10 Things To Do In Philly This Week: Jewish Film Festival, First Person Arts, Martha Graham Cracker Sings the Music of David Lynch and More

Philadelphia Jewish Film Fest

Now through Sunday, November 16th, an impressive lineup of films that explore universal themes and values will be on view at venues throughout the city, brought to you by the Philadelphia Jewish Film Fest. A different film will screen nightly, with standouts this week including Regarding Susan Sontag and 24 Days (pictured). Check out the schedule of special events, including discussions, receptions, and after-parties, as well. For a full schedule of films, and to purchase tickets, click here. Monday, November 3rd-Sunday, November 16th, various times and locations.

First Person Arts Festival

Returning for its 13th year, the First Person Arts Festival will bring an exciting lineup of events–all focused on awakening the inner storyteller in all of us–to our backyard, beginning this Tuesday. The unique festival focuses on memoir and documentary arts, bringing both internationally renowned artists and locals together to share tales and personal experiences with audiences. The fest includes over 15 events held at six different venues around the city, including story slams, author readings, and performances from a variety of award-winning artists and Philly locals. Be sure not to miss An Evening with Marcus Samuelsson or The Grand Slam. Check out the full schedule of festival events right here. Tickets are available for purchase online. Tuesday, November 4th-Saturday, November 15th, various times and locations.

Wine Dinner at Matyson

From Foobooz: Matyson BYOB is not so much a BYOB on Tuesday, November 4th. They’ll be hosting a wine dinner with Greg Moore from Moore Brothers Wine, complete with 5 full courses and pairings. Menu and more information here.

Great Expectations

Catch Charles Dickens’s classic coming-of-age novel Great Expectations on the Arden Theatre Company stage. Directed by Matthew Decker, six actors play over 40 characters, bringing the timeless Victorian tale of "class, ambition, and love" to life. The play will run through December. Tickets are available for purchase online. Tuesday, November 4th-Sunday, December 14th, various times, $36-50 for adults or $15 for teens, Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd Street.

Extra reading: See our interview with Great Expectations’s Josh Carpenter here.

It Gets Better at The Kimmel Center

The It Gets Better Project, an initiative turned international phenomenon that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth who have experienced and survived bullying, is coming to the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts this week. Catch a series of inspiring events, beginning this Tuesday with a youth-led panel discussion and spoken-word series, all leading up to a special live performance of It Gets Better on stage come Saturday. For a full schedule of events, and to purchase tickets, click here. More information about the It Gets Better Project can be found here. Tuesday, November 4-Saturday, November 8th, various times and locations, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. —Marquesa Rotuski

Full Bleed: Poetry Comics Show

Old City co-working space Indy Hall celebrates poetry comics, a genre described as "poetry as a bleeding hard mixed with the whimsey of comics to produce work that startles and ignites." The two-night affair begins Thursday with a show hosted by poet and curator Hila Ratzabi that features readings from Monk Books editor and co-founder and author Bianca Stone (pictured), poet Sommer Browning, and comic artist Annie Mok. On Friday, Mok returns to sketch portraits of guests on a sliding pay scale. Treats will be served by Whipped Bakeshop. Thursday, November 6th, 7 p.m., and Friday, November 7th, 5 p.m.-9 p.m., free, Indy Hall, 22 North Third Street.

Shoppist After Hours With NINOBrand

From Shoppist: Join us for our second installment of Shoppist After Hours, our exclusive, underground shopping event held every few months at one of the coolest under-the-radar gems in the city. Next up? NINObrand in Rittenhouse, a minimalist, modern showroom featuring the equally minimalist, modern collection of local designer Bela Shehu. The event is Wednesday, November 5th, from 6pm to 9pm. We'll have drinks, light food and a Q&A with Bela that starts at 7pm. More here.

Design Home Holiday Party

From Philly Mag Events: When it comes to preparing for the holidays entertaining your guests, let Philadelphia magazine and the 2014 Design Home® sponsors make your season a little brighter as they bring you a night filled with samplings and demonstrations of holiday food & spirits pairings, decorating ideas, tips and tricks for entertaining all of your guests, catering options and so much more. Thursday, November 6th, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. More here.

"It's a Strange World": Music of David Lynch

The vast worlds of music, movies, and art will collide this Thursday evening at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA). Immerse yourself in the paintings and drawings of filmmaker and PAFA alum David Lynch, while an amazing lineup of Philly musicians–curated by our very own Victor Fiorillo–perform iconic tunes, from classic movie tracks to songs that inspired Lynch. Performers include Northern Arms, Stinking Lizaveta, Pattern Is Movement, Teena Geist, Martha Graham Cracker, James Sugg, and many more. For more information, click here. Tickets are available for purchase online. Thursday, November 6th, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., $20 general admission or $10 for PAFA members, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 118 N. Broad Street.

Wired 96.5 Fest

Sometimes a mid-week dance party is just what you need, and there's no better way to indulge then with help from the Wired 96.5 Fest. Steve Aoki and Lil Jon will come together to spin high-energy (read: sweaty) sets at the Electric Factory this Thursday night, a perfectly acceptable replacement for your usual Zumba class. As rapper, DJ, and modern day philosopher Lil Jon once asked, “Turn down for what?” Check out our weekly guide to live music for other shows worth seeing this week.Tickets are available for purchase online. Thursday, November 6th, 8 p.m., $61.45, Electric Factory, 421 N. 7th Street.

For more of our live music picks of the week, including Goapele, Watsky, Yellowcard and more, go here.

Submit Your Event

Have an event you'd like featured in an upcoming "Things to Do" post? Send information at least two weeks in advance to Josh Middleton at jmiddleton@phillymag.com.