The Blues Brothers @ Music Box

"They broke my watch!" Admit it, you haven't seen this classic of cinematic excess on the big screen, have you? Well, now's your chance; The Blues Brothers is one of the films for this weekend's midnight screening at the Music Box Theatre. We'll even throw in the black keys for free. Showtimes: tonight and tomorrow at midnight. Music Box: 3733 N. Southport. (773) 871-6604.

Trouble in Paradise @ Film Center

The Siskel Film Center presents the Ernst Lubitsch film Trouble in Paradise tonight at 6:15 PM, as part of their American Film Comedy series. Considered the best of Lubitsch's films, it stars Herbert Marshall & Miriam Hopkins as expert jewel thieves who fall in love. The film will also be shown on Tuesday the 21th at 6:00 PM. Siskel Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.

Bush's Brain @ Music Box

Not the actual brain, of course, but an incredible simulation! Bushs' Brain is a documentary about Karl Rove, and his rise to a position of unprecedented (un-Presidented?) power. Just in case you weren't already mad enough at the state of American politics... The film opens tonight at the Music Box Theatre; check local listings for showtimes. Music Box: 3733 N. Southport. (773) 871-6604.

Rhino Theater Fest: The Authentics

A new play by Paula Gilovich, as part of the Rhinoceros Theater Fest. "At the center of The Authentics is a plane crash from which only awkward, perverse David Wise has been pulled. The crash brings him Sarah Sharp, the reporter who covers his disaster, and a lost father looking for money. With the father comes a charismatic sidekick, and with Sarah comes a successful mother in the business of everyone's business. A wry look at the inherently absurd forces that create what's real, strange, funny, unromantic, fast, and furious is the universe of The Authentics. Sex, gender, death, disappointment, dismemberment, semi-celebrity, Chinese food, editors, and bus stations: this is life authentic." 9pm, Curious Theatre Branch, 7001 N Glenwood. $12 or pay what you can. Call 773-274-6660 for reservations.

Early to Bed Third Anniversary Party

Come join the good folks at Early to Bed while they celebrate their third year of success! Punch, cake, and one night only sale items!! The party runs 7-10 p.m. Check out our audio feature on Early to Bed here.

Rhino Theater Fest: Cant

The Curious Theatre Branch's 16th annual Rhinoceros Theater Fest opens with Jenny Magnus's solo piece. "CANT is not not being able to. CANT is an edge, a brink that one can teeter on. Jenny Magnus returns to her familiar niche of solo performance with CANT, a new meditation on inclines and their slants when it comes to comfort, responsibility, and the terror of love. In her first new work in 2 years, Magnus uses her whining manner of speaking and vulgar slang to explore the relationship she creates with her doppelganger, a bag of rice the exact weight of her only child. When one’s concerns turn to having children, aging parents, and the inexorable passage of time, one must be careful of sudden movements which result in turning over or tilting up. Or so Magnus finds in her unique language, implying the pretended assumption of goodness. CANT is not not being able to. CANT is doing, in spite of whether one is able." 7pm. $12 or pay what you can. At the Curious Theatre Branch, 7001 N Glenwood. Call 773.274.6660 for reservations.

Goodman Theatre Open House

Visit the Goodman Theatre September 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. for complimentary hors d' oeuvres from the Theatre's preferred vendors like Petterino's, Atwood Cafe, Fuse and more. Plus, enjoy beer wine and soda while taking in the antics of local comedy troupe Schedenfreude.

Lillstreet Art-A-Thon

Stop by Lillstreet Art Center tonight to create your own piece of art with clay, paint, metal, fiber and more at the 2nd Annual Lillstreet Learning Center Art-A-Thon. A $5 donation will get you entry, food, drink and the DJ stylings of Omar Vera. Family-friendly art activities will cost $5 or $10 each. All donations benefit Lillstreet's outreach program to communities in need. Art-A-Thon is on from 5-10 pm tonight, 4401 N. Ravenswood (Ravenswood and Montrose).

World Music Festival

Chicago's 6th annual World Music festival runs September 17–23. The 2004 World Music festival line-up features 70 events at 28 venues around the city, including more than 40 free events. Venues include the Chicago Cultural Center, the MCA, the Vic, the Old Town School of Folk Music, and the Borders on Michigan Avenue. Most events are free, but some do require tickets. For more information, see the festival website or call 312-742-1938. Highlights from the 2004 schedule include performances at the new Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park by the acclaimed Chicago Immigrant Orchestra, an ensemble of culturally diverse musicians; Tortoise, the Chicago avant-rock group that combines a number of musical genres to create a unique sound; and dZihan & Kamien, the Viennese duo experimenting with their own musical and ethnic backgrounds to produce a global dance groove. Boban Markovic & the Serbian Orkestar and Esma, both highly praised gypsy bands, will perform the first of two double bills at the Park West. The second double bill at the Park West will feature Peruvian singer Eva Ayllon and tango marvel Katie Viqueira and Deep Tango. Other headlining performances include a concert at the Vic Theatre presented in conjunction with the Chicago Turkish Festival featuring Balik Ayhan, the most sought-after darbuka player in Turkish music, and Algerian multi-instrumentalist, Abdelli.

Chicago Turkish Festival

This week brings the 2nd annual Chicago Turkish Festival, running September 13–18th in downtown Chicago. Events include a fashion show, live music, rug weaving demonstrations, and cultural programs galore. You can even enter to win a free trip to Turkey. Free events take place in Daley Plaza (55 W. Randolph) downtown, and others are ticketed and in various downtown venues. For more information, check out the festival website. Events run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day in the plaza. Email info@chicagoturkishfestival.com for more information.