Powell's North Reading Series

Powell's North new reading series continues this month with readings from Margaret Chapman, Chris Michael Shea and Joe Meno. The series pairs established poets or writers with emerging writers in the hopes of exposing the community to a variety of work and inspiring communication between writers and their audience. Powell's Bookstore is located at 2850 N. Lincoln. The free reading begins at 7pm; call 773-248-1444 for more information.

Dino Robinson @ Evanston Historical Soc.

Join Evanston historian and author Dino Robinson for a book discussion and signing of Gatherings: The Emerson Street Department YMCA, a photo-essay exploring Evanston's historic African-American YMCA. The event takes place from 7 to 9pm at the Evanston Historical Society, 225 Greenwood St., Evanston. Tickets are $5 and free for EHS members, with reservations recommended. Call 847/475-3410 for additional information.

Sara Paretsky @ Barbara's Bookstore

Sara Paretsky stops by Barbara's Bookstore UIC to read from her latest detective novel, Fire Sale. Set in a neighborhood on the the South side of Chicago, the novel employs the skills of V.I. Warshawski to track down a high school student who's run off with a member of a possibly murderous family. The reading begins at 7:30pm, 1218 S. Halsted. Call 312-413-2665 for more information.

It Came from the Neo-Futurarium IV: Selected shorts

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: a program of short films! Fans of the short subjects from Mystery Science Theater 3000 and the Prelinger Archives will definitely want to catch tonight's recreations of such short films as Cindy Goes To A Party and... other films not mentioned at this time. 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.

Full Buck Moon and Fire Dancing

No, really. "This month, on July 21st the Full Buck Moon, named after the Buck Deer who's [sic] antlers push out from their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur, will rise in all it's [sic] flaming goodness." On the night of full moon, join the crowd at Foster beach for a night of dancing, singing and drumming in celebration of the full moon. Not just any kind of dancing, either. This kind of dancing is with fire, so if you plan on spinning said fire, meet your fellow spinners at 7:30pm for a review of this dangerous pasttime. Brought to you by the lively people of Spunn. Email liz[at]spunn[dot]org for more information.

Diva Dating @ T's

Dykediva[dot]com presents Diva Dating, a night of speed dating just for the laides at T's Bar, 5025 N. Clark St. The dating range is divided into two groups -- early/mid-thirties and up from 8-9pm and twenties and early thirties 9:30-10:30pm -- but participants are welcome to join whichever group in which they feel most comfortable. Admission to the night of lesbian dating is $10, 21+ only.

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 of African Expressions; and Chicago Afrobeat Project, playing funk and Afrobeat. 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.

Hardcore Histories @ Mess Hall

Hardcore Histories is a new series at Mess Hall that will explore many facets of Hardcore Punk music and culture, from its origins in around 1980 up to what’s happening now. The series will provide concrete information and knowledge in a variety of social event formats. All events are free to attend and many will include opportunities for attendees to participate and share their knowledge, music, videos and ephemera.

Series organizers Marc Fischer and Terence Hannum will kick things off tonight with a presentation and listening session: “Short, Fast, and Loud: A Seven-Inch Survey”.

The hardcore punk seven-inch record has a striking place in the history of recorded music. And let’s not call them “singles” because when hardcore bands started putting out 7”’s, they rarely conformed to the format’s previous function. There wasn’t a single “A-side” song which was the projected radio hit from the full length album, coupled with the “B-side” non album track. Though some hardcore seven inches have only two songs like a typical pop band, it is more common to find at least four. D.R.I. (Dirty Rotten Imbeciles) were arguably the early record holders for the most songs when they jammed 22 tracks onto the “Dirty Rotten” 7” in 1983.

In hardcore, the seven-inch record is a total package unto itself that frequently preceded the first album. Assuming your band didn’t break up before it was time to record an album, the full length may not have had any of the songs that appeared on the seven inch. Fans wouldn’t be expecting redundancy.

Tonight we will bust out lots of great 7”’s from our own record collections to play and discuss. We’ll be bringing out records by bands like M.D.C., D.R.I., Rattus, Enemy Soil, Born Against, The Ex, Poison Idea, HeWhoCorrupts, Palatka, Filthy Christians, Mob 47, and tons more. Many of these records are extremely obscure and hard to see or hear. You are invited to bring any hardcore seven-inches you may have to share. Bring the tunes, we’ll supply the stereo.

Thursday, July 21, 2005, 7:30p-9:30p at Mess Hall 6932 N. Glenwood Avenue, Rogers Park. www.messhall.org -- "Morse" stop on the Red Line.

Just Get Me Started @ Story Studio Chicago

That summer break not producing your grand novel? Need a little kick in the literary pants? Head on over to Story Studio Chicago for an "invigorating" night of inspiration. For $35, enjoy a workshop that will get your pen moving. The Just Get Me Started workshop runs from 6:30pm to 9pm, and pre-registration is suggested. Story Studio Chicago is located at 3717 N. Ravenswood, #115, Chicago.

Secret Handshake @ Darkroom

The kids of Secret Handshake Designs gear up for another party at the Darkroom, 2210 W. Chicago. The latest T-shirts, designed by local artists, will be on sale for $20 while The Tax and Walking Bicycles provide some rock to purchase your shirts to. Good music, cool tees. Could you want more? The party starts at 9pm with a $5 cover. Call 773-276-1411 for more information.