Gilda's Club Cookout & Potluck

Gilda's Club Chicago, a cancer support organization, is holding a cookout/potluck from 6-8pm at their offices at 537 N. Wells St. Bring a dish or something to grill and have a good time. RSVP 312/464-9900; more information on their site. (Incidentally, their new member meeting is the following day, 8/23, from 11am to noon.)

Stitches Midwest

If you're the type of person to wander through yarn stores, fondling hanks of silk, admiring hand-dyed skeins of wool, or just dreaming while looking through knitting patterns, then Stitches Midwest will send you into overload. Imagine a room filled with more than 500 of the best yarn suppliers in the country, classes offered by the people who design for magazines and books, and free demos of different techniques and tools. You'll have to make your way to St. Charles to find this amazing display of fibery fun, but its a pretty drive. Pre-registration is suggested.

Derrick May at Smartbar

Derrick May at Smartbar. One of Detroit's original innovators of techno, with Matt Martin opening. $15, 21+, 11pm, 3730 N. Clark St.

American Craft Exposition

The 19th annual American Craft Exposition is being held August 22-24, 2003, at the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion in Evanston, Illinois on Northwestern University's campus. Over 150 artists are exhibiting this year, selected from a pool of more than 1000 applicants. Handcrafted works in media such as ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, leather, mixed media, paper and wood will be displayed. The exposition is open to the public. Tickets are $10 for unlimited entry throughout the three days of the show. The hours are Friday, August 22, 10am-9pm; Saturday, August 23, 10am-6pm; and Sunday, August 24, 11am-5pm. Check out the website for more information.