Tom Kim

Entries categorized as ‘Philadelphia’

Wittenberg

March 9, 2008 · No Comments

I just came back from Wittenberg, a play by David Davalos being premiered at the Arden Theater.

This is the marketing synopsis of the play:

Set during late October of 1517, this smart, sprightly and audacious battle of wits features university colleagues Dr. Faustus (a man of appetites), Martin Luther (a man of faith), and their student Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark (a youth struggling not only with his beliefs but also with his tennis game). Playwright David Davalos brings us the story behind the stories in a highly entertaining and accessible exploration of reason versus faith, starring Scott Greer as Faustus and Greg Wood as Luther.

It looked interesting enough for me to go, but I didn’t have particularly high expectations for it. I’ve had bad experiences with first-run productions, and despite the play being billed as a comedy, I was afraid it might be a little high-falutin’ and staid.

Boy was I wrong. It’s an extremely clever and smartly funny piece of work. If anything, it can come off as a little too clever and precious at times, wink-winking every five seconds or so. Nevertheless, I had a really great time and never felt even slightly drowsy over the two hour period.

I was also impressed because I had naturally assumed the playwright had a pretty good understanding of Hamlet and Dr. Faustus, but I was skeptical how deep a knowledge he had of Martin Luther and his theology. I’d have to say, however, that his portrayal of Luther’s apologetics was very fair. I’d encourage all of my friends, both sinners and saints, to go see it and, one might hope, discuss it with one another.

Categories: Dear Diary · Philadelphia · Shakespeare

Exquisite Corpse

September 16, 2007 · No Comments

So I already mentioned the great time I had at Make Philly. I was impressed with the Rube Goldberg challenge they came up with, which was both fun and impressive. It was described as a kind of exquisite corpse, where each team contributed one part of the final machine that was compatible with its adjacent parts. Six teams were each given wooden panels. One corner of the panel had a written “input” instruction, indicating how an object would be received by their part, and an “output” instruction, indicating how they were to then send something to the next part. The team I was in was at the head, so we didn’t have an input, but our output instruction indicated that we were to “throw” something to the next team. So we decided to launch a billiard ball down a ramp and up a little jump into the next panel.

All in all, it worked beautifully, and it was poetic how we started with a billiard ball and ended with a bowling ball. I had to leave before all the tweaks got completely worked out, but here’s a video of the final working run:

There are writing and visual art versions of the exquisite corpse game — something possibly to keep in mind.

Categories: Language Arts · Philadelphia

It Was a Good Day

September 14, 2007 · 1 Comment

Okay, it’s only now that I can catch my breath to report on last weekend — possibly the most jam-packed, enjoyable weekend I’ve had all year.

Warning: This post gloats at how great and charmed my life is right now, so if that will make you hateful, don’t go past this crease.

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Categories: Dear Diary · Philadelphia

Mysterious sculpture at 9th and Walnut?

September 9, 2007 · No Comments

20070823-DSC_0021.jpg

Can anyone tell me anything about this meteor sculpture outside of the hospital across from the Walnut Street Theater? My Google-fu is failing me.

Categories: Philadelphia

Nerd Hard, Play Harder

September 3, 2007 · No Comments

Very very busy week. Labor day — what an aptly described holiday for teachers. I am definitely in labor right now.

Tuesday - Locker Night
Wednesday - Registration Day and Middle School picnic
Wednesday night - a showing of the original John Waters’ Hairspray at Liberties Walk, around 8 pm
Thursday & Friday - first real days of class, special schedule

Friday-Sunday - Podcamp Philly; free to register and attend.
Take the next step in blogging

Saturday - Northern Liberties Fall Music Fest at Liberty Lands (3rd & Wildey)
3:00-10:00 pm, $10 donation, flea market, music, beer
Bands (in no particular order):

  • The Lara and Joe Show
  • The Absolute Zeroes
  • Fuzzbase
  • The Knife and Fork Band
  • Downtown Harvest
  • Hank’s Cadillac
  • Corrado

Sunday - Make:Philly meeting, 3 pm, $5 donation, University of the Arts, 4th floor
I’m really psyched to go to my first Maker meeting, though my subscription to Make magazine has lapsed. Required for your Geek merit badge.

Sunday - Tenth Presbyterian puts its evening service into beta. 6:15 pm.
Get churched. You know you need to.

Monday - Return of Back 2 Basics @ Silk City Diner, $5 before midnight
King Britt celebrates the return of Silk City. Illadelphia: hippit to the hop and you don’t stop.

Categories: Philadelphia · To Do

Isabella

August 31, 2007 · 4 Comments

Went to see Isabella, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure by the Pig Iron Theater Company as part of the Live Arts Fringe Festival. Pig Iron is probably the most esteemed regular of the Fringe Festival, Philadelphia’s performing arts and experimental theater festival, and they’re known for intricate shows that have evolved from physical improvisation. This is, I think, the first time they’ve worked from an established play.

I’ve never see a Pig Iron production before, and I’ve always wanted to — so when I heard they were doing a Shakespeare adaptation, I made sure I bought tickets for Dana and I. Then last night I noticed that the latest podcast from Radio Times was an interview with the director, associate designer, and lead actor of the play. How cool, I thought, and looked forward to listening to the interview on my morning commute.

I nearly fell off my bike laughing this morning when I listened to the podcast and realized that 1) the play was going to be staged as the fantasy of a lonely coroner getting carried away with the corpses in his care and 2) most of the actors were going to be nude…naked. What’s more appropriate here, nude or naked? Necrophilia as comedy — I should have known. Now I’m just waiting to see how Dana will react when she realizes what’s going on. Too awesome.

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Categories: Education · Philadelphia · Shakespeare · To Do

BlogPhiladelphia Panel: The State of Social Media and Thoughts on the Future

July 12, 2007 · 4 Comments

  • Moderator: Joey Sweeney
  • AJ Daulerio
    • Black Table
      • self-promotion
      • no entrepreneurial ambitions
      • promoted by Gawker
        • the key to its popularity: its snarkiness (gossip/tabloid nature)
    • now works in print (Philadelphia Magazine)
  • Emily King
  • Vincent Veneziani
  • Caroline Marks
    • Ziddio
      • promoting independent content producers
        • artists in residence
        • advertising them
  • Neal Stewart
    • Open Source Beer Project
      • communicating the power of blogs to non-bloggers
        • can be mystifying
        • can look underwhelming
        • must constantly make people aware of its effect
      • trying to balance between marketing and content
        • meaningful content
  • General
    • contests
      • barrier to entry (i.e., making contests do something to submit) inversely proportional to number of submissions made
      • balancing the number of submissions generated with the number of views those submissions get

Categories: Philadelphia

BlogPhiladelphia: Unconference Rules

July 12, 2007 · No Comments

I have my Macbook here so I might as well liveblog this BlogPhiladelphia conference.

Josh Hallett: Unconference Rules

  • no tools
    • no assholes
    • no geeking out
  • no generalizations
  • it’s what you make of it
  • session leaders
    • not speakers; the goal is to bring in the hallway conversations
    • bloggers are not necessarily great public speakers
  • it’s free
  • have fun
  • everything is probably being documented

The wikipedia entry on Un-conferences

Categories: Philadelphia

NoLib Lawn Chair Drive-In

June 12, 2007 · No Comments

2007 Liberty Lands Lawnchair Drive-In Schedule

DATE: June19

TIME: Dusk

LOCATION: Liberty Lands Park - 3rd and Wildey

Movie start times are approximate (based on sunset). The movies begin at DUSK. Movies are cancelled on rainy nights.

Tuesday, June 19 , 9:00 p.m. IT

(1927) Silent film star Clara Bow was the charmingly daring role model for a hole generation of Jazz Age flappers. Forever known as The ‘It’ Girl, Bow still electrifies the screen, 80 years later, in this light hearted comedy. Silent, with recorded musical accompaniment.

Tuesday, June 26 9:00 p.m. THE MUMMY

(1932) In honor of King Tut’s visit, we present the first and by far the best mummy movie. Millions spent on special effects in later remakes don’t hold a candle to Boris Karloff in a little make up and a grimly grim grimace. There will be a Tut-alicious BBQ before showtime. Braised Karnak snacks? Bloodless pharaoh brats? Seriously amazing Tut prize to be awarded to the best realized recipe, so bring it on!

Tuesday, July 3 9:00 p.m. THE HORROR OF PARTY BEACH

(1964) Also known as INVASION OF THE ZOMBIES. So bad it’s fab: surrender to the delicious awfulness of a genuinely horrific bottom-of-the-bill groan fest. Atomic monsters, bikinis galore, and lots of rock and roll music by the Del Aires. In a nod to our habit of stretching the July 4th holiday over a whole week, a Zombie Walk will precede the showing, starting at the gravesites of famous Founding Fathers in Old City, and winding its way to Liberty Lands Park. Come dressed as Zombie Ben Franklin, Zombie John Afrika, Zombie Jessica Savitch, Zombie Father Devine, Zombie Ethel Barrymore!

Tuesday, July 10 9:00 p.m. THE IN-LAWS

(1979) Considered by many to be one of the funniest comedies to ever hit the screen, this cult classic stars Alan Arkin and Peter Falk in an angst drenched romp that takes off and never lets go.

Tuesday, July 17 8:45 p.m. THE ATOMIC KID

(1954) Uranium prospector Mickey Rooney is an instant celebrity after accidentally wandering close to an atomic test and living to tell the tale. Mix in Russian spies and peanut butter sandwiches, and you should expect an odd slice of post war Americana in the vein of Francis, The Talking Mule.

Tuesday, July 24 8:45 p.m. THE FABULOUS WORLD OF JULES VERNE

(1958) Czech filmmaker Karl Zeman combines live action and animation into one of the most beautifully crafted and strangely exciting visual adventures of the mid-century era. Yes, we want you to come out and enjoy cool, corny crapola like The Atomic Kid, but make sure you invite friends and family to this gem.

Tuesday, July 31 8:30 p.m. RAINBOW ‘ROUND MY SHOULDER

(1952) A gorgeous Technicolor musical vehicle for the recently departed and much beloved Frankie Laine. Music fans of all kinds should come out just to hear Ol’ Leather Lungs belt out a string of numbers and this’ll be a great opportunity to toast the passing of an old friend.

Tuesday, August 7 8:30 p.m. SON OF KONG

(1933) Yes, Son Of Kong! A worthy, charming sequel to the great King Kong. Rarely seen nowadays, most of the original cast returns to Monster Island and are surprised by the offspring of the late King. Junior is certainly easier to get along with! Same stop animation team breathes life into our oversized distant cousin. Bring the family!

Tuesday, August 14 8:30 p.m. WARGAMES

(1983) Matthew Broderick stars in this film that still defines the computer hacker genre. Nominated for three Oscars, WARGAMES still holds up as a solid teen edge drama. Fans of early 80s computer technology will find much to delight in this film, as well. Pre film music will be provided by 8-BIT technology sound stylists from around the Delaware Valley.

Tuesday, August 21 8:15 p.m. THE KID BROTHER

(1927) Simply one of the greatest silent comedies of all time, this tour de force by Harold Lloyd is a wonderful way to wrap up a great season of The Lawn Chair Drive-In!

Categories: Philadelphia · To Do

Doesn’t look like I’ll get anything done this weekend

April 19, 2007 · No Comments


Just my fancy luck… end of mid-tri which means, for me, grading thirty-six 20-page stories and bibliographies AND one of the most jam-packed Saturdays I’m ever anticipating. What to do? Knowing me, probably none of the above.

10:00 - Liberty Lands Work day

LOCATION: LIBERTY LANDS PARK - 3RD AND WILDEY

Nothin’ like a Nor’easter to make you think about gardening! But the weather will warm up by the end of the week — just in time for our workday on Saturday. We’ll be weeding and spreading woodchips in the areas outside the community garden, by the bakery wall, and in the garden paths. The community gardeners got a lot done at the March workday. . . let’s get more done Saturday! There will be drinks and donuts…please bring a friend or neighbor to pitch in!

Noon - Day 1 of the Philadelphia Book Festival

2:00 & 3:00 - Philadelphia WordPress and Bloggers Meetup at the Ten Spot

5:30 - OMG MF Patti Smith giving a free concert at the Free Library

8:00 - Orianna Hill Beef & Beer Benefit

LOCATION: The Ukranian Club @ 847 N. Franklin Street (between 7th & 8th Streets).

Don’t miss the second annual Friends of Orianna Hill Park Beef & Beer benefit fundraiser THIS Saturday, April 21, 2007 from 8-12pm at The Ukranian Club @ 847 N. Franklin Street (between 7th & 8th Streets).

There will be a live performance by the Northern Liberties Dance Band, as well as tunes by D.J. Captain Mike. Like last year, your $20 gets you a buffet (served at 8:30pm) featuring bottomless beef and vegetarian vittles, bottomless beer donated by YARDS, as well as a silent auction after the Band’s 9pm set. For Tickets: (1) call 215-370-9903 or email beefandbeer@mac.com, (2) buy tickets at the park, starting this Saturday during the workday, and every Sat. (10-12pm) and Sun. (12-2) between 3/31 and 4/15, or (3) ask any Park Board Member (http://www.oriannahill.org/board.html). Support our park!

All proceeds support the park. See you there. If you have any questions, please contact kdiffily@temple.edu or 215-370-9903.

What the hell…I might just wake up Saturday, put on goggles, take a deep breath, and do it all. Anyone willing to dive with me into the fray?

Categories: Philadelphia · To Do