(Don't) Talk to Strangers @ UIC

A national symposium entitled "(Don't) Talk to Strangers" will be convened in Chicago by The Public Square, inviting activists, scholars, and artists from all over the country for a two-day event on the need to foster broad and deep public conversations.

The symposium will take place at the University of Illinois Chicago on September 24th from 4 to 8 pm & September 25th from 9 am to 5 pm. These programs will seek to further the notion that discussion, debate, and dissent are cornerstones of democracy.

Dr. Danielle Allen, Dean of the Humanities Division at the University of Chicago and 2002 MacArthur Fellow, will deliver the keynote address at 4 pm in the Cardinal Room at UIC Circle Center, 750 South Halsted Street. Dr. Allen will be available to autograph copies of her latest book, "Talking to Strangers: Anxieties of Citizenship since Brown v. Board of Education.

Hideout Block Party

This year's Hideout Block Party features some really stellar local music. Bands include Califone, Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter, Archer Prewitt, Andrew Bird, Kelly Hogan & the Wooden Leg, Manishevitz, and Swing Set, and that's not all. The proceeds from this 3-day party will benefit C.A.U.S.E.S./P.L.A.Y, Tuesday's Child, and Literacy Works. Check the website for a full schedule and more information. Tickets are just $10.

Rhino Theater Fest: Hit Me Like a Flower

A new play by Beau O'Reilly for the Rhinoceros Theater Fest. "Hit Me Like a Flower continues O'Reilly's “Big Play” experiment: large casts, lots of story line, expanse. Sarah Wallace has come to an East-Coast waspish town to start her therapy practice and cast a watchful eye over her long-estranged college daughter Terry, known to her friends as “Oddhead.” Sarah’s patients: Arthur Moore, a psychopath with a bear suit and a 2 by 4; William Coughlin, a sometime novelist of minor fame who is recovering from a stroke; and Mrs. Chester, a woman who has been living on the streets but now is ready for a bus ride. Terry’s friends are Saul and Hannah, and they are in their 20’s, skating tough, and worried about the war." 7pm, Curious Theatre Branch, 7001 N Glenwood. $12 or pay what you can. 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.

Ralph Stanley @ Fermilab

What do particle physics and bluegrass have in common? The best time and place to investigate this pressing scientific inquiry would be at the Fermilab in Batavia, IL, as they host Dr. Ralph Stanley and his Clinch Mountain Boys. He is popularly known from his mournful cameo on the Coen Brothers film "O, Brother Where Art Thou." Dr. Stanley's art, however, runs much deeper. Considered by many to be among the founding fathers of bluegrass -- he's been performing since 1946 -- his influence on contemporary folk music is incalculable. Strangely, Dr. Stanley will be perfoming in an 847-seat amphitheater on the grounds of the Fermilab particle accelerator. Dr. Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys play tonight at 8 p.m. at the Ramsey Auditorium, in Wilson Hall of Fermilab (approximately 35 miles west of downtown Chicago, near the town of Batavia in the Fox River Valley). For more information call 630-840-ARTS (630-840-2787), Fax to (630)-840-5501, or email audweb@fnal.gov. Tickets are $23 and $12 for ages 18 and younger.

Printers Row Speakeasy Tour

Head down to Printers Row from noon to 10:30pm for the first annual Speakeasy Tour, a restaurant and bar crawl through this historic neighborhood. Festivities include a '20s or '30s era costume competition at Blackie's, an art show and auction at Gourmand and specials and discounts at many restaurants, bars and stores in the district.

A $20 donation gets you a wristband that lets you into participating venues and access to special food and drink deals; if you're not drinking, it's only $5. It's also only $15 if you wear a costume or with advance purchase. Check out the site for full details and schedule, or look below.

Blackie's (755 S. Clark) Wristbands Available at Door Noon-8pm HEADLINER: Tommy Guns will perform 1920-30's musical comedy sets (5:20, 6:20, 7:20 & 9:20 p.m.) and will judge a costume contest (8 p.m.) at one of the city's original, family-owned gin joints. SPECIALS: $2 Miller pints and 10% off all appetizers.

Dearborn Station (47 W. Polk) HEADLINER: From See the Merit Music School Honor Jazz Ensemble (12:30, 1:30 & 2:30 p.m.) and Multi-Cultural dance studio (1 & 2 p.m.)– all inside the station that saw Al Capone off to Alcatraz. SPECIALS: Printer's Roast Cafe 49-cent ice cream.

Bar Louie (47 W. Polk) SPECIALS: $3 Blue Moon pints, $3 Oktoberfest pints and 15% off food and drinks*.

Hackney's (733 S. Dearborn) SPECIALS: 15% discount on food and beverage*. Theme drinks: Bacardi Cocktails, Zombies, Gin Martinis/Gibsons, Pink Squirrels, Pink Ladies and Old Fashioneds.

Gourmand (728 S. Dearborn) HEADLINER: Printers Row Peek-A-Boo 1920-30's art show auction featuring Amanda Meyer, Gisele Farmer, Eve Curtis, Matt Geiger, Mike Barglik, Julie Boyko, Josh Ryder and Brit Peterson. Jazz by Rob Nicholas and A Moment's Notice (3:40, 6:40, 7:40 & 9:40 p.m.). SPECIALS: $1.75 Pabst Blue Ribbon and 10% off food and drinks*.

Printers Row Pharmacy (721 S. Dearborn) SPECIALS: Wine Tasting and 10% off selected wines.

Kasey's (701 S. Dearborn) SPECIALS: Have $3 Goose Island pints, $3 Absolut Vodka drinks, $4 Old Fashioneds in what was one of the longest running speakeasys in Chicago, with the "peephole" still operating in the '80s.

Trattoria (616 S. Dearborn) SPECIALS: Wine Specials 10% off. Wine and dine below the headquarters of the ultimate untouchable, Eliot Ness!

Specials valid on September 25, 2004 between noon-10:30 p.m. only for those with Speakeasy wristbands.
*Not valid with any other discount offers. Show times are subject to change.

Evanston Police Department Bike Auction

Saturday, Sept. 25 at 10 a.m., Preview at 9 a.m. Evanston Police Department, 1454 Elmwood Ave., NW corner of building. Only cash and checks accepted as payment. Proceeds from the bike auction will support the police pension fund. For further information, contact Fred at 847-866-5029.

Going Forward in Reverse @ Sonotheque

Local promotional outfits Interrupt Media, Covalent, and Subsystence team up to present Going Forward in Reverse, a new electronic music series at Chicago's acclaimed Sonotheque. This installment features a live performance from NYC-based producer Archetype, an eclectic DJ set from collector Carlos Souffront, and opening-slot duties from Matthew Martin and Karl Meier. Doors at 10 pm (after the Ratatat show), Tickets $10, $2 PBR. 21+ only, please. Sonotheque, 1444 W. Chicago Ave. 312-226-7600.

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. Admission is $15 ($10 for seniors and students). 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.

Spin's Octoberfest

Spin hosts an Octoberfest party with a queer bent. Performers include Patty Elvis, Three Dollar Bill, Jinx Titanic and Cathy Richardson Band. With food from Ann Sather and beer from Sam Adams. 1pm to 10pm at 969 W Belmont (the Ann Sather parking lot). Tickets are $10 at the door, or available in advance at Spin, 800 W Belmont. Call 773-327-7711 for more info.

Cineme International Animation Festival

This weekend is the kickoff for the Cineme International Animation Festival held at the Illinois Institute of Art September 24–26. Cineme kicks off each fall in Chicago, and is dedicated to showcasing the best and brightest in animation and digital media through Film, Television, Music, 3D Design, Web, Gaming, Architecture and Technology. This year Cineme is bigger and better than ever with $25,000 in cash and prizes, plus Halo Tournament, Video Game Developer Summit, exclusive nightly parties, musical guests, celebrities, distributors, award-winning speakers and premieres. Check the website for more information.

Chinese Autumn Moon Festival @ Montrose Beach

The Chinese Autumn Moon Festival is traditionally a time when millions of Chinese across the world celebrate the biggest and brightest full moon of the year – the harvest moon. To mark the occasion in Chicago this year, CMAA will host a free Moon Festival celebration tonight, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. at Montrose Beach, on the lakefront (approx. 4200 north), Chicago. The event is also part of the City of Chicago’s Unity Month Celebration. Come join CMAA as it celebrates the Chinese Autumn Moon Festival with food, music, the lion dance, traditional Asian folk dances, martial arts demonstrations, moon-cake tasting, a full moon and much, much more! Guests will also be encouraged to light colorful paper lanterns at the event (as done in Asia), which promises to provide a charming and picturesque backdrop to the evening’s eclectic entertainment. For more information, take a look at this flyer (PDF).

Quimby's 13th Year Exhibition @ Old Town School of Folk Music

Independent bookstore Quimby's becomes a man this year, as it enters its 13th year of being. Beginning with a party tonight, the Old Town School of Folk Music hosts a free exhibition (5-7pm), accompanied later by music and dancing. This evening, Old Town School and WLUW welcomes Over the Rhine with special guest Thea Gilmore. The Quimby's part of the evening is free, but the show is a separate event that you'll need to purchase tickets for, which you can do by calling 773-728-6000. The Old Town School of Folk Music is at 4544 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625. This Quimby's and independent publishing exhibition will stay up until the end of October, so if you can't make it to the event, stop by and see it when you get the chance. For more info about the non-Quimby's portion of the evening, see the Old Town School of Folk Music's website.

Diamanda Galas @ Park West

Touring in support of two double-albums ('Defixiones, Will And Testament' and 'La Serpenta Canta') recently released on influential British imprint Mute, Diamanda Galas is essential to the world of contemporary music for many reasons other than her famed 3.5 octave range. Incorporating influences from a variety of genres (such as Blues, Tape Music, Film Soundtracks, and Opera), Galas grafts her hauntingly powerful voice over subtle piano and electronics, creating a uniquely visceral and emotional listening experience. Doors at 8 pm, Park West, 322 W. Armitage, $30. Tickets available through (who else?) Ticketmaster.

Naperville Wine Festival

Come to Naper Settlement to enjoy the second annual Naperville Wine Festival presented by Van Kampen Investments September 25th and 26th. The Festival hours are 1–9 pm on Saturday and 1–7 pm on Sunday. Sample wines from around the world as they showcase more that 130 different varieties. Enjoy cooking demonstrations by Chicago’s top chefs and musical entertainment throughout the weekend. For more information or to buy tickets please call (847) 382-1480 or visit the Naperville Wine Festival website. Tickets: $20 Adults, $10 Designated Driver, $5 21-and-under, children under 12 free. The Naperville Wine Festival gets going at the Naper Settlement, located at 523 S. Webster Street, Naperville, IL.

The Gossip & Co.

Bad ass indie band the Gossip headlines this year's Estrojam festival. Check out their show at the Metro on Saturday, Sept. 25. Also on the bill is the All-Girl Summer Fun Band and Pretty Girls Make Graves. Chicago's own Lickity Split Radical Cheerleaders and plus-sized ladies of burlesque the Hellcat Hussies make special appearances.