Onion City Film Festival opening night @ Film Center

The Gene Siskel Film Center and Chicago Filmmakers present the opening night of the 19th annual Onion City Experimental Film and Video festival. Tonight's program is a collection of short films from the US and abroad. The program start at 8:00 PM; for a complete festival schedule visit the Chicago Filmmakers Website. Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.

Movies in the Park

The Chicago Park District presents Movies in the Park, a summer-long screening of classic and contemporary films in Chicago parks. Tonight there are movies screening at four different parks: Charlotte's Web at Munroe Park (2617 W. 105th St.); Dreamgirls at Levin Park (5458 W. Kinzie); Selena at Athletic Field Park (3546 W. Addison); and Better Off Dead at Churchill Field Playlot Park (1825 N. Damen). The screenings start tonight at dusk, and are free and open to the public. For a complete schedule of movies check out the Chicago Park District Website.

Name That Tune @ Red Kiva

As part of Chicago's "Art of Play" summer celebration of toys and games (through 30 September), Red Kiva is hosting a free session of Name That Tune featuring cabaret performers Beckie Menzie and Bob Moreen. 7-10 PM, 1108 W Randolph. For more information, call 312-226-5577 or visit the website.

Chicago SummerDance starts @ Grant Park

Tonight marks the start of Chicago SummerDance, the free evenings of music and dance lessons in Grant Park. Tonight the dance series kicks off with music by Chicago Afrobeat Project and dance lessons by Amaniyea Payne, artistic director of Chicago's Muntu Dance Theatre. The dance lessons are from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and the live music is from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM. SummerDance happens Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Auguest 26; see the SummerDance Website for details.

The Green Room Sessions @ Uncommon Ground

Uncommon Ground hosts The Green Room Sessions; a monthly live music and environmental awareness series presented by Live It Green and Big Blast Records. The event starts at 7pm with the music beginning around 8pm featuring Cynthia Lin and Rue Royale, with the environmental awareness group ARFE - Adventure Racers for the Environment talking about environmentalism and the outdoor athlete. Uncommon Ground will feature its "TREEtini" on the Green Room cocktail menu, and in conjunction with Live It Green will plant a tree for every one of the "TREEtinis" sold. No cover charge

Uncommon Ground is located at 3800 N. Clark Street

Singled Out @ W&CF

Social Psychologist Bella DePaulo comes to Women & Children First to discuss her new book Singled Out: How Singles are Stereotyped, Stigmatized, and Ignored and Still Live Happily Ever After. The book combines anecdotal evidence with rigorous academic research to take on the myths, prejudices, stereotypes and cultural biases against unmarried adults. Free at 7:30pm at 5233 N. Clark St. Call 773-769-9299 for more information.

Whirling Dervishes @ Millennium Park

If you have never seen a whirling dervish, here's your chance. This evening's program begins with vocalist Ahmet Ozhan performing Sufi music with his 40-member ensemble, followed by the Whirling Dervishes of Turkey. Free, 6:30 PM, in the Pritzker Pavilion. For more information, visit the website.

Ahmet Ozhan, Whirling Dervishes @ Millennium Park

On the occasion of the 800th Anniversary of the great humanist, mystic, poet and theologian Mawlana Jalal ud-din Muhammad Rumi, UNESCO has declared 2007 as the year of Rumi. Well-known vocalist Ahmet Ozhan, one of the leading interpreters of Rumi’s songs and other Sufi music, makes a rare appearance in the United States, performing with his 40-member music and dance ensemble. The Whirling Dervishes of Turkey follow Ozhan’s performance. Presented in cooperation with the Consulate General of Turkey in Chicago and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey. Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 6:30-8:00 PM.

Bike to Work Week Commuter Station @ 2 Locations

Stop by one of five Bicycle Commuter Stations during Bike to Work Week, June 9-15, for refreshments, freebees and raffles. Get your bike checked free of charge by a professional mechanic to make sure that it is lubed and ready to go. Hosted by Chicagoland Bicycle Federation in cooperation with the City of Chicago.

6:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. unless noted below
Monday, June 11 – North Lakefront Path at the North Ave. Chess Pavilion
Tuesday, June 12 – South Lakefront Trail at 31st St.
Wednesday, June 13 – Coldwell Banker Plaza at Clark/Lincoln/Wells
Thursday, June 14 – Milwaukee and Chicago avenues, in the Subway parking lot
Thursday, June 14 – 7:00 a.m - 9:00 a.m. Ravenswood and Montrose
Friday, June 15 – 7:30 to 3 p.m. Daley Plaza (Bike to Work Day Rally)
West Suburban bike commuters can find stations, too.

Transmission Thursday at the Five Star

Weekly reader meetup hosted by Nilay Patel of Transmission, the Gaper's Block music blog. DJ Brad Owen spins punk, new wave, 80s, indie, and other favorites, and the Five Star offers $2 drafts and $4 whiskey drinks. Starts at 9 every Thursday this summer. Five Star is at 1424. W. Chicago, just east of Chicago and Ashland. 21+, no cover.

Chicago Lions and Typers Festival at the Uptown Writer's Space

The Uptown Writer's Space hosts a three-day festival of readings by Uptown Writers Space members and special guests: the first annual Chicago Lions and Typers Festival. Tonight at 7pm, join members Marianna Swallow and David Kodeski, plus special guest S.L. Wisenberg, for Diary Night. The Uptown Writer's Space is at 4802 N. Broadway, Suite 200 - 773-275-1000.

Little City Used Book Sale (Formerly Brandeis Book Sale)

For those of us who used to trek to Skokie every summer for the Brandeis Book Sale, mourn not the loss of those jaunty book-slingin' ladies...the sale's been taken over by Little City. The Little City Book Sale promises to be one of the best used book events in the Chicago area, so don't miss out! The sale is on today from 11am to 8pm at Old Orchard Westfield Mall, and runs until Sunday, June 17th (times vary). More info by calling 847.221.7856.