Philadelphia Weekly

Photo by Chris Macan

Toyland Closing Reception

The first time someone tries to photograph you with a Holga, you'll be expecting a blast of water in your eye. That's how silly it looks. But the Holga, along with a variety of other toy cameras, can create visually stunning photos through imperfection. Light leaks, color shifts and heavy vignettes that would take hours of tedium to replicate in Photoshop turn these everyday images into artwork. A collection of toy camera photographers--including Philly native Chris Macan--show off their beautifully flawed masterpieces at Toyland's closing reception. Subjects and techniques include everything from Macan's brilliantly colorful portraits to Rita Bernstein's eerily nostalgic explorations of family life. Once you see the beauty of analog toy camera photography, you might not want go back to digital. It'll seem awfully lame by comparison. (Brian Myszkowski)

Cubeecraft

What's the most fun you can legally have with a knife? It's Cubeecraft, a free online hobby site where you can download and construct your own paper figurines. Start with the simple Meatwad or Kirby toys and work your way up to a more complex craft like MC Chris. All you need is a hobby knife, a printer and a profound case of boredom. (B.M.)

Man V. Weather: Be Your Own Weatherman

Humorist Dennis DiClaudio's had a busy year, seeing as he has a professional obligation to mock the presidential election as editor at Comedy Central's Indecision2008.com. Despite the windfall of fodder, DiClaudio managed to pen Man V. Weather: Be Your Own Weatherman, a guide to help his regular audience of hypochondriacs and sexual deviants understand the history of humanity's fragile relationship to the elements, as well as fuel conversation with people you don't know well but talk to anyway. (Tara Murtha)

Mary Ellen Mark

Philly-born Mary Ellen Mark is an esteemed documentary photographer most famous for her stark portraits of people living on the fringe of society. Shooting Bombay prostitutes, the homeless, sideshow circus performers and young runaways, Mark has seen more brutal realities in this world than most people do in 100 lifetimes. What she's less known for is the parallel life of glamor she's led on production sets of some of the most respected films in American history. Seen Behind the Scene, out this month, is a collection of 250 black and white photos from production sets. See Fellini barking at actors on the set of Satyricon, Faye Dunaway resting beautifully on the set of Network, Brando in a rare light moment between takes of Apocalypse Now. Warning: There's a picture of Candice Bergman, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel French kissing, officially making that 200 lifetimes. (T.M.)

The Black List: Volume One

Even though many would like to think race isn't an issue anymore, it is. From Hollywood to everyday life, many African-Americans have deferred their dreams due to racial discrimination. These obstacles have produced stories of struggles, but also stories of triumph. See them all in HBO's documentary The Black List. At the screening for this groundbreaking film you'll hear personal accounts from many famous African-Americans, including Philly's own Dawn Staley and the film's producer Payne Brown. The term "black list" refers to a group of people of whom society disapproves. Brought to you by the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications, the goal of this film is to reinvent the word's meaning and create a platform for honest and progressive discussions about race. RSVP at the website. (Shahida Muhammad)