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May 2004

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Lake Shore Marathon

In its 3rd year, the Lakeshore Marathon has evolved from an idea to provide a spring marathon for Chicago, Illinois and Midwestern runners. Already, runners from every state and 18 countries have participated in the event. One of only three Illinois' Marathons and the state's only spring marathon, the Lakeshore Marathon is rapidly developing a loyal and burgeoning following. The 26.2 mile marathon course begins and completes at the Fallen Firefighter's and Paramedic's Memorial in Burnham Park, a fitting event and location to memorialize the day and pay tribute to Daniel Burnham, a historic Chicago planner that had the wherewithal to protect over 30 miles of Chicago's shore for the benefit of future generations. If you want to register (though, you probably should have been training already), you still can. You can always do the 5-mile memorial power walk or just stand by and cheer for all those crazy runners.

Girlie-Q Variety Hour

Dancing girls! Voluptuous vixens! Live art! Spoken word! Vaudeville variety! Burlesque! For one night only, the Hothouse, 31 E. Balbo, will be even hotter, thanks to the Girlie-Q Variety Hour. Doors at 7pm, show starts at 8pm. $10 admission, 21 and over.

Zee Heritage India Festival

This year's Chicago Zee Heritage India Festival will be held May 29-30 at Soldier Field. Events include live dance performances, South Indian food, a live Antakshari competition, and many children's activities including kite making, face painting, and a cricket challenge! For more information on the many Heritge India Festivals around the country this year, see this website.

Bike The Drive

Don't miss the third annual Bike The Drive. Once again, Chicago's Lake Shore Drive will be closed to car traffic for this great ride on the Sunday before Memorial Day, May 30, from 5:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Be one of 25,000 cyclists of all ages and abilities to once again ride their bikes on a car-free Lake Shore Drive and enjoy gorgeous views of the city's skyline while breathing fresh air instead of exhaust. Riders must register in advance ($35) and registration is limited to the first 25,000 cyclists. Visit Bike The Drive, go into local bike or athletic stores for a brochure, or call 312-42-PEDAL for more info.

Zee Heritage India Festival

This year's Chicago Zee Heritage India Festival will be held May 29-30 at Soldier Field. Events include live dance performances, South Indian food, a live Antakshari competition, and many children's activities including kite making, face painting, and a cricket challenge! For more information on the many Heritge India Festivals around the country this year, see this website.

Tree-friendly treehouses @ Morton Arboretum

The Morton Arboretum presents "InTREEguing Treehouses," an exhibit of a dozen treehouses that are designed to not damage the trees in the arboretum. The designs were selected from a competition held earlier in the year, and include architects, landscapers and sculptors. The treehouses will be on display from today through September 26th. Morton Arboretum: 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. (630) 968-0074.

Braid/Minus the Bear @ Metro

Minus the Bear will be supporting Braid on their reunion tour that just recently kicked off. They'll be visiting the Metro at 6pm tonight. Go there and clap for them.

GB Memorial Day Gathering

Come one, come all as the staff of GB and wonderful people like you come out to have drinks, conversation and other kinds of mischief at Danny's Tavern, 1951 W. Dickens in Bucktown. 8pm till the break of dawn. We think. Say hello, stay a while and we'll buy you a drink.

Jaylib/Peanut Butter Wolf @ LSA

Jaylib (J-dilla and Madlib) will be performing with Peanut Butter Wolf at the Logan Square Auditorium. The show is at 8:30. Tickets are $20 and you can purchase them online if you like.

Critical Mass

Chicago Critical Mass bike rides start from Daley Plaza, Dearborn and Washington, at 5:30 p.m. the last Friday of each month, regardless of season or weather. They are free and fun.

30 Bands in 60 Minutes @ Metro

Time once again for the annual exciting musical event, 30 Bands in 60 Minutes, sponsored by the Neo-Futurists. Live theater meets live music, as the Neo-Futurists once again attempt to have 30 separate musical acts perform on the Metro stage in the space of one hour. An almost impossible feat, but they sure do have fun trying. The all-ages show starts at 7:30 (doors open at 7:00). Check it out! Metro: 3730 N. Clark. (773) 549-4140. Tickets available through Ticketmaster, or on sale at the Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland, before their regular shows.

Book reading: NPR's Bob Edwards

NPR's "Morning Edition" host Bob Edwards will be appearing tonight at the Chicago Temple at 7:00, reading from his new book "Edward R. Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism". Recently Edwards was removed from his "Morning Edition" hosting position, so the appearance should be very interesting. Chicago Temple: 77 W. Washington. See the link for tickets and further info.

Columbia Photography MFA Exhibit

Columbia University's photography MFA candidates, including Brian Ulrich present their thesis show at the Glass Curtain Gallery, 1104 S. Wabash, today. The opening reception is at 11am-1pm and 5-7pm. More info here.

Manifest Festival @ Columbia

As the latest class of Columbia students prepares to graduate, the college will be promoting their work during today's all-day Manifest festival. There'll essentially be four festivals running in tandem -- art, music, performance and readings -- all spread out along the South Loop Arts Corridor, with free trolleys running between the five major locations. Among the myriad styles of art on display: photography, puppetry, pop, painting, product design, poetry, papermaking ... and dozens of others. All events are free and open to the public.

Art Spiegelman Lecture

Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist Art Spiegelman will be giving a multimedia lecture on the evolution of comics, "comix 101", as part of the University of Chicago Festival of the Arts. The event takes place at 4:30pm in the Court Theater, 5535 S Ellis. For more information please call 773/834.3403.

The News Show: Disaster!

The Neo-Futurists present this month's installment of The News Show, an ongoing news/magazine program done in a theater, instead of on TV. This month's topic: Disaster! Show starts at 8:00PM. The Neo-Futurarium: 5153 N. Ashland. (773) 275-5255.

Eyedea & Abilities @ Abbey Pub

Don't miss Minneapolis hip hop heavy-hitters Eyedea & Abilities at the Abbey Pub Sunday, May 26th at 7pm. 18+.

"Mr. Bike" at Women and Children First

Dave Glowacz, a.k.a. "Mr. Bike," will read from and discuss his book Urban Biker's Tricks & Tips: Low-Tech and No-Tech Ways to Find, Ride, and Keep a Bicycle at Women and Children First tonight. Known worldwide as "Mr. Bike," Dave Glowacz (also director of education for the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation) has dodged cars, beat thieves, and biked roads for more than 30 years. He'll share bike wisdom and answer questions tonight as part of Andersonville's own celebration of Bike Week. The event gets started at 7:30 p.m. at Women and Children First, located at 5233 N. Clark St.

Brazil @ Fireside

Brazil who play a smart blend of rock, heavier than emo but not hardcore either, they've been compared to At The Drive In quite a few times. They headline with Reubens Accomplice, The Fold and Junction 18. Fireside Bowl, 2646 W. Fullerton, all ages, 6PM.

Chicago Night @ Club Foot

Chicago Rules!, a concert listing site, takes over Club Foot tonight for an evening of "classic and current Chicago punk, rock and pop." No cover, CD giveaways, cheap drinks. Club Foot is at 1824 W. Augusta. 21 and over.

Zero 7 @ Park West

The UK's lounge-synth band (often compared to Air), Zero 7, are performing at the Park West. The show begins at 8pm.

Public Square's Cafe Society at MCA

Get together with Public Square's Cafe Society participants from all over the Chicagoland area for a free tour of Lee Bontecou's exhibit, "A Retrospective," refreshments, and discussion tonight from 5:30–8 p.m. at the MCA, located at 220 E. Chicago Ave. Please RSVP to Public Square by either calling (312) 993.0682 or sending an email to events@thepublicsquare.org. Everyone is welcome at this event co-sponsored by TEN by TEN magazine.

Lumen Eclipse

After Effects Chicago presents "Lumen Eclipse" a multimedia event featuring digital art, experimental video and a musical performance accompanied by live video mixing.

Opening the event, XChicago will be hosting an industry mixer with video artists and professionals, set to the rock/pop samplings of DJ Sanchez Ali. Next is an exploration of the visual and aural arts –- a screening of "The Best of Art After Next TV." The AFX TV line-up includes:
• The experimental video art of Walter Wright (inventor of the music video)
• The AFX interview w/ controversial punk rock group The Locust
• AMODA’s (Austin Museum of Digital Art) experimental contemplative audio performance series with Brent Fariss & Bill Thompson
• Select features from Illegal Art.

Following the video, The Passengers will give their live debut performance with a one-hour set, accompanied by digital artist Mason Dixon's live video mixing. There will also be raffle prizes, open to all, from Digital Juice, Magnet Media, and DV magazine that will help to fund future Art After Next and AE Chicago events.

It all starts at 7pm at Rodan, 1530 N. Milwaukee. No cover (donate what you can); 21 and over.

French Kicks @ Bottom Lounge

It's hard to describe the French Kicks but here's how MP Shows does: French Kicks are not a traditional rock'n'roll band. Although they have elements of snarly garage rock, slick new wave, and giddy classic mod-pop, they remain completely unique. The four of them work together like draughtsmen creating musical architecture - a note is never wasted, a drop is never spilled. Their songs always seem to be on an angle, hovering just at breaking point. They cut to the quick with lurching riffs and palpitating percussion, but they are also cute and coltish and undeniably catchy. At heart, this is simple pop music, with hooks hookier than velcro and disarmingly pretty three-part harmonies. So there you go. At the Bottom Lounge, 3206 N. Wilton St. with On The Speakers and The Joggers, 8pm, 18+.

GWAR @ H.O.B.

Heavy metal band cum gross-out theatrical group GWAR perform at the House of Blues tonight; Bad Acid Trip and Watch Them Die open. Doors open at 5:30pm. Tickets are $20, all ages. More info here.

The Thermals @ Fireside Bowl

Check out The Thermals with The Hold Steady and Health & Beauty at The Fireside Bowl Sunday May 23rd at 8pm.

Midwest Bookhunters Book Fair

The Midwest Bookhunters are having their spring book fair this weekend at the Joseph J. Gentile Center on the campus of Loyola University at 6565 N. Sheridan Road. The gym will be packed with vendors selling used, rare and antiquarian books along with maps, ephemera, prints and more. The book fair is open 4pm to 8pm on Saturday, May 22 and 10am to 4pm on Sunday, May 23. Admission is $6 but $4 if you can scrounge up a student I.D. For more information call 773-989-2200 or check out their website.

Andersonville Celebrates Bike Week

The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce likes bikes. They like bikes so much they're throwing their Second Annual Bike Week Celebration May 23–29. Activities range from a bike maintenance 101 clinic, visits from Mayor Daley's Bicycling Ambassadors, bike decorating, and a historic Andersonville/Edgewater bike tour. If you ride your bike, you can get a free bottle of water and a raffle ticket, and if you regularly commute to work by bike, you can pick up a t-shirt to boot!

April Sheridan and Simon Pettet at Myopic Books

Tonight’s Myopic Reading Series features two writers: April Sheridan and Simon Pettet. Sheridan is an MFA student at the Columbia College Chicago Center for Book and Paper Arts. She studies and teaches letterpress printing and is the broadside coordinator for the poetry program. Her work has been published in “Crayon.” Pettet is a long-time resident of New York’s Lower East Side. His “Selected Poems” is available from Talisman House. A limited edition of his work, “Abundant Treasures,” which are poems accompanying hand-colored drawings by New York artist Duncan Hannah, was recently published by Granary Books. For more information check out Myopic Books. The reading begins at 7 p.m. at 1564 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Wicker Park.

Neo-Futurist auditions

If you're a male theater actor living in Chicago, and you're looking for a theater company with which to align yourself, consider The Neo-Futurists, who are having auditions for their long-running show Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind today. Be forewarned that this is a long-term gig, and your weekends will pretty much be filled with this commitment (TML runs late nights on Fridays and Saturdays, and in the evenings on Sundays). But hey, you'd be a Neo-Futurist. How cool is that? More info and audition scheduling: (773) 275-5255 x3 or e-mail auditions@neofuturists.org.

Speak Easy: Senseless!

Write Club Chicago Presents "Speak Easy: Senseless!" the quarterly writers' showcase featuring stories, one-act plays and essays from local authors. Readers include GB's own Ramsin Canon, Mike Zapata, Sarah Dodson, Jeff Geiger, Paul Barile, Mark Tweedy, Rebecca David and Chuck Sudo. Music guest Ari Lauren. Hosted by Mario of "News From The Service Entrance" fame on WHPK 88.7 FM. 8pm at HotHouse, 31 E. Balbo. 21 and over, $5 suggested donation.

Midwest Bookhunters Book Fair

The Midwest Bookhunters are having their spring book fair this weekend at the Joseph J. Gentile Center on the campus of Loyola University at 6565 N. Sheridan Road. The Gentile Center gym will be packed with vendors selling used, rare and antiquarian books along with maps, ephemera, prints and more. The book fair is open 4pm to 8pm on Saturday, May 22 and 10am to 4pm on May 23. Admission is $6 but $4 if you can scrounge up a student I.D. For more information call 773-989-2200 or check out their website.

Lincoln Park Farmer's Market

Beginning today, and running every Saturday until October 30, the Lincoln Park Farmer's Market meets in the parking lot of Lincoln Park High School, at Armitage and Orchard (2000 N -- 700 W) in Chicago. Most neighborhoods have their own weekly markets, but this one opens up a few weeks before the others, so get on down, and pick up some Midwest produce.

Bob Dylan birthday show

Monday, May 24, is Bob Dylan's 63rd birthday. Students and staff from the Old Town School of Folk Music will celebrate with a show Saturday at The Hideout, 4-8 p.m. (Unfortunately, Weather.com is expecting rain, and it might be a hard rain.)

Gross Park sculpture invitational

Today's the opening reception for the annual Gross Park Sculpture Invitational, which prsents sculptures from a couple dozen artists on a specific theme. This year's theme: "Rejectamenta." Local artists found or bartered for art supplies to create their works. Along with the sculpture, there will be a sale of limited edition art & poetry books happening, the sale of which benefits the Gross Park Neighbors Foundation. The reception begins at 3:00, and the show runs through July 18. Gross Park: 1700 W. Henderson, one block south of the Lincoln, Roscoe & Paulina intersection. For more information, contact the Gross Park Neighbors Foundation: 773/248-1762.

Help the Hypocrites @ the Hungry Brain

Come out and help support local theater by...drinking! Tonight from 9 p.m.- midnight, you can drink all the beer and wine you like for $10 at The Hungry Brain, and help out local theater group The Hippocrites who've lost half their state funding this year. This bunch brought you the Jeff Recommended "Balm in Gilead" and "Camille/La Traviata" this year, the least you can do is go drink with them! The Hungry Brain is located at 2319 W. Belmont Ave. 

Queer Is Folk Festival

The 4th annual Queer is Folk festival, conceived and hosted by Chicago musician Scott Free, is a celebration of the LGBT experience through folk music. This year features performances by Melissa Ferrick, Blackberri, Ernest David Lijoi, Wishing Chair, and Andrea Bunch, with spoken word by Lisa Hemminger, Christopher Piatt, and Samaiya Ewing. At the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. 7:00pm. $20 in advance, $22 at the door. A portion of the proceeds goes to BEHIV. Call 773-728-6000, or order tickets through TicketWeb.

James T. Farrell Symposium and Bus Tour

Today is the second and final day the Newberry Library will celebrate the life and work of great American writer James T. Farrell with a free series of hour-long programs and a $20 bus tour of his native Chicago. This symposium, which marks the centennial of the author's birth, is presented in collaboration with Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, and the James T. Farrell Centenary Committee, a group of Illinois authors and educators who are petitioning the city to honor the author in this anniversary year. For more information about the James T. Farrell Symposium and Bus Tour, call (312) 255-3700.The Newberry Library is located at 60 W. Walton Street.

Neo-Futurist auditions

If you're a male theater actor living in Chicago, and you're looking for a theater company with which to align yourself, consider The Neo-Futurists, who are having auditions for their long-running show Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind today and tomorrow. Be forewarned that this is a long-term gig, and your weekends will pretty much be filled with this commitment (TML runs late nights on Fridays and Saturdays, and in the evenings on Sundays). But hey, you'd be a Neo-Futurist. How cool is that? More info and audition scheduling: (773) 275-5255 x3 or e-mail auditions@neofuturists.org.

How What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? Happened

The always interesting Theatre Building Chicago presents what may possibly be the ultimate queer theater experience, "How What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? Happened". Find out the whole sordid story about how two drag icons (played on the stage, of course, by men) were roped together to create one of the great camp classics. Not only is there a Website with more information about the show, but there's also a Weblog by playwright David Cerda, and even a coloring contest, in which the winners will win their very own Baby Jane Hudson doll! The play opens tonight tonight, and runs through June 26. Showtimes: Thursdays-Saturdays at 8:30 PM, Sundays at 5:00 PM. Theatre Building Chicago: 1225 W. Belmont, near the corner of Belmont and Racine. Tickets: (773) 327-5252 or through Ticketmaster.

My Morning Jacket @ Metro

Don't miss indie darlings My Morning Jacket (with M. Ward) at the Metro (3730 N. Clark St) May 21 @ 7 p.m. Tickets are $16.50. Box office: 773-549-0203. 312-559-1212.

Amy Goodman

Amy Goodman, the author of Exception to the Rulers will be in town today at Border's Books & Music (150 N. State St.). Her book examines the relationship between big media and foreign policy. Think it's weird that she'd be at a chain store? So do the owners of Women & Children First. Their people are talking to her people and something may get worked out for an additional appearance at their store in June. Stay tuned!

James T. Farrell Symposium and Bus Tour

On May 21-22, the Newberry Library will celebrate the life and work of great American writer James T. Farrell with a free series of hour-long programs and a $20 bus tour of his native Chicago. This symposium, which marks the centennial of the author's birth, is presented in collaboration with Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, and the James T. Farrell Centenary Committee, a group of Illinois authors and educators who are petitioning the city to honor the author in this anniversary year. For more information about the James T. Farrell Symposium and Bus Tour, call (312) 255-3700.The Newberry Library is located at 60 W. Walton Street.

Schadenfreude

The sketch comedy troupe Schadenfreude -- you may have heard their show on WBEZ Sunday nights at 8:30 -- performs at the Lakeshort Theater, 3175 N. Broadway, tonight and every Friday 'til June 25 at 11pm. The one-hour show showcases the group's unique brand of social and political satire. Tickets are $12, available at the door. Call 773/472-3492 for more info.

Can Ky Ree @ The Hideout

The Hideout presents Can Ky Ree tonight from 6–9 p.m. Can Ky Ree's songs are somewhere between an Appalachian ballad and a honkey tonk brawl, with a bit o' the new stuff mixed in. This Chicago group played background-style at the California Clipper before jumping into the studio recently to record some tunes. Tonight's lineup includes Tom Musick on guitar and vocals, Ryan Hembrey on piano, Steve Dorocke on mandolin and mandola, and Andy Rader on upright bass. The Hideout is located at 1354 W. Wabansia.

Carl Pope @ Barbara's Bookstore

Carl Pope, the executive director of the Sierra Club, will be appearing tonight at Barbara's Bookstore in Oak Park to discuss his new book, Strategic Ignorance: Why the Bush Administration is Recklessly Destroying a Century of Environmental Progress. The event begins at 7:30pm, and Barbara's Oak Park is located at 1100 Lake Street. Call 708.848.9140 for more information.

Tortoise/Beans/Pelican @ Metro

I don't think you can find a more diverse, yet completely fantastic line-up than this... Tortoise, Beans and Pelican will all be performing at the Metro. Doors are at 8 and the show starts at 9. Tickets are $16 in advance and $18 at the door.

Postpartum Symposium

If you, or someone you know, will give birth, or has given birth, you may be interested in attending this panel about proper postpartum care. Beginning at 6pm, a discussion will begin at the Fourth Presbyterian Church (126 E. Chestnut Street; Page Smith Room; 312.787.4570). The speakers are Dr. Sarah Allen (Chairperson of the Postpartum Depression Alliance of Illinois), Lorna Luz Sanchez (Psychology Residnet OB/GYN Treatment Center at Advocate Illinois Masonic Behavioral Health Center), Leslie Lowell Stoutenburg (Director of Pregnancy & Postpartum Mood & Anxiety Disorder Program at Alexian Brothers Hospital Network), Dr. Francesca Turner (OB/GYN, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center), and Carol Blocker (mother of Melanie Blocker-Stokes). This discussion is sponsored by the Chicago Chapter of the National Organization for Women, Postpartum Alliance of Illinois, and Center for Whole Health; a Program of Chicago Lights at Fourth Presbyterian Church. Discount validated parking available in the 900 North Michigan parking garage.

Glen Phillips @ Black Orchid

The former front-man for Toad the Wet Sprocket will be appearing tonight at the Black Orchid Supper Club at 230 W. North Ave. in Chicago. After the break-up of Toad the Wet Sprocket, Phillips embarked on a solo career, releasing his first solo album, Abulum, in 2001. The concert starts at 7:30pm, and you can get your tickets through Ticketmaster. Check out the Glen Phillips website for more news and events.

RJD2 @ Abbey

RJD2 will be performing at The Abbey Pub tonight to promote the release of his 2nd album. Local hip hop genius, Diverse, will be opening. The doors open at 9, show starts at 10. Tickets are $15.

Green City Market

The weekly Green City Market in Lincoln Park, 1750 N. Clark, opens its 2004 season. It will operate every Wednesday through October.

"Eat This New York" @ CHIC

The Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago offers a free screening of the new restaurant documentary Eat This New York, followed by a panel discussion with several Chicago chefs. The event starts promptly at 6pm at the CHIC Cafe, 361 W. Chestnut. Space is limited, so you must have a reservation: call 312/798-7888.

International Dinner & a Movie: Vengo

It's International Dinner and a Movie night again over at the Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington. Come see "Vengo" and enjoy a meal from Los Dos Laredos. 7pm. Tickets are $22; call 312/744-6630 for reservations or more information

Detachment Kit @ Empty Bottle

The Detachment Kit play their brand of angular spastic rock tonight at the Empty Bottle. They're quite a live act (crowd participation is mandatory) so if you like singers running through the crowd, screaming/singing in your face, high energy and a good rock show, this is your band. Challenger and Thin Man open. $8, 9:30pm, 21+.

Hemingway Reading Discussion Group

The Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park hosts a reading group that focuses exclusively on the works of Hemingway. The group is free and open to new members and usually meets the first and third Mondays of each month, but check the calendar for exact dates. Tonight the group will be discussing "Ernest Hemingway: Selected Letters, 1917-1961", pages 541 - 625. The fun starts at 7:30pm at the Hemingway Museum located at 200 N. Oak Park Avenue.

Free bowling @ Marigold Bowl

After over 60 years, the Marigold Bowl is closing up at the end of the month. To celebrate the end of the bowling, they're offering free bowling tonight. The free bowl runs from 6:00 to 10:00. Bring your family and friends, and something to read, because odds are it's gonna be PACKED. Marigold Bowl: 828 W. Grace. (773) 935-8183.

Equal Marriage Now! Rally

Equal Marriage Now sponsors another rally in support of same-sex marriage in Cook County, on the day that Massachusetts begins issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The rally takes place at noon today in front of the Cook County marriage license bureau at 118 N. Clark, across from Daley Plaza.

Movieside Film Fest

See George Romero, Jack Hill, Rusty Nails' Acne @ Movieside Film FestivalMay 14 - May 16 at the Biograph Theater (2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL)

Free bowling @ Marigold Bowl

After over 60 years, the Marigold Bowl is closing up at the end of the month. To celebrate the end of the bowling, they're offering free bowling tonight and tomorrow night. The free bowl for both nights runs from 6:00 to 10:00. Bring your family and friends, and something to read, because odds are it's gonna be PACKED. Marigold Bowl: 828 W. Grace. (773) 935-8183.

Elizabeth Hatmaker at Myopic Books

Tonight’s Myopic Reading Series features Elizabeth Hatmaker. Hatmaker’s work has appeared in “Epoch,” “ACM,” “Birddog,” and “The Mississippi Review.” She currently teaches at Illinois State University, and is working on a set of “crime lyrics” which combine poetry and true-crime writing. The reading begins at 7 p.m. at Myopic Books, located at 1564 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Wicker Park.

Chicago Photography Center Gallery Opening

The Chicago Photography Center, is having a gallery opening and reception on Sunday, May 16th, from noon to 4pm. The Chicago Photography Center is a great not-for-profit organization whose mission is to teach photographers to have a stronger impact and greater influence on the community-at-large. Their new facility houses darkrooms, a gallery, a lighting studio and classroom space. They offer weekday evening classes and single-session workshops on evenings and Saturdays. The Center is located at 3301 N. Lincoln, at the intersection of School/Lincoln/Marshfield, just North of Belmont. The reception is free to the public and will include food and beverages donated by local businesses.

Movieside Film Fest

See George Romero, Jack Hill, Rusty Nails' Acne @ Movieside Film FestivalMay 14 - May 16 at the Biograph Theater (2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL)

Le Vorris & Vox Circus

Le Vorris & Vox Circus presents "THE WORLD'S FAIR REGAINED" Come one and all to three FREE shows on May 14th and 15th on the Midway Plaisance, near 59th Street and Dorchester Avenue!

*See acrobats, jugglers, unicyclists, clowns, knife dancers and more! **Listen to a live and orginal score by P1xel and the Chronic Network! ***Enjoy a Midway-full of vendors and curiosities!

Saturday May 15th, the fair opens 3 pm, showtimes 4pm and 7pm.

Windy City Pro Wrestling

Windy City Pro Wrestling holds its 16th Battle of the Belts tonight. Come see Champion Ripper Manson vs. Baltazar in a steel cage. Watch Terry Allen duke it out with Steve Boz, with the loser required to leave the league! Matches from heavyweight all the way down to flyweight. First bell is at 7pm at Morton College, 3801 S. Central Ave. in Cicero. Tickets are $20 front row ringside, $15 ringside and $10 general admission, available at the door. Call 773/978-7317 or click here for more information.

Holy Fools benefit show

Holy Fools [a partial concrete rebirth] is a music and art show benefitting Rape Victim Advocates of Chicago. Music by: Mark Denardo, The Vatican Unit (backed by the autumn-waking), The Treatment, DJ Solus and DJ Tamper; artwork by Craig Blakeman, Uziel Duerte, J. David Gustufson, John Herbst, Ross Martens and Darren Oberto. 1225 W. Morse (map here), 8:30pm-2am. $8 donation, BYOB.

Theorizing Media in a New Millennium

Scholars at a University of Chicago conference titled Constru(ct)ing the Current: Theorizing Media in a New Millennium will explore why the media consider certain events historically significant, worthy of sustained coverage and commentary, while others generate little or no attention. What makes something qualify as a newsworthy event? All events are free and at International House, 1414 E. 59th St.

All-girl chess championship

Chicago plays home to the first annual All-Girls National Chess Championship this weekend at the Adler Planetarium. The tournament is open to all girls 6 to 18 years old. The tournament happens today and tomorrow, and is sponsored by the local chess group Chess Wizards. See their site for more information on the event and registration info.

Windy City Hemp Fest

Head on down to the Windy City Hemp Fest at Montrose Beach this weekend. The Fest will include voter registration drives, hemp presentations and literature, food, drum circles, and live music by bands like Old No. 8, Secret Agent Bill, Egostatic and Genral Patton and His Privates.

Andrew WK @ Bottom Lounge

Andrew WK is ready to make you party hard when he brings his brand of good time rock to Chicago. He plays with The Locust, No Motiv and Fireball Ministry. At The Bottom Lounge, Fri. May. 14 - 7PM

Movieside Film Fest

See George Romero, Jack Hill, Rusty Nails' Acne @ the Movieside Film Festival May 14 - May 16 at the Biograph Theater (2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL)

Chicago Peace Jubilee

An Annual Celebration To Benefit American Friends Service Committee.

An enchanting evening of dinner, dancing, and festivity at the first annual Chicago Peace Jubilee, May 14th 2004 from 6:30 - 10:30 pm.

The event will bring together a diverse pool of supporters from across Chicagoland. Our guests will enjoy a catered dinner, jazz music, and the opportunity to participate in a silent auction featuring fun items donated by caring artists, businesses, and individuals.

The Jubilee will take place at Catalyst Ranch, 656 W. Randolph, Suite 3, Chicago. www.peacechicago.org/jubilee/index.php

The Saddest Music in the World @ Music Box

Canadian film-maker Guy Maddin has been celebrated for his disturbing and hilarious films that revive the silent-film era techniques of storytelling: stylized sets, grainy film stocks, tinted films and title cards. His latest film, The Saddest Music in the World, tells the story of a Winnipeg beer baroness (played by Isabella Rossellini) attempting to find the country that can provide the saddest music in the world. The film also stars Mark McKinney and Maria de Medeiros, and opens at the Music Box Theatre tonight. If you've never seen a Guy Maddin film before, here's your chance. Music Box Theatre: 3733 N. Southport. (773) 871-6604.

Le Vorris & Vox Circus

Le Vorris & Vox Circus presents "THE WORLD'S FAIR REGAINED" Come one and all to three FREE shows on May 14th and 15th on the Midway Plaisance, near 59th Street and Dorchester Avenue!

*See acrobats, jugglers, unicyclists, clowns, knife dancers and more! **Listen to a live and orginal score by P1xel and the Chronic Network! ***Enjoy a Midway-full of vendors and curiosities!

Friday May 14th, the fair opens 4pm, showtime 7pm.

Dogs on Damen

One of Chicagoland's biggest pet adoption events, Dogs on Damen (and Cats), happens this weekend at the Lincoln Park Savings Bank parking lot (4035 N. Damen). A number of local animal shelters will show up with their finest dogs and cats, ready to entice you into adopting them. They will also be taking donations of new and used towels to be used in the shelters (donations are tax deductible). Hours: 3-7pm today, 10am-2pm Saturday, 12-4pm Sunday. More information: 800/780-5886.

Chicago Botanic Garden spring plant sale

The Chicago Botanic Garden's 39th annual plant sale, A Bloomin' Sale, opens today (but only for members of the garden; see below). One of the most anticipated items for sale this year: the Orange Meadowbrite, an orange coneflower created by the garden that's been getting quite a bit of press lately. Gardeners, this is the place you want to be! Chicago Botanic Garden: 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. Hours: 1:00PM to 7:00PM today (members only); 8:00AM to 10:00AM tomorrow (members only); 10:00AM to 3:00 PM, tomorrow and Sunday (general public). See the botanic garden's site for more information on the sale.

Theorizing Media in a New Millennium

Scholars at a University of Chicago conference titled Constru(ct)ing the Current: Theorizing Media in a New Millennium will explore why the media consider certain events historically significant, worthy of sustained coverage and commentary, while others generate little or no attention. What makes something qualify as a newsworthy event? Seymour Hersh delivers the keynote address at 4:15 p.m Friday. All events are free and at International House, 1414 E. 59th St.

Schadenfreude

The sketch comedy troupe Schadenfreude -- you may have heard their show on WBEZ Sunday nights at 8:30 -- performs at the Lakeshort Theater, 3175 N. Broadway, tonight and every Friday 'til June 25 at 11pm. The one-hour show showcases the group's unique brand of social and political satire. Tickets are $12, available at the door. Call 773/472-3492 for more info.

Can Ky Ree @ The Hideout

The Hideout presents Can Ky Ree tonight from 6–9 p.m. Can Ky Ree's songs are somewhere between an Appalachian ballad and a honkey tonk brawl, with a bit o' the new stuff mixed in. This Chicago group played background-style at the California Clipper before jumping into the studio recently to record some tunes. Tonight's lineup includes Tom Musick on guitar and vocals, Ryan Hembrey on piano, Steve Dorocke on mandolin and mandola, and Andy Rader on upright bass. The Hideout is located at 1354 W. Wabansia.

Danny's Reading Series

Wednesday, May 12    7:30PM (21 and over/please bring ID)

The Danny's reading series presents fiction by:

Michael Byers received his MFA from the University of Michigan and was a Stegner fellow at Stanford University. His novel Long for this World was published in 2003 by Houghton Mifflin.  His story collection, The Coast of Good Intentions, won the Sue Kaufman Prize for first fiction from the Academy of American Arts and Letters. Byers also won a Whiting Foundation Writer’s Award and was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Prize.  He lives in Pittsburgh.

Thisbe Nissen grew up in Manhattan. She's a graduate of The University of Iowa Writer's Workshop, where she was a James Michener Fellow. Thisbe's the author of a collection of short stories, Out of the Girl's Room and into the Night, and a novel, The Good People of New York.  She lives in Iowa City.

Danny's Tavern is located at 1951 W. Dickens in Chicago

"Inside My Mouth" @ Neo-Futurarium

The NeoFuturists present their latest full-length production, "Inside My Mouth" created by Genevra Gallo

Following on the heels of "43 Plays For 43 Presidents" and "Game/Place/Show", Genevra Gallo curates "Inside My Mouth", a collage of original work combining the perspectives and personal histories of several women on the topics of loss, love, silence, lust and conversation.

Runs May 13 - June 19, 2004. The Neo-Futurarium is at 5153 N. Ashland Ave.

Dave Rempis Quartet @ 3030

Join the Dave Rempis Quartet at 3030 W. Cortland tonight for part two of their record release party for their new live album "Out of Season" on 482 music. The 2-set show gets going at 9:30 p.m. and will feature Dave Rempis on sax, Jim Baker on piano/arp synthesizer, Jason Roebke on bass, and Tim Daisy on drums. Rempis, a veteran of local jazz superstars Triage and the Vandermark Five, brings his quartet's sound together on this new disc. The album was recorded in October 2003 at the 3030, so you can see this great jazz quartet in thier ideal element. You can buy the album at the show, or here. The 3030 is an event space in a converted Pentecostal church located at 3030 W. Cortland, BYOB.

Cosmic Twins at SoundBar

Two house and techno legends come together at the new superclub SoundBar. NYC's Body & Soul resident Francois K and Chicago's innovator Derrick May will provide the soundtrack to jack till 4am. 226 W. Ontario, 21+, $15.

Partly Dave Show

It's time again for The Partly Dave Show, Dave Awl's evening of performance and spoken-word cabaret. Tonight: Birthday Suits, pieces about birthdays or nudity or both. Featuring a striptease by clothing designer Craig Calhoun. No Exit Café, 6970 N. Glenwood, 8 pm, $7 or pay what you can.

Danny's Tavern Reading Series

This month, The Danny's reading series presents fiction by Michael Byers and Thisbe Nissen. Byers received his MFA from the University of Michigan and was a Stegner fellow at Stanford University. His novel Long for this World was published in 2003 by Houghton Mifflin.  His story collection, The Coast of Good Intentions won the Sue Kaufman Prize for first fiction from the Academy of American Arts and Letters. Byers also won a Whiting Foundation Writer’s Award and was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Prize.  He lives in Pittsburgh. Thisbe Nissen grew up in Manhattan. She's a graduate of The University of Iowa Writer's Workshop, where she was a James Michener Fellow. Thisbe's the author of a collection of short stories, Out of the Girl's Room and into the Night, and a novel, The Good People of New York.  She lives in Iowa City. Danny's Tavern is located at 1951 W. Dickens in Chicago. Bring ID since this reading is 21 and over. The reading starts at 7:30 p.m.

Lucille Clifton Reading

Award-winning poet Lucille Clifton will read at 6:30 p.m., in the ballroom of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, at 112 S. Michigan Ave. Lucille Clifton's latest books of poetry, Blessing the Boats: New and Selected Poems 1988-2000 (BOA Editions, 2000), is winner of the National Book Award. Her awards and honors include an Emmy Award and a Lannan Literary Award. She is former Poet Laureate of Maryland, and teaches at St. Mary's College of Maryland. Lucille Clifton's Reading is underwritten by the Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation and co-sponsored by The Gwendolyn Brooks Center at Chicago State University and The Poetry Center of Chicago. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door.

MECA Conference

Check out the Musician’s Education and Career Advancement Conference this May 12-15. MECA features over 40 panels with topics ranging from Managers 101 to Starting Your First Band, in addition to workshops and performance clinics, mentoring sessions, 250 live music showcases, and other events. Today is the last day to register at a discounted rate of $275, and after that, the fee is $300.

FOUND Magazine tour @ Empty Bottle

FOUND Magazine, the zine that publishes items found by its readers (some of which can be seen in the Reader every week), will be stopping by the Empty Bottle tonight at 9:00 to entertain the people. Expect found readings, found notes, live music with found lyrics, and other excitement. You'll find it to be a blast! Empty Bottle: 1035 N. Western. (773) 276-3600.

Self-Pleasure for Women

As part of National Masturbation Month, attend Early to Bed's Solo Flight: Self Pleasure for Women workshop. Learn why masturbation is good for you, various techniques, and about the dizzying array of toys on the market. Pre-register by e-mailing searah@early2bed.com or by phone at (773) 271-1219. The workshop is at 7:30 at Early to Bed located at 5232 N. Sheridan Rd. (near Foster and Sheridan, 2 blocks from the Berwyn Red Line Stop). Cost: $10.

Playwrights Collective Reading Series

One Monday a month, The Playwrights Collective 2004 Reading Series invites the public to experience the playwriting process firsthand. Playwrights Collective (TPC) members showcase works-in-progress in intimate staged readings for theater professionals and theater lovers alike. Many reading have gone on to become fully-staged, highly acclaimed productions. Tonight's reading will be "Skin and Bones" by Lisa Rosenthal. In this companion play to "Under Our Clothes," which explores the "secret life of men," "Skin and Bones" takes a look at the interior life of women. The reading starts at 7 p.m. at the Chicago Cultural Center's Studio Theater, at 77 E. Randolph Street. Admission is free. For more information, email theplaywrightscollective@yahoo.com.

Atomly and David Siska at Danny's

Atomly, the GB DJ of choice, will be playing his own songs live at Danny's; expect everything from chill dubby techno to mashedup breakcore. David Siska of WNUR's Clinically Inclined will also be playing, as well as m50, and Ray Rod from Hefty. Danny's Tavern, 1951 W. Dickens 9:45p - 2:00a, 21+, no cover.

Rachel Levitsky at Myopic Books

Tonight's Myopic Poetry Series at Myopic Books features Rachel Levitsky, whose first full-length volume of poetry, “Under the Sun,” was published by Futurepoem books in 2003. She is the author of several chapbooks, and has also written several plays. Levitsky is the creator and co-curator of “Belladonna” a feminist-experimental-poetic reading, salon, and publication series. While studying poetics at Naropa, she founded and curated the Left Hand Reading Series in Boulder, Colorado, 1996-1998. Selections from her current work, “NEIGHBOR,” can be read at The Brooklyn Rail. For more information, visit Myopic Books. The reading will take place at 7 p.m. at Myopic Books, located at 1564 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Wicker Park.

Ustad Asshish Khan at Chicago Cultural Center

As part of the Sunday Salon Series, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs presents a free concert by internationally renowned classical Indian musician Ustad Aashish Khan, at 3 p.m. under the grand Tiffany dome in Preston Bradley Hall of the Chicago Cultural Center, located at 78 E. Washington St. Aashish Khan replaces previously announced Ustad Sultan Khan. Fazal Qureshi remains as accompanist on tabla. Ustad Aashish Khan plays the sarod, one of the most popular plucked string instruments of northern India. Together with his uncle Ravi Shankar, he has worked on projects for both film and stage, including Sir Richard Attenborough's Oscar-winning film "Gandhi". For more information, please visit the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs or call 312-744-6630.

The Stray Show

The Stray Show happens this weekend. Now in it's third year, it brings a diverse and vast collection of galleries, artists and other creatives together to foster progression of the arts. Quite a veritiable group of Chicago's finest representing. Be sure to do so as well. Opening night celebrations happen this evening with the Stray Show proper from the 7th - 9th. Check the site for details.

Fuck art, let's fuck

Celebrate Art Chicago week with the Modernist Society Second Sundays at The Darkroom: Fuck art, let's fuck. Sunday May 9, The Darkroom, 2210 W. Chicago, 21+, 8pm-2am, no cover.

Steppin' Out Against Domestic Violence

Southwest Women Working Together, a Chicago women's group that primarily serves women from the South Side, invites you to Step Out Against Domestic Violence at their stepper set at Mr. G's Supper Club, 1547 W. 87th. The show starts at 9:00PM and runs till 3:00AM. Donations are $12 in advance, or $15 at the door. For ticket information: (773) 737-2500, ext. 251.

THE2NDHAND Reading

Saturday May 8, at 6pm THE2NDHAND reads @ The Stray Show (1418 N. Kingsbury). Free with general admission: $10. 312.587-3300

THE2NDHAND announces ALL HANDS ON: A THE2NDHAND READER, a 248-page tome collecting the best of four years of published writing from Chicago’s broadsheet and online magazine (http://www.the2ndhand.com), with readings by THE2NDHAND editors Todd Dills and Jeb Gleason-Allured, plus contributors Greg Purcell and Eric Graf. Gorilla-style, as always.  

World Fair Trade Day

Fair Trade leaders and activists will gather at the World Fair Trade Day Fair at the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum this Saturday, May 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will highlight what the average citizen can do to make trade fair. The day will feature presentations by expert Mexican coffee farmers and a fair featuring fair trade product vendors. To find out more, check with Oxfam.

The Stray Show

The Stray Show happens this weekend. Now in it's third year, it brings a diverse and vast collection of galleries, artists and other creatives together to foster progression of the arts. Quite a veritiable group of Chicago's finest representing. Be sure to do so as well. Opening night celebrations happen this evening with the Stray Show proper from the 7th - 9th. Check the site for details.

Rockin’ De Mayo

Didn't celebrate Cinco de Mayo on the 5th? Try Saturday. Join XRT at Elston and Division for their fifth annual Rockin' de Mayo event. Musical guests include Blues Traveler, Fountains of Wayne, Howie Day, and more. The cost: just $10.

Chicago Improv Festival: Dan Castellaneta

It's probably a bit unfair to single out one member of the LA improv group Totally Looped, but when that one member is "Simpsons" demigod (and former Oak Park resident) Dan Castellaneta, well, one just has to make an exception. Dan and the rest of Totally Looped (including Angela V. Shelton, former host of Channel 11's "The Cheap Show") will be performing at the Athenaeum Theatre tonight, as part of the Chicago Improv Festival. Tickets available through Ticketmaster or at the Athenaeum box office. The show starts at 10:00PM. Athenaeum Theatre: 2936 N. Southport.

First Fridays @ MCA

At First Fridays at the Museum of Contemporary Art, visitors can unwind after work and enjoy an intriguing mix of culture, ranging from live music and performance art to experimental films and hands-on art stations. Not to mention see and be seen by all kinds of young, hip, arty singles looking for love.

First Fridays tickets, which include Museum admission, live entertainment, and complimentary Wolfgang Puck hors d’oeuvres, are $14. Doors are open 6–10 pm. A cash bar is available until 9:30 pm. Guests must be 21 or older to enter.

DNC Fundraiser at W Hotel

Tonight Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe hosts an evening with New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton to honor her leadership and contributions to the Democratic Party. Along with free vodka cocktails there'll be live hip-hop by Biz Markie, of all people. Tickets range from $50-$200 and proceeds will benefit the DNC's Presidential Fund. Some sites report that Drew Barrymore, Jamie Blythe from ABC's "The Bachelorette," and Mallory Snyder from MTV's "The Real World, Paris" will also be in attendance, so really, there's something for almost everybody. The evening's events take place from 6 to 10 p.m., at the W Hotel, at 172 W. Adams Street, and you must be 21 or older to attend.

Opening @ Defiance Gallery

Defiance Gallery is presenting the work of two local artists Chris Silva and Michael Genovese. It's going to be a whole bunch of good. The opening reception is from 6-9. The show runs until May 29.

The Stray Show

The Stray Show happens this weekend. Now in it's third year, it brings a diverse and vast collection of galleries, artists and other creatives together to foster progression of the arts. Quite a veritiable group of Chicago's finest representing. Be sure to do so as well. Opening night celebrations happen this evening with the Stray Show proper from the 7th - 9th. Check the site for details.

Gay Marriage Rally @ Preston Bradley Center

Tonight, DontAmend.com, the Illinois Green Party, and Chicago Anti-Bashing Network are sponsoring an evening of speakers to address the fight for equal marriage rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people. Speakers include Patricia Ireland, former president of NOW and senior advisor to DontAmend.com; Jason West, the New Paltz, NY major who supports gay marriage; Rev. Pat Bumgardner, Metropolitan Community Churches minister; and Robin Tyler, stage producer for the first three national lesbian and gay marches on Washington. It all gets started tonight, at 7 p.m. at the Preston Bradley Center, located at 941 W. Lawrence. If you'd like more information, check out DontAmend.com's website, where you can also download handbills.

Peaches @ Logan Square Auditorium

Peaches is back and I'm sure she's strutting more than ever. You go girl.

PEACHES
MAGAS
YOUNG HEART ATTACK
Logan Square Auditorium - 8PM - 18+

HeWhoCorrupts records live show for release

Local grindcore band HeWhoCorrupts whose popularity and stage intensity and antics keep growing ata rate you can't believe headline a stellar show where they'll be recording a live album for release in Brazil (?!). Yes they're special alright.

Friday, May 7th
Fireside Bowl
Chicago, IL
2646 W Fullerton
6 PM / $6 / All Ages
Hewhocorrupts (Recording For Live Record to Come Out In Brazil!!!) The 4-Squares (10 Year Anniversary!!!) The Repos (Ex Charles Bronson!!) The Brokedowns (Ex...don't worry...they'll fuck shit up!!!)

Apples in Stereo @ Bottom Lounge

The Apples in Stereo Live at the Bottom Lounge Thursday, May 6th.

The Apples in Stereo were instrumental in the now-legendary Elephant 6 collective of the Nineties (Olivia Tremor Control, Neutral Milk Hotel, etc.). The show is 18+, $12.

Take Back The Night rally

Southwest Women Working Together, a women's group which primarily serves women from the South Side of Chicago, is hosting a Take Back The Night event tonight, to call attention to violence against women and children. The rally begins tonight at 6:00PM, and a march follows the rally at 7:00. The event begins at the Foster Park Field House at 83rd and Loomis. For more information, see the SWWT Website, or call (773) 737-2500.

Chicago Wi-Fi discussion @ Chicago Cultural Center

Should Wi-Fi service be offered for free in Chicago? Well, if you're reading this, chances are your answer is "yes." This afternoon there will be a discussion held at the Chicago Cultural Center on the topic of free Wi-Fi service. Taking part in the discussion: Jimm Dispensa of Friends of Downtown, Stelios Valavanis of the IT company onShore, and Spiro Papadopoulos of ePrairie.com. The discussion runs from 12:15 to 1:15 in the Claudia Cassidy Theatre, and is free and open to the public. Chicago Cultural Center: 78 E. Washington. (773) 744-6630.

"Friends" Finale Party @ Charlie's Ale House

If you just can't stand to be alone during the final episode of "Friends," there's at least one bar you can head to. Charlie's Ale House, at 5308 N. Clark St. has a no-cover evening planned from 7-9 p.m. They'll have "Friends" trivia, a lookalike contest, a chance to win a season of "Friends" on DVD, and drink and dinner specials. They'll also have a special menu including Joey's Meatball Sub, Phoebe's Smelly Cat Fish Sandwich, Ross' Wedding Soup, Chandler Bing's Cherries Jubilee, and Monica's Turkey Dinner. For more information, call (773) 751-0140. Or, you can always stay home and order a "Joey Special" from your favorite pizza place.

Windy City Linux Users Group Monthly Meeting

Meets the First Thursday at 7pm in Letizia's Natural Bakery, 2144 W Division, Chicago. Details (and a cool picture of a penguin beating the hell out of Bill Gates) at http://wclug.org/.

Stray Show Opening Night

The Stray Show happens this weekend. Now in it's third year, it brings a diverse and vast collection of galleries, artists and other creatives together to foster progression of the arts. Quite a veritiable group of Chicago's finest representing. Be sure to do so as well. Opening night celebrations happen this evening with the Stray Show proper from the 7th - 9th. Check the site for details.

Jewish Women Poets at Beat Kitchen

Three leading young female poets come together for an evening of readings and conversations about art, creativity, and Judaism at 7 p.m. at the Beat Kitchen, at 2100 W. Belmont, Chicago. Whether it's love, motherhood, the Holocaust or dissecting the role of poetry itself, each poet reflects her personal world—while never forgetting our collective past. Featuring award-winning poets Arielle Greenberg ("Given"), Rachel Zucker ("Eating in the Underworld"), and Jessica Greenbaum ("Inventing Difficultly"). Hosted by Eric Selinger, co-editor of "Jewish American Poetry: Poems, Commentary and Reflections."

Pixies Concert Video @ aliveOne

If you missed out on tickets to the November Pixies show (it's sold out), here's a chance to still see them in concert...sort of. aliveOne, N. Halsted, will be playing a concert video of the band at around 9pm tonight. Free, assuming you're having a drink; 21 and over. For more info, call the bar at 773/315-6398.

Gold Coast Architectural History Talk

On Wednesday, May 5 , at 6 p.m., the Newberry Library's Wednesday Club will host Sally Sexton Kalmbach for an illustrated talk about the architectural history of the Gold Coast neighborhood that was developed by famous society matron and patron Bertha Honore Palmer. When Mrs. Palmer died in 1918, she had doubled the value of real estate holdings inherited from her husband Potter Palmer and was the largest property owner on the North Side of Chicago. Admission is $12 and includes beer, wine, and light snacks. The Newberry is located at 60 W. Walton St., Chicago. For more info, call (312) 255-3510 or check the Newberry Library's website.

Free movie - The Thin Blue Line

New cafe Metropolis (very cool place) up in Rogers Park is showing a free movie this Wednesday the 5th at 7pm:

"The Thin Blue Line" is the fascinating, controversial true story of the arrest and conviction of Randall Adams for the murder of a Dallas policeman in 1976. Billed as "the first movie mystery to actually solve a murder," the film is credited with overturning the conviction of Randall Dale Adams for the murder of Dallas police officer Robert Wood, a crime for which Adams was sentenced to death. With its use of expressionistic reenactments, interview material and music by Philip Glass, it pioneered a new kind of non-fiction filmmaking. Its style has been copied in countless reality-based television programs and feature films.

Terrence Rafferty in The New Yorker has called it "a powerful and thrillingly strange movie. Morris seems to want to bring us to the point at which our apprehension of the real world reaches a pitch of paranoia -- to induce in us the state of mind of a detective whose scrutiny of the evidence has begun to take on the feverish clarity of hallucination."

"The Thin Blue Line" was voted the best film of 1988 in a Washington Post survey of 250 film critics. Premiere magazine, in a survey of films of the 1980s, described it as one of the most important and influential movies of the decade.

Destroyer @ Empty Bottle

Destroyer, aka Dan Bejar, plays the Empty Bottle May 4th at 9:30 pm. His shows are as unusual and wonderful as his music. Frog Eyes and Candyland Riots open. $8.

Ween: Live in Chicago DVD released today

Ween's first DVD release, a 2-disc set documenting some November 2003 shows at the Vic, gets released today. Yeah, you get all the hits ("Pork Roll Egg and Cheese," "Voodoo Lady," "Doctor Rock," and so much more), but you also get the chance to look for yourself in the audience! The DVD should be available at all your favorite music stores.

Metro Night Game

Metro has come up with an interesting way to showcase local bands on Cubs game days: Tonight, come watch the game at Metro, 3321 N. Clark, on the biggest screen Wrigleyville -- the back wall of the stage -- then stick around for a set by Burn Rome Burn. Admission is free during the game, and they're offering $2 Miller/Miller Lite pints. Doors open at 6pm.

Ween: Live in Chicago DVD party @ Schubas

The new DVD by Ween, "Live in Chicago," will be screened at Schubas tonight. Doors open at 7:00, show starts at 8:00, admission is free! The DVD will also be for sale at the event, so you can pick it up before it goes on sale tomorrow. Schubas: 3159 N. Southport. (773) 525-2508.

A Day on the Force @ Siskel Film Center

If you missed last year's film A Day on the Force: Women's Professional Tackle Football when it was screened in June, you have a second chance to catch it tonight at 5:00 at the Siskel Film Center. The film follows the Chicago Force football team through their inaugural season in the new Independent Women's Football League. Even if you've seen it already, the film has been updated and re-edited, so you might want to check it out again. Co-director Ronit Bazalel, members of the Chicago Force, and other members of the film crew will be on hand to discuss the film. Siskel Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.

March for Women's Lives discussion @ Women and Children First

A group of women that attended the recent March for Women's Lives in Washington DC will be speaking at Women and Children First this afternoon at 4:30 PM, to discuss how to use the momentum from one of the largest marches in the nation's recent history. Women and Children First: 5233 N. Clark. (773) 769-9299.

Play with Clay

Come celebrate Lincoln Square Pottery Studio's One Year Anniversary Student Sale & Show on Sunday, May 2nd, from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. There will be food, drinks, music, and throwing competitions (that's with clay on a wheel, not with clay at you). The studio is located at 4150 N. Lincoln Ave. You can call (773) 248-4430 if you have any questions.

Bark in the Park 5k

The Anti-Cruelty Society of Chicago holds its 10th annual Bark in the Park pet-friendly 5k run/walk today in Lincoln Park's (the park, not the neighborhood) Montrose Harbor. The race, which helps fund the organization's operations, starts at 9am, rain or shine. Even if you're not going to participate, come down and cheer on the pet parade! More info here.

Strike Anywhere/Paint It Black @ Fireside

A veritable show of the new school of punk (and we don't mean Blink 182), Strike Anywhere, Challenger and Paint It Black bring the noise, the youth and the anarchy to the Fireside Bowl. 6PM, all ages, Fireside Bowl - 2646 W. Fullerton Chicago, IL. 773-486-2700

Upcoming