Superheroes Who Are Patriotic!
Save The Day Productions signature series, Superheroes Who Are Super! delivers word-for-word staged readings of comic books that at once celebrate and parody the soap operatic qualities of classic comics. Each performance runs approximately one hour and features comic books brought to life with the best in low budget costumes and special effects, witty word play and absurd physical hijinks alike.
Performances include: Captain America Comics #1, “Meet Captain America,” Journey Into Mystery #83, “Introducing… The Mighty Thor!” and Marvel Treasury Special, “Captain America’s Bicentennial Battles.” Since its inception in 2007 by creator Daniel Student, Superheroes Who Are Super! has performed to sold out audiences of regular theater goers and comic book aficionados alike at its Philadelphia home, Plays & Players Theatre, including a run in the 2009 and 2010 Philly Fringe. Additionally, Super Heroes Who Are Super! performed at the Capital Fringe Festival in Washington, DC in July, 2010 and is a regular at Atomic Comics on South Street.
Plays & Players Mainstage, 1714 Delancey Place
Friday, July 1 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, July 2 at 2 p.m.
$12 in advance; $15 at door
www.savethedayproductions.org
Annual Indie Film Series
The South Street Headhouse District’s Annual Indie Film Series goes through a time warp on July 6 with a showing of the ‘70s cult classic, “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” After their car breaks down during a long journey, a young couple seeks shelter in the quirky castle of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, where hijinks and dance routines ensue. Attendees are encouraged to don their most eccentric attire in tribute to the film’s outrageous apparel. The guest with the best costume in the crowd will be awarded a fantastic prize from one of the District businesses. Wednesday’s showing will be hosted by Scott Johnson, otherwise known as Count Scotchula and leader of Philadelphia’s own Rocky Horror troupe, which has been actively performing in the area for ten years. Be sure to come out and join Johnson and his troupe for an exciting evening of corsets, fishnets and, of course, the “Time Warp”!
The Indie Films Series is an annual summer event for the South Street Headhouse District. The series, which kicked off June 15 and will run until August 31, features independent films and special guest introduction each week. The series highlights local filmmakers, wardrobe stylists, make-up artists and more.
Headhouse Square at 2nd and Pine Sts.
Wednesday, July 6 at 7:30 p.m.
www.southstreet.com
17th Annual QFest
Scheming Philadelphia go-go boys, ABBA-singing drag queens, and kids who try to rid their mothers of their lesbian ways – needless to say, QFest is BACK! Running July 7, 2011 to July 18, 2011, they’re bringing the funny, while tackling the issues of religion, politics, gay rights and marriage. And with a healthy dose of parties (someone mention a men’s swimsuit fashion show?), there’s something to tickle everyone’s fancy. The 17th edition of QFest kicks off with two Opening Night Features: The Philadelphia Premiere of “Judas Kiss” and the Sundance hit “CoDependent Alien Lesbian Same.” “Judas Kiss” tells the story of a washed-up filmmaker who travels back in time and meets his college-aged self. Featuring 2006 QFest Rising Star Charlie David and the 2011 QFest Rising Star Award recipient Sean Paul Lockart, “Judas Kiss” screens at 7:15 p.m. at the Ritz East Theatre 1. Immediately following the film, Director J.T. Tepnapa, Charlie David and Sean Paul Lockart will host a Q&A. If a time-traveling gay man isn’t your thing, maybe space-traveling lesbians are, as the co-Opening Night feature is “CoDependent Alien Lesbian Same” screening – a hilarious first date film that takes three tall, bald, lesbian space aliens and drops them on planet Earth (New York) with the critical mission to break a few hearts and overcome ‘big feelings’ – screening at 7:30 p.m. at the Ritz East Theatre 2. With the film comes the opportunity to dress space-tastic and to meet actress Lisa Haas and producer Laura Terruso immediately following the film. Following is a an opening night party at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, and then of course, 11 more days of LGBT cinema goodness.
At participating theaters
Single tickets to regular screenings: $10
www.qfest.com
“Giselle in 3D” – One Day Only!
Continuing its mission to offer groundbreaking in-theater events of all types, NCM Fathom presents “Giselle in 3D,” the world’s first 3-D ballet to be shown with RealD 3D technology. Pre-recorded at the historic Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, “Giselle in 3D” captures the beauty and movement of a world-class performance in a new and multi-dimensional way, offering cinema audiences a ‘best seat in the house’ experience from anywhere in their local theater.
At participating theaters
Tuesday, July 12 at noon and 7:30 p.m.
www.fathomevents.com
Cocktails and Comedies
The National Museum of American Jewish History will present three classic American comedies on three Tuesday nights in July featuring Jewish comedians and filmmakers. The new “Cocktails and Comedies” summer film series will include a cocktail reception on the Museum’s 5th floor terrace, which offers a view of Independence Mall not available anywhere else. The films and the dates they will be screened are: “The Producers,” Tuesday, July 12; “Annie Hall,” Tuesday, July 19; and “The Princess Bride,” Tuesday, July 26. All films begin at 7 p.m. and are preceded by cocktails at 6 p.m. on the Museum’s Robbi and Bruce Toll Terrace overlooking Independence Mall.
The National Museum of American Jewish History at 5th and Market Sts.
Tuesday, July 12, 19 and 26 at 7 p.m.
$15 for films and cocktails; series package is $36
www.nmajh.org/filmseries
Secret Cinema Summer Screenings
The Secret Cinema is excited to announce its latest three screenings, happening in a succession of Wednesday evenings in July and August at the Institute of Contemporary Art, in the heart of University City. The films will focus on a variety of summery and artful concerns, and will take place on the ICA’s delightful rooftop patio (weather permitting – otherwise, the screenings will be moved to ICA’s indoor auditorium). After two themed Secret Cinema programs of short films, they will collaborate with ICA on a special multi-media party celebrating ICA’s current gallery exhibition “That’s How We Escaped: Reflections on Warhol,” complete with live music and film projections. As always with Secret Cinema events, all of the films will be shown using 16mm film (not video) projected on a giant screen. July 13’s screening will present “Summer Means Fun!” This unique program of long-unseen newsreels, educational films, comedy shorts, and cartoons focuses on assorted aspects of summertime recreation: surfing, swimming, camping, fishing, the rodeo and more, as seen by classrooms and moviegoers of the past. Highlights include “New England Holiday” (1947), “Swim Parade” (1949), “Helter Swelter” (1950), “Skaterdater” (1966), “How Do They Make Surfboards?” (1970)… plus Shemp Howard in “Boobs In The Woods” (1940)!
Institute of Contemporary Art at 118 South 36th Street
Wednesday, July 13 at 9:00 p.m.
Admission: $7
www.thesecretcinema.com
University City Dining Days
University City Dining Days sizzles for two weeks this summer! Twenty-nine of University City’s most popular dining destinations – including newcomers Biba Wine Bar, Baby Blues BBQ and JG Domestic – are now preparing for University City Dining Days which will take place Thursday, July 14 to Thursday, July 28. Participating restaurants will offer a pre-fixe three-course dinner special for $15, $25 or $30. For the full list of participating restaurants, visit www.ucdiningdays.com.