Lip @ Neo-Futurarium

Performance poet Lisa Buscani, a former Neo-Futurist, returns to her old stomping grounds this month and presents Lip, a weekly spoken-word extravaganza. Every Friday and Saturday night in July will feature a different lineup of writers and performers, each one delivering 15 minutes of scintillating verbiage. This week's Lip lineup: Lisa Buscani, Kristiana Colon, Mary Fons, Scott Hermes, K-So G, Jeff Lewis, Beau O'Reilly. Fans of the spoken word will definitely want to listen to Lip. Show starts at 8:00, doors open at 7:30. The Neo-Futurarium: 5153 N. Ashland (at Foster). More information and reservations: (773) 275-5255.

Stencil Pirates @ Quimby's

Stencil Pirates: A Global Study of the Street Stencil is a new book by Chicago artist Josh MacPhee that contains over a thousand photographs of the most interesing and beautiful urban paint work from around the world, from Australia and France to San Francisco and Ohio. Josh will be appearing at Quimby's tonight at 7:00 PM to promote the book. Fans of graffiti art should definitely check this out. Admission to the event is free. Quimby's: 1854 W. North. (773) 342-0910.

Classics of the Silver Screen

It's pops night at Pritzker Pavillion when the Grant Park Orchestra plays favorites from the movies, including "Star Wars," "The Pink Panther" and "Bridge On the River Kwai." No films will be projected, so think of it as the inverse of a silent movie. 6:30 p.m.

Citizen Kane @ the Music Box

One of the most technically innovative and influential films ever, Orson Welles’ 1941 masterpiece Citizen Kane is in town this week, to the Music Box’s Weekend Matinee Series (Saturday, July 31, and Sunday, August 1, at 11:30 am) as well as 600 N. Michigan’s Loews Classic Film Series (Thurdsay, August 5, at 7:00 pm). See what all the fuss is about the way it was meant to be seen: with movie theater popcorn.

Once Upon A Time in America

Sergio Leone's 1984 film Once Upon A Time In America, notoriously slashed by American film companies before it played in this country, will be shown this afternoon at 3:00 at the Siskel Film Center. The 139-minute film stars James Woods and Robert De Niro as gangsters in Prohibition-era New York, and moves from the 1920s to the 1960s in a complex flashback structure that was simplified for the US release. Fans of Sergio Leone will definitely not want to miss this chance to catch the uncut version of what many consider to be his greatest film. If you miss the movie tonight and want to catch it again, it'll be shown on Wednesday, August 4th at 6:30 PM. Siskel Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.

Venetian Night

Head downtown for the 47th Annual Venetian Night, the night when Chicagoans decorate their boats and themselves in lights and costumes (respectively). This year's theme is "Broadway on the Lake," so expect to hear some showtunes on 93XRT to go along with your boat parade viewing. The parade takes place on the lakefront between Roosevelt and Monroe, beginning at 8:30. Fireworks begin at 9:30 in Monroe Harbor.

Make your own Bottlecap Centerpiece!

As part of the current exhibit of outsider art at Intuit, the gallery is offering a "Make your own Bottlecap Centerpiece" workshop today at 1:30 PM. The workshop is $20 per person and includes materials. Call for reservations. Intuit: 756 N. Milwaukee. (312) 243-9088.

Bughouse Square Debates

Do you like to argue? Do you like to share your opinions with random strangers? Do you like to heckle others? Then come on down to Washington Square Park this Saturday to participate in the annual Bughouse Square debates. Bring your favorite soapbox, grab a mike, and let people know what's on your mind. Admission is free and prizes are awarded to the best speakers and best hecklers. The fun takes place from 1-5pm. Washington Square Park is located in front of the Newberry Library at 60 W. Walton.

Newberry Library Book Fair

The 20th Annual Newberry Library Book Fair is happening this week. Browse over 100,000 titles with many books priced at just $2 or less! Admission is free. The book fair is taking place July 29 & 30, from Noon-8pm, and July 31 & August 1, from 10am-6pm. The Newberry Library is located at 60 West Walton. See their website for more information.

Indiefest Chicago

Indiefest Chicago continues its 10-day run of more than 50 independent films tonight at the Biograph, 2433 N. Lincoln. First shows are at 2pm, tickets are $10, and the schedule is right here.

Wicker Park Summerfest

Because there was really just a dearth of street festivals in a Chicago summer, the Wicker Park/Bucktown Chamber decided to start a new one. They do have a better music selection than most: today's lineup includes The M's, the Sights, and the Posies. Continues tomorrow. Noon-11pm, on Damen between North and LeMoyne. The usual $5 "suggested donation." See here for full schedule.

Dykes Pedaling Bikes

DykeDiva.com, the Lesbian Community Cancer Project, and the Windy City Cycling Club present Dykes Pedaling Bikes, a bike ride for all levels of pedalers. DykeDiva sez: "It's about fun, socializing, exercise, and of course, an excuse to meet the girls." Meet at 10:00 AM at the totem pole near Addison and Lake Shore, then pedal down to Hyde Park for lunch at Medici on 57th street (you can meet up with the group at Medici at 11:30, if you miss the start of the trip). More information: see DykeDiva's calendar of events.

Drinking & Writing @ T's

Tonight's the last night (this month, anyway) that "Drinking & Writing" will once again cozy up to the bar where it all started, T's Bar and Restaurant, 5025 N. Clark St. (at the corner of Winnemac) in the heart of Andersonville. Every Thursday and Saturday at 7 p.m. for the whole month of July you are cordially invited to join them for drinks and performances of "Drinking & Writing". As a bonus, not only will you be able to see the original "Drinking & Writing," but you'll also be able to see the all new "Drinking & Writing Volume II, The 'Nobel' Experiment". That's right, an all new show written and performed by Neo-Futurists Steve Mosqueda, Sean Benjamin, and featuring Chloe Johnston. This all new Volume of Drinking & Writing focuses on the years of prohibition and features many new writers such as Edna St. Vincent Milay, H.L. Mencken, Upton Sinclair, Sinclair Lewis, Jack London, and many more. The two shows will be performed in rep on Thursdays and Saturdays, so to find out more about the schedule visit their website, where you can also purchase tickets in advance. Tickets are $12 and $8 for students with ID and can also be purchased at the door.