Windmilled @ Neo-Futurarium

Windmilled, the next prime time play in the Neo-Futurists' 2004-05 season, opens tonight. Starring Neo-Futurists Sharon Greene and Jay Torrence, as well as guest artist Shawn Huelle, Windmilled takes Cervantes' novel "Don Quixote" as its inspiration, and allows its actors to include their own personal stories of fighting insurmountable obstacles. The show runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 through December 18. Tickets are $15 ($10 for seniors and students), and can be purchased through the Neo-Futurist Website. Neo-Futurarium: 5153 N. Ashland. (773) 275-5255.

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.

Everybody Tai Chi

Remember when they opened Millennium Park and something was said about Tai Chi, but you totally forgot about it? Well, wake up early, and get your self down to the Great Lawn of the Pritzker Pavillion this morning from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. for free Tai Chi led by professional Wushu Master Master Jianhua Guo. The dramatic architecture, glorious Chicago skyline, and lush landscaping will energize and inspire you. A form of martial arts, Tai Chi improves circulation and increases energy while promoting stability focus and relaxation. Call 312-744-6699 for more information.

SOFA 2004

The International Exposition of Sculpture Objects and Functional Art, or SOFA, rolls into Navy Pier today through Sunday. Come see what's happening in the art world today. The show runs today from 11am to 8pm and tomorrow from noon to 6pm -- tickets are $12 a day or $20 for a weekend pass.

Battle of the Badges

Chicago's Third Annual Battle of the Badges Boxing Matches take place tonight. The Chicago Police and Fire Departments, along with the Mayor's Office of Special Events and the Chicago Park District have worked together to schedule a charity-boxing event between the Chicago Police and Chicago Fire Charities. Last year's event raised over $28,000 for various Police and Fire charities with over 3,000 individuals were in attendance. Tonight's bouts get going at the De La Salle Institute, 3455 S. Wabash Ave. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. Chicago Park District amateur boxer bouts will begin at 6:30 p.m. Chicago Police and Fire bouts will begin at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door. For more information please contact: Jim Rey at 312-742-4989 or Tom Krull at 773-284-1826.

Metro Area @ Smart Bar

Continuing their monthly residency, Environ label head Morgan Geist and Darshan Jesrani of Metro Area hit Smart Bar for a night of quality disco and seriously quirky house music. Starting at 10 PM and running until (!!) 5 AM, expect to shake it to your fair share of classic cuts and guilty pleasures. $10 gets those of age in for the long haul. Smart Bar, 3730 N Clark St, underneath Metro.

Mango Kiss screening @ Landmark

As a part of the 23rd Annual Chicago Lesbian and Gay International Film Festival this weekend, Mango Kiss will play tonight at 7 p.m. at the Landmark Theatre. A brief synopsis: Lou and Sassafras are San Francisco-based performance artists and best friends who decide to risk their relationship by becoming lovers. But when the relationship rules they set up for each other start to be violated, their tender hearts are in jeopardy of being broken. Featuring a cast of colorful characters, such as Sass' aging-hippie mom (Sally Kirkland); Chelsea Chuwawa, the local supermarket dominatrix; and friends Val and Leslie, a couple mired in the horrible "lesbian bed death," the film evokes the hilarity and diversity of an irresistible subculture uniquely San Franciscan.

Jeff Mills @ Vision

One of the world's most prolific and well-known DJs, Jeff Mills spends the majority of his time on tour, playing to packed crowds in Europe, Asia, and South America. As owner of Axis Records, he has released some of the most important music in techno history, often anticipating the next trend well before it hits. Tonight, he returns to his home town for the second time this year to perform at Vision, the multi-floor dance club adjacent to Excalibur. While the environment may leave a lot to be desired, the music should be (at least barely) worth the high cover price and absurd per-drink cost. Hiroki opens. Vision is located at 640 N Dearborn, and is strictly 21 and up. See the Spundae site for more details.