Band together: Music shows will keep kids interested while we stalk

PW's Picks For The Week

Space 1026 Screenprinting Party, Philadelphia Book Festival, David Copperfield and Belgian Bierfeesten.

Philadelphia Book Festival

Though literature isn’t dead, it can be said it went into cardiac arrest 30 years ago and is currently on life support. Last year the Free Library plunged a syringe into its chest and pumped it full of adrenaline, and it worked: Bookworms came out in droves for the inaugural Philadelphia Book Festival. There were lots of children’s programs last year, but this time around they’re aiming to capture even more young minds by hosting a video gaming gallery. Meanwhile, grownups mingle among favorite award-winning authors and poets such as Pulitizer Prize- winning poet Jorie Graham, Wicked scribe Gregory Maguire and Chicago brothel expert (and former PW staff writer) Karen Abbott. Headliner Barbara Walters discusses her new book Audition: A Memoir. I’m already starting to cry. (Dan Vidal)

Space 1026 screenprinting party

Space 1026 Screenprinting Party

Modern screenprinting all over Ts and wall canvasses is actually an old technique invented as an industrial technology before 1900. Because the equipment and paints are relatively cheap, it’s more democratic to scrape the silk than drop more dimes on precious oils or high-tech computer programs, making it a favorite method of DIY and street artists. This week renowned Virginian artists Thomas Dean and Travis Robertson discuss the history of screenprinting, its infiltration into a new generation of artists and their own printing and screening methods as part of the “Fuzz” exhibit at Space 1026. Bring a blank T-shirt or hoodie, ’cause they’ll lay designs on it, free of charge. (Carmen Winant)

David Copperfield: An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusion

Trick question: How do you make rape charges disappear? (Tara Murtha)

Belgian Bierfeesten

As the great Homer (Simpson) once said, “To beer—the cause of, and solution to, all of life’s problems.” This week we’re celebrating some of the best beers in the world at the first annual Belgian Bierfeesten. Everyone knows Belgium is a beer lover’s paradise, flowing with high-quality, diverse brews that put even Germany and the U.K. to shame. From unique lambics and Trappists to deep chocolates and bright raspberries, there’s a style for every palate that’ll make horrible drunk dials and assorted mistakes delicious. Over the past two decades Philadelphia has become host to many a Belgian brewpub with places like Monk’s, Eulogy and Belgian Cafe. At Bierfeesten, sample more than three dozen Belgian breweries, slurp on mussels, enjoy fries and cheese, and get righteously wasted while waxing cultural. It’ll be an amazing day to not remember. (Jack Schonewolf)