Derailroaded: "Wild Man" Fischer doc @ Film Center

Derailroaded is a 2005 documentary that introduces the viewer to Larry "Wild Man" Fischer, a street musician from LA who got committed to mental institutions twice, yet ended up having a fairly productive career: Frank Zappa recorded him on his Bizarre label, Rhino Records put out a 45 of Fischer back when it was still just a record store, and he cut a duet with Rosemary Clooney (no, really). Derailroaded screens tonight at 8:00. Tickets are $9, $5 for Film Center members, and $4 for SAIC students. Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.

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: Steve Weintraub, teaching Freylakhs, Sher, Bulgar, Zhok and Patchtanz; and the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band. 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.

Opening: The Pain and the Itch, Steppenwolf

Steppenwolf premieres Bruce Norris's dark comedy about family dysfunction. Opens tonight and runs through August 28. Tickets $20-60. See here for full schedule and ordering information.

FitzGerald's American Music Festival

FitzGerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd. in Berwyn, throws its 24th annual American Music Festival this weekend, and the stages are loaded with great acts. Today's line-up includes Jeff and Vida, the Chicago Salty Dogs, Paul Cebar and the Milwaukeeans, The Lee Boys, Jimmy LaFave, The Hoyle Brothers, Hacienda Brothers, Bill Kirchen and Too Much Fun, and the legendary Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Doors open today at 4:30pm. Tickets are $20 today, $25 for the other dates -- if you get there early (before 6pm today) you get $5 off admission. Check this PDF calendar for the full festival listings.

EstroDance

Put on your dancing shoes and head to Martyr's tonight for swing lessons and a tribute to the great ladies of jazz and blues. Local musicians will be channeling their inner chanteuse and they'll swingin' and swayin' and money-raisin' for EstroJam. Dance lessons start at 7:30 and music starts at 8:30, the dancing won't stop till they make last call. Hopefully you got your ticket aheadd of time cause they're $15 at the door and $12 ahead of time, order them online.

Local musicians: Lexie Bloor, Ingrid Graudins, Screamin Rachel, Dawn O’Keefe, Andrea Bunch & Aerin Tedesco, Stolie, Meisha Herron, Jennifer Schaffer,Rebeka Foy, Leah Moyers, Beka Foy, Karen Irwin, Rebecca Toon and Kristin Equi

South Asian Literary Festival Fundraiser

Support the Kriti Festival, Chicago's first South Asian Literary Festival with a fundraiser at Monsoon tonight from 5:30-7:30pm. A $10 donation will support the Kriti festival, which will take place November 10-13 and will earn you $5 martinis, $5 cosmopolitans, and free appetizers. Monsoon is located at 2813 N. Broadway. Kriti (which means "Creation") will be the first  South Asian literary festival in the Midwest. International-bestselling author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni ("Mistress of Spices," "Sister of My Heart," "Queen of Dreams") will be the guest of honor, heading a list of writers, agents, and editors of South Asian fiction, non-fiction, and children's literature. Daytime events will include author panels, readings, and workshops, with evening entertainment by nationally known South Asian theater, dance, and music groups. Kriti is sponsored by DesiLit, a national non-profit organization dedicated to supporting South Asian writers.  Co-sponsors of the festival include the State of Illinois and City of Chicago, Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, Depaul University, and Roosevelt University. More information is available at the Kriti Festival online or email Sujata at sujbhat@gmail.com.