Philadelphia Weekly

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Wednesday, Jan. 18

Amanda Jo Williams
In its recent review of proudly peculiar Los Angeles-based folk singer-songwriter Amanda Jo Williams’ new album, Mary’s Big Feet, the USC Daily Trojan wrote that “You will either love her or find her completely appalling.” We feel both ways about her at once. At issue is her bizarre voice—to hear Williams sing is like watching a cartoon version of Joanna Newsom possessed by the man-child vocals of Adam Sandler. “The bear eats me/ Ooooh dippy-dippy-doo, da-dippy-
dippy-doo,” she warbles over acoustic strums and Morricone whistles-in-the-desert atmosphere. Listening to her is kind of like chewing nervously on the insides of your mouth: It seems wrong but you just can’t help it, and the pain and faint salty taste of blood is strangely satisfying. -Michael Alan Goldberg

9pm. $10. With the Extraordinaires + Kelly & the Ruths. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave. 215.739.9684. johnnybrendas.com

Of Mythic Proportions
Winner of the 2010 Barrymore Award for Educational Excellence and Community Service, Proportions is part of B. Someday Productions’ ongoing internship and mentoring project with students from the local community. This year, the production will present the culmination of a semester’s work by the students of Mariana Bracetti Academy High School. The show is made up of the students’ personal stories about growing up in Kensington and how violence has become a part of their lives. Following the show, you’ll have a chance to meet the young talent while engaging in a short discussion about the topics raised in their performances, and enjoy refreshments courtesy of Whole Foods. -Nicole Finkbiner

4pm and 6pm. Free. Walking Fish Theatre, 2509 Frankford Ave. 215.427.9255. bsomeday.org

Stolen Dreams
The Youth Art & Self-empowerment Project (YASP) presents a screening of its documentary, Stolen Dreams, tonight at the South Philadelphia vegan coffee shop Grindcore House. The 26-minute film illustrates the impact of trying and locking up young people as adults in the legal system, and allowing members of YASP who have been incarcerated in such a manner to share their experiences. In addition to their stories, a judge, a social worker and a teacher who work with youth charged as adults share their perspectives. Throughout the piece, focus is placed on explaining Act 33 of 1996. This amendment to Pennsylvania law allows prosecutors to try minors at the age of 15 as adults in court and send them directly to jail for serious, violent charges. After the viewing, representatives from YASP will answer questions about the film and the organization. -Ashley Kole

7pm. Free. Grindcore House, 1515 S. Fourth St. 215.839.3333. grindcorehouse.com

Foobooz Presents A Neighborhood Pop-Up
Good eats, good drinks, good people and great chefs: Foobooz presents its first in a series of “Neighborhood Pop-Ups” on East Passyunk, celebrating the newness and vibrancy of the neighborhood and its thriving dining scene. Enjoy a first-class meal concocted and prepared by some of the best chefs this city has to offer. Who’s behind the menu? George Sabatino (Stateside), Lee Styer (Fond) and Joe Cicala (Le Virtu): three chefs bringing exciting flavors to South Philly streets. Jessie Prawlucki of Belle Cakery will be handling the fantastic dessert. Get your grub on and celebrate your neighborhood. Darren White

7pm. $115. Cook, 253 S 20th St. 215.551.2500. foobooz.com

Thursday, Jan. 19

In the Footprint
Fringe-y N.Y.C.-based theater company The Civilians debuts its innovative docu-musical In the Footprint: The Battle over Atlantic Yards for Philly this week at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. A perfect example of the Civilians’ signature brand of investigative theater, Footprint chronicles the largest development in Brooklyn history and its impact on the surrounding area. Artistic director Steve Cosson’s script is constructed verbatim from interviews with politicians and ambitious developers as well as residents who would be displaced by the project. Informally staged with music and lyrics by hot composer Michael Friedman (creator of surprise hit Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), this unique musical about race, culture and greed offers a provocative look at ordinary citizens battling power brokers carrying the banner of progress. -J. Cooper Robb

7:30pm. $20. Through Jan. 29 Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 3680 Walnut St. 215.898.3900. annenbergcenter.org

Idle Warship
In the world of supergroups there are, alas, more Chickenfoots than Wild Flags. You’d think that such intersections of talent would yield a higher percentage of killer tunes, but there’s a lot to be said for chemistry. Fortunately, Idle Warship—one of the superest of supergroups, in our humble opinion—has talent and chemistry to burn. It’s the meeting of the musical minds of potent Brooklyn rapper Talib Kweli and sultry Philly soul songstress Res, longtime friends and collaborators who’ve taken their connection to the next level with the excellent and kinda experimental (but still butt-shakin’) electro/hip-hop/soul-rock hybrid Habits of the Heart. We fully expect this show to blaze, especially with Philly’s torchy, chamber-poppy Lady—also pretty damn super—on the bill. -M.A.G.

8pm. $25-$48. With Lady, Boy Wonder + Bianca Raquel. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. 215.222.1400. worldcafelive.com

Friday, Jan. 20

DJ Deejay
DJ Deejay has been spinning local love in Philly since 2000, and has garnered an impressive following with pop-focused parties that channel a playful sense of abandon. His signature party, “Beyonce, Britney, Gaga” vs. “Katy, Ke$ha, Rihanna” returns to kick off 2012 right. After a series of widely attended Moshulu parties, the cold is no deterrent for Deejay, who’s bringing the action indoors to Sisters nightclub. Burn up the dancefloor with your best “Single Ladies” routine, but be ready for Mario of Fame Lust to photograph your wildest dance moves. -Kyle Bella

10pm. Sisters, 1320 Chancellor St. 215.735.0735. sistersnightclub.com

Liquor Store
When they first busted out of North Jersey, Liquor Store sported almost a dozen guitar players, a few bass players, and one hard-working drummer. They looked and sounded like an open tryout for Eddie Van Halen’s successor. By comparison, last year’s Yeah Buddy (Almost Ready Records), a double-album featuring just three lead guitarists, is downright lean and restrained. In this formation, the band pumps out lobotomized hard-rock anthems with provocative titles such as “Pumpin’ With Red Rock” (a song about throwing iron), “Oilin’ Up My Boy” (self-explanatory), and “Proud to be an American Man” (ditto). With the snotty, decadent concerns of the Jabbers or the Gizmos weighted down by the heft (and balls) of all those top-tier Arena Rock acts whose T-shirt designs never go out of style, Liquor Store stand poised to be the next great party band. For a good time, take a peek at their music video for “Banned From the Block” and see just how high rock ’n’ roll can get’cha. -Richie Charles

8pm. $7. With Purling Hiss, Home Blitz + Foul Swoops. PiLam, 3914 Spruce St. yarga.net

Saturday, Jan. 21

Queer Bodies, Queer Selves
Comedian, nurse and queer health advocate Kelli Dunham thinks health care can be funny. Dunham hopes to show, with help from the irreverent humor of R. Eric Thomas, Dan Horrigan and a few animated shorts, that LGBT people can talk about their well-being without the seriousness and shame the discussion is often marked by. With free health screenings and a sliding donation scale, she also wants to ensure that nobody in the LGBT community is turned away. So don’t be shy, bring a friend and be prepared to laugh about your body. K.B.