Renowned architect Frank Gehry on his plans for disposing of the Rocky statue overseeing the Art Museum’s $500 million drive-thru window expansion. More from the Inky’s Inga Saffron: The Philadelphia Museum of Art has selected Frank O. Gehry, the architect famous for rambunctious and sculptural buildings such as the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao [pictured, right], to design a vast new underground gallery space, a project that will be virtually invisible from the street. As official word of Gehry’s appointment began to trickle out yesterday, Philadelphia’s architectural and cultural leaders hailed the museum for departing from the city’s habitual caution and choosing […]
The Early Word: Chix On Wheels, Beatin’ The Hell Out Of Each Other For Fun And Profit
With special musical guests, Beretta 76! Philly Rollergirls: Putting The ‘Bitch’ In Bitchslap Since 2005 (Got a cool flyer for your show or event? If it doesn’t suck — the flyer or the event — we might give it some luv in The Early Word. Send artwork to feed@phawker.com)
Jackpot: Harrisburg Is Our Beeyotch!
On Monday we put out the call that Harrisburg should back off pending legislation that would give the state, not the city, oversight over the slot-parlors or there was gonna be trouble right here in River City. Big trouble. Lynn-Swann-elected-governor trouble. And yesterday, Harrisburg blinked. It’s like if we write it, it comes true! In all seriousness, this is a great victory for the people of Philadelphia. If only they knew it: Neighbors of Philadelphia’s five proposed slot-machine parlors scored an unexpected political victory yesterday when Pennsylvania Senate leaders dropped efforts to override the city’s zoning laws when it comes […]
GRUMPY OLD MEN: A Man Called Francis
Welcome to the second installment of our Grumpy Old Men series, wherein we learn from our elders and soak up their salty yarns like Bounty Quicker Picker-Upper. Yesterday we had Robert Christgau, today Francis Davis. Tomorrow? The Pope. What’s that you say? You never heard of Francis Davis. Oh buddy, it’s good thing you found us! Check out his CV: He has written about music, film, and other aspects of popular culture for The Atlantic since 1984 and was appointed lead jazz critic for the Voice in 2004. He was jazz critic for The Philadelphia Inquirer from 1982 to 1996, […]
War Pig Watch: Blackwater Is About As ‘Green’ As A Golden Shower
Excepting St. Paddy’s Day, when everyone pees green. Check this shit out: You may have heard of Blackwater USA. They’re the shadowy, Virginia-based soldier-for-hire company with roots in the U.S. military intelligence community. It has reaped untold millions in Pentagon and Homeland Security contracts since the advent of the Bush administration, from the fires of Fallujah to the floodwaters of New Orleans. Simply put, Blackwater USA is not the kind of company you’d expect to get behind the Green Party, with its far-left platform that ostensibly seeks to pull the United States out of Iraq and end the type of […]
Introducing Our Advice Column: Ask Mother Phawker
We are not your mother. Your mother is at home, watching “Deal or No Deal.” Sure, you could call and ask her, but that will just turn into a whole ‘thing’ — what with the shouting and the running and the exploding and the crying. Besides, your mom needs a break. Why do you think they sent you to college in the first place? And really, haven’t you asked her enough stupid questions over the years? Instead, direct all I-need-a-hug , it-hurts-when-I-pee and other how-to-deal inquiries to? Mother@phawker.com. She loves you no matter what. Dear Mother Phawker, I’m 29, my […]
Jazz For Lunch: John Coltrane Stereo Blues
In honor of esteemed jazz critic and Coltrane biographer Francis Davis coming on the show today. We couldn’t be more proud. Francis rocks! More than you’d think for a man called Francis. But it’s true. You’ll see.
Readers Write: Me Talk Pretty Some Day
The Dean Is Not Amused Dear Jonathan, Your notes got a few things wrong, but it’s always been my supicion [sic] that the summation method often beats the direct quote method anyway. Thanks for doing it. Robert Christgau Dear Dean of American Rock Critics, Okay, so what’s my grade, Dean? Jonathan Valania Dear Jonathan, I never give them out. Robert Christgau Dear Dean of American Rock Critics, Dag. I really did want one, just for bragging rights. I give it a solid B, woulda been great with the Q&A or written as such but in a forum that would allow […]
Eva Says: The Shadow Knows
Concert reviews. We’ll have at least one a week of the one show we’d actually go to even if we weren’t getting in for free. I’d write it myself, but frankly, the pay stinks. That’s why we’re sending Eva Liao. Because she is young and hungry and we are old and full. Eva is 22 years old and from Los Angeles. Her favorite band is the Velvet Underground. That’s why we hired her. Eva goes to Temple. Some would call her an intern, but we call her Editorial Assistant because we believe the media should empower young people, not belittle […]
Later Today: Grumpy Old Men Part 2
The second installment of our Grumpy Old Men series, wherein we learn from our elders. Yesterday we had Robert Christgau, today Francis Davis. Tomorrow? The Pope. What’s that you say? You never heard of Francis Davis. Oh Buddy, it’s good thing you found us! Check out his CV: He has written about music, film, and other aspects of popular culture for The Atlantic since 1984 and was appointed lead jazz critic for the Voice in 2004. He was jazz critic for the Philadelphia Inquirer from 1982 to 1996, jazz editor of Musician from 1982 to 1985, and a staff writer […]
We Know It’s Only Rock N’ Roll But We Like It
Up In Toke: The War On Drugs in clear violation of the smoking ban, Johnny Brenda’s, October 12th, 2006
PBR: Reggie Brown Is NOT Rick James, Bitch!
The biggest source of suck for regional sports networks like the ever-metastasizing Comcast SportsNet franchise is that after the games end, there’s a lot of airtime to fill. There’s only so much pre- and post-game analysis the audience can metabolize before they get the runs. Ditto the newspaper-sponsored round tables where goateed talking heads play devil’s advocate and rehash yesterday’s analysis. What you’re left with is LOTS of paid programming, the occasional CFL grudge match between Hamilton and Calgary and “original” programming like the trainwreck I forced myself to watch last night: CSN’s Monday Night Live. The premise: the likeable, […]
Grumpy Old Men: Christgau Speaks!
Welcome to the first of installment of our Grumpy Old Men series, wherein we learn from our elders and soak up all their salty yarns like a Bounty Quicker-Picker Upper. Because we here at Phawker believe that both the old and the young are largely disenfranchised by the MSM. More for us, we say. This what they call a Talking Dog Story. It’s not so important what the dog said, it’s that he talked at all. Late last month Robert Christgau, the Dean of American Rock Critics, was knocked off his longtime perch at the Village Voice by the hatchet […]