Merce Cunningham Dance Company

A huge name in modern dance, Merce Cunningham returns to Chicago with two programs presented by The Dance Center of Columbia College. The first program, tonight, is all about chance, during which "various rolls of the dice determine the choice of choreography, music, visual decor, costumes and light designs." The second program, tomorrow night, focuses on Cunningham's more recent work, incorporating "computer-enhanced choreography and motion-capture video imaging." The shows start at 8pm at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph Dr. Tickets range from $18-$48 and can be bought by calling 312-344-8300.

Chicago Horror Film Festival

The Chicago Horror Film Festival kicks off this evening and runs through Thursday, November 3rd. Plenty of horror films being shown every night, with titles like Confederate Zombie Massacre, Mom vs. The Undead, Flesh Eating Ghouls From Outer Space (a sci-fi puppet show) and the ultimate in terror: Mexican Hat. The screening are all at the 3 Penny Cinema (2424 N. Lincoln Ave). See the festival Website for a full schedule and to purchase tickets.

Edwardian film doc @ Film Center

This last July, a documentary called Electric Edwardians: The Films of Mitchell & Kenyon screened at the Siskel Film Center. The film, which shows various aspects of everyday life from a century ago through the use of recently found film footage that literally dates back to 1900, starts screening again at the Film Center, and plays through November 3rd. See the Film Center Website for showtimes and details on the film. Tickets are $9, $7 for students, $5 for Film Center members, and $4 for SAIC students. Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.

SOFA Chicago

SOFA Chicago returns to Navy Pier this weekend, filling Festival Hall with sculpture, objects and functional art from around the world. The show is open Friday, Oct.28, 11am-8pm; Saturday, Oct. 29, 11am-8pm; and Sunday, Oct. 30, noon-6pm. Tickets are $15 per day or $25 for a three-day pass (students and seniors pay $10).

Adrian Nicole Leblanc @ Book Cellar

Author of the Book Cellar's September book club selection, Adrian Nicole Leblanc will make a special appearance at the club's meeting to dicuss her book Random Family: Love, Drugs, Trouble and Coming of Age in the Bronx. The book chronicles the time Leblanc spent immersed with an extended family in the ghetto, shedding light on the intimate details of urban poverty. The meeting starts at 7pm and whether you're a regular member of the club or a one-time visitor, all are welcome to attend. The Book Cellar is located at 4736 N. Lincoln Ave. Call 773-293-2665 for more information.

Opening: Water Tanks @ the Chicago Cultural Center

If you’ve been wondering what possible use there is for those obsolete water tanks on Chicago rooftops, your curiosity can now be satisfied. Through 29 January 2006, entries in the Chicago Architectural Club’s Water Tank Design Competition are on display at the Chicago Cultural Center. 78 E. Washington. For more information, call 312-744-6630 or visit the website.

House Theatre Halloween Party

The House Theatre’s Junior Board will be holding a Halloween party at 10pm tonight at Fizz Bar and Grill (3220 N. Lincoln). It’s $25, or $20 if you have your Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz ticket/trading card; but this includes an open bar all night. So drink up and have fun—House parties are always great, and all proceeds go to the theatre company. See the House Theatre blog for more information.

Halloween Drag King Show

Looking for a Halloween experience? Try Twisted: An Experiment in Drag Gone Terribly Awry. Follow this motley crew of kings and creeping things as they penetrate the dark corners of the mind and soul. Come prepared to dance with the dead and make merry with the truly mad! Costumes strongly encouraged. The show is at Circuit at 3641 N. Halsted. Doors open at 9 p.m., and the show is at 10 p.m. And the cost is just $8.

GB Get-Together @ Hopleaf

Each month, members of the Gapers Block staff get together with readers at a neighborhood pub. This month, we'll be in the upstairs bar at Hopleaf, 5148 N. Clark St., from 9pm to midnight. Look for faces that match the ones on this page. See you there!

By the way, you don't have to dress up, but don't be surprised to see a few costumes haunting the bar.