Digital O Festival, ‘Chaos Theory,’ and Love from Philly decorate the weekend

This weekend, it’s gonna be May. And while we’re uncomfortably getting used to this quarantine thing, there’s still plenty to do from your own home. A local Philly theater artist and game designer offers up a night a chaos, the Free Library hosts a talk with author Samantha Irby, and A Novel Idea sustains the inkwell with a trio of digital events.

Stay safe, friends!

Going Viral

Mal-adjusted hosts weekly 10-minute plays—entirely rehearsed and performed virtually—sourced from Philly playwrights. Kicking off every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 7pm on Facebook Live. There’s a Saturday performance, too, drawing episodic comedy based on votes from audience members. Find out more about the show via Facebook.

Samantha Irby’s Wow, No Thank You

The Free Library of Philadelphia is hosting a conversation with Samantha Irby, author of three essay collections, contributor to the TV show Shrill, and owner of the popular bitches gotta eat blog. In her latest essay collection, Irby talks Instagram infographics, being friendzoned by Hollywood, living in a red state, and the discomfort of life as a 40-year-old. The virtual meetup is free and goes live Thursday, April 30 at 7:30pm.

Creature features

If you’re like me and are really wishing you had a pet or two to keep you company during the pandemic, then a virtual encounter from the Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion might be the closest you can get to a new animal friend. Join them every week on Tuesdays and Fridays at 2pm for a behind-the-scenes educational lesson with the Pavilion’s animal keepers. Live links pop up on the Facebook event page.

Gamifying Chaos Theory

I’ve been meaning to check out this show for a minute, but every time it comes around, I’ve got some other obligation that pops up and consumes my time. But now, Chaos Theory, a production from Philly/NYC game designer and immersive theater artist Jessica Creane (you may know her from last year’s Fringe entry Know Thyself), is getting the virtual treatment.

Join fictional scientist Dr. Genevieve Saoch for exploration through interactive games and experiments inspired by the science of chaos theory, Jurassic Park, middle school crushes, and the “butterfly effect to end all butterfly effects: COVID-19.” Get chaotic on Friday, May 1 at 7pm—RSVP online.

Digital Festival O

Opera Philadelphia is kicking off Digital Festival O this Friday, May 1, with the broadcast premiere of 2019’s Denis & Katya. Other operas joining the list include Breaking the Waves, Sky On Swings, The Barber of Seville, and We Shall Not Be Moved (editor’s note: We Shall Not Be Moved wrecked me it was so good and I wrote feverishly for days afterward). Check it out online.

Love from Philly

A virtual music, art, and connection festival is coming this weekend with Love from Philly. On Friday, May 1 through Sunday, May 3, featuring a different theme each day, the digital festival looks to raise awareness and distribute proceeds to Philly entertainment and creative professionals suffering from the hardships caused by the pandemic. The lineup features acts including Marc Brownstein, G. Love, Kurt Vile, Man Man, Schooly D, Dice Raw, Ursula Rucker, Low Cut Connie, and many more—check out the full lineup.

Tarot readings, a book launch, and flash fiction

A Novel Idea on Passyunk is hosting a few digital events this weekend.

On Saturday, May 2 at 8pm, A Novel Idea will host local author Christina Rosso as she debuts She is a Beast, a collection of feminist fairy tales. The live event premieres on YouTube.

For those interested in telling a story but need a spark, check out their flash fiction workshop with local author Stephanie Feldman on Sunday, May 3 at 12pm.

Later on Sunday at 4pm, another edition of Tarot Salon will discuss the scary cards of the tarot. The discussion is casual, so don’t be afraid if you’re new to tarot reading. Sign up and find out more about both events online.

Streams of the Week:

Last week, I started a ‘Film of the Week’ section of the weekend roundup, just to shake things up. Since we’re all inside and getting our streaming on, I figured hey, why not give a regular movie recommendation? Well, I’d like to expand on that and rename it Streams of the Week to include all mediums, not just movies.

Something about spring says punk rock to me. Netflix added The Runaways this month, the 2010 biographical drama about the 1975 all-woman rock band of the same name. Starring Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning, the film was not a box office success. Assess your own reasons and assumptions, but I really needed a movie about women kicking ass and taking names this week.

Thus, I’ve been listening to Spinnerette, an album from the band of the same name. Headed by Brody Dalle of The Distillers, it’s got that heavy, empowering punk feel to it with more of a modern, grown-up alt-rock sound. Think Queens of the Stone Age but actually led by a contemporary queen.

Stream it if you can, and have a very punk rock weekend!