215 Festival
Friday, 10/24/2008 to Sunday, 10/26/2008@ various times

What:   A Literary Extravaganza! The opening event on Friday will feature readings, performances, and workshops by John Hodgman and Dave Rees followed by an after party with musician Ian Svenonius. Saturday join two.one.five as we take part in the Lovingly Bound Book Fair.The last day of the festival will feature a Lit Brunch at the National Mechanics restaurant (22 S. 3rd St). Come out and take part in the redefinition of literary culture.

Where:   Latvian Society, 541 N 7th St Philadelphia, PA

Cost:   price varies with event

Born Ruffians
Sunday, 10/26/2008@ 8PM

What:   The indie/pop band, Born Ruffians, stirs it up with the use of tribal drums and handclaps which will get you into the music. Accompanying them are bands, Plant & Animals and sBach.

Where:   Johnny Brenda's. 1201 N. Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA.

Cost:   $10 | +21

www.r5productions.com

D.L. Hughley
Friday, 10/24/2008 to Sunday, 10/26/2008@ Various times

What: D.L. Hughley, one of the Original Kings of Comedy, will be sure to either delight or offend you. It doesn't matter as long as he makes you laugh.

Where: Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St., Philadelphia, PA

Cost: $30-$35, 21+

See ev7.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventList for ticket and showtime information.

Dracula Festival
Wednesday, 10/22/2008 to Wednesday, 10/29/2008@ 6PM

What:   The 6th Annual Dracula Festival is kicked-off with a reading and book signing by Leslie Klinger, the author of the New Annotated Dracula, and follows with events such as a Dracula Puppet Parade and an exhibition of the original research notes and outlines for Dracula

Where:   Rosenbach Museum & Library @ 2008-2010 Delancey Place Philadelphia, PA

Cost:   $10 adults | $8 seniors | $5 students | free for children under 5

www.rosenbach.org/programs/releasethebats.html

Gee's Bend
Tuesday, 09/16/2008 to Sunday, 12/14/2008@ Tues-Sun, 10AM-5PM; Fridays, until 8:45PM

What: See the truly extraordinary creations by members of the Gee's Bend community in Alabama. This exhibition of quilts made in the unique, African-American tradition, includes some from the early 20th century as well as very recent work.

Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th St. & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA

Cost: $14/adults, $12/Seniors (65+), $10/Students, 13-18, Free/12 and under

James Castle Retrospective
Tuesday, 10/14/2008 to Friday, 01/09/2009@ NA

What:   The Philadelphia Museum of Art will present the first comprehensive museum exhibition of the art of James Castle (1899-1977), one of the most enigmatic and remarkable self-taught artists to emerge in the United States during the 20th century.

Where:    Philadelphia Museum of Art (26th Street & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway)

Cost:  $7 adults $5 students

Museum of Art:
Saturday, 09/27/2008 to Sunday, 12/28/2008@ 6 PM

What:  19th century artist Thomas Chambers' 15 prints will be displayed including American Marine and Landscape Painter.

Where: Museum of Art

Cost: $19

Poetry Contest
Monday, 09/22/2008 to Saturday, 11/01/2008

What: Thoughts Kept Hidden Publishing Company encourages you to submit your poetry and gain some recognition for your well-deserving talent. $1000 cash grand prize as well as opportunities for 20 poets to have their work published in an upcoming book.

Where: Submit no later than Nov. 1 via email to thoughtskepthidden@yahoo.com or check out thoughtskepthidden.com/. You can also mail poems to PO Box 25150, Philadelphia, PA, 19147

Cost: Free

Real Pirates
Saturday, 05/31/2008 to Sunday, 11/02/2008@ Mon-Tues: 9AM-5PM, Wed-Sat: 9AM-8PM, Sun: 9AM-7PM

What: Fulfill all of your unrealized childhood fantasies with a look at the world's first exhibition of authentic pirate treasure. The Real Pirates Exhibition, produced by National Geographic, displays over 200 artifacts from Whydah- a real pirate ship discovered off of the coast of Cape Cod.

Where: The Franklin Institute, 222 N 20th St., Philadelphia, PA

Cost: Varies, see www2.fi.edu/exhibits/traveling/pirates/tickets.php for more information.

Group pricing can be found here. or by calling 1.800.285.0684

Tickets can also be found at www.ticketmaster.com

Sammy Slice
Sunday, 10/26/2008@ 10PM-2AM

What:   Soul Travelers presents DJ Sammy Slice spinning a mix of classics, hip-hop, and reggae. Rocking it out in the Walnut Room, this DJ is one you sure shouldn't miss, especially with drink specials offered all night.

Where:   The Walnut Room Redux. 1709 Walnut St. 2nd Floor. Philadelphia, PA. (17th and Walnut)

Cost:   No cover!

Terror Behind the Walls
Friday, 09/19/2008 to Sunday, 11/02/2008@ 7P.M. to 10P.M. weeknights, 7P.M. to 11P.M. Fridays & Sundays, 7P.M. to 12A.M. Saturdays

What:    Called “perfect for Halloween” by the New York Times and ranked No. 5 in the nation by A.O.L. Digital City, Terror Behind the Walls is the region’s premier haunted attraction - a special, spooky Halloween tour of Eastern state Penitentiary.

Where:    Easter State Penitentiary, 22nd and Fairmount Ave

Cost:    $20 Monday through Thursday; $25 Fridays and Sundays; $30 Saturdays

The Urban Archives
Monday, 10/13/2008 to Friday, 01/30/2009@ Monday-Friday, 8:30AM-5PM

What: The 10-million item Urban Archives collection held at Temple University's Paley Library holds exclusive insight into the city of Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley, from the 18th to 20th centuries. The collection includes print materials and visual media and the opening of the Manuscript Collection will offer incredible knowledge on the political and community organizations in Philadelphia.

Where: Samuel Paley Library, Temple University; 1210 W. Berks Street, Philadelphia, PA

Cost: N/A; All Ages

Black Friday Party
Friday, 11/28/2008@ 7pm-10pm

Q-Tip & The Cool Kids
Wednesday, 12/03/2008@ 8PM