Video Choices | Peck's bad-boy side - yes, he had one
Gregory Peck, who died June 12 at age 87, left such an indelible gallery of good men and true that it's easy to forget there was a darker side to his screen persona.
( By Desmond Ryan, Inquirer Columnist, 06/21/2003 03:01 AM EDT)

Los Lobos and Buddy Guy bring night of the blues to the Kimmel
The noirish Latino rumble of Los Lobos and the blustery roar of Buddy Guy in the Kimmel Center's Verizon Hall on Thursday night were the sound of the blues at its red-hot, wiggly and weirdest best.
( By A.D. Amorosi, For The Inquirer, 06/21/2003 03:01 AM EDT)

Acoustic pop from Britain's Turin Brakes
Turin Brakes' debut, 2001's The Optimist LP, made Gale Paridjanian and Olly Knights stars in their native Britain, but they are just beginning to build their audience in the States. Their Philadelphia debut brought them to the close quarters of the crowded Khyber on Thursday night.
( By Steve Klinge, For The Inquirer, 06/21/2003 03:01 AM EDT)

Newsmakers | Spike TV? Not anytime soon
Film director Spike Lee and his attorney, Johnnie Cochran, have won a big court victory against media conglomerate Viacom Inc. that bars cable network TNN from calling itself Spike TV.
( By Beth Gillin, Inquirer Staff Writer, 06/21/2003 03:01 AM EDT)

TV Today
Hunting in America(4-5 p.m., National Geographic) - Hunting is still one of America's favorite pastimes. This program tries to find out why. Six people from both sides of the hunting debate are profiled.
( 06/21/2003 03:01 AM EDT)

Religion | Community notes
Events are free unless noted. Congregation Beth T'fillah 6-week courses; texts in English translation. 7630 Woodbine Ave; 215-477-2415. "Biblical Proverbs & Wisdom for Today," Book of Proverbs. Noon-1:15 p.m. "Jewish Teachings, Jewish Discussions," selections from Talmud. 7:30-8:45 p.m. Both: Tues through 7/1. Register at class. $15 one or both; $25 book fee (evening class).
( 06/21/2003 03:01 AM EDT)

Festival
The Kimmel Center celebrates the longest day of the year with an entertainment marathon. Starting at 3 p.m. today and continuing through sunrise tomorrow, the site at Broad and Spruce Streets will host a dizzying array of acts in honor of the summer solstice. The storytellers and music (including the center's Youth Jazz Ensemble, above) are kid-friendly through early evening. Then the grown-ups will take over: actors from Mamma Mia!, Peter Nero, Townhall - about 50 in all. Tickets: $15. Information...
( 06/21/2003 03:01 AM EDT)

Theater
Put an outsized personality such as Pablo Picasso in a play, and he should dominate it. That's what happens in A Picasso, by Jeffrey Hatcher. Jeffrey DeMunn, above with Lisa Banes, is the great artist in a performance that's large enough to match the character. DeMunn and Picasso make this otherwise problematic two-person play worth a look. Final shows will be at 2 and 8 p.m. today and 3 p.m. tomorrow at Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St. Tickets: $30-$45. Information: 215-569-9700 and...
( 06/21/2003 03:01 AM EDT)

Music
Part funk, part folk, park rock, Diamonds on the Inside is the latest attempt by musician Ben Harper, above, to synthesize the deceptive breeziness of Bob Marley, Curtis Mayfield and Bruce Springsteen. His tunes of feel-good individualism and generalized politics will be preceded by the likable, groove-oriented pop of Jack Johnson. At 6:30 tonight at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 52d Street and Parkside Avenue. Tickets: $39.50. Phone: 215-893-1999.
( 06/21/2003 03:01 AM EDT)

Wilma names new manager
Lynn Landis, who has had 25 years of experience in nonprofit and commercial theater, has been named managing director of the Wilma Theater.
( 06/21/2003 03:01 AM EDT)

Muslims will convene July 4 weekend in Phila.
Two U.S. Muslim organizations announced yesterday that they would hold their joint national convention in Philadelphia over the July 4 weekend. They expect attendance to top 15,000.
( 06/21/2003 03:01 AM EDT)

Former Vassar Show House opens up again, to liquidate
Part of the appeal of house sales is the opportunity they provide to snoop: Would-be bidders can see what kind of possessions and status symbols the occupants had and, on occasion, acquire them.
( By David Iams, For The Inquirer, 06/21/2003 03:01 AM EDT)