80s New Wave Party

Estrojam presents: 80's New Wave Party- Sat March 27th @ The Note (1565 N Milwaukee Ave). Doors open at 9 pm, the show starts at 10 pm. $8 ($6 w/flyer).

Featuring: COMASOFT W/Christine of Flutter, STEWED TOMATOES, AND the hosts of 'DESTINATION UNKNOWN''THINK PINK/ALI MACDONALD' and 'THE HUMP DAY DANCE PARTY' on WLUW 88.7 fm. For tickets please go to: www.thenotechicago.com

Patriot Acts Premiere

The Gene Siskel Film Center presents the world premiere of Patriot Acts (2004, Sree Nallamothu, USA, ca. 60 min) Saturday March 27th at 8:15 pm.

"Patriot Acts documents the devastating impact of post-9/11 immigration policies on Chicago’s Pakistani residents. This powerful documentary explores the human cost of the Bush Administration’s controversial NSEERS program, which required non–immigrant males, 16 or older, from predominantly Muslim countries to register with the Dept. of Homeland Security. Patriot Acts penetrates into the heart of a predominantly Pakistani and Indian community on Chicago’s North Side and tells the stories of two men: Tariq Moti, a dancer detained twice by immigration authorities, and Mohammad Tariq, a father in search of medical care for his two blind children. The two men navigate a maze of newly minted immigration laws while under the constant threat of arrest, detention, and deportation. Set on the eve of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, the film captures the turmoil and confusion of a moment during the “war on terror” when basic civil liberties were sacrificed at the altar of a false security." -GSFC website.

Director Sree Nallamothu and members of the cast and crew will be present for audience discussion.

The Gene Siskel Film Center is located at 164 North State Street. 312-846-2600.

my robot friend @ Metro

my robot friend (no caps) is NYC musician Howard Rigberg, who used to be a member of the group Princess, but who has recently made a name for himself playing robot-themed electronic music. His debut album, "Hot action!", includes an achingly precise version of the Johnny Cash tune "Understand Your Man," a tribute to a certain British group in "We're the Pet Shop Boys," and a rousing version of the Princess song "Walking Jewish" that's sure to bring the house down in any live performance. my robot friend plays tonight at the Metro, 3730 N Clark. Tickets: (773) 549-0203, or at yr favorite Ticketmaster outlet.

Art Interchange

The Art Interchange Collective is preparing to host it's second annual event "Word Division" at the end of March. This incredibly unique and inspiring event brings together a variety of creative individuals for one night of art swapping. Make a lovely piece of art, bring it to the event, drink, be merry, dance, and leave with someone else's wonderful artwork to show all your friends. The evening will be featuring the soothing sounds of DJ Kali followed by the delectable tunes of special guest, NYC's Lution. The interchange will be taking place on Saturday March 27 at the Happy Village (1059 N. Wolcott) at 8pm (be sure to arrive at 8 if you've got art to swap). The actual art exchange will be at 10pm. The Art Interchange is open to all. Even if you choose to not participate in the Interchange, please come and show your support. Don't miss this event!

Whiffenpoofs @ Loyola

It's not just for saying out loud, anymore. This Saturday will mark the first public concert by the a cappella group The Whiffenpoofs of Yale University in Chicago in more than a decade. What kept them away? Who knows, but the concert will be on March 27th at 3 p.m. at the Sky Auditorium at Loyola University, 1020 W. Sheridan Road, Chicago, 60626. Tickets are $10 and are available on line at www.whiffenpoofs.com, by phone at (800) 595-4849, or at the door. The Whiffenpoofs (besides having a funny-sounding name) are a non-profit organization and a portion of all proceeds will go to support the Whiffenpoofs' Children's Literacy Initiative.

Discrete Reading Series at 3030

The Discrete Reading and Performance Series at 3030 presents even more readings this week by poet, translator, and essayist Pierre Joris, Iowa Writing Workshop instructor and poet Cole Swensen, poet and translator Jen Hofer, Chicago native Ray Bianchi, and poet and founder and editor of Futurepoem Books in Brooklyn Dan Machlin. As usual, it goes down at 7 p.m. at 3030 W. Cortland, $5 suggested donation, BYOB.

The Big Sleep @ Music Box Theatre

Who killed the chauffeur? One of the eternal questions of the cinema. And you can have another crack at figuring it out this weekend, as the Music Box shows the classic Howard Hawks movie this weekend for their matinee. Bogie, Bacall, Martha Vickers, and Dorothy Malone in a classic cameo as the bookseller who falls under Bogie's spell. Screenplay by William Faulkner and Raymond Chandler, a once-in-a-lifetime combination. The Big Sleep screens Saturday and Sunday at 11:30 AM. Music Box Theatre: 3733 N. Southport. (773) 871-6604.

Chicago Hip-Hop Summit

The Chicago Hip-Hop Summit happens today at the UIC Pavilion from 9:00 to 2:00. A whole range of hip-hop and rap stars will be attending, but the main focus of the summit appears to be empowering the youth, specifically getting people registered to vote. Hip-Hop Summit Action Network president/CEO Dr. Benjamin Chavis: "The youth vote in 2004 will be one of the single most important national constituencies to express its right to vote and freedom of speech. Hip-hop is the new American mainstream and the Chicago Hip-Hop Summit will exemplify the power and radiance of the youth of America." UIC Pavilion: 525 South Racine Avenue. Registration for the summit is available at the HSAN Website.