info: 215-573-8280 or www.phf.upenn.edu.
SKYNET: Lyle Ungar, an associate professor of computer and information science at Penn, discusses “The Singularity—When Computers Will Think Like Humans” for the Penn Science Café. 6 p.m. at White Dog Café, 3420 Sansom St. Info: Contact Jordan Reese at 215-573-6604 or email jreese@upenn.edu. RSVPs are required.
MAP QUEST: Christopher Bram, the bestselling author of “Gods and Monsters,” reads from and signs copies of his first work of nonfiction, “Mapping The Territory: Selected Nonfiction,” a collection of essays. 6 to 7 p.m. at Penn Bookstore. Info: 215-898-7595 or
www.upenn.edu/bookstore.
RUN THIS TOWN: The Theatre Arts Program presents Thornton Wilder’s classic play, “Our Town.” 8 p.m. at Bruce Montgomery Theatre, 3680 Walnut St. Info: 215-898-2547 or www.sas.upenn.edu/theatrearts. Tickets available during performance week on Locust Walk, on the web at www.pennpresents.org or by calling 215-898-3900. Additional performances Nov. 19-21.
Thursday, Nov. 19
RUN THIS TOWN: See Wednesday, Nov. 18. Tonight: 8 p.m. at Bruce Montgomery Theatre. Info: 215-898-2547 or www.sas.upenn.edu/theatrearts. Tickets available during performance week on Locust Walk, on the web at www.pennpresents.org or by calling 215-898-3900. Additional performances Nov. 20-21.
SIMPLY SMASHING: Jacqui Naylor is best known for acoustic smashing, a technique she invented, characterized by the singing of a rock tune over a jazz standard, or vice versa. 9 p.m. at World Cafe Live. Info: 215-222-1400 or www.worldcafelive.com. $20.
Friday, Nov. 20
GIVING BACK: Katherina Rosqueta, executive director of Penn’s Center for High Impact Philanthropy, speaks as part of the Distinguished Lecture Series. 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Fels Institute of Government. Info: 215-898-2600 or www.fels.upenn.edu.
THIN MINTS: Girl Scouts of all ages and female chaperones can take an overnight “expedition” at “40 Winks with the Sphinx.” The night’s activities take intrepid explorers on a journey through time and across continents. 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. on Nov. 21 at Penn Museum. Info: 215-898-4001 or www.penn.museum. $50 per person (adults and children); $45 for Museum members. The program is geared to children ages 6 to 12.
HEAR HERE: AudioNexus plays at 7 p.m. at Amado Recital Hall in Irvine Auditorium, 3401 Spruce St. Info: 215-898-7544 or www.sas.upenn.edu/music.
RUN THIS TOWN: See Wednesday, Nov. 18. Tonight: 8 p.m. at Bruce Montgomery Theatre. Info: 215-898-2547 or www.sas.upenn.edu/theatrearts. For tickets, go to www.pennpresents.org or call 215-898-3900. Additional performance on Nov. 21.
Saturday, Nov. 21
FOOTBALL: Penn vs. Cornell. 1 p.m. at Franklin Field, 33rd and South streets. Info: www.pennathletics.com.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Penn vs. Duquesne. 3:30 p.m. at The Palestra, 220 South 32nd St. Info: www.pennathletics.com.
QUAKER CHOIR: The University Choir sings at 8 p.m. at Irvine Auditorium. Info: 215-898-7544 or www.sas.upenn.edu/music. Free with PennCard; $5 general admission.
RUN THIS TOWN: See Wednesday, Nov. 18. Tonight: 8 p.m. at Bruce Montgomery Theatre. Info: 215-898-2547 or www.sas.upenn.edu/theatrearts. For tickets, go to www.pennpresents.org or call 215-898-3900.
Sunday, Nov. 22
BOY WONDER: For the third year, fans of Harry Potter, J. K. Rowling and magic gather to celebrate “Harry Potter and the Magical Muggle Museum.” Visitors can take a “Magical Objects” tour, participate in a scavenger hunt through the galleries and play a game of Twister that will pit Harry Potter fans against “Twilight” followers. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Penn Museum. Info: 215-898-4890 or www.penn.museum. Free with Museum admission donation.
TALK TURKEY: At the “Floral Turkey Centerpiece” workshop, design an eye-catcher for your holiday table. Bring a 12-inch by 12-inch box to transport your creation home safely. 1 to 3 p.m. at Morris Arboretum. Info: 215-247-5777 or www.morrisarboretum.org. Members: $46; non-members: $55.
ROOFTOP JAM: The Penn Flutes play at 2 p.m. at Rodin College House Rooftop Lounge, 3901 Locust Walk. Info: 215-898-7544 or www.sas.upenn.edu/music.
Tuesday, Nov. 24
ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM: “Pink Elephant” is the Stax Records debut from N’dambi, a vocalist, pianist and composer from Dallas known for her signature afro and fiery style. 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live. Info: 215-222-1400 or www.worldcafelive.com. $11, $13.
Saturday, Nov. 28
HOLIDAY CELEBRATION: Enjoy the sounds of costumed carolers strolling through the garden at the Holiday Garden Railway Grand Opening Celebration. Make an ornament or decoration from natural materials to take home. 1 to 3 p.m. at Morris Arboretum. Info: 215-247-5777 or www.morrisarboretum.org. Free with regular garden admission. Holiday Garden Railway runs through Jan. 3.
Tuesday, Dec. 1
FALL OF MAN: Peter Holquist, an associate professor of history at Penn, discusses “The Origins of Crimes against Humanity: The Russian Empire, International Law, and the 1915 Note on the Armenian Genocide” for the Annenberg Seminar in History. 4:30 p.m. in the History Lounge, College Hall 209. Info: 215-573-9241 or email Antonio Feros at aferos@sas.upenn.edu.
ANY GIVEN SUNDAY: Sports writer Robert Lyons discusses his book,
“On Any Given Sunday: A Life of Bert Bell.” Bell, a Philadelphia native, was one of the most powerful figures in the history of professional football.
6 to 7 p.m. at Penn Bookstore. Info: 215-898-7595 or www.upenn.edu/bookstore.
Wednesday, Dec. 2
OFF THE STREETS: Dennis Culhane, a professor in Penn’s School of Social Policy and Practice, discusses “A Prevention-Centered Approach to Homelessness: A Paradigm Shift?” for the Pauline Shaw Holsaert Research Colloquium Series. 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Caster Building. Info: 215-410-9901 or email Itay Greenspan at itay@sp2.upenn.edu.
PRICE IS RIGHT: Monroe Price, director of the Center for Global Communication Studies at the Annenberg School, discusses his book, “Objects of Remembrance: A Memoir of Viennese Dreams and American Opportunities.” 6 to 7 p.m. at Penn Bookstore. Info: 215-898-7595 or www.upenn.edu/bookstore.
SEE A ROSE TALK: C. Brian Rose, curator-in-charge of the Mediterranean Section at the Penn Museum, discusses “Pompeii AD79: The Treasure of Rediscovery” for the Great Archaeological Discoveries Lecture Series. 6 to 8 p.m. at Penn Museum. Info: 215-898-4001 or www.penn.museum. $5 advance general admission; $10 at the door; free for Museum members.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Penn vs. Lafayette. 7 p.m. at The Palestra. Info: www.pennathletics.com.
HERRRRRE’S ANNE: For the Penn Humanities Forum on Connections, Anne Carson, a professor of classical studies, comparative literature, and English at the University of Michigan, connects ancient drama to modern philosophy and painting in “Cassandra Float Can.” 7 to 8:30 p.m. at ARCH Building, 3601 Locust Walk, Auditorium. Info: 215-573-8280 or www.phf.upenn.edu.
Thursday, Dec. 3
THE ZEMSKY PLAN: Robert Zemsky, a professor in the Graduate School of Education at Penn, discusses his newest book, “Making Reform Work: The Case for Transforming American Higher Education.” 3 to 4 p.m. at Penn Bookstore. Info: 215-898-7595 or www.upenn.edu/bookstore.
GRAND BARGAIN: Ted Hershberg, director of the Center for Greater Philadelphia at Penn, and Claire Robertson-Kraft, associate director of the Center, discuss their book, “A Grand Bargain for Education Reform: New Rewards and Supports for New Accountability.” 6 to 7 p.m. at Penn Bookstore. Info: 215-898-7595 or www.upenn.edu/bookstore.
HAPPY KWANZAA: Makuu: Black Cultural Center commemorates another year with the Kwanzaa Karamu feast. Food is served and a ceremony of reflection is conducted by University and community members. 6 p.m. at Bodek Lounge in Houston Hall, 3417 Spruce St. Info: 215-573-0823 or email makuu@dolphin.upenn.edu.
PIANO WOMAN: Brooke Waggoner began playing piano at age four and wrote her first original song at 10. Now, at the age of 23, she recently released her own EP, “Fresh Pair of Eyes.” 9 p.m. at World Cafe Live. Info: 215-222-1400 or www.worldcafelive.com.
