US – Tuesday, March 16
The Grid
The week's releases
Metro staff reviews the latest CDs, DVDs and books for your reading pleasure.
 
My Books
The return from being a ‘Runaway’
Cherie Currie’s name may not be as immediately recognizable as Joan Jett’s, but with this week’s release of “The Runaways” movie —which stars Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning — a new generation is sure to learn at least one thing: Madonna wasn’t the first blond bombshell to don a corset while rocking the mic. Currie did it first.
 
My Books
The return from being a ‘Runaway’
Cherie Currie’s name may not be as immediately recognizable as Joan Jett’s, but with this week’s release of “The Runaways” movie —which stars Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning — a new generation is sure to learn at least one thing: Madonna wasn’t the first blond bombshell to don a corset while rocking the mic. Currie did it first.
 
My Books
When history books really do suck: Old Abe meets the vampires
Although it strikes most people as an usual combination, vampires and Abraham Lincoln seemed like a perfectly natural pairing to “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” author Seth Grahame-Smith.
 
New York Arts
Valerie Harper gets ‘Looped,’ dahling
Tallulah Bankhead was as much of a character as she was an actress. Although she set the screen on fire in such films as Alfred Hitchcock’s “Lifeboat” and garnered rave reviews on Broadway, her scandalous personal life — and her witty take on her indiscretions — made her a legend. Valerie Harper takes on Bankhead in her twilight years in the new Broadway production of “Looped.”
 

Photo: PETE CHECCHIAWhen a group of three is the perfect company
When the Relâche ensemble premiered Philip Glass’ “Persephone” back in 1994, the five-movement work for chamber ensemble and chorus had to make do without the chorus. The composer himself made up in star power what the piece thus lacked in scale, playing the vocal parts on keyboard.
 

Photo: SABRINA BALASSA/COURTESY OF THE PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART
My Spring Arts Guide
When the lights go out
Like many people who have stepped inside the Art Museum, Miho Hatori wants to throw a dance party in its giant, extravagant halls. “We are living in such a modern world, spending a lot of time in front of computers. Simply, I thought I could make people dance,” says the Japanese singer/songwriter/mover/ shaker, who is this Friday’s featured Art After 5 performer. “Forget the technology; we need to be comfortable with our body, which is our hardware.”

 
My Spring Arts Guide
Beyond superheroes: First Person Arts explores the graphic novel as memoir
Almost five years after Hurricane Katrina, there is still something raw, fresh, and shocking in Josh Neufeld’s images of the disaster. And while most of that is due to the devastation of the city, it also speaks to how we’re accustomed to viewing comics.
My Spring Arts Guide
Dancing with a deadline at Miro
There’s a lot going on with the latest offering from Miro Dance Theatre, and you just have to embrace the potentially messy chaos.
 

Photo: COURTESY OF IFC FILMS
Philly Arts
The writing on the new walls of the Barnes
Prior to filming “The Art of the Steal,” their new documentary on the Barnes Foundation’s controversial move from Merion to the Ben Franklin Parkway, filmmakers Don Argott and Sheena Joyce had never set foot inside the famed institution. But the instant they passed through the Barnes’ doors, they realized what all the passion was about.
 
Philly Arts
The life behind the party
Rocking the art world
Going through the motions in a whole new way
‘Tea’ time for Philadelphia
A split screen at Israeli film fest
Celebrating the finest of the fine print
Wigging out: Casual Friday gets a new look
Painting our true colors, from apple pies to missiles
Shake-ing it up from theater to the big screen
When the history isn’t quite naturalTitle
Philly Arts
State of the Arts
Ready for the ‘Floor’: James Baldwin study hits the stage
Where the tattoos aren’t just skin deep
Superheroes get a dose of girl power for new exhibit
Like our history, a house in progress
Icing on the ‘Ace of Cakes’
We all speak Simpson-ese
It’s all work and two plays for local writer
A breath of fresh air in new gallery
Author or lab rat? He’s got both covered
 
 
 
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Music
MMMpod
The March MMMpod features conversation and music from Surfer Blood and The Allman Brothers Band (There's a double-bill you're not too likely to see. However, Gregg Allman does mention Hannah Montana!). We also speak with Vampire Weekend and the Dropkick Murphys.
 
 
 
Metro Life Panel
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