The New Chicagoans Opening Reception

Tonight from 6pm to 1am is the opening reception for The New Chicagoans show at Iron Studios, 3636 Iron St. 2nd floor. The group exhibition demonstrates the wide range of work being done by both emerging and established Chicago artists.

Featuring: Michael Merck, Cody Hudson, Rob Doran, Joe Compean, Christine Tarkowski, Melina Ausikaitis, Duk Ju Kim, Jonn Salhus, Victor, Barbara Kasten, Nat Ward, Sighn, Chris Uphues, Ryan Davies, Juan Chavez, Brian Ulrich, Greg Stimac, You Are Beautiful, Elisa Harkins, Nick Black, Carl Virgo, Al Burian, Al Pocius, Andrew Wilson, Steven Eichorn, Melinda Fries, Michael Genovese, Paul Nudd, Erin Foley and Dolan Geiman. The show runs until November 13.

Free, all ages. It's part of this year's Select Media Festival.

Third Coast International Audio Festival Conference

The Third Coast Festival is holding its annual conference at the Wyndham Chicago this weekend. The conference includes sessions on making pitches and podcasting, and rendering complex information clearly and concisely. The conference also includes the awards ceremony for the 2005 audio documentary competition. For more information, visit the website.

Premiere: The Future of Food

The Future of Food, a documentary on the corporate food system, premieres tonight with Jim Slama as a special opening night speaker. President of Sustain, Slama will address with audience with a question and answer session after the show. Tonight's show starts at 7pm, but the documentary will continue with nightly shows at 7pm and 9pm. Come to Facets Cinematheque at 1571 W. Fullerton Ave. to view the first show. 773-281-4114 gets you more information.

One Ring Zero @ Harold Washington Library

One Ring Zero, the Brooklyn-based duo whose recent project "As Smart As We Are" features songs with lyrics written by such authors as Margaret Atwood, Dave Eggers, Neil Gaiman, Myla Goldberg, Daniel Handler and Jonathan Lethem, plays a concert at the Harold Washington Library's Pritzker Auditorium tonight from 8:00 to 10:00. Also featured in the performance will be authors Rick Moody and Julia Slavin. The performance is a Third Coast Festival presentation. Tickets are $15, and are purchasable through Chicago Public Radio's Website. Harold Washington Library: 400 South State Street.

Exquisite Corpse show opening party @ Rotofugi

Rotofugi, that cool toy store that has all thse stuff you need to buy, has a mini-gallery space as part of its store, and tonight they're celebrating the start of a new art show, "Fun with Dead Bodies". The show will feature Exquisite Corpses drawn by various artists. (As far as we know, none of the artists have participated at An Exquisite Corpse, the EC site run by GB alumnus Phineas X. Jones.) The show's opening party is tonight from 7:00 PM to 11:00, and is free. The exhibit runs through November 13. See the Rotofugi Website for more details. Rotofugi: 1953 W. Chicago. (312) 491-9501.

The Yakuza Papers @ the Chicago Cultural Center

The Chicago Cultural Center is screening a film by Japanese director Kinji Funkasaku tonight at 7 PM. The Yakuza Papers is a gangster movie that takes place shortly after World War 2. Free, but the Cultural Center notes that Funkasaku’s films are not suitable for children. 78 E Washington Street. For more information, call 312-744-6630 or visit the website.

Suicide Girls Burlesque

The Suicide Girls (NSFW) bring their pierced'n'tattooed burlesque show to the Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N. Kedzie Ave., tonight at 9pm. Tsu Shi Ma Mi Re and Camaro Rouge provide musical entertainment as well. Tickets are $13 in advance or $15 at the door, which is 18 and over.

Corpus Delicti: Just Desserts

Corpus Delicti: Just Desserts is an innovative play about a doctor and his many relationships to the body: his living body, the dead body that lies before him, and the body of evidence he has to examine. Performed in a UIC operating theater, it features an actual body in the performance (made from Jello). Starts at 8pm and is on the UIC campus at 912 S Wood. Call 312-528-0077 for more info or visit the website.

DrunkenBlog's "Evening at Adler"

If you even recognize the name DrunkenBlog, then you probably oughtta go to tonight's event at the Adler Planetarium. Heck, chances are you know about it; consider this your reminder. The event is free, but seats are limited, so RSVP to make sure you're going to get in. All the details -- and there are many -- are here, but the skinniest of the skinny is 6:30pm, 1300 S. Lake Shore Dr.

Crew Homecoming Dance

Crew Bar+Grill holds a homecoming dance to benefit the Gay Games Chicago 2006. There'll be music by the Patty Elvis Band and DJ Matt Nickel, raffles, free food, prizes for best dressed, and a king and queen will be crowned! $15 cover gets you drink specials like $8 Grey Goose cosmos, $4 Grey Goose cocktails, $2 Goose Island pints and $2 well drinks. More details here. Call 773-784-CREW for info.