It Came from the Neo-Futurarium IV: Death Wish 3

The Neo-Futurist theater company presents It Came From The Neo-Futurarium IV: Spawn of the Neo-Futurarium, the latest in their extremely hilarious and entertaining live readings of fondly- and not-so-fondly-remembered movies. Tonight's movie: Death Wish 3, the Charles Bronson killfest from 1985. The movie will be re-enacted by the Barrel of Monkeys theater troupe, who brought you a reading of Breakin' last year, and this year promise "more stage blood than you thought possible." Ponchos will be provided. The show starts tonight at 8:00 PM at the Neo-Futurarium; tickets are $10, $8 for seniors/students, and can be purchased at the Neo-Futurists' Website. The Neo-Futurarium: 5153 N. Ashland (at Foster). (773) 275-5255.

Exotica: Luau By The Lake 2005

Duke Carter & Eddie Angel present Exotica: Luau By The Lake, a four-day celebration of exotica and Pacific Island culture. Tonight, go on over to the Trader Vic's in the lower level of the Palmer Hilton (17 E. Monroe) to see a musical performance by Old Town School instructor Lanialoha Lee and her 'ukulele students from Ke Kula Kupa`a O Ka Pakipika, an advanced-level school of Pacific Island culture. The concert runs from 7:00 to 10:00, and tickets are $15 in advance (the price includes an appetizer buffet). It's a 21+ show, and there is limited capacity for the show. If you can't get into the concert, traipse on over to Delilah's (2771 N. Lincoln) after the show for a post-concert party. More information and a full schedule for Luau By The Lake is available at the event Website.

GB staff member JMA will be in attendance.

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: Amaniyea Payne and Issa Bagayoyo, teaching African dance. 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.

Steve Edwards and Eric Klinenberg discuss the Heat Wave of 1995

We've been having a real summer this year for the first time since '99 when we had temps above 100 degrees and blackouts! On that note, The Public Square, an intellectual group, is hosting a conversation between Eric Klinenberg, author of Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago and WBEZ's 848 host Steve Edwards today from 6:30-8:00pm at the Illinois Humanities Council and the Children and Family Justice Center of Northwestern Law School. They will discuss the heat wave and events surrounding the summer of 1995. More details here.

Early American Photography

Ever wonder about the difference between daguerreotypes and tintypes? Or about what equipment early American photographers used? Who were the prominent early photographers in Evanston? Tonight from 7 to 9 pm, join Jason Kladiva for "Early American Photography," an interactive journey through the mid-nineteenth-century via its images and image-makers. Part of the Evanston Historical Society’s monthly "Under the Buffalo" lecture series, the talk takes place at the Society, at 225 Greenwood St., Evanston. Kladiva, a photographer and Civil War interpreter, begins with a look at early daguerreotypes and then the ambrotypes of the 1850s and 1860s. An Illinois native, Kladiva has published several books on photography and has worked on historical projects for A&E and the History Channel and TNT’s Emmy-award-winning miniseries, "Andersonville." Tickets are $5 per person, or free for EHS members. Reservations are recommended. Call 847-475-3410.