It’s going to be a very rainy Saturday. So what better way to enjoy the night than to attend a karaoke party?

Yo Darkroom will be hosting the event to coincide with their newest video and performance exhibition “Empty Orchestras: Art Meets Karaoke.” “Empty Orchestras: Art Meets Karaoke” presents five artists who use the traditional Japanese pastime to express their issues of today. Tonight, you get to become a part of the experience.

The exhibit will be running now through September 13, but the party is a one-night only event. You might have a horrible voice, but who cares? It’s a karaoke party. Come sing your heart out!

Yo Darkroom (113 N. 23rd St)- September 6- 8 p.m.- FREE

***Image courtesy of Yo Darkroom

Michael Sinclair is the first Director of Police Operations at Drexel

A veteran Philadelphia Police commander and former Nazareth Borough   Police Chief has been hired as the first ever Director of Police Operations at Drexel University, according to a Sept 4 press release.

The new director, Michael Sinclair, will help to build Drexel’s campus police  department and oversee its daily operations said Domenic Ceccanecchio, senior associate vice president for Public Safety.

Although Sinclair’s most recent post was outside the City, he spent 29 years in the Philadelphia Police leading units ranging from Special Victims to Narcotics.  Sinclair was commander of the 18th District which includes parts of Drexel and the 22nd District which includes Temple University.

Sinclair also commanded the Southwest Detective Division which handles investigations for areas including Drexel and the University of Pennsylvania.

“We were looking for someone who had command level experience, particularly within an urban setting,” said a statement from James Tucker, senior vice president for Student Life and Administrative Services.

Sinclair examines a crime scene alongside UPenn VP for Public Safety Maureen Rush

In a statement Sinclair said he would be focusing on hiring police officers and ensuring that high training standards are maintained.

Drexel has announced plans to have a 28 to 30 member sworn police department over the next two years.  The campus police department was recently authorized by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, according to the press release.

The Sept 18 issue of The Triangle will have more info about Sinclair and the campus police.

Top photo source: Drexel Student Life and Administrative Services
Bottom photo source: Daily Pennsylvanian

Drexel student Claudio Innocenti, 20, was arrested Sept. 2 at the Deptford Mall in South Jersey for allegedly selling fake New Jersey driver’s licenses, The Inquirer reported.

A fake license with Innocenti’s name and picture were found in his possession when arrested, according to The Inquirer.

“We’re serious about fighting underage drinking and protecting the integrity of the New Jersey’s digital driver’s license system,” state Attorney General Anne Milgram told The Inquirer. “We charge this defendant was counterfeiting driver’s licenses and assisting underage people to drink, putting them and the public at risk.”

State detectives have seized seven fake ID’s that are allegedly made by Innocenti, The Inquirer reported.

He was held in the Gloucester County Jail and released Sept. 3 on a $75,000 bail, according to The Inquirer.

TheTriangle.org will have more information.

The selection of Gov. Sarah Palin as Republican John McCain’s running mate has had the Republican Party defending the relatively unknown governor of Alaska. Last night Palin spoke at the GOP Convention in St. Paul (video below) and used the opportunity to defend herself and assail her critics.

Overall the speech seemed to be well received; however, an Associated Press fact-check of Palin’s speech found that, “In some cases, the reproach and the praise stretched the truth.”

The McCain campaign released an ad touting Palin’s credentials and attacking Obama (video below), but multiple fact-checkers are reporting the ad is “misleading” and “barely true”.

The New York Times also weighed in on the ad saying: “In addition, the McCain ad repeats one of its oft-used complaints about Mr. Obama’s support for an energy bill that provided tax breaks to oil companies. The problem is, the claim has been fairly debunked by fact-checkers across the board.”

Before heading over to Etc Theatre’s “Dramamine High” on Friday night, why not catch a glimpse of Space 1026’s newest exhibit, “Ebonza Sungondora Unillumina Faunandflora: Sacred Asymmetry?”

Opening on Friday, September 5 at 6 p.m., Space 1026, an art collective located in Chinatown, will showcase multi-media pieces of art as well as provide live entertainment from DJ COSMO DEE and a few bands. Make sure to check out the gumball style vending machine filled with small pieces of affordable art.

Drexel’s own Delilah Knuckley, an International Area Studies senior, curated the exhibit and is pleased to present “Ebonza Sungondora Unillumina Faunandflora: Sacred Asymmetry.” Look for an interview with Knuckley in the September 18 issue of The Triangle.

Ebonza Sungondora Unillumina Faunandflora: Sacred Asymmetry- Space 1026 (1026 Arch St-2nd Floor)- 6 p.m.- FREE

***Images courtesy of Totally Wreck, Jefferson Mayday Mayday Vimana, Jhonny Cisneros/ Space 1026

Obama is expected to travel to Lancaster Thursday to begin a two-day tour of the state. Joe Biden, Democratic vice presidential candidate, will be appearing in Langhorn, Pa. on Friday with his wife, Jill. Republican John McCain is expected to visit Pa. Tuesday Sept. 9.

Both candidates are still fighting hard for Pa.’s 21 electoral votes. The latest Gallup poll shows Barack Obama with a six point lead over John McCain 49 to 43 percent.

Following the first major speeches of the Republican National Convention on Tuesday night, Democrat Barack Obama responded Wednesday in New Philadelphia, Ohio (video below).

Want to check out Etc Theater’s “Dramamine High” for FREE this Friday at 8 p.m.?

E-mail your name and telephone number to entertainment@thetriangle.org with “I WANNA EXPERIENCE HIGH SCHOOL ALL OVER AGAIN” in the subject line. All submissions must be sent in by noon on Thursday. One winner will be chosen at random.

A little bit about the play: Experience high school drama (not the club) in a different setting as you watch the jocks, cheerleaders, nerds, potheads and more stereotypes take the stage together to help save the school musical.

$15, 75 minutes. Shubin Theatre-407 Bainbridge St. Aug. 29, Sept. 3-5 @ 8 p.m.; Aug. 30-31 @ 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

***Photo courtesy of Emily Cardin/ Canary Promotion

It’s Day 6 of the 2008 Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe. What should you check out today? Sweet By-and-By!

“Sweet By-and-By” is described as a “one-man, multimedia, semi-autobiographical hootenanny.” The famed Pig Iron Theatre Company tells the story of Joe Hill, a radical songwriter who is credited as inspiring musical legends such as Bob Dylan. Hill’s banjo tunes will keep you laughing through the whole show.

Order your tickets here. FAST! It looks like this show will sell out.

$25, 65 minutes. Arts Bank-601 S. Broad St. Aug. 29-31, Sept. 3, 10, 11 @ 7 p.m., Sept. 4, 5 @ 9 p.m., Sept. 6, 12, 13 @ 10 p.m., Sept. 7 @ 3 p.m.

***Photo courtesy of Daniel Rudholm/ Canary Promotion

Day 5 of the Festival brings us to the start of another work week and the beginning of finals, but why not take a break for a few hours?

“His, Hers and Larry’s” is an entertaining tale about a couple attempting to live the perfect marriage-along with their obnoxious roommate, Larry. It even has a Drexel connection: Julia Curcio, playwright and co-producer of this production, is a 2006 alumnus. You can purchase tickets here.

$10, 60 minutes. Projects Gallery-629 N. Second St. Aug. 29 @ 8 p.m., Aug. 30, Sept. 6, 10, 12 @ 7 p.m., Sept. 2, 3 @ 5 p.m., Sept. 7 @ 2 p.m.

***Image courtesy of Jason Woolf/ Canary Promotion

Sen. John McCain will be in Philadelphia until noon today making a local stop, according to a campaign spokesman. He could not say where McCain would be stopping.

The Daily News blog clout reported the stop will probably be in Northeast Philadelphia.

McCain arrived yesterday at 12:25 p.m., but his schedule was not public. However, he did meet with Cardinal Justin Rigali for about 25 minutes around 4 p.m., The Daily News blog clout reported.

Later he had dinner at Devon Seafood Grill and spent the night at the Westin Philadelphia hotel, according to The Daily News blog clout.

Photo Source: WHYY It’s Our City