Laser Cats by Doug Larocca

Over four dozen artists have donated their time and creativity to Philadelphia’s largest no-kill shelter: PAWS (Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society).

This past weekend, on Friday, May 10th, a show very near and dear to our little, geeky hearts opened in South Philly: ‘Homeward Bound: A Benefit for PAWS’.

The event was curated by Ryann Casey, and hosted by South Philly vegan cafe, Grindcore House. Showing until July 10th, folks have the opportunity to acquire artwork in various mediums from over fifty local artists (you can see a full list on the Facebook page for the exhibit). All proceeds will be donated to PAWS.

If you don’t leave with a piece of art, perhaps you’ll leave with an idea for a new, furry (canine or feline) friend.

Homeward Bound: A Benefit for PAWS
Shows until Weds., July 10th, 2013.
Grindcore House: 1515 S 4th Street.

Without a doubt, the attendees of the first TEDxTempleU event left a bit more inspired than when they arrived.

Several hundred folks gathered at the Howard Gittis Student Center this past Saturday, April 20th, to watch a series of TED talks, which were independently organized and sponsored by The Temple University Alumni Association and Temple’s College of Science and Technology.

And what good company to be in: the afternoon brought an impressive line up of speakers– from established Temple alumni and staff to a handful of inspiring undergraduates– with engaging messages, new perspectives and innovative ideas.

Also, per usual in TEDx events (independently organized), several short videos from other TED talks were played between presentations via large projection (including a personal favorite,’Dance, tiny robots!‘).

Some highlights of the afternoon line up included:

• Tonia Hsieh’s incredible story of her research on gecko’s toepads (her papers on this topic became the most-cited for the development of a new industry, called ‘biomimetic technology’)
• Two on-stage science experiments in discussions about the water cycle and renewable energy sources– one of which included the speaker putting liquid nitrogen in their mouth to demonstrate the Leidenfrost Effect.

• A highly inspirational lecture by a current undergrad who, after becoming a high school drop out in Korea, came to America to complete his studies and will be attending Harvard for a doctorate in Physics, this coming fall
• And the playing of the human genome on keyboard (!!!) in a demonstration linking gene discovery and music.

Let’s hope there are more TEDxTempleU events coming in the future, to keep inspiring more minds in Philadelphia. Until then, be sure to connect with TEDxTempleU on Facebook and Twitter.

Still from To Space & Back

Geekadelphia was fortunate to attend an advance screening of the all-new FullDome planetarium show, To Space & Back, at the Fels Planetarium.

To Space & Back is the first-ever Franklin Institute-produced FullDome Planetarium show (co-produced by Sky-Skan), and is a stunning experience, both conceptually and in design, as it beautifully visualizes how certain technologies, originally created for advancements in space exploration, have paved the way for dozens of everyday devices in our lives. Within minutes, the audience is seamlessly transported from the inner-workings of the human eye to outer space, through the (surprisingly many) layers of satellites currently orbiting earth.

When asked about the highly collaborative process of co-producing To Space & Back, Derrick H. Pitts, Chief Astronomer and Planetarium Director of the Franklin Institute, stated “My favorite was doing the conceptual development for the storyboard,” as he elaborated on the research and creative process. Pitts also mentioned, in the audience Q&A following the premiere, that he traveled to London to supervise the narration of the movie, which was done by Top Gear‘s James May. (more…)

Spring has sprung at the Wagner Free Institute of Science of Philadelphia, and events, courses and lectures are in full swing.

If you didn’t have a chance to scope out the SNAP (Science, Nature & Art in Philadelphia) exhibit, there’s still plenty of ways to participate in the fun these next few weeks.

Be sure to download the Spring Event Program Schedule and check out Geekadelphia picks, below. (more…)

Calling all cycling enthusiasts: local creative, Raphael Xavier, is premiering a new book, “No Bicycle Parking”, this March– and he wants to hear your stories.

Xavier, the renown hip-hop choreographer and culture photographer, created “No Bicycle Parking” as the culmination of his ongoing, 12-year photography project– which documents 400+ photographs of abandoned and stripped bicycles from across the world.

The book will be premiered in at The Painted Bride Art Center on March 21-22, 2013. On Thursday, March 21st, an opening meet/greet is being held from 5-8pm, where Xavier will be sharing his book– but will focus on feedback, as he seeks the thoughts of local cycling enthusiasts as they view his images of the abandoned bicycles.

For more information, visit the Painted Bride’s official website.

Raphael Xavier’s “No Bicycle Parking” Book Premiere
March 21-22, 12-8pm; Opening meet/greet March 21, 5-8pm

The Painted Bride Art Center
230 Vine Street , Philadelphia, PA 19106

Hark, Geekadelphians– the Philadelphia DoGooder Awards Night is upon us!

For those who are unfamiliar with the concept of the ‘DoGooder’ projects: the DoGooder Awards are part of a national contest, which was created by YouTube (!) to recognize the excellent use of video in the non-profit sector (for short film projects that catalyze social good).

Being the innovative, creative city that we are, it’s no surprise that several Philly organizations– inspired by the original contest– brought a ‘community version’ of the competition to town, packed with a series of local volunteerism events… all of which will be showcased and recognized at the Philadelphia DoGooder Awards, on February 21st.

For details about the DoGooder video projects– such as the Video Hackathon– and peripheral volunteer projects, visit the Philly DoGooder blog. Learn how to win tickets to the fancy closing event by following the conversation on Twitter: #phillydogooder.

Philadelphia DoGooder Awards Night (ceremony and gala)

Thursday, February 21, 2013, 7:00PM – 10:30PM
University of the Arts: Hamilton Hall
320 S. Broad st., Philadelphia, PA 19103

On Saturday, February 9th, Philadelphians can buy more than just train tickets at 30th Street Station. 30 local craftspeople will be setting up shop as vendors within the decorated halls of the bustling thoroughfare for the 30th Street Craft Market.

Between 11am-5pm, browse hand knits, stationery and prints, glassware, woodwork, jewelry, candles and natural bath products by independent artists and makers. The event is part of a continuing craft series presented by the University City District (of Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll and parklet fame) and VIX Emporium of West Philly.

For a list of participating vendors, visit the University City District’s official website.

30th Street Craft Market
Sunday, February 9th: 11am-5pm
30th Street Station (2955 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA

Photo by PPAC

This past October, Philadelphia celebrated its third annual Philly Photo Day project. Hosted by the Philadelphia Photo Arts Center (PPAC), Philly Photo Day challenged locals– anyone with a camera or cameraphone– to take original snapshots across the city limits on October 26th, 2012. The result? An overflow of nearly 1,800 incredible images that form an eclectic-yet-cohesive portrait of Philadelphia.

Join PPAC as they unveil the enormous collection of submitted shots at their gallery opening, December 6th, 6-9pm. Can’t make it? Keep your eyes peeled across town: select images from the project will be showcased on Septa buses/trains and billboards in the month of December.

Wagner Free Institute of Science (WFIS) is hosting their second Weeknights at the Wagner talk of the year– just in time for Halloween.

On Thursday, October 25th, join Dr. Elly Truitt, a Harvard and Cambridge-educated historian who specializes in medieval science and medicine, for an illustrated presentation exploring the occult sciences and natural philosophy in the Middle Ages: The Dark Arts in the Dark Ages: A Halloween Program at the Wagner Free Institute of Science.

Dr. Truitt will discuss a number of legendary figures from medieval history, including Gerbert of Aurillac, said to have created a prophetic head and to have sold his soul to the devil; Gerard of York, a bishop believed to practice necromancy; and Albertus Magnus, a great thinker who was posthumously called a sorcerer.

The pages of medieval history teem with soothsayers, sorcerers, and necromancers who used their knowledge to foretell the future, uncover lost treasure and create animated statues. Were these so-called witches and sorcerers practicing dark arts or were their understandings of science and the natural world misread as magic powers? … uncover the scientific sophistication of the so-called Dark Ages.

When researching this event, I learned Dr. Truitt is totally writing a book on medieval robots! Automata– how cool is that? Don’t miss out on an awesome opportunity to hear her lecture!

Event admission is free and open to the public (like all WFIS evening science courses) with a suggested donations of $10 for adults and $5 for students/seniors. Be sure to stop by early to explore the natural history specimens collection in the Wagner historic building.

For more information, visit the event’s page on the Wagner’s official website.

Wagner Free Institute of Science
1700 West Montgomery Avenue, Philadelphia, PA  19121<
www.wagnerfreeinstitute.org

Philadelphia is home to a boatload of interesting cultural institutions, but one of my favorite is the National Constitution Center in Old City, the first and only nonprofit, nonpartisan institution devoted to the U.S. Constitution.

Located in Independence Mall, this specialized museum is sprinkled with interactive exhibits, films and rare artifacts surrounding the history of arguably our nation’s most important document.

On Monday, September 17th, the Constitution Center is hosting an array of activities in celebration of the Constitution’s 225th anniversary. Admission for the day has been sponsored and is free to the public.

The day is scheduled with all sorts of geeky fun– including a demonstration on iCivics, a web-based civic education project that inspires young people to be active participants in our democracy– by Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, traditional calligraphy demonstrations, hourly game shows on the Separation of Powers and an actual Naturalization ceremony, where visitors will have the opportunity to see immigrants take the Oath of Allegiance to officially become citizens of the United States.

Constitution Day Celebration
Monday, September 17th
9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m

The National Constitution Center
525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19106
www.constitutioncenter.org

(more…)

Image via Moo Noo

Celebrate the warm weather by perusing gallery window-fronts…

First Friday: Friday, May 4th

West Looked East @ Arch Enemy: Gallery ML, the kickstarter-funded body art venue, has opened a sister gallery on Arch Street in Old City. The first show is by local artist Gabe Tiberino. Opening reception 5-10pm.

Philadelphia @ Part Time Studios: New paintings by AJ Rombach. “Since moving here, August 2010, I’ve been struck by the nature of the city: it’s subcultures, it’s layout, it’s people and it’s movements… A body of work largely representational, although not completely, of scenes uniquely Philadelphian’.” Part Time Studios in Fishtown.

Bright Visions @ Bluestone Fine Art Gallery: Opening reception for local artist/ friend of Geekadelphia, Britt Miller. Free event, 5-9pm.

Other artist events and open galleries for May 2012:

Saturday, May 5th events:

Lost Treasures: Screenprints of Photos Taken Under the El: Opening for Ralph Stollenwerk show 6-9pm @ Slingluff Gallery in Fishtown.

TBA @ Art in the Age: a vague ‘First Friday @ AITA’ post was left on their blog calendar… not sure on a formal showing (they had their hands full with the Federal Donuts drinks for your donuts party), but it’s possible that the Warby Parker eyeglasses showroom is still on display?

Plastopia; Visual Works by MooNoo: Opening reception 6-10pm @ Phantom Hand Gallery On South Street.

Send gallery tips to [email protected]

Photograph by Diana Molina

A group of the most fascinating people I have never met are currently scaling the remote crevices of the Copper Canyons on foot, as they have for nearly a thousand years.

The Tarahumara people are considered to be the greatest long-distance runners in the world. They humbly refer to themselves as “Rarámuri”– the Uto-Aztecan term for “foot runner”– and running has been their primary mode of transportation through their home, the Sierra Madre mountain range, for generations pre-dating the conquistadors invasions.

The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology is bringing a rare glimpse into the lives of these reclusive super-athletes to Philadelphia through their newest exhibition, Run! Super-Athletes of the Sierra Madre. The folks at Penn have curated an excellent combination of visual and tactile displays, including a full gallery by photo-journalist Diana Molina, and a collection of ancient artifacts by Dr. Carl Lumholtz, a Norwegian ethnologist who lived among the Rarámuri in the 1890s.

In conjunction with the exhibition opening, the Penn Museum’s Annual Petersen Lecture will be given by renowned local author, Christopher McDougall, who wrote about his personal experiences, interactions and friendships with the Tarahumara people in his best-selling adventure memoir, Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen.

Geekadelphia was fortunate to have a quick chat with Christopher McDougall about his experiences with the Tarahumara people. Learn more and see event details. (more…)