Trashy Art

When you think of classic art, you possibly think about the female nude. Whitney Lee has taken that expectation and twisted it a bit. With a latch hook. She's taken the cheesy latch hook kits and combined this with cheesy soft porn imagery to create tasteful wallhangings. Brings a whole new meaning to the idea of having a job as a "fluffer". You can see her one-woman show "Trashy" tonight at the opening at Woman Made Gallery from 6pm to 9pm. But if you can't make it tonight, you can see her art through July 21. And you definitely want to see it. Not only is this one of my favorites that she's done, it's one of the best pictures of a piece of art ever.

Dolorous Canter Listening Party at Rotofugi

Chicago band Dolorous Canter hosts a listening party for their new EP, For What You Thought Was Once Dead. They'll be playing the artists and influences that have shaped the band's sound as well as two listening sessions of their new EP. Free copies of the new EP will be given to the first 15 people and beverages will be provided.

Local designer toy store Rotofugi is graciously providing the space.

From 8pm - 10:30pm. Free and open to all.

Make Magazine Issue Release Party

Make: A Chicago Literary Magazine celebrates the release of their new issue at the California Clipper, 1002 N. California. The 10pm event is free and open to ages 21+ and features readings by contributors Aaron Michael Morales and Christine Hoffmann. Music will also include Low Skies' Chris Salveter and song and poetry from Group Sex. Call 773-384-2547 for more information.

Chicago SummerDance

The ninth annual Chicago SummerDance festival of public dancing continues tonight in the Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park (601 S. Michigan, between Harrison and Balbo). This evening's entertainment: Miguel Mendez and Blue Són y Clave Negra, teaching salsa and mambo. SummerDance features one hour of dance lessons, followed by two hours of live music and dancing. Tonight's show runs from 6:00 to 9:30, and SummerDance runs at the park Wednesday-Sunday nights (weather permitting) through August 28. See the SummerDance site for a complete schedule.

Adult Pinewood Derby

The first annual Adult Pinewood Derby runs today from 6:30pm to 11:30pm at Architectural Artifacts, 4325 N. Ravenswood (just south of Montrose). Sixty cars designed by local and national artists -- including Jeff Tweedy, Mark Mothersbaugh and Tony Millionaire -- ralley against each other to the sounds of the world's only true girl group, The Grounded, concept glam rockers Chariot and DJ Helen Wheels. A $20 open bar benefits the P.L.A.Y. program at Causes Child Abuse Treatment Center.

The Second City's Romeo and Juliet Musical

...or, The People v. Friar Laurence, the Man Who Killed Romeo and Juliet. This remount of last year's hit collaboration between Second City and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre opens tonight and continues through August 14. Tickets start at $25; call 312-595-5600 for reservations.

Taste of Chicago 2005

The much-beloved and much-maligned Taste of Chicago kicks off today at Grant Park, featuring tasts of food from restaurants around Chicago, and a number of music and performance stages around the park. The city's official Website is a bit slow, so for the basic details you might want to check out the Sun-Times site. Taste of Chicago runs from today through July 4, and hours will be from 11:00 to 9:00 every day. Food tickets can be purchased at local Dominick's stores, or online.

Edited to add: Lauryn Hill LL Cool J will perform tonight, at 5:30, as part of the Taste's opening. The concert is free and will be in Grant Park.