Evanston Ice Cream Social

Calling all flappers and cool cats! The 1920s will come alive on Saturday, Sept. 18, from noon to 4pm when the Evanston Historical Society hosts a Roaring Twenties Ice Cream Social (rain or shine). Everyone is invited to the Charles Gates Dawes House, 225 Greenwood St., to enjoy old-fashioned music, carnival games, face painting, vintage autos, free ice cream, and lots more. Admission and most activities for this family-friendly afternoon are free.

The Society will also be offering an "Antiques and Heirlooms Appraisal" from 1:30 to 3:30; the cost to have something appraised is $10. More information here.

Roy Andersson short films @ Film Center

Swedish director Roy Andersson, whose 2000 masterpiece Songs from the Second Floor recently screened at the Siskel Film Center (you saw it, right?), is the subject of a 70-minute program of short films that screens tonight at 5:15 PM. Two short subjects will be screened, followed by a half-hour selection of his commercials, which were called the best in the world by none other than Ingmar Bergman. The program also screens on Tuesday the 21st at 6:00 PM. Siskel Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.

Rhino Theater Fest: 16 Grandmothers

Part of the Rhinoceros Theater Fest. The Curious Theatre Branch "offers a special program of 16 short pieces by a variety of performers, all waxing poetic on the subject of Grandmothers. Some actual grandmothers will participate, some artists with grandmothers, and others merely riff on the concept. Including Lee Riley, Melissa Walker, Mary Cross, Amy Eaton, Matt Wilson, Jennifer Harris, David Isaacson, Kat McJimsey, Winifred O’Reilly, Mareiane Brun, Max Greenberg, Bab Magnus, Sheila Donahue, Michael Anania, Mary Beth Burns, and more! A one-time-only event in 2 sets. Curated by Beau O’Reilly." 6pm and 8pm at the Curious Theatre Branch, 7001 N Glenwood. Call 773-274-6660 for reservations.

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.

Renegade Craft Fair

This year's Renegade Craft Fair takes place over two days, Saturday and Sunday, in Wicker Park (rain or shine) from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm. Featuring over 100 crafty types from all over the country this year, the fair will provide handmade wares for anyone and everyone from the hip to the chic. Check out a full list of vendors, including links to their sites, a vendor map, and directions at the Renegade Craft Fair website. Wicker Park is located at 1435 N. Damen, near the Damen blue line El stop.

Alice @ Neo-Futurarium

The Neo-Futurists present Alice, an adaptation of the Lewis Carroll books featuring a walking tour of 6 different Andersonville locations, original artwork & performances by various Neo-Futurists and local theater companies, and 5 rabbits. This weekend is the premiere weekend; admission is $15 or pay what you can. The show runs Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 1:00 PM, and continues through October 24. Neo-Futurarium: 5153 N. Ashland. (773) 275-5255. See the Neo-Futurist Website for further details and to purchase tickets.

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.

Indiana Dunes Harvest Festival

This weekend is the Indiana Dunes Harvest Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The admission is $6.00 per car and all proceeds go toward preserving the historic site and the Indiana Dunes. The festival site is an old farmstead and fur-trading post, (circa 1800s) which has been restored. There are: sheep and geese herding demos, hayrides, music, old people doing almost forgotten crafts and lots more. All out in nature (!!). For more information, check out the offical Dunes site or call 219-926-7561 x.225 ; ask about the Harvest Fest.

Celtic Fest Chicago

It doesn't have the draw of the Milwaukee Irish Fest, and the music has a decidedly more traditional bent, but the Chicago Celtic Festival is always a grand way to cap off the city's festival season. Headliners include Mary Black, The Saw Doctors, and a 21-piece (!) French (!) pipe band (!). And, hey — sheepherding! September 18-19, 11:00am-9:30pm. Free admission, as always.

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.

Affordable Housing Seminar

Learn more about cooperative housing. The Pratt-Ashland Cooperative, Chicago Mutual Housing Network, and Rogers Park Community Action Network invite you to a free seminar Saturday, Sept. 18. From 10 a.m. to noon, they will cover a variety of topics on cooperative housing including: types, financing, housing vouchers, and more. Please call the Pratt-Ashland Cooperative at 312-458-9448 to RSVP. The meeting will be held at the Pratt-Ashland Cooperative Meeting Room at 6805 N. Ashland.

Chibots Robot Builders Day Out

Chibots, the Chicago Area Robotics Group, is having their Robot Builders Day Out this Saturday in southern Wisconsin. Robot enthusiasts (of the human variety I take it) of all kinds are encouraged.