In eight area theaters, 12:55 p.m. Saturday, $24, fathomevents.com.
Film fusion
The Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival culls films from around the country, focusing on exactly what its titles portend: the Asian-American experience. Films include documentaries such as "Uploaded: The Asian American Movement," about young Asian-Americans finding their voice via social media, and features like "White Frog," the fest's centerpiece film, about a teen with mild Asperger's whose life is rocked by tragedy. Tickets can be purchased onsite, online or via Festival Genius iPhone app.
Ibrahim Theater at the International House, 3701 Chestnut St., Asian Arts Initiative, 1219 Vine St., through Nov. 17, $8, 215-387-5125, phillyasianfilmfest.org.
MIXED BAG
Improv improvements
The first of two November comedy fests, the Philadelphia Improv Festival features Austin, Texas-based headliners Live Nude Improv, who will create an improvised and totally unique play. Other improv teams will fly in from Boston, Toronto and Los Angeles for the weekend. Philly will be represented by the Philly Improv Theater's three house teams, alumni from Comedy Sportz and short formers, the N Crowd.
Independence Foundation Black Box at the Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., through Nov. 11, $10-$60, 267-441-4780, phlcomedy.com.
Big top hip-hop
The UniverSoul Circus was forced to cancel many of its performances due to that mean ol' Hurricane Sandy, so they're extending their run to accommodate eager circus-goers. Culling performers from all around the world, UniverSoul Circus features your average circus goodies, such as contortionists, clowns and animals, infusing the production with genre-spanning music, such as hip-hop, R&B and salsa.
52nd Street and Parkside Avenue, next to the Mann Center, through Nov. 11, $20-$35, 1-800-316-7439, universoulcircus.com.
Party in the Rotunda
Hurricane Sandy was absolutely no fun for anyone on the East Coast, so it's only fitting that the Rotunda combats her effects with the best show on earth. Headlined by "psycho-Celtic glam-blues band" Sylvia Platypus, the Rotunda's Hurricane Sandy benefit will feature clowns, jugglers, dancers, face-painters, sword swallowers and fire spinners, along with food and other goodies.
The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., 8 p.m., Saturday, $5-$25 suggested donation, 215- 573-3234, therotunda.org.
That's Shatner
If there's ever a hyphen shortage, there will be distinct possibility William Shatner is to blame. The actor-singer (well, not exactly)-TV-pitchman-talk-show-host wears many hats, including that of the star of "Shatner's World: We Just Live In It," a one-man program that finds the pop-culture icon surveying his long and varied career, but in an unsurprisingly self-deprecating way. Reviews from the road have been glowing, and this offers Shatner fans a chance to hear the stories right from the source.
Harrah's, 777 Harrah's Blvd., 9 p.m. $105 and $75, 800-736-1420, ticketmaster.com.
Bad mama jammers
The National Roller Derby Hall of Fame (yes, it exists) celebrates new inductees, welcomes skating legend "Pretty" Judy Arnold and hosts a Penn Jersey banked-track doubleheader this weekend. It's the perfect time to recall the good ol' days and revel in derby's current upsurge.
PJRD Warehouse, 1801 W. Indiana Ave., Saturday, 3 p.m., from $10, 215-223-2200, rollerderbyhalloffame.com.
Dance, dance revolution
Ballet X, the edgy dance company that calls the Wilma Theater home, is expanding beyond dance through eXpand the eXperience, inviting performers from all around Philly - Jackson Elementary student musicians, the Bearded Ladies Cabaret, bagpiper David Cohen, the Philadelphia Gay Men's Choir - to join in the performance, one group per night. Also look for two world premieres by Philly's Kate Watson-Wallace and choreographer Mauro Astolfi, and the local debut of Ballet X co-artistic director and co-founder Matthew Neenan's "Switch Phase."
The Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad St., 8 p.m., Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Saturday; 2 p.m., Sunday; $22-$35, 215-546-7824, wilmatheater.org.
MUSIC
Return of the righteous babe
Folk goddess Ani DiFranco tours behind her 17th (yes, 17th) album "¿Which Side Are You On?," named after the Florence Reece labor song made popular by Pete Seeger. As she has through the years, DiFranco continues to take a hard line on issues she believes, filtered through undeniably listenable folk. This time, she's touring with melodic New York three-piece Pearl and the Beard.
The Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, $25-$45, 215-572-7650, keswicktheatre.com.
Yell-o
Why are all those suburban teenage girls coming out to see a pale-skin rapper in the Eminem vein? Blame the crossover EP project that Yelawolf dished recently with the red-hot English nu-folkster Ed Sheeran. At this show, Yelawolf's very much the solo star, with support from Rittz and DJ Vajra.
TLA, 334 South St., 7 p.m. Friday, $23, 800-745-3000, livenation.com.
Jazz titans
Legendary jazz keyboardist Chick Corea and master of the vibraphone mallets Gary Burton are on the road together again, in support of their lovely new duets album "Hot House" that sweeps through "Can't We Be Friends" and "Eleanor Rigby." And to up the artistic ante and excitement, they'll welcome the genre-crossing Harlem String Quartet into the fray.
Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, 8 p.m. Friday, $65, $45, $35, 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.
Texas whirlwind
Featured twice at Philly's Made in America festival, Austin, Texas, bluesman Gary Clark Jr. had converts cheering "Gary, Gary!" when he walked on the second time. The soulful singer/guitar-slinger gets described as a cross between Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix, and hailed as the savior of blues rock for a new generation. But Clark's new full-length "Blak and Blu" album debut suggests his restless spirit will not be easily pegged, as he ventures even to hip-hop territory with a killer bringdown called "The Life." Kat Edmonson opens.
TLA, 334 South St., 7 p.m. Saturday, $25, 800-745-3000, livenation.com.
Afro-delights
Three exquisite singers from Africa - Dobet Gnahore from the Ivory Coast, West African vocalist and bassist Manou Gallo (of Zap Mama fame) and Cameroonian singer Kareyce Fotso - combine their lovely talents for a night billed as Acoustic Africa. A fine band directed by crossover guitarist Leni Stern adds to the magic.
Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St., 8 p.m. Saturday, $20-$45, 215-898-3910, pennpresents.org.
Apple falls close
No one outside the band knows the music of Led Zeppelin better than Jason Bonham, offspring and heir to the drum kit of his father, Led Zeppelin original John "Bonnzo" Bonham. This time round, he's going for broke with the multimedia "Led Zeppelin Experience."
Electric Factory, 7th and Willow streets, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, $30, 215-627-1332, electricfactory.info.
The high road
Wow. Philadelphia's pioneering chamber folk group The Low Road is back together again, if only for these two shows, to help mark the Tin Angel's 20th anniversary. All original hands are on deck - singer/guitarist Mike "Slo-Mo" Brenner, violinist Rosie McNamara, bassist Alan Hewitt, drummer Mark Schreiber and harmonica player Palmer Yale. The Ukulele Orchestra strums first.
Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St., 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday, $12, 215-928-0978, tinangel.com.
A major minor
Emmanuel Krivine guest-conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra in two works in D Minor: Franck's soaring Symphony and Stokowski's orchestration of the famous Toccata and Fugue by Bach. Christina and Michelle Naughton, gifted twin sisters who both graduated from Curtis last year, solo in Poulenc's rollicking Concerto for Two Pianos.
Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, 2 p.m. today and 8 p.m. Saturday, $20-$119, 215-893-1999, philorch.org.
Rare beauty
Argentinian mezzo-soprano Bernarda Fink, revered in the world's opera houses and recital halls, teams with pianist Anthony Spiri in some rare but gorgeous songs by Schumann, Mahler and Dvorak.
Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, 8 p.m. Friday, $24, 215-569-8080, pcmsconcerts.org.
Fiddler in the church
Violinist Benjamin Beilman wowed everyone when, as a Curtis student, he soloed with the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Mann. This hugely talented Astral artist plays a recital of Sonatas and Fantasies by Poulenc, Brahms, Messiaen and Schubert with pianist Amy Yang.
Trinity Center, 2212 Spruce St., 3 p.m. Sunday, $18-$20, 215-735-6999, astralartists.org.
- Compiled by Tom DiNardo, Chuck Darrow, Molly Eichel, Ellen Gray, Jonathan Takiff
