Picked Up: Episode #6 @ Neo-Futurarium

The Neo-Futurists present Picked Up, a weekly series of "TV pilots" performed on stage. This week's pilot: "The Mime", about a superhero crime-fighting mime. "The Mime" will be performed this Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 PM. Tickets are $15, $10 for students/seniors, and pay-what-you-can on Thursday nights. Picked Up runs through May 17, and each week is a different pilot; check the Neo-Futurist Website for a complete schedule. Neo-Futurarium: 5153 N. Ashland (at Foster). (773) 275-5255.

ALT Q @ Old Town School

Scott Free presents ALT Q, an evening of music at the Old Town School of Folk Music to raise awareness of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered community. Among the artists featured tonight: Cris Williamson; Coyote Grace; and Edward Thomas-Herrera. The show starts at 7:00 PM, and a meet-the-artists wine reception will follow the show. Tickets are $20, $18 for Old Town School members, and $17 for seniors/children. Old Town School: 4544 N. Lincoln. (773) 728-6000.

Cajun Dance @ Portage Park Center for the Arts

The Chicago chapter of the Cajun French Music Association holds its monthly dance tonight from 8pm to 11pm at the Portage Park Center for the Arts, 5801 W. Dakin St. The Chicago Cajun Aces play live, and Cajun dance lesson during the band break. There will also be door prizes and a bake sale. Admission is $5 for members, $10 for non-members -- non-members can join the CFMA on the spot for $15 (plus $5 entry fee).

Buddha Birthday Celebration @ Truc Lam Temple

The Truc Lam Buddhist Temple, 1521 W. Wilson (at Ashland), celebrates the birth of Buddha with a free outdoor concert tonight at 8pm; an indoor ceremony follows tomorrow morning at 10am. Call 773-506-0749 for more info.

pHrenzy pHormal @ Stage Left Theatre

pH Productions, a Chicago-based improv and comedy theater company, has announced its latest exciting event: the pHrenzy pHormal, a prom-themed version of pH's hit show pHrenzy followed by an all-night dance party!

The pHrenzy pHormal – Dig up your tuxes and dresses for this prom-themed party featuring the craziest improv show in Chicago, pHrenzy! Vote players out of the show until you crown the new pHrenzy King & Queen! Then stay for the dance party, punch, snacks and more! Bring your own alcohol and even your own iPod and pH will play your music! Wear prom attire and get a discount on your tickets!

Saturday, May 17 @ 11PM.

Stage Left Theatre, 3408 N. Sheffield Avenue in Lakeview/Wrigleyville.

$15, $10 if you dress up in prom attire.

Tickets and additional info are available at whatisph.com or by calling 773.732.5450.

All pH shows are BYOB.

Raise High the Roof Beam @ Star Lounge

Chicago's own Raise High The Roof Beam will be taking Star Lounge's (2521 W. Chicago Ave) stage on Saturday, May 17th at 9:00 PM. This all-ages event will have a DJ set by The Young Turk. Redelicious and The Deadbees will also be performing. The event is free and don't forget to BYOB!

Schadenfreude Rent Party @ Hideout

Join Schadenfreude in celebrating their 10th year anniversary in Chicago with a series of shows at Chicago neighborhood dive bars. This week the show is at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, at 9pm. Special guests include Claire Zulkey (Funny Ha-Ha), Steve Delahoyde (filmmaker) and Tim Smithe (one of the Walter E. Smithe brothers), plus the the second annual "Alternative Media Slam", where members of Chicago's alternative media -- including Gapers Block -- rip on each other for respect and special prizes. Music all night provided by The Hood Internet and JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound. Tickets at $10; 21+.

Organic Plants Sale @ Kilbourn Park

You can pick up organic baby plants from the Chicago Park District's greenhouse in Kilbourn Park today from 10am to 3pm. 150-plus varieties include heirloom tomatoes, exotic peppers, flagrant herbs and houseplants. Reasonable prices start from $2 a plant. Staff at the greenhouse is knowledgeable about backyard gardening in the area (organic or not), so be ready to ask questions as you line up for entry. The event continues Sunday as well, from 10am to noon. For more info, read this press release. Kilbourn Park is at 3501 N. Kilbourn Ave.

Berry Good Fun (kids' cooking class)

Chef Melissa Graham of Purple Asparagus and Monogramme Events will lead a cooking and tasting class for kids at the Farm House in Lincoln Park Zoo. Dishes (and drinks) include Rosy Sunrises (a kiddy cocktail), Mini Raspberry-Cornmeal Muffins, Blueberry Buckwheat Pancakes and Homemade Berry Sodas. The class is $ 20 per child (one adult may attend with each child), or $15 for LPZ members. Tickets are available here.

American Science & Surplus Annual Scratch and Dent Sale

This weekend, get your hands on some great stuff (that's just a little bumped, demo, floor model, slightly used, returned, stale, partially melted, mildewed, stained, badly smudged, cracked, abraded, scuffed, discolored, asymmetrical, lumpy, or oddly fragrant) at Chicago's favorite place to buy "stuff" — American Science and Surplus. The sale goes on Friday, May 16th, 10am - 7pm, Saturday, May 17th, 10am - 6pm, Sunday, May 18th, 11am - 5pm at the Chicago store at 5316 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-763-0313 (FYI: simultaneous sales will also take place at their Milwaukee, WI and Geneva, IL stores).

Art of Chinese Tea Ceremony @ Galewood-Mont Clare Library

The Chicago Public Library hosts Mr. Bert Tan, a member of the Chinese American Culture Foundation, who presents the Art of the Chinese Tea Ceremony. Includes discussion of tea history, varieties, flavor, utensils, preparation and serving. Tea and snack tasting included. 2 p.m. Galewood-Mont Clare branch, 6969 W. Grand Avenue, 60707. Part of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.

Aloft Aerial Dance @ The Aloft Loft

Come see some acrobatic dancers create a story in the air using ... giant lampshades. And picture frames and clotheslines and boots, oh my! Aloft Aerial Dance presents The Dinner of our Discontent, in which they tell the story--which "veers from heartbreaking to hilarious"--of five estranged sisters returning home after the sudden deaths of their parents.
May 16-18 and 23-25, 8:00 p.m. at the Aloft Loft, 941 N California Ave. (down the alley, in the back). $20-$30 tickets at Brown Paper Tickets

Chicago Style Crafters Trunk Show

Ten local artists will be showing their work at Circa Ceramics Studio today from 12-5 pm. It will be a mixed bag of vintage look stationary, candles in teacups, retro game icons made of recycled wood, and way more than I could ever link to here. (Pictures and links to the Etsy sites of all ten merchants are available here, however.)

Circa Ceramics is located at 3759 N. Ravenswood. Buzz #134 for entry.

826 PROM @ Pulaski Park Fieldhouse

Bust out that poufy dress, unearth that blue tux! 826 Chicago, a nonprofit writing center in Wicker Park, is holding its annual benefit. Free drinks (21+), a silent auction, DJs. No date (or corsage) required.
8 p.m.-midnight, tickets in advance here for $38.26 or $50 at the door; Pulaski Park Fieldhouse, 1419 W. Blackhawk St.

Wicker Park Gallery Tour @ Around the Coyote

Led by Executive Director Allison Stites. Free tour of some of the best emerging art galleries in the historic Wicker Park neighborhood including Around the Coyote Gallery, Green Lantern, AllRise Gallery and Heaven Gallery. Apartment galleries, galleries in the historic Flatiron Arts Building, and other funky spaces. 12:30 p.m. Free. 1935 1/2 W. North Ave. For advanced registration and for more information, go here.

Green Festival @ Navy Pier

Green Festival celebrates over 350 local and national greener businesses and over 150 speakers, workshops and food. Bring in at least three books to donate, and get $5 off. Saturday, May 17, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 18, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Details. 600 E. Grand Ave. Bus: 2, 29, 65, 66, 124.

Pet Pics @ Zulu

Want to drop some dough on your daschund? Spend some on your shih tzu? Head over to Zulu at 3919 N. Lincoln Ave for a session with pet photog Rhonda Holcomb. Each session costs $150 and includes a 30-minute shoot, a CD of unedited images and a 12 x 12 museum-quality wrapped canvas print. Sign up for your session by calling (773) 281-2009.

Hip Lit @ MCA

Head over to the Museum of Contemporary Art from noon to 4 pm for its 3rd annual Zines, Comics, and Other Hip Lit Fair. This one-day festival celebrates independent press in all forms. You'll get a chance to meet the hottest zinesters and comics around, purchase affordable, one-of-a-kind books and original artworks, and get your fave stuff signed. Check the site for a full list of participants.

Green City Market @ 1750 N. Clark

Green City Market opens their first Saturday of the season, on the grass in Lincoln Park, at 7 a.m. At 9 a.m., Green City Market will rally in support of local sustainable agriculture and Green City Market's 10th Anniversary. The market is then open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7:00 am - 1:30 pm. 1750 N. Clark. Bus: 11 Lincoln/Segwick, 22 Clark, 36 Broadway, 72 North, 73 Armitage, 156 La Salle.

Free-improv/electroacoustic "Supergroup" performs at Lampo - 9 p.m.

A trio of heavyweights within the electro-acoustic/tape-music scene create a free-improv hubbub at Lampo tonight. Metamkine label-owner and tape-musician Jerome Noetinger plays reel-to-reel and electronics in real time; Jean-Luc Gionnet, another concrete composer, plays alto sax; Will Guthrie, and up-and-coming avant-garde percussionist, does his thing. 9 p.m., $12 at the door. More information (and amusing picture of Noetinger) at Transmission.