METROPOLARITY

ArtHaus at The Black Box @ Underground Arts
2014-01-17 20:00 (America/New_York) | Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States
This month’s art exhibition:
John Fitzpatrick [Cellar Door | http://theJOHNF.com/]
Steve Shorts [CoSM]
Brandon Spangler [Clouds For Sale | http://bibble.deviantart.com/]
Marc Tous [New JAAG | https://marctous.see.me/]
Live painting by Hekkate [http://hekkate.tumblr.com/]
Live body painting by Yenna Hill
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Live music at midnight from Philly’s own one-woman analogue synth-pop artist Void Vision [http://voidvision.bandcamp.com/]
Music of all kinds all night by DJ’s:
Lazerfeet [Psy.Fi]
Samwas [Psy.Fi | FML | https://soundcloud.com/allthatis]
John Morrison [https://soundcloud.com/john-the-liberator]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Vendors:
Rockers Closet [http://www.rockerscloset.com/]
—————————————————————
$10 | 21+ w/ ID | 8:00 PM – 2 AM | 1200 Callowhill Street
Presented by Psy.Fi [http://psyfi-dimension.com/]
Check out footage of the previous ArtHaus: http://vimeo.com/79946895
[Videoraphy by Mangig Productions]

Annie Mok debuts SCREENTESTS w/the crew
2014-01-17 19:00 - 23:00 | Vox Populi, 319 N. 11th St, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, United States
West Philly-based cartoonist Annie Mok reads from Screentests, her most fully-realized work to date. Annie’s comics are by turns quiet, raucous, funny, and sad, and always clear-eyed and nuanced.
“These stories, which could be incredibly heartbreaking with no relief, instead give the reader hope.” – Mey Rude, Autostraddle
She’s joined by the incredible creators Ras Mashramani (metropolarity.net), R.Phillips (AfroFuturistAffair.com), and Alex*Laser Life (theafterv3rse.tumblr.com), of the Philly-based queer sci-fi crew Metropolarity; O. Horvath (Spurt of Blood), “hysterical cartoonist / pvd”; and Khristina Acosta of the Philly/NJ-based PoC-only zine distro No Shame Distro (facebook.com/noshamedistro), reading from her zine The Birthday Party.
A Q&A and signing will follow the readings.
Annie’s work can be found at www.cargocollective.com/heyanniemok, http://heyanniemok.tumblr.com, and @HeyAnnieMok on twitter.
Please note that some stories read at the event may be triggering.

THE SPECULATIVE ABYSS: A spec-fic reading with Elwin Cotman & Alex Smith
2014-01-08 18:00 - 20:00 | A-Space Anarchist Community Center, 47th and Baltimore Avenues, Philadelphia, PA, 19143, United States
ELWIN COTMAN‘s work evokes the strangeness simmering underneath the floorboards of New Orleans speakeasys; the sort of melancholy soaked into the floorboards of a Carolina porch in misty May. Weaving through the murkier, funnier parts of American dreams, stopping right at the horizon of nightmare and flat-out hilarious, Cotman delivers a well needed shock to both the orthodoxy of African-American letters and to staid genre fiction at large. To say that A-Space and Laser Life are stoked beyond all hell for the opportunity to read with the brother is quite an understatement. We are prepared for the psycho-subconscious journey of this budding master mythmaker; gear up and join us.
http://www.lookmanoagent.blogspot.com/
ALEX SMITH is shedding his Laser Life sci-fi cocoon for an evening of lucidity. Or is he? Sure, bring your wine and cheese for this auspicious gala, served on your finest crystal; they won’t be broken and discarded, rent to shards and used as weapons against the establishment. Trust us, it’s not that kind of party. Reading from his long-awaited poetry chapbook (snicker) “Gang Stalk Oprah”, Smith promises a serene, intellectually tantalizing experience. Riiiighht.
http://theafterv3rse.tumblr.com/

Emergent Strategies: Spec Fic & Radical Organizing with Adrienne Maree Brown
2013-12-08 13:30 - 15:30
Join Leeway Foundation on December 8 to welcome writer and cultural organizer Adrienne Maree Brown for a lively conversation inspired by the work of visionary, post-apocalyptic, science-fiction author Octavia Butler. This discussion will explore the visionary qualities of science/speculative fiction with radical community organizing practice using Butler’s work.
Butler’s writing in The Parable series and other works instigates and provokes new thinking about how we can bring into being the kind of society that we want and expands what we might imagine. Through her protagonists, Butler illustrated adaptive, intuitive, shared leadership in practice. This recurrent theme, dubbed “Emergent Strategy,” will be a key focus of the afternoon’s discussion.
The event is free, but you must RSVP at http://leewayemergent.eventbrite.com/
About Adrienne
Adrienne is a 2013 Kresge Literary Arts Fellow writing science fiction in Detroit. She is co-editor, with poet/activist Walidah Imarisha, of the forthcoming anthology Octavia’s Brood: Science Fiction Stories from Social Justice Movements She has helped to launch the Octavia Butler and Emergent Strategy Reading Network for people interested in reading Octavia’s work from a political and strategic framework, and is building with the Octavia Butler Legacy Network on other ways of extending Butler’s work.
This workshop is presented in partnership with the following organizations: The AfroFuturist Affair, Apiary Magazine, ART SANCTUARY, Blackprint, Bread & Roses Community Fund, GriotWorks, Media Mobilizing Project, Metropolarity, Myth Media Studios, Thread Makes Blanket, and Training for Change.

Philly Feminist Zine Fest
2013-11-23 12:00 - 17:00 | William Way LGBTQ Community Center, 1315 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States
Philly Feminist Zine Fest is:
– a fundraiser for Project Safe!
– an event about amplifying the voices of female-identified people!
– a really good opportunity to learn things at skillshares and workshops!
– a fun fest about reading zines, celebrating community and making new friends!

POC Zine Project Benefit
2013-11-16 19:00 - 23:00

The AfroFuturist Affair 3rd Annual Costume & Charity Ball
2013-11-09 20:00 | MythMedia Studios, Philadelphia, United States
The AfroFuturist Affair is throwing our 3rd Annual Charity & Costume Ball: Dark Phase Space on November 9, 2013 at MythMedia Studios in Philadelphia! At the annual Ball we celebrate and bring awareness to AfroFuturistic culture with feature artists, authors, and performers who will present works and creations that use Afrofuturism and Sci-Fi as vehicles for expression, education, agency, and liberation. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Futurist Fund, a community grant dedicated to serving the needs of an underserved or marginalized member of the community.
We need your support to throw the Ball and fund our community grant!

The AfroFuturist Affair is a community formed in Philadelphia in 2011 to celebrate, strengthen, and promote Afrofuturistic and Black sci-fi culture through creative events, community workshops, blogging, and creative writing. All proceeds from our events are used to fund the Futurist Fund Community Grant. The AfroFuturist Affair is also a founding member of Metropolarity.net, a 215 Speculative Fiction Collective.

The Futurist Fund is a community, need-based grant established to provide a small amount of financial assistance to those in the community with an immediate and demonstrated need, and without other available funds or resources to meet that need. The Futurist Fund grant is awarded by The AfroFuturist Affair each year, with grant funds raised from non-tax deductible donations made through creative Afrofuturistic events held year round by the organization and other collaborative partners.
Since we started giving out the grant in November 2012, we have assisted a mother with past due bills after tragic deaths in the family, a young mother with severe health issues, and an individual in need of assistance with moving costs. We have also used the funds to provide sponsorship and community partnerships to a number of community events, including Psychic Windows Gallery with artist Joshua Mays at Sanctuary Wholistic Arts, the Philly Premiere of The Triptych with AfroPunk and MythMedia Studios, and Rockers! 3rd Annual BBQ Weekend.
The Annual Ball provides a platform for artists, authors, musicians, visionaries, and performers of color who purposely create with science fiction and afrofuturistic themes and mediums. Artists who feature at the AfroFuturist Affair Carity & Costume Ball are diverse in their theories, topics, and modes of expression, but all of their work embody common afrofuturistic elements – paying homage to our histories, commenting on our present state, and envisioning our futures as people of color. Some of our past guests and sponsors have included:

Dja Dja N. Medjay, author of the science fiction novel, Renpet
Bill Campbell , author of Sunshine Patriots and Koontown Killing Kaper
Nicole D. Sconiers, author of a collection of speculative fiction short stories, Escape from Beckyville: Tales of Race, Hair, and Rage
Napoleon Dolemite and the Signifying Monks

Visual Artist Lorna Williams
Intuitive Expressions
PSL Presidential Candidate of the US Peta Lindsay
Artists Rell Stylez of S.W.A.G
Designer Nit Ra Sit
DJ John Morrison The Alien Architect

Philadelphia Printworks feyasterling inc. The Black Tribbles
Black Sci-Fi.com
Blu Dahlia

Funds also help to support other activities and endeavors of the organization, including our tumblr blog which promotes and supports Afrofuturistic culture, practice, and events around the diaspora, our free community workshops, and critical, creative writing on Black scifi and Afrofuturistic phenomenon.
You can see photos from our past Balls from 2011 and 2012.
Here is an interview with the Creative Director of The AfroFuturist Affair at a promotional event from the very first Ball in 2011:

Other Ways You Can Help

All donations are greatly
appreciated, but we understand that not everyone has the means to monetarily support. Your support by sharing this campaign on your social networking
sites is truly invaluable! We will also try to set up some sort of digital gift
for most shares, such as a .pdf of The AfroFuturist Affair mini-zine.
If you are interested in sponsoring, vending, or volunteering at the 2013 Charity & Costume Ball, please submit an email to afrofuturistaffair@gmail.com. To share your ideas, talents, and proposed performances for inclusion in this year’s Charity & Costume Ball, please email afrofuturistaffair@gmail.com by September 30, 2013.

More About The AfroFuturist Affair

The AfroFuturist Affair engages the community by cultivating a vehicle through which people can push beyond the confines of the mainstream narratives and stereotypes that have marginalized their interests, experiences, and their very existences and allows them to continue developing their identities in a comfortable and safe space with people of like minds. The project also provides a space for individuals of color with similar experiences and interests in Afrofuturism, fantasy, science-fiction, and speculative fiction to collaborate on a project that promotes and encourages their art and philosophies as connected with these themes. In the sense that Afrofuturism and speculative fiction is a medium for social commentary and a lens through which communities can shape evaluate or shape their futures, the project provides the space not only for further dialogue around these ideas, but for actual, practical implementation of these ideas as they serve social progress.

PhilCon 2013
2013-11-08 08:00 - 2013-11-10 17:00 | Crown Plaza Hotel, Cherry Hill, NJ, United States
we may be tabling . . .
The 77th anniversary of the world’s first and longest-running conference on science fiction, fantasy, and horror!
Started in 1936, Philcon features cutting-edge programming about literature, art, television, film, anime, comics, science, gaming, costuming and cosplay, music, and other topics of interest to fans of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror. We will also have many other attractions, such as our awesome Art Show and Auction; a Vendors’ Room full of unique merchandise; a full slate of Children’s/Family programming; our Writer’s Workshop (featuring professional authors and editors); Concerts; the Time Traveler’s Masquerade Ball, our Masquerade/Costume Competition, and more!

Return to Octavia City
2013-11-07 20:00 - 23:00 | GTOWNRADIO, 24 Maplewood Mall, Philadelphia, PA, 19144, United States
Black Tribbles and The AfroFuturist Affair present
OCTAVIA CITY 2
Thursday November 7th 8-11pm
LIVE BROADCAST on G-town Radio
www.GTOWNRADIO.com
Co-hosted by The Black Tribbles and Rasheedah Phillips of The AfroFuturist Affair. Special Guest Host Gabriel Bryant of Stepping Into Tomorrow.
Musical soundscape provided by Shawanda Aura Spivey aka the one and only DJ AURA.
CALLING ALL AUTHORS….
Inspired by Hugo and Nebula Award winning author, the late Octavia Butler, OCTAVIA CITY presents original tales of Afrofuturism, science fiction fused with perspectives born from the African diaspora.
You are invited to submit your original story to be read aloud during this special broadcast by yourself (if available) or a local professional storyteller. Stories should time out no longer than 10 minutes. One submission per author. No pornographic or offensive material will be accepted.
Submissions should be emailed to OCTAVIACITY@gmail.com
SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE BY FRIDAY OCTOBER 25.
Authors selected for our April event are WELCOME to submit. HEY, RORIE!!!
We look forward to seeing you on the radio – GTOWN RADIO The Sound from Germantown!
Promo flyer illustration – ‘JAGUAR WRIGHT’ by Len ‘Cruze’ Webb aka BatTribble of Black Tribbles

Philly Printworks House Party w/ The AfroFuturist Affair
2013-10-18 22:00 | House of Future Sciences, 3213 TURNER ST, Philadelphia, PA, 19121, United States
COME CELEBRATE THE LAUNCH OF PHILADELPHIA PRINTWORKS’ FALL COLLECTION!
FRI OCT 18TH | 10P-2A | FREE
DJ OLUWAFEMI + LIVE SCREEN PRINTING FROM RECLAIM PRINT
HOUSE OF FUTURE SCIENCES
3213 TURNER ST
PHILADELPHIA PA 19121
SPONSORED IN PART BY THE AFROFUTURIST AFFAIR
____________________________________________
PPW: Philadelphia Printworks
THE AFROFUTURIST AFFAIR: The AfroFuturist Affair
RECLAIM: Reclaim Printshop
DJ FEMSTAR: http://mrfemstar.podomatic.com/

Philly Zine Fest 2013
2013-10-12 12:00 - 23:00 | The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States
“The Fest showcases local artists and zinesters, as well as zine distros, bringing DIY, radical, whimsical, and artistic small press publications to the public. Ranging from bike repair to poetry to crafts, the Zine Fest is a great place to go to learn new things, connect with local writers, and get involved with creating new forms of accessible media.”
This is the 11th annual Philly Zine Fest. This year it will be extending its hours and include evening performances.
Metropolarity will be tabling and performing. Aw shucks.

SCREAMING QUEENS + EX. BY V. + ALEX SMITH + VOYAGER + HEATHER HOLEPUNCHER
2013-10-04 20:00 | LAVA zone, 4134 Lancaster Ave, Philadelphia, 19104, United States
Screaming Queens (Vancouver)
S/T – Psychedelia by Screaming Queens
ex. by v.
shifted red by EX. By V.
Alex Smith
Smith is a queer black activist, poet, dj, actor, musician, afro punk/afro-futurist chronicler of the naughty universe. Smith’s work speaks to the edge, to the post-fringe dystopia slowly creeping upon us. Too cantankerous and flamboyant for the Saul Williams wanna-be/def poetry set, too tribal for academia, Smith paints viral inscriptions for an audience of armed pixie insurrectionists. He is the founder and curator of the queer-empowered Laser Life sci-fi reading series. Alex’s short story collection, “Gang Stalk Oprah“, with its lines hashed like an SAT-word injected SEPTA bus graffiti, will kidnap you, convert you, shoot you in the leg and then set you free.
Voyager
http://sssybtch.wordpress.com/
Heather Holepuncher
flyer design: negatecity.tumblr.com
all ages
5$ (no one turned away for lack of funds)
see you soon!!

The Laser Life Queer Sci-Fi Reading Series
2013-09-27 19:00 - 21:00 | A-Space Anarchist Community Center, 47th and Baltimore Avenues, Philadelphia, PA, 19143, United States
Triumphant return for fall!! The lifeblood!
with the crew
Alex Smith
Shane Jenkins
R. Phillips of the AfroFuturist Affair
Ras Mashramani
Maggie Eighteen
and featured readers
Katie Zall
+ 1 more TBA

100 Days Instead of Prisons Video Premier & Launch Party
2013-09-24 18:00 - 20:30 | PhillyCAM, 699 Ranstead Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19106, United States
THE ART FACTORY & DECARCERATE PA PRESENT:
Come one, come all to PhillyCAM and join us for the Premier of our 3 Stop Motion Animation Videos that we collaborated with Decarcerate PA as well as the kick off for the 100 Days Instead of Prisons Launch Party.
Our Videos Are:
~EVOLUTION OF PRISON: THE BACKGROUND FOR DECARCERATE PA
~WHAT WE WANT: THE PLATFORM OF DECARCERATE PA
~PLASTIC UPRISING: THE WORK OF DECARCERATE PA
ALSO THERE WILL BE……
Performances
Food
Speakers from Decarcerate
Art-making for the 100 days campaign
This summer, we collaborated with Decarcerate PA and PhillyCAM for six weeks to make three short stop-motion videos to help people realize the grand actuality of the Prison Industrial Complex. PhillyCAM was gracious enough to let us use their equipment and their space while we planned, filmed, recorded and edited the 3 videos. Decarcerate PA helped us clear up the clouds by telling us more about what they do as well as the political and community results and consequences of mass incarceration. We hope that these pieces will shed light on the current situation, and inspire people to join the movement to stop the prison industry and reinvest in the community.

NORTHERN LIBERTIES // ASTICKANDASTONE // FOREST KINGDOM // LONG VERA // EIGHTEEN // SEAN GLASS // VOYAGER
2013-09-21 19:00 - 22:00 | LAVA zone, 4134 Lancaster Ave, Philadelphia, 19104, United States
–> BANDS:
NORTHERN LIBERTIES
“Dissonant riff-heavy freakouts…sullen gloom…melodic marches…spacey, psychedelic angular avant-punk…cosmic effects tripouts…bizarre feverdream lyrics…zoned-out vocals.” -Crucial Blast
A STICK AND A STONE
“… a haunting, dark long night…back and forth mixed emotions…powerful sex…pancakes…” -Spice Rack
* Night Vision Vinyl Release and Art Show + One year anniversary with drummer Dan + LAST SHOW before 8 month hiatus!
FOREST KINGDOM
“electro-punk-techno-metal”
* LAST SHOW for awhile with Joshua and Corey + Kickoff show before 2 month tour!
LONG VERA
“An unclassifiable melange of minimalism and metal-folk, unfolding as a deeply internal confession.”
*Short solo set with Widow all the way from NOLA! Don’t come late and miss it!
–> BETWEEN BANDS:
EIGHTEEN OF METROPOLARITY
Reading tales of dystopian heartbreak & cyborg tenderness
SEAN GLASS
Performance artist Mega-Fuck extraordinaire!
…all of this will be woven together by our fabulous host: + VOYAGER + (not to be confused with Ruby L.L.!)
*SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 21ST, 7PM, 4134 LANCASTER AVE*
*$5 suggested donations will be accepted to pay for a PA and to support LAVA SPACE and the hard work of all these independent artists!*

A Different World Dance Party Fashion Show
2013-09-20 22:00 | The Peacehouse, 1320 N. Taney Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19125, United States
The Peace House Creative Space & Rockers Closet present
A Different World,
A Dance Party/Fashion Show
in Celebration of Philly Fashion Week 2013,
“Fashion Redefined”
FRIDAY Sept 20 2013
10p-3a
@ The Peace House Creative Space
1320 N Taney St (near 27th & Thompson)
FREE for Ladies before Midnight
$5 for Gentlemen All Night
Dance Party
DJ Aura & DJ Heat Her
Afro-Futurist Inspired Fashion Show staring
Rockers Closet (styled by AfroFuturist Affair)
feyasterling inc.
& More Designers to be Announced…
Hookah
Drink Specials
Body Painting
Rockers Closet Pop Up Shop
& Dance Grooves
Fashion Redefined.
Supported by
Peace House Creative Space
Rockers Closet
AfroFuturist Affair
feyasterling inc.

Come as Your Madness! A Smut Reading
2013-09-20 20:00 | Little Berlin, 2430 Coral Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19125, United States
A smut reading catering to your hidden desires and derangement!
Performances by authors from Metropolarity, The Apiary Corp., and The Dream Oven
Open erotica reading: bring your fantasies & realities
Flagrant gender performance greatly encouraged & appreciated.
Weird & tantalizing dance party to follow

North Philly Community Radio Fundraising Party
2013-09-14 22:00 | Peace Spot, 1652 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
On the evening of Saturday, September 14th, The Hip Hop Party for the People will be throwing a fundraiser in order to build a Community Radio Station in North Philly!
The fundraiser will be hosted by S.Frosty and will feature guest performances by some of the city’s brightest talent as well as music by DJ John Morrison.
The cover is only $5 per guest, and proceeds will go directly toward building a truly independent, community controlled broadcasting voice that serves the people!
There is also a crowd-funding website where you can contribute to the project: http://tinyurl.com/pcdqqms

Fargo-Moorehead Zine Fest
2013-09-07 10:00 - 17:00 | UU Church, 121 9th St S, Fargo, ND, 58103, United States
Enjoy zine sales, a zine tutorial, music by Spring Ma and QUESE IMC. QUESE will also speak about Idle No More and solidarity. Ras. Mashramani and Maggie Eighteen of the science fiction collective METROPOLARITY will be speaking and facilitating a workshop.
FMZF is honored to present a screening of the movie Rez with a Q & A with member/s of the cast and crew after.
FMZF will continue to offer community building events in the meantime.
Fargo-Moorhead Zine Fest was created with the goal of educating people of all ages about zines. In addition to being just plain awesome to read and make, zines have enormous potential for self-empowerment, raising self-esteem, healthy self-expression, and promoting literacy.
Zines are an inexpensive and easily distributable way to express ideas, showcase art or photography, or invite discussion on a topic. Zines have been around in various forms since the invention of the printing press. FMZF was founded by Joyce Hatton, Midwest Coordinator of the POC Zine Project.

FLY LIFE: HOUSE MUSIC HOUSE PARTY
2013-08-31 22:00 | A R K, 5008 Beaumont Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19143, United States
Studio 45 and Element 33 collaborate to bring you the body music, the soul movement, the electrolysis of the universe. IT’S HOUSE MUSIC YA’LL! ALL NIGHT funk, disco, house, electro and funky tech beats from deep to disco to tribal to garage to stepz… Can you feel it? It’s the return of FLY LIFE.
with our DJs
John Morrison :: The cosmic spacecowboy
DuiJi Mshinda :: 13 Deep house connoisseur
Alex Smith :: the imperial beat jacker
and our host
Icon Ebony-Fierce
…bringing together all the sounds that make up HOUSE…
THIS IS A PARTY! Let’s leave pretension and attitude at the door, get your back up off the wall and DANCE!
This is a queer empowered DISCO JAMMY JAM! Bros fall back! Respect the lgbtq space and let’s just dance, cool?
cover
$3-$9823423,54354332∆ sliding scale
In collaboration with METROPOLARITY
[FACEBOOK RSVP]

SPACE_DOME :: A NIGHT OF COSMIC ART
2013-08-10 19:00 - 22:00 | 40th Street AIR Space, 4007 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States
FACEBOOK RSVP HERE

::A NIGHT OF COSMIC ART::
>>Plastic Fantastic invites the beautiful world people, Philadelphia. Geodesic dome houses wonder including artist, creative, inspirational. Projectors Light Music, telling the stories of Life political, emotional, universal. Enjoy your time here and Celebrate!<<
>>08.10.2013<<
>>08:00PM<<
>>40th Street AIRSPACE<<
>>FREE<<
>>ALL AGES<<
Featuring performances by:
GhettoSongbird
https://www.facebook.com/The.Official.GhettoSongBird
Umer Piracha
https://www.facebook.com/umerpiracha
Metropolarity
http://metropolarity.net/
Dave Marley
http://overcompensation.net/
Dan Pasternack
http://neverforgetradio.bandcamp.com/
Blown Away
http://www.blown-away.net/
————————–————————
http://you-are.blown-away.net/

trouble: queer writers reading
2013-08-03 16:00 - 18:00 | Wooden Shoe Books & Records, 704 South Street, Philadelphia, 19147, United States
PART OF THE PHREAK N QUEER ARTS FESTIVAL COMES TROUBLE: QUEER WRITERS READING
featuring:
Alex Smith & Crew from Metropolarity
Tim Trace Peterson
(co-editor of Troubling the Line: Trans and Genderqueer Poetry and Poetics)
Che Gossett
Patrick Lucy
hosted by Marion Bell
part of Phreak N’ Queer Arts & Music Festival 2013
donations suggested, absolutely no one turned away for lack of funds
see you there!

WINE + SPIRIT + MIND II with the Afrofuturist Affair
2013-07-28 16:00 - 21:00 | Sanctuary Wholistic Art Gallery, 2737 Cambridge Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
The AfroFuturist Affair and Sanctuary Wholistic Arts Presents
Wine, Spirit, & Mind II
An Evening of Exploration and Examination of
the Inner and Outer Reaches of the Multiverse
Please join us for an evening of theory and practice surrounding ancient ^ New Age modes of seeing into alternate dimensions of time.
Discussions, practices, and presentations will spiral around art | science | astrology | metaphysics | mythology | astronomy | dreams. Round off the discussion with a mutli-sensory wine & dessert tasting.
Readings by:
Misty Sol
Charlyn Magdaline
Featured Visual Artists:
N3, Founder of Minkless Red Jewlery
Toni Starr
Nebulous Flair
Featured Futuristic Soundscapes:
Moor Mother Goddess
Featured Presenters:
Good Karma ProperTeas
The AfroFuturist Affair
Wine Tasting By:
Sheena of The Baptist Preachers
Dessert Tasting:
N3
Admission: Suggested donation* of $5-10+ (wine + dessert + group reading included)
Personal readings and other services: $5+
*Proceeds benefit The Futurist Fund Community
Supported by Community Organizations:
MythMedia:21
Metropolarity.net
GET TICKETS

3rd Annual ROCKERS BBQ day #3: Workshop & Zine Fest
2013-07-21 14:00 - 22:00 | House of Hayes, 1822 N Hancock St, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, United States
2PM -4PM: WORKSHOPS
-YOGA WITH THE HOUSE OF HAYES
-CAPOEIRA WITH LOBO MA
-STOP-MOTION DIY STORIES WITH HOMEGROWN.ORG
-CIRQUE MANIKK
-QUANTUM TIME CAPSULE – [RSVP@afrofuturistaffair@gmail]
-SCREEN PRINTING & PATCH MAKING WITH PHILLYPRINTWORKS
4PM -6PM: POP UP MOVIES & BBQ & ZINE FEST
POP UP MOVIE: SPACE IS THE PLACE
PRESENTED BY MYTHMEDIA21 & LIBERATION MOVIE NIGHT
BBQ PRESENTED BY MMGZ
ZINE FEST FEATURING
-HOUSE OF HAYES
-METROPOLARITY
-ROCKERS
-MOORMOTHERGODDESS

6PM -10ISH: THE SHOW/LIVE PERFORMANCES
FEATURING
THE COOLOTS
SLAPDASH SOUNDSYSTEM
NEWSOF YOUR DEPARTURE: http://newsofyourdeparture.bandcamp.com/
DAQUAN MOTLEY
GIRLS DRESSED AS GIRLS
AND SPECIAL GUEST TBA

ROCKERS CLOSET POP UP SHOP
PHILLY PRINTWORKS POP UP SHOP
PROJECTIONS BY SARAH KIM (PHILLYPRINTWORKS INTERN)

RADAR+++
2013-05-11 19:00 - 22:00 | Locust Moon Comics, 34 South 40th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States
Alex Smith’s newest: SCI-FI/GENRE FICTION READING AT LOCUST MOON COMICS!
Working in the medium of comics, there’s generally two sides. First, the vibrant art that allows for immediate, tangible recognition and expression of ideas. the absolute essential element that makes sequential art become “comics” is how it’s drawn. It’s a visual medium and we are ecstatic about that!
But secondly, there’s also the writing. At a comic book convention, no one stands in line to pay $100 for Grant Morisson or Neil Gaiman to write them a couple paragraphs of Batman fanfic. No, the writing in comics is secondary, even though without its best practicioners, comics as a viable expressive medium would have floundered a long time ago.
So, the idea occurs that both mediums should be integrated at comic book gatherings. But how? It’s easy for an artist to show a fan, potential publisher, or retailer a few panels or pin ups of their art. It can be felt in the three seconds it takes the viewer to simply view the art. We get it. But again, for writers, simply saying, “I can write” isn’t enough, yet no one wants to spend precious minutes at a convention reading someone’s story they’ve typed and printed out or posted to their iPAD (I know from experience..ugh.) Thus, I propose a reading! It’s quite simple: Writers bring one of their best pieces of fiction, walk up to the stage, and read to the audience, captivating them in the same manner as an artist would: with a visceral, permeable rendering of their words.

Our reading, titled RADAR+++, would allow for writers in the sci-fi, super hero, action, crime, spy, fantasy, horror genres to present their work, much like a poetry reading. There’s a proven audience for this, if recent attendance and participation in the Laser Life sci fi readings and the Afro-Futurist Affair gatherings are proof.
Format:
Each reader signs up beforehand, preferably online, after submitting a portion of their piece. We want this to be entertaining and a showcase for talent. Then we allot ten minutes reading time for each participant. This event should last two hours (the length of a good movie), and while that may seem like a long time, it really goes by fairly quickly.
So let us know if you’re down to read for us!

The Laser Life
2013-04-26 19:00 - 21:00 | A-Space Anarchist Community Center, 47th and Baltimore Avenues, Philadelphia, PA, 19143, United States
Queer empowered speculative fiction reading series.
THE LASER LIFE is near and dear to our hearts. You’ll know why once you attend.
This episode the whole crew will be reading, plus Paul Walker of SGNLS.
See some info about past Laser Life readings here or peep videos from previous readings here.
FACEBOOK RSVP

Octavia City
2013-04-25 20:00 - 23:00 | GTOWNRADIO, 24 Maplewood Mall, Philadelphia, PA, 19144, United States
Black Tribbles and Stepping Into Tomorrow present
OCTAVIA CITY, original tales of Afrofuturism,
w/special guest Rasheedah Phillips of The AfroFuturist Affair!
Thursday April 25 8-11pm
LIVE BROADCAST on G-town Radio
Co-hosted by The Black Tribbles and Gabriel Bryant of Stepping Into Tomorrow.
We are turning over 3 hours of airtime for original Afrofuturistic storytelling! Inspired by the work of the legendary author Octavia Butler, OCTAVIA CITY is the first in a series of yearlong celebration of Afrofuturism storytelling.
WANT TO BE INVOLVED?
The details are simple. Story submissions are due by Thursday April 18th. They can be emailed in DOC or PDF format to blacktribbles@gmail.com.
We are looking for writers of original short tales with an Afrofuturistic theme who would like the opportunity to a) read their story to the audience live on air or b) have it read by a professional actor (please indicate your preference with your submission). We ask that the tales time out no longer than 12 minutes in length and do not contain graphic sexual imagery.
There is no cap on the number of stories we’re accepting. Depending on audience response, this will be a recurring event on our show. However only those selected for this upcoming broadcast will be contacted regarding their entries.
Feel free to share the information with anyone you believe would be interested in participating in the event.
Promo flyer illustration – ‘PACIFICS’ by Mattahan http://mattahan.deviantart.com/

Space Ratchet Speculative House Party Jawn
2013-04-13 22:00 - 2013-04-14 02:00 | ROOM OF SPIRIT & TIME, 3213 Turner Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19121, United States
WE HAVIN A HOUSE PARTY FUNDRAISER TYPE JAWN
PHOTOBOOTH w/LATEST FRACTAL-EDGE AUGMENTED SPX TECHNOLOGIES
ROOM OF SPIRIT & TIME LOUNGE
CELEBRATION OF THE SUN RETURN OF METROPOLARITY MEMBER R.PHILLIPS
PUBLIC RELEASE OF SE:1 EP:1 METROPOLARITY ZINE
BLACK LIGHT :: STROBE LIGHT
SPACE PUNCH (U-IN-THE-FACE)
SOUND TECHNIQUES W/ OUR OWN DJ ALEXX & SPECIAL GUEST DJ JOHN MORRISON
BASS BANGERS FUTURE FUNK TRAP SHIT BROKEN-BEAT TWERK ANTHEMS DETROIT TECHNO WHATEVER WHATEVER WHATEVER
BRING YOUR PROSTHETIC BODY PARTS
BRING YOUR CRYSTALS
BRING FIVE ($5) BUCKS
ONLY WEIRDOS
ONLY FREAKS
ONLY SKANKS
ONLY SPACERS
ONLY OANKALI
ONLY WITCHES
ONLY ANARRESTI
ONLY GIFS
ONLY FREMEN
ONLY GLITCHES
ONLY CYBORGS
ONLY SAIYANS
ONLY ONLY ONLY
OFFICIAL BUSINESS. YOUR PRESENCE IS REQUESTED.

Imogen Binnie's NEVADA Book Tour Reading
2013-04-03 19:00 - 21:00 | A-Space Anarchist Community Center, 47th and Baltimore Avenues, Philadelphia, 19143, United States
RAS MASHRAMANI
ALEX SMITH
MAGGIE EIGHTEEN
WILL BE READING WITH RED DURKIN
AND
IMOGEN BINNIE
AS SHE TOURS THE COUNTRY WITH HER NEW BOOK, NEVADA, FROM TOPSIDE PRESS

BETTER DETAILS SOON

ZINE-A-THON with Roots & River Philly + Femme Dreamboat
2013-03-17 16:00 - 21:00 | Wooden Shoe Books & Records, 704 South Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19147, United States
RSVP ON FACEBOOK
Five whole hours of zine making! This is a fundraiser for Roots & River Philly Collective + for Femme Dreamboat Zine! Metropolarity crew has been invited to read from our zines (which will be available for purchase). Zine related skills will be taught. Something pops off every hour, so make sure to come through!
You want even more of a reason to come??
Sunday, March 17th is also the day that Mercury gets out of Retro.
Sliding scale donation $3-25 if you come WITH zine supplies to share, $5-30 without any supplies. No one turned away for lack of funds.
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ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS:
Roots and River Philadelphia is an artistic home for Queer Black artists in Philadelphia. R&RPC works to provide programming & other resources for LGBTQ & POC artists. You can find more information about us here: http://rootsandriver.com/ or here: http://rootsandriverphilly.tumblr.com/
Femme Dreamboat is a radical zine and blog project designed to centralize feminine experience in queer culture. This is our blog:(http://femmedreamboat.tumblr.com/)
