Get Fired

Looking to score your fifteen minutes of fame? The Apprentice is holding an open casting call for its fourth season, today at NBC Tower, 454 N. Columbus Drive. Interviews begin at 9am, but wristbands are handed out at 8am, so be sure to get there nice and early because only those with wristbands are guaranteed an interview.

LPYP "Diamond and Ice Ball"

The Lincoln Park Young Professionals (LPYP) present their annual "Diamond and Ice Ball" at Marshall Fields downtown. Mingle with professional models wearing diamonds, sample caviar and fancy desserts, and enter your name in a drawing to win a two-year lease on a 2005 Mini Cooper convertible.

If this sounds like your kind of event, it all takes place tonight from 7-11 pm. Tickets will set you back $60 at the door (only $40 for LPYP members).

First Coat CD Release @ Gunther Murphy's

The First Coat CD Release Show for their latest album "Move Like Sparrows " will get down tonight at Gunther Murphy's at 1638 W. Belmont, Chicago. Show starts 10pm, (doors at 9pm) Tickets are a cheap cheap $7. (21+) Support provided by The Passerines, Jeff Rufo of Swansea Mass, and Hidden Mitten.

DJ Surgeon @ Logan Square Auditorium

Tony Childs, who earned his DJ name Surgeon with flawless mixing of clean, hard techno, is headlining a two-room party at the Logan Square Auditorium. A supporting lineup of techno locals includes Frankie Vega, Gabe Palomo, and many others. Full event info here. 2539 N. Kedzie, 9pm - 3am 18+, 21 to drink. $12 pre-sale, $15 at the door.

GB staff member JD will be in attendance.

Pet CPR

Sure Fido can drag you from a burning car, but could you give him mouth-to-mouth? Learn Pet First Aid and CPR today at the Anti-Cruelty Society from 9 am – 1 pm. This course, taught by an American Red Cross certified instructor, will cover Pet First Aid and CPR techniques. The emphasis will be on cats and dogs. Cat and dog manikins will be used; please do not bring your pet to class.  The course length is 4 hours. The course fee of $40 includes all course materials. To register for this class, call Tammie Bouschor at (312) 644-8338 ext. 344. Payment must be received at least two weeks prior to your scheduled class to confirm your registration. This class will be held in The Anti-Cruelty Society's Education and Training Center, located at 169 W. Grand Ave.

North Lakeside Players Present Ancestral Voices: A Family Story

North Lakeside Players present A. R. Gurney’s play Ancestral Voices: A Family Story today and tomorrow at 1pm at the North Park Village Nature Center (5801 N. Pulaski Rd). Tickets are $12. For reservations call 773-293-1358.

 "If the family is the key theme of American drama, playwright A. R. Gurney's Ancestral Voices: A Family Story is a beautiful example of that great tradition. Eddie is eight and loves fishing with Gramp. He doesn't understand why Gram moved to the country with "Uncle" Roger. The fire will be blazing at the North Park Village Nature Center as this elegy for Buffalo, New York is heartbreakingly evoked in ways reminiscent of The Magnificent Ambersons. The play is a kindly memory of a small town, and the changes made to friends and family by divorce." -North Lakeside Players

 Ancestral Voices: A Family Story is directed by Linda LeVeque features Rob Baker, Phil Carlin, Devin Kirk, Helen Merrier and Keta Roth.

"Encyclopedia of Chicago" Editors @ Oak Park Library

Encyclopedia of Chicago co-editors Jim Grossman and Ann Durkin Keating will be giving a lecture at the Oak Park Public Library today at 2pm. The lecture is free and is co-sponsored by The Historical Society of Oak Park. The OPPL is located one block north and one block west of the Oak Park Green Line stop; call 708-383-8200 for more info.

Women In Media and News fundraiser

Are you annoyed by the way women are portrayed in the media and wish someone would do something about it? So was Jennifer Pozner. Amidst all of her writing for Ms., Bitch and many other publications, Jennifer created Women In Media & News which not only critiques the media, but also hopes to create POWER sources for journalists to call to get experts in any subject, who also happen to be women. She'll be in Chicago today at my house giving a short speech and raising funds to promote her efforts beginning at 2pm. If you'd like to come meet Jennifer, or Christine Cupaiuolo of Ms. Magazine, Karen Young of Media Democracy Chicago, Anne Elizabeth Moore who is the associate publisher of Independents’ Day Media, and Paula Kamen who is a journalist and author of Feminist Fatale and Her Way. You'll also get to see GB staffer Cinnamon Cooper and for a small donation you'll get to see the kitchen she can't stop writing about. Please send an RSVP to cc@gapersblock.com for driving/transit directions.

Late Night....by Improv Opens

Opening February 19 and running until March 12, every Saturday at 11pm at the Strawdog Theatre (3829 N. Broadway) catch LATE NIGHT…by Improv, a fully improvised take on late night talk shows. Each week a special guest host will interview characters created from audience suggestions, but unlike your run-of-the-mill talk show, you'll get the chance to see what the guests are really like backstage as they deal with the show's crew and the other guests. Using improv games and scenes, director Eric Rampson leads the cast of The CIA (Chicago Improv Anarchy) in exploring the difference between who we are, who we seem to be, and who we want others to think we are. At LATE NIGHT…By Improv the interview is only half the story. Tickets are $9. Call for reservations (773) 419-4606 or order online.

Collaboraction's Carnaval 2005

Collaboraction is hosting their annual Carnaval tonight at 9:30pm at the Congress Theater, 2135 N. Milwaukee Ave. Join in for cocktails, body painting, aerial artists, jugglers, stilt walkers, and this year, a "Motorized Mini-Car Demolition Derby," too. DJ Julio Bishop spins.
Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Proceeds benefit the premier of the Guinea Pig Solo, the groups upcoming show. More info, pictures and ticket ordering at the Collaboraction site.

"Sanitary & Ship" Release Party @ Quimby's

"Sanitary & Ship," a new compilation of works by Chicago zinesters and self-publishers, celebrates its debut at Quimby's, 1854 W. North Ave., tonight at 8pm. Readings by:
Brandon Wetherbee (Foul)
Kate Sandler (Brainiac)
Emerson Dameron (Wherewithal)
Leonard Pierce (ludickid.com)
Andrew Mall (Living Proof)
Jeff Disler (Time All At Once)
Grant Schreiber (Judas Goat Quarterly)
Hosted By Aaron Cynic of Diatribe Media. The event is free, all ages.

Chicago Comedy Sampler Tour

It's an all-out immersion experience in Chicago's comedy theaters. The Chicago Comedy Tour takes off from the Chicago Cultural Center (77 E. Randolph) at 2:45pm. In the afternoon you'll see mini-perfomances at the Neo-Futurarium and ComedySportz, each followed by Q&A sessions with the artists and tours of the theaters. The evening portion begins with dinner at Marcello's, followed by a full-length show at Second City e.t.c., with one last trolley depositing you back at the Cultural Center by 10pm—plenty of time left for drinking. The whole shebang runs $75 a ticket, tax and tip included; get them at any Hot Tix location or from the League of Chicago Theatres, 312-554-9800.

Theater Fever 2005

It's Theater Fever 2005, the eighth annual day of family fun with Chicago's theatre companies at the Chicago Cultural Center (77 E. Randolph). From 10am to 3pm today the Cultural Center will be packed with workshops, fun and games, like a stage combat workshop with Babes With Blades, a circus arts intro from CircEsteem, and a lecture on theatre etiquette by Late Night Catechism's Sister. Other Theater Fever activities include behind-the-scenes tours at five downtown theaters. For a full details on activities and participating companies, click here or call 312.742.1079.