Curio Theatre Company has announced that its 2011-2012 season will include a free performance of “Lord of the Flies” in Clark Park, Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse-Five” and Dario Fo’s “Accidental Death of an Anarchist.”

The company has announced that discounted ticket packages are available for the upcoming season that amounts to a free ticket to one of four productions.

Curio’s season kicks off on September 2 with a special staging of Nigel Williams’ adaptation of “Lord of the Flies” in Clark Park as part of the Philly Fringe Live Arts Festival. The run also includes performances on Sept. 3, 7, 8 and 9 that are free and open to the public.

Its regular schedule includes:

• “Eurydice” – Oct. 12 through Nov. 12

• “Accidental Death of an Anarchist” – Dec. 7 through Jan. 7

• “Slaughterhouse-Five” – Feb 2 through March 3

• “The Tempest” – April 19 through May 19.

Click here for more information or to buy season tickets.

A neighbor Tiffany spotted this black & white cat at Clark Park yesterday, July 24. She writes:

“I spotted this cat at Clark Park at 8:00 p.m. Sunday. He/she followed me home, and I gave him/her some food. The cat is pretty jumpy to sounds outside, so I think it is not just a stray kitty. I can’t let him/her in for the night, but if this is your kitty, it has been spotted and was last spending time at 46th and Chester at 8:40 p.m. Sunday.

Very friendly but chased a dog down on the sidewalk.“

Cyro Baptista, a great Brazilian percussionist, is likely to bring the house down when he performs tonight at the second concert of the 40th Street Summer Series (free live outdoor music concerts).

Baptista is known for his highly entertaining “Beat the Donkey” shows which feature a blend of music from all over the globe, martial arts, tap dance, samba, jazz, rock and funk and Baptista’s innovative percussion on instruments created by himself. Per Baptista’s website, “There is an undeniable aura of fun and humor whenever Cyro Baptista takes the stage.”

Tonight Baptista will present compositions from his album “Banquet of the Spirits.” Percussionist Adam Rudolph and multi-instrumentalist Joseph Bowie will open the show.

The concert will begin at 6 p.m. on the field behind Walnut West Library (40th & Walnut). Upon the conclusion of the show there will be a daredevil fire dance and fire breathing performance for those who stick around.

The temperatures are expected to top 100 today and many people, kids and adults alike, will rush to water ice vending trucks and carts in the hood to stay cool.

But, if the trucks are not in sight where do you get your fix?

A couple of places that we like are located on Spruce Street (between 48th and 49th). Quick Stop Deli (4832 Spruce St) and Great Taste Chinese Food restaurant (right next door at 4834 Spruce St) have several flavors of water ice on tap.

If you know of any other shops or restaurants selling water ice please share information about them below. And by “water ice” we mean the delicious soft serve kind, not the pre-packaged one.

Actor, mockumentarian and (now) documentary filmmaker Harry Shearer will be at the International House (3701 Chestnut St.) on Friday, July 22, to screen and discuss “The Big Uneasy,” his film about the real reasons behind the flooding and devastation of New Orleans.

Shearer’s work has ranged from the role of Derek Smalls in “This is Spinal Tap” to the voices of Principal Skinner, Mr. Burns and Ned Flanders on “The Simpsons.” He writes about “The Big Uneasy”:

“Media coverage of tragedies can become so pervasive that we no longer remember the tragedy anymore, we only remember the coverage. So if I say “New Orleans” and then say “flood” you immediately think “Katrina.” As in Hurricane. This is not your fault; it’s a reflex now, like your leg kicking upward when the doctor taps it. Only that tap is causing you to kick me, and my fellow New Orleanians, squarley in the crotch. The reason I made this film is because the hurricane did NOT cause the flood, despite what you have heard on the news. However, poor science and even poorer management did.”

The film begins at 7 p.m. and is 98 minutes long. Here is a trailer:

Today’s dog is Pippa, a three-five year-old brindle girl with a splash of white on her nose and white toes. She’s a playful, affectionate dog who absolutely loves toys!

Pippa was found lactating and skinny on a porch in the Spring Garden section of Philadelphia, her puppies were nowhere in sight. Pippa doesn’t hold her past against people though. She doesn’t mind being handled all over and is happy to meet everyone.

Pippa has clearly had no obedience training in her prior life. Currently, Pippa’s working on leash manners and leash training with her Pen Pal. While Pippa can be super excited to be outside at first, she does settle down and absolutely loves rolling around in the grass with a toy in her mouth.

When meeting cats, Pippa was friendly and loose, but chances are she will want to play with any cat she lives with so she probably shouldn’t be placed with cats right now. Pippa has done excellently with all the dogs she has met at the shelter, both on leash and off, male and female. She’s playful but also happy to walk next to another dog without being rude.

Pippa would love to go to a home with dog experience where she can continue learning all the skills dogs need to know (and where toys will be plentiful).

If you are interested please email Pippa’s Pen Pal at: ghenygator09 [at] gmail.com for more information.