The Mountain Goats @ The Empty Bottle

For the second night in a row, go hear the Mountain Goats (with John Vanderslice) at the Empty Bottle. John Darnielle will rock your socks off, if you just give him the chance. Seriously, go.

Rhino Theater Fest: John Starrs

Part of the Rhinoceros Theater Festival: "John Starrs and Kristy Lockhart tell stories (and stories inside stories) about guns and jails and perhaps about stories themselves. Kristy is from a neighborhood in Birmingham where guns (for instance) are sometimes found. She tells the story of her early life in Alabama, one of the hottest places in the state of confusion. John is from Chicago, where guns have been seen on policemen who were able to protect a second-story man--see? story again--in his neighborhood. So! Who knows?" 7pm, Curious Theatre Branch, 7001 N Glenwood. $12 or pay what you can. Call 773-274-6660 for reservations.

"Playing French" Festival Opens

"Playing French: Chicago’s First Festival of Contemporary Plays From France," is the first event of its kind in the U.S. and it hits Chicago starting this weekend. The festival features full productions and staged readings (in English translation, unless otherwise noted) presented by Chicago area theater ensembles and runs from October 1–November 28. Details at the official website. Tickets can be purchased at individual venues and companies.

Illinois Arts Week

This year, October 3–9 is Illinois Arts Week. Check out the vast Arts Week brochure (PDF) for a full schedule of events all around the state. Events in Chicago include a walking tour of Roger’s Park galleries, an experimental Chinese photography and film exhibit at the University of Chicago Film Studies Center and the MCA, and a performance of "A View from the Bridge" at the American Theater Company. Check the Illinois Arts Council website for more information about other Arts Week programs.

Break the Gridlock Conference

The 6th annual Break the Gridlock Conference at Garfield Park Conservatory today. The half-day (12:00–4:00 p.m.) event will focus on ways to organize and sustain local energy to improve Chicago’s conditions for bikers, walkers, and transit riders and reduce the dominant role of cars in our transportation system. Local experts, whose organizations have engaged and empowered citizens to play an active role in making positive change, will share knowledge from their own careers. Keynote speaker: Mildred Wiley (Bethel New Life, Neighborhood Capital Budget Group). Panel Discussion, "Harnessing and Sustaining Activism" with Rick Martin & Sharon Feigon (Evanston's Transportation Future) Gin Kilgore (Logan Square Walks) Matt McDermott (United Power for Action and Justice) Brandon Zagorski (Working Bikes Cooperative). The conference will include a light lunch, a panel/audience discussion on grassroots activism, some lively entertainment, and dynamic break-out sessions for specific interest areas. They request advanced registration as space is limited and the cost is only $10 per person. Register online at Break the Gridlock or contact Nate Hutcheson at (773)325-1909 or natehutcheson@hotmail.com.

Pilsen East Artists' Open House

The 34th annual Pilsen East Artists' Open House takes place this weekend. Open house hours are Saturday & Sunday, October 2 and 3, from 12 to 7 p.m. For more information and a map (PDF) check out the Chicago Arts District website, or call Cynthia West at 312-738-8000, ex. 108, or email cwest@chicagoartsdistrict.org or info@chicagoartsdistrict.org.

Notebaert Nature Museum Celebration

The Notebaert Nature Museum is holding a Celebration Weekend Oct. 2–3 this year. Opening permanent exhibits include "Mysteries of the Marsh" which highlights one of the Midwest’s most unique ecosystems through hands-on, interactive activities; "Rooftop Stop" which showcases the Museum’s expanded rooftop gardens and gives visitors an opportunity to design their own green roof at a computer kiosk; and "RiverWorks" (formerly the Water Lab, an interactive water play exhibit with hands-on activities showing the importance of river ecology. The Notebaert Nature Museum is located at 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago. Admission is free Oct. 2–3, 2004 and every Thursday. General admission to the Nature Museum is $7 for adults, $4 for children ages 3 –12, $5 for seniors age 60+ and college students. Chicago residents receive a $1 discount off the price of general admission. For more information, call (773) 755-5100 or visit the museum’s website.  

"Complete Idiot's Guide to Slam Poetry" Release Party @ Green Mill

This afternoon, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m., the Green Mill will host the official book release party for The Complete Idiot's Guide to Slam Poetry (Penguin / Alpha Press), written by Marc K. Smith. Smith's new book is a "how-to" bible, accompanied by two audio CDs. The book and CDs cover the roots of Slam poetry, the impact the Slam has had on modern day poetry, the future of the Slam, tips on how to Slam, inspirations to help you write and perform Slam poetry, and tools for organizing your own Poetry Slam. The afternoon party is free and open to the public, and there will be refreshments provided by Susan O'Connell Catering and music by Strange Brothers plus One. The evening Slam that will follow starts at 7 p.m.; there will be the standard $6 cover for that one. The Green Mill is located at 4802 N. Broadway near Lawrence.

Will Travel: New Paintings by Russ Pope

From the Foundation Gallery website: "Russ Pope has made a career of integrating his art and dedication to skateboarding for the past twenty years. From start-up skateboard ventures to his current position as director of operations for Black Label Skateboards, Russ creates an aesthetic that reiterates the energy of skateboard culture...The exhibition will feature acrylic works on both canvas and paper, as well as a new 2 dimensional, 5 foot tall pop-up character standing guard of the exhibition." Foundation Gallery is located at 700 N Carpenter, near the intersection of Milwaukee and Chicago. Open Sunday, October 3rd from 1-5 pm or by appointment.

Outsider Art sale

Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art presents a two-day sale of folk and outsider art from all across the country. The sale runs today at 847 W. Jackson, 2nd floor. Hours are 11:00 - 6:00. In addition to the sale, there will be an open house this morning at Intuit (756 N. Milwaukee) from 9:00 to 11:00. For more details, see the Intuit Website, or call them at (312) 243-9088.