Richard Rhodes @ Newberry Library

The Newberry Library will host Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Rhodes this evening for a discussion of his new biography, "John James Audubon: The Making of an American" (October 2004, Knopf).

Rhodes sets Audubon's life in the historical context of the War of 1812, the Louisiana Purchase, the wars against Native Americans, and the decimation of the American wilderness. In this comprehensive biography, Rhodes reveals Audubon as both a major American artist and a charming, volatile, ambitious and creative man.

"John James Audubon: The Making of an American" will be free and open to the public at the Newberry Library (60 W. Walton St). A book signing will follow the lecture. For more information, please call (312) 255-3700.

CTA Brown Line Expansion meeting

The CTA is holding a meeting tonight at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, 836 W. Wellington, to discuss the Brown Line expansion project, with emphasis on the renovations of the Fullerton and Belmont train stations. See the CTA site for full information. The meeting runs from 7:00 to 9:00.

Break the Gridlock Gathering @ City Hall

The recently formed Chicago Transit Coalition, composed of chicago organizations including Break the Gridlock, Metro Seniors in Action, Jane Addams Senior Caucus, Equip for Equality, The Pilsen Alliance, Lawndale Neighborhood Organization, the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, Gray Line Initiative, and others, is planning an action today at City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle, 5th floor starting at 9am, for a press conference at 9:30am. The rally will reach out to our city and state representatives, letting them know that we are counting on their help in pushing for an acceptable solution to the transit crisis.

Muslim & Jewish Comedy Nite

Cafe Finjan presents "Muslim and Jewish Comedy Nite" tonight from 7pm to 9pm at Jones College Prep Academy, 606 S. State St. "Mixing stand-up and sketch comedy, kippah and kufi, puns and politics - don't miss it!" Scheduled performers: Azhar Usman, Avi Lessing, Farheen Hakeem, Kumail Nanjiani and Triplette. More info here.

Co-sponsored by the Muslim Civil Rights Center, Jewish Council on Urban
Affairs, Muslim Bar Association and Inner-City Muslim Action Network. Tickets are $20 ($12 students), RSVP to zubairjd{at}ameritech.net or rsvp{at}jcua.org. Free Parking in the "Park 1" Lot at State and Balbo.

Neo-Futurists Book Release Party

Hope & Nonthings Publishing and The Neo-Futurists host a book release party for 200 More Neo-Futurist Plays from Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, the third book collection of scripts from The Neo-Futurists' cult theatre phenomenon, a long-running, ever-changing, weekly presentation of 30 plays in 60 minutes.  The event begins at 7 pm tonight at The Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland Avenue.  Admission if free. 

Subsystence Radio

Playing a mixture of classic electronic music and more contemporary material, Subsystence Radio is focused on promoting a fusion of styles. Join us every other Wednesday night from 9:30-11 PM for a selection of music that moves us. Broadcasting live from 89.3 FM WNUR, the show features rotating DJ sets from Chicago's very own Ken and Karl Meier. You can also tune in online at WNUR.org.