5 Staff Picks this April

Here are the books, music and events you won’t want to miss.

Now Open

Brace yourself. The western Main Line now has a legit live music venue. The new 118 North is the nifty handiwork of J.D. McGillicuddy’s Tom Thornton Jr. and Matt Thornton, Wayne Music Festival founder and Rugby Road keyboardist Ken Kearns and wife Kristen, and Ardmore Music Hall’s Joe Rufo. They all saw a need for a performance space that caters to a wide variety of artists, from well-known touring acts to local bands and singer/songwriters like Brian Seymour (pictured), who christened the stage at the Feb. 15 grand opening. Finally, a great excuse to come home late on a Tuesday night.

Visit www.118northwayne.com.

April 7

Multifaceted comedy legend Jerry Seinfeld has been returning to his standup roots of late. And judging by the rave reviews, he couldn’t be more comfortable back in front of a microphone. Seinfeld makes a one-night-only appearance at the Academy of Music on April 7.

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Visit www.kimmelcenter.org. 

April 11

Former Secretary of State and feminist icon Madeleine Albright will discuss her fascinating and timely new book, Fascism: A Warning (Harper, 304 pages) at the Parkway Central Library. In it, she delves thoroughly into the looming threat of fascist regimes based on her years of experience in the international political arena.

1901 Vine St., Philadelphia, www.freelibrary.org.

April 17

News of the horrific school shooting in Parkland, Fla., broke as I was deep into an advance copy of If We Had Known (Grand Central Publishing, 320 pages) by Philly-based novelist Elise Juska. Just like that, its gripping narrative—about a college professor grappling with the reality of a former student’s fatal shooting spree at a local mall—seemed to be playing out in real time. It’s a beautifully written novel I won’t soon forget—nor will you.

Visit www.hachettebookgroup.com.

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Thru. May 20

Explore the East-West duality of artist Peter Hurd in Southwestern Son. The new exhibition highlights 24 of his works, focusing on his lithographs from the Depression, when he spent time in both Chadds Ford and New Mexico.

Brandywine River Museum of Art, 1 Hoffmans Mill Road, Chadds Ford, www.brandywine.org.

Our Best of the Main Line Elimination Ballot is open through February 22!