Philadelphia Weekly

>>Revolting Republican
Liberty Rally 2007
Sat., Nov. 10, 1pm. Free. Independence Mall, Fifth and Market sts. 610.354.8212. philly.ronpaulrally.org

Hello, young American! Does the very mention of the Constitution inspire a long-dormant patriotism that has nothing to do with pointless flag-waving and destroying other countries? Ron Paul looks pretty good these days, eh? His rambles pass for political courage as he goes around announcing that he believes in more personal rights. Except being a libertarian, kiddos, doesn't just mean you're pro civil liberties. It means you're anti lots of other good stuff. Like Medicaid and Medicare and the idea of some sort of actual universal health coverage. You're against federally funded public schools and subsidized college loans. You're against programs to help the poor, the hungry, the sick, the very young and the very old, and you think everyone needs to pull themselves up by their bootstraps or go to hell. And if that's how you feel, go ahead, go to Ron Paul's Liberty Rally 2007 and scream about the "revolution." Believe you're out there fighting for freedom because you're with a Republican who wants to end the war. But if you're into the real principles of the Constitution (check the Preamble if you're confused; it contains the phrase "promote the general welfare"), stay home and read a goddamn book that isn't written by Ayn Rand. (Alli Katz)

Punk Rock Movie Night

Paying $10 to see tripe at the multiplex just got dumber. Adding to the noble tradition of DIY film events in Philly (see Secret Cinema and Fancy Pants Cinema) comes Punk Rock Movie Night at the First Unitarian Church. A five-spot gets you locally produced shorts, rare live footage of underground musicians and indie flicks galore. The series runs weekly clear through spring with all proceeds going to offset the financial debts of punk rock icon Lance Hahn of rock band J Church and the record label Honey Bear. (Hahn recently died in Austin, succumbing to a long-term illness.) This week les cineastes punque will enjoy Penelope Spheeris' cult classic punk-doc Suburbia, Latino-punk doc Beyond the Screams and assorted shorts. Not since the halcyon nights of the Limelight have there been so many reasons (hi R5!) to get your ass to church on time. (Tara Murtha)

>>Condiments of the season
Spinderella
Fri., Nov. 9, 9pm-2am. $10-$15. Fluid, 613 S. Fourth St. 215.629.3686. www.myspace.com/djultraviolet

For a white Catholic schoolgirl growing up in Northeast Philly in the '90s, Salt-N-Pepa was about as gangsta as it got. Picture five plaid-clad seventh-grade girls singing along to "Let's Talk About Sex" in the schoolyard before First Friday mass and you'll have an eerily accurate image of my first stint in detention. Up against the likes of Kid 'N' Play, Grandmaster Flash and Jam Master Jay, the ladies of Salt-N-Pepa proved hip-hop wasn't just a man's game. Almost 20 years after the girls famously dropped the line "Spinderella's not a fella but a girl DJ," the two title members of the group have a hilariously addictive reality show on VH1, which Spinderella made an appearance on last week. But you can catch her in real life this Friday night at Fluid. Hanging out for DJ Roxy's birthday celebration, she'll spin tracks alongside DJ Ultraviolet while the crowd knocks back complimentary vodka drinks. Added bonus: There's no dress code for this party, so recovering Catholic schoolgirls can squeeze into their plaid skirts and knee socks and sing along without worrying about missing the bus. (Erica Palan)

Maira Kalman

Maira Kalman brings her whimsical paintings and worldly observations to Philadelphia in the artist's multimedia presentation for the First Person Arts Festival. Kalman paints with an old-fashioned sensibility that's part Florine Stettheimer and part Andy Warhol--wry, fashionable and naive. Kalman--a New Yorker cover artist and children's book author--makes friendly paintings that gush like a wide-eyed kid over animals, plants, candy, cake, hats, hair and words. The juicy paintings of people and places from her life are annotated with quips and observations that are just this side of fey--but you forgive them because the art is so robust, humane and lovable. Her presentation will immerse you in the world of tea and muffins on a chilly November day. (Roberta Fallon)