Philadelphia Weekly

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Gui Boratto

Tues., April 8, 10pm. $5. Woody's Bar, 202 S. 13th St. 215.545.1893. www.igetrvng.com

This one's serious, people. Gui Boratto is in town for a magical night connecting S�o Paolo to Berlin to Philadelphia. The Brazilian Boratto is one of the hottest techno producers right now. He's responsible for the genre's best album, Chromophobia, and one of its biggest anthems, "Beautiful Life." I know what you're thinking: "Techno? No way. It's so repetitive and dark and undanceable." In our imaginary conversation, I'd first tell you that undanceable isn't a word, then we'd argue about how pretentious I am, and finally I'd ask that you give Boratto a chance, as he completely reconfigures the techno sound. Originally an architect, Boratto brings an outsider's approach to music, mixing in elements of trance and '80s pop. A part of the legendary German minimal techno label Kompakt, he rebels against that stripped-down approach with great melodies, emotive synths and a pop sensibility. Typically you'd be able to catch Boratto DJing only with thousands of your closest friends, but thanks to Dave P and Adam Sparkles' Snacks party, Philadelphians can shake it to the superstar in the tiny confines of Woody's strobe-lit dance floor. (Jack Schonewolf)

>>zoning out

In Memory of the Deathtrap

Wed., April 2-Sat., April 5, 7pm and 9pm; Sun., April 6, 6pm and 8pm. $10. 919.923.4136. www.pinkhairaffair.blogspot.com

Remember the time you gobbled 'shrooms from that guy hanging out at that punk show you went to, and then stumbled through the nearest doorway, where some homeless dude guided you and seven strangers through the craziest trip of your life? No? Well in case you want to relive that awesome experience you probably wouldn't have been able to remember anyway, check out the Pink Hair Affair, a dance troupe of eight pink-wigged University of the Arts BFA BFFs. In Memory of the Deathtrap is a site-specific performance that guides you through a dilapidated South Philly row home as dancers twist and contort in the nooks and crannies of the house. Also, there's booze. After the last performance every night, wine is a juicy reward for checking out the growing site-specific performance scene in Philly. (Rachel Brind)

>>powerful reading

Samantha Power

Thurs., April 3, 8pm. $7-$14. Free Library, 1901 Vine St. 215.686.5322. www.library.phila.gov

I'm not gonna lie: I have a total crush on Samantha Power. You can have your Giseles and your Scarlett Johanssons. This Harvard professor and journalist has them beat with her sterling brilliance and passionate commitment to human rights. She's fought for the people of Darfur and against the Iraq invasion. Her first solo book A Problem From Hell chronicled America's response to genocide in the 20th century. In it she argued our country did too little to stop these tragedies, and should do more in the future. Sadly, even though she won a Pulitzer for her work, she's better known for her recent "monster" comment about Hillary Clinton. Thankfully her new book Chasing the Flame: Sergio Vieira de Mello and the Fight to Save the World should erase that pointless controversy from our minds. The book examines the life of de Mello, a U.N. diplomat killed by a suicide bombing in Iraq. It discusses how the world responds to crises, and should cement Power's position as one of our finest intellectuals. In a world of neocon idiots and foreign policy blunders, I can't think of anything hotter than a progressive voice of the fairer sex standing up for a fairer world. Top that, 'Gisele! (J.S.)

>>best dressed

Vintage Connection

Fri., April 4, 5-8pm. Free. Vintage Connection, 701 S. Ninth St. 267.528.1625. www. shopvintageconnection.com

Mother Nature is being a total cocktease lately. Sporadic days of sunshine and warmth followed by apocalyptic rain and freezing winds has us craving springtime more than ever. Especially those of us who are big weather wusses and refuse to show a little leg or rock an open-toed shoe until the mercury hits 65 degrees. Meanwhile, Vintage Collection owner and stylist Heather Waity concocted an event designed to lift spirits and hemlines. Stop by this Friday for a spring/summer trunk show, where there'll be stylists on hand to assure you that no, you don't look fat in that dress and yes, you do deserve more complimentary champagne and cupcakes. Photographers will snap shots of the hottest looks to post on the Vintage Collection website as well as RachelsGuide.com (of party hostess Rachel Inc). Everything in the store will be 20 percent off, so you can splurge on some new-to-you vintage dresses and accessories. Because if Mama Nature's going to be such a flirt, you might as well also--and with some spring-has-sprung bling. (Erica Palan)