Art Institute's "Long Day"

Visiting hours at the Art Institute change today. The museum's "long day," or the weekday on which the museum will be open in evening hours, moves from Tuesdays to Thursdays as of today. The museum will be open Thursdays from 10:30 AM to 8:00 PM. The change accompanies an increase in the museum ticket price: from $10 to $12 for adults, $6 to $7 for children, seniors and students. The museum's free admission day will remain on Tuesday. Art Institute of Chicago: 111 S. Michigan. (312) 443-3600.

Bill Clinton @ Barbara's

Former president Bill Clinton will be signing his memoir, My Life on Thursday, July 1 at Barbara's Bookstore UIC, located at 1218 S. Halsted. The event starts at 1pm, but space is limited and tickets are required. Call 312/413-2665 or see this page for more information. [UPDATE] Tickets have run out, but you might be able to glimpse the former prez if you head down anyway. You just won't be able to get anything signed.

The 2nd Hand Release Party

THE2NDHAND celebrates the release of All Hands On: a THE2NDHAND Reader at Quimby's Bookstore, 1854 W. North Ave., tonight at 7pm. The event will include performances of the best work published in weekly broadsheet, anthologized in the newly release book, as well as musical guests and some comments by the editors. Free!

Eyes to the Skies Balloon Festival

Twenty hot air ballons will be launched every day during this festival at the Lisle Community Park located at Ill. Hwy. 53 and Short Street in Lisle, Illinois. The festival will also include nightly fireworks displays beginning around 10:15 p.m. July 1-4. Some major music acts will also be performing including the Spin Doctors (Thursday at 9pm) and Big Bad VooDoo Daddy (Sunday at 9pm). Admission is $8; $2 for kids ages 5-12. Visit the official website for more information.

MMW @ Tweeter Center

Medeski Martin and Wood will be playing a show at the Tweeter center, though only the group’s website seems to be informed of that fact. Neither the Tweeter Center site, or Ticketmaster, have the phenom-dance/trance pioneer group on the bill alongside 311 and The Roots, but the band’s site has the date posted and MMW fans have been told of the band’s show, which the group hails as a "groove-heavy summer" tour with their fellow tour-buddies each with their own "DIY attitude." Hey, tickets are only $15.

American Music Festival @ Fitzgerald's

Fitzgerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd. in Berwyn, kicks off its American Music Festival tonight with a strong line-up of folk, blues, country and rock. Playing on two stages are:
• Poncho Chavez & The Magic Sounds
• Chevere
• Chris & Heather's 16mm Film Jamboree with special guests Robbie Fulks, Kelly Hogan, Scott Ligon, Nora O'Connor, Vernon Tonges, John "Sinatra" Connors, Chris Ligon & Heather McAdams
• Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie
• Anna Fermin's Trigger Gospel
• Robbie Fulks
• Jimmy LaFave
• Michael McDermott
• Jeff & Vida

Doors open at 4:30pm. Tickets are $20 per day, but you can get $5 off if you show up before 6pm -- which is worth doing, so you can get some of Fitzgerald's great cajun BBQ before the best parts are gone. For more info and a full schedule, check here or call 708/788-2118 ext20.

LPZ Center for African Apes

The long-awaited grand opening of the Regenstein Center for African Apes (RCAA) at Lincoln Park Zoo takes place today at noon. Chicago welcomes back two gorilla groups and three chimpanzee groups, including a new baby gorilla "Azizi" who was born while they were away. Lincoln Park Zoo is free and open to the public 365 days a year.