"How We Schedule" Discussion about local listservs and calendars

Optionalevents.com is co-sponsoring one of AREA Chicago's "Infrastructure Lectures" as part of the "Pass It On" DIY culture exhibit at Columbia College. In the age of email, blogs and myspace all of our schedules have become significantly more plugged in and complicated. These groups have been trying to provide their communities with a filter for all those activities and today we will discuss their projects and how we could better coordinate our efforts as event/action organizers and calendar keepers. Presenters will include Salem Collo-Julin (optional events) as well as reps from Gapers Block, the New World Resource Center, Polvo and more! "How We SCHEDULE!" will last from 6-8pm at the A + D Gallery, 619 S. Wabash Ave.

The Teahouse Fire @ Book Cellar

Have you ever wanted to learn a little bit more about Japanese tea ceremonies? How about read a novel about it? Come to the Book Cellar at 7pm tonight for a discussion with Ellis Avery, author of The Teahouse Fire and longtime student of the Japanese tea ceremony. The book is set in 19th century Japan and follow two women, one of whom is the daugther of a respected "tea advisor" and the other of whom is a French ophan who was adopted by the tea master's family. Free at 4736 N. Lincoln Ave. Call 773-293-2665 for more information.

Vladmaster @ Film Center

The Gene Siskel Film Center presents Vladmaster, a View-Master art exhibit by Portland, Oregon artist Vladimir. The audience will view a retrospective of the artist's hand-made stereoscopic images (yes, View-Masters will be provided) while listening to an accompanying soundtrack. Fun in three dimensions! Tickets: $9, $7 for students, $5 for Film Center members, and $4 for SAIC students. Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.

Fresh Mode: Exploring the Four Pillars of Hip Hop @ Chicago Cultural Center

Sucka DJs beware. Wave Twisters, the 2001 animated skratching/sci-fi/kung-fu adventure, is coming to the Cultural Center on this, the first day of a four-day weekend of free film screenings that explore the Four Pillars of hip hop: DJing, MCing, B-boying and Graffiti Art. Wave Twisters features members of the now defunct San Francisco DJ outfit the Invisibl Skratch Piklz battling sinister enemies to save the lost arts of hip hop from imminent doom. And, oh yeah, Buckethead is in it. The documentary short Keepintime: Talking Drums and Whispering Vinyl is also being screened. The show begins at 7 pm in the Claudia Cassidy Theater. Chicago Cultural Center. 78 E. Washington. Free.

Unlimited Wine & Chocolate

That's right, unlimited wine and chocolate tonight at Kafka Wine, 3325 N. Halsted. It's a benefit for ChildServ, a family-oriented nonprofit that runs programs to help keep children and families out of risky situations. $45 in advance ($50 at the door) gets you in for a sampling of chocolate from around the world and a wide variety of complementary (and complimentary) wines; you'll also be entered in a drawing for a wine basket and White Sox tickets. Space is limited, so reserve your spot now by calling 773-867-7360.

First Annual Putt Putt (golf)Green Design Competition

Support the Experimental Station and Material Exchange in their first joint fundraising event by playing a round of mini-golf! Artists, designers, engineers, school groups, and families battle for the most Rube Goldbergesque putting green which employs the most circuitous and inefficient means to accomplish the task of getting the ball in the hole. The green designers were given a piece of astroturf salvaged from an exhibition held at the Renaissance Society in 1994 of the German artist Martin Kippenberger's work, an installation entitled, The Happy End of Franz Kafka's Amerika. The designers have the added challenge of using reclaimed materials, and building a future use into each green design. They have responded with greens that become a skateboard ramp, bike paniers, (the little packs that hang off of a bike rack), and a fountain made of old plumbing to name a few. The designs are playful and beautiful, and will undoubtedly make for some challenging miniature golf.

The course will be open to the public from Thursday March 22nd through Monday March 27th. The opening reception is on Thursday, March 29th at 6-10pm at the Experimental Station @ 6100 S Blackstone just south of the University of Chicago east of the intersection at 61st Street and Dorchester (see map). Contact info @ material-exchange.org for more information. There will be snacks, food and drink available for purchase. Green Hours: Friday-March 30th, Saturday-March 31st, Sunday-April 1st, and Monday April 2nd from 1:00pm to 9:00pm.

Your Formula Life @ Sonotheque

In the latest installment of their Your Formula Life event series, HEFTY Records and Meiotic present a night of electronica, broken beat and techno, featuring DJ sets from Clark Warner, John Hughes (a.k.a. Slicker), Magas, and Audiophile. It all kicks off at 9pm at Sonotheque, 1444 W. Chicago Ave. Admission is only $5. Check our Transmission page for further details.

Arbouretum @ Empty Bottle

Baltimore's Arbouretum return to Chicago, bringing their dusky, folk-rock ruminations to the Empty Bottle tonight. On the bunceback from appearing at SXSW, they're embarking on the second leg of their tour in support of their second LP, Rites of Uncovering, which was released on Thrill Jockey Records a few months back. Also on the bill are David Karsten Daniels and Shortstack. Admission is $8, and the show starts at 9:30 pm. 1035 N. Western Ave.