Editor's Picks

>>PHOTOGRAPHY

"Jacques-Jean Tiziou: Photos From the Fringe"

Through Oct. 7. Free. Off the Wall Gallery, Dirty Frank's, 13th and Pine sts. 215.732.5010. www.jjtiziou.net/2005festival

Each September Philadelphia heralds the fall with the nearly two-week-long Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe, the annual celebration of new work in dance, theater, performance art, music and other forms of live entertainment. And for the third year in a row Philadelphia photographer Jacques-Jean Tiziou will be there to capture everything from the creativity on- and offstage and the behind-the-scenes toil of the tech crew to the people who come to take it all in. During the festivals, slide shows of Tiziou's digital work are on display at the Northern Liberties cabaret space and online, helping audiences connect with the barrage of programming choices. To whet our appetites for the 2005 festivals, an exhibit of 11 photographs from Tiziou's Fringe collection from the 2003 and 2004 seasons is up at the Off the Wall Gallery at Dirty Frank's. Tiziou will also be posting comprehensive virtual galleries of the festivals on his website when they begin on Sept. 2. (Leo Beletsky)

>>MUSIC

The Spirit of Elvis

Tues., Aug. 16, 7pm. $10. Lucy's Hat Shop, 247 Market St. 215.413.1433. www.lucys215.com

On the 28th anniversary of Elvis' death, don't be surprised if you see the King shaking his hips down Market Street. Lucy's Hat Shop hosts the Spirit of Elvis Tuesday with Philly resident Sam Formica as the man of the hour. "I try to channel his spirit any time I go onstage," the 41-year-old says. "To be able to do it on the day he passed away has tremendous meaning to me." Formica has performed as Elvis for about three years-he got his start by entering a contest on a dare. "I failed miserably," he says. Since then he's honed his voice and look. Formica's costume comes from the same company that made many of Elvis' latter-day clothes. Most of Formica's set will contain hits from Presley's "jumpsuit era" of '70 to '77. "It's almost like being a superhero," Formica says of the transformation. "I just go from a mild-mannered general manager of a restaurant to all of a sudden going onstage where people are screaming at me because they love Elvis so much." Part of the proceeds from ticket sales will go to families of troops serving abroad. (Mike Bederka)

>>MUSIC

Philadelphia Hip-Hop Awards

Sat., Aug. 13, 9pm. $20. Suite 450, 450 N. Sixth St. 888.992.0108

With Beanie Sigel and Cassidy locked up, it'd seem to be a low point in Philly hip-hop. But the scene will undoubtedly prove alive and well at the second annual Philadelphia Hip-Hop Awards show, hosted by Industry Music Group's Larry Larr and his celebrity friends. The awards ceremony honors Philly's underground and unsigned hip-hop community, as well as artists such as Peedi Crakk, who are signed but still putting out mixtapes for the streets. Among the awards categories are Best Male Solo artist, Best Female Solo artist, Best Mix CD, and Best Up and Coming Artist. The Lisa "Left Eye" Legend award credits Philly hip-hop pioneers who have been in the game 10 or more years, while the much anticipated Grand Hustle Award honors those artists most on their grind-like E. Ness, says Larr. "Even though Bad Boy put other artists out over top him, he kept going. The Grand Hustle Award is for artists that's not letting nothing stop them." Peedi Crakk, Chris and Neef, Gillie the Kid and Ms. Jade have all confirmed their attendance to honor Philly's own, and G-Unit's newest member Mike Knox will be performing. Winners (you can vote by phone at the number above) will receive crystal trophies as well as gift bags sponsored by the new SWAT wear clothing label. (Kate Kilpatrick)

>>DJS

Reagan Disko Headache

Sat., Aug. 13, 9pm. Free. Khyber, 56 S. Second St. 215.238.5888. www.thekhyber.com

New York City native Ron Morelli and Washington, D.C., native Justin Jarboe came to Philly to escape the tedium and gloss of so many beats-driven DJ nights in their hometowns. The result was their esoteric dance party Reagan Disko Headache. A few Tom Tom Club and Throbbing Gristle tunes later, the duo's latest coup is snagging a guest spot from Star Eyes, the alter ego of XLR8R magazine editor Vivian Host. A world-class drum 'n' bass DJ since age 16, Host is also half of Syrup Girls, who were recently raved about by New Yorker music critic Sasha Frere-Jones on his blog. Appearing alone as Star Eyes, Host will put the D&B on hold to concentrate on a bubbly blend of booty, Miami bass and freestyle. Syrup Girls' gleefully contrary approach to spinning-they'll hit stuffy electro snobs with some two-step garage just for fun-will be in full force when Host comes to the Khyber. She won't be taking requests, but if you're lucky, she may let you sneak a peek at her records. (Doug Wallen)