Ethel @ Cultural Center

The string quartet Ethel plays a free concert at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington, today at 3pm.

ohm Series: Headphones Tour

The Headphones Tour is a performance art work: a 45-minute, site-specific guided tour that allows the audience to experience the Chicago Cultural Center in a whole new way. According to the press release, "In groups of eight, audience members are guided only by the instructions they are given through a set of headphones. Moving among the reconceptualized rooms in the building, audience members will encounter performers and be asked to do certain tasks. The Headphones Tour is centered around the theme of social development from birth to death and will include various settings such as graduation, a wedding and a funeral... Each audience member will become part of the art that they are experiencing, and everyone's experience will be completely unique from their fellow tour participants." The tour runs between 7pm and 9pm. It is free, but reservations are required: call 312/744-5270 to reserve your spot.

Free Aaron Freeman Show

Aaron Freeman's will be giving a few stand-up comedy performance titled "One Hilarious Black Jew" at UIC on Monday. You know him from his contributions to the Trib as well as the well-known NPR commentator. Details: Monday, February 23, The Illinois Room, Chicago Circle Center (CCC) @ UIC, Show starts at 6:00 p.m. FREE

HW Brands @ Newberry Library

HW Brands, best-selling author and historian, will read from his book "Lone Star Nation," tonight from 6-7pm at the Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton, as part of the Chicago Humanities Festival. The book covers the history of Texas, from Spanish territory to independent republic to statehood and the present. Admission is free, but reservations are required; call 312/661-1028 x41.