Philadelphia Weekly

>>Clogosphere

Building a Broken Mousetrap

When Dutch punks the Ex visited New York's Knitting Factory on the third anniversary of 9/11, the city was feeling more than a little colicky. The ignoramus-packed Republican National Convention had just quit town after steamrollering local civil liberties. The stench of tear gas and fascism lingered. Filmmaker Jem Cohen didn't think twice about his plans that night. A director who makes documentaries about music as resistance culture, Cohen captured a sonic shitstorm of raw energy on 16 mm stock as the Ex--buzzed by the anger--tore through an incendiary set. Cohen then interlaced the stage action with footage of the anti-RNC protests to create Building a Broken Mousetrap. It screens with Smells Like Teen Spirit, an eight-minute video of Patti Smith covering the Nirvana classic. Which will, of course, be either the coolest or the crappest thing ever. (Joshua Valocchi)

>>Lord of the strings

Spiral Q

Q-licious: A Mad, Mad Tea Party

Spiral Q Puppet Theater has been slinging puppets since before Team America: World Police redefined the concept of sex with strings attached. Spiral Q's all about mobilizing communities through egalitarian participation in creative projects like workshops, theater and parades. This year's Q-licious--Spiral Q's annual fundraising party--features performances by nouveau zydeco trio Sweets and Hots and Philly's indefatigable bitch-on-heels Miss Martha Graham Cracker. There's an all-star art auction, and local bakeries sweeten the deal with enough cakes and confections to choke a Clydesdale. There will also be a This Is Your Life shadow puppet show in homage to this year's honoree Matty Hart, founder and former director of Spiral Q. (Tara Murtha)

>>T.G.I. Frida

"Frida and Me: Common Threads"

Frida Kahlo put up with a lot of bullshit--polio, a near-fatal bus accident, a cheating husband, a slutty sister--and she totally owned her facial hair issues. Talk about badass. Later this month the Philadelphia Museum of Art features the first substantial U.S. presentation of Kahlo's work in 15 years, but you can get your Frida fix early by checking out the Projects Gallery. "Frida and Me: Common Threads" is inspired by the PMA's exhibit and showcases paintings by four contemporary Latina artists. Influenced by Kahlo's vibrant use of color and flattened self-portraiture, Doris Nogueira-Rogers, Michelle Angela Ortiz, Marilyn Rodriguez-Behrle and Marta Sanchez created original pieces for this show. Keep your eyes peeled for a giant unibrow stretched across the Parkway through the spring. No, don't. We made that up. Even though the Projects Gallery exhibit closes Feb. 23, Fridamania will run rampant in Philly till the PMA show closes May 18. (Erica Palan)

>>Ready dreddy go

Ziggy Marley

Africa Unite

A Bob Marley Birthday Celebration

Poor Bob Marley--a great musician and activist reduced to a weed-smoking dorm poster. This week marks his 63rd birthday, and World Cafe Live screens Africa Unite, a documentary chronicling the Marley family's 2005 trip to Ethiopia and their concert in Addis Ababa. There's footage of the 12-hour show (attended by 300,000 people) and a look back at the man's work, with Philly reggae DJs Solomonic Sound System spinning upstairs. Across town, Carnival Parade presents its own birthday celebration at the Khyber. This one's all about the music, including Lee "Scratch" Perry's tour jockey DJ Champe. While the music ranges from rock and jam band to reggae and funk, a commitment to a positive, socially conscious message forms a common bond. Good people, great music and positive vibes--Bob would approve. (Jack Schonewolf)