Permanent Records 2nd Anniversary Party @ AV-Aerie

Permanent Records is hosting their second anniversary party tonight at the AV-Aerie, 2000 W. Fulton, Ste. 310. Allá Black Ladies, Cacaw, Bellafea, Three Eyed Skull and Lazer Crystal perform. More details here.

Red Bull Flugtag Chicago

Red Bull brings Flugtag back to North Avenue Beach today; come watch 40 teams compete to see whose crazy contraption flies the farthest. Doors open at 11am, first launch takes place around 1pm. Free.

South Union Arts Closing Show

South Union Arts is closing its doors, but before it goes, it's having "a corn roast," featuring works by Kaelyn Garcia & Jocelyn Stotz, Catherine Bouzide & Bill Friedman, Catie Olson, Anni Holm, Annie Heckman, Ben Funke, Michael Una and Viki Fowler. Among the works is Chicago's first in-ground corn maze. Show runs from 3pm to 7pm. Free.

Tour:Smart Band Seminar

Industrial music luminary Martin Atkins will present "Tour:Smart," a seminar for bands preparing to put on a tour, today from noon to 6pm at his Invisible Records offices, 3319 S Lituanica Ave. You must register in advance: tickets are $29.95, which includes an e-book and DVD.

Breakbone DanceCo @ Viaduct Theater

The "De-evolution of MUDWOMAN (an evening of dance exile, fashion, and humor)" from Breakbone DanceCo begins with a "superficial poptart diva"--representing today's female role models--who de-evolves into the primordial female, complete with head-to-toe mud. In this process, Breakbone will mock themselves, mock a lot of the heavy-handed social commentary out there, and encourage the audience to laugh, all while "de-mystifying" the "objectification of women." The show is filled with entertainment, including a couture fashion show and videography, and is punctuated by commentary from three "expositors" who critique the goings-on throughout the evening. The choreography will use Breakbone's unique, athletic style.

August 28, 29, 30, and September 4, 5, 6--all shows at 9:00. $18 ($15 students and seniors). Viaduct Theater, 3111 N. Western Ave., Chicago. Click here for tickets or visit Breakbone's website for more information. (Also see the GB A/C page for more info.)

American Science & Surplus Warehouse Sale

If you've been scouring Chicago for robot parts, flasks, batteries, rolls of wire, or just otherwise awesome ephemera, you might already know the awesome shopping experience that is American Science & Surplus. Bonus to you in the know: it's their annual Warehouse Sale this coming weekend. Head on over to their otherwise closed to the public space in Niles, IL (check out our sweet private tour and photo essay from February in Detour) and stock up on all your tinkering or wacky gift giving needs! The American Science and Surplus warehouse is located at: 7410 N. Lehigh, Niles, IL. 60714. Sale hours are 9am-5pm Sat. 9/6 and 10am-4pm Sun. 9/7.

The Great Urban Race Chicago

They make your sign a waiver release before participating, so if this sounds like your kind of "adventure, scavenger hunt and wandering party", be at Lincoln Park Grove 9 (Stockton Drive and North Cannon Drive intersection) Saturday morning at 11 a.m. Bring bus fare.

Chicago Football Classic @ Soldier Field

Two of the top teams in historically black college football meet in Chicago this weekend as West Virginia State takes on Central State in the 11th annual Chicago Football Classic this Saturday, 4 p.m., at Soldier Field. Of COURSE, there'll be a "battle of the bands". That's the REAL show. Check the website for details.

Battle of the Bags @ John Barleycorn

It looks like it's here to stay: yet another "bags" tournament is slated for Chicago, this one at John Barleycorn, 658 W. Belden, this Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. Two-person teams pay a $100 entry fee. Those who want to just watch pay $35 for admission. But you get domestic beer, mixed drinks and appetizers for that price, so you have something to do when you get tired of watching people throw beanbags through a hole in a piece of wood. Call (773) 348-8899 for details.

Stay Smooth X: Overboard!

UR Chicago presents Stay Smooth X: Overboard!, a night of '70s AM gold, '80s FM rock and contemporary smooth gems at the Columbia Yacht Club in Monroe Harbor. DJs Bald Eagle & STV SLV spin, cover band Haulin' Boats performs and special guest hosts Hollywood Steve and Hunter Stair (Loggins) from the cast of Yacht Rock emcee a screening of the entire Yacht Rock series. An open bar (well drinks and beer) and two specially crafted Tommy Bahama Rum drinks keep the party well lubricated.
Proper attire requested: captain's hats, jean shorts, short shorts, sailor shirts, knee high socks, friendship bracelets, sunglasses, beards and 'staches, feathered hair, chest hair and flip flops. Runs from 7pm to 10pm;
tickets are $40. 21+ More info here.

Free DIY Comix & Zine Making Demo @ Blick

World got you down? Put your angst, heartache, worry about the economy in your very own zine! A free workshop happens from 1-4pm at the Dick Blick Art Materials store in Evanston this Saturday, 9/6. They're located at 1755 Maple Ave, Evanston, IL near the Davis Street Purple line stop.

White Sox Wives Canned Food Drive @ US Cellular Field

Wives of the White Sox players will be holding a nonperishable food drive to benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository before the team plays the Los Angeles Angels today; the women will be on-hand collecting items at stadium gates.

German American Festival

Lincoln Square celebrates its Deutch roots with the annual German American Festival this weekend. Centered on Lincoln and Leland, next to the Western Brown Line stop, drink steins of beer and eat sausages, sauerkraut and potatos while listening to traditional German music. Free, 21 and over to drink. Runs today from noon to 11pm, with the 43rd annual Von Steuben Parade starting at 2pm

Orange Alert Press Book Release @ DvA Gallery

DvA Gallery (2568 N. Lincoln Ave)
6:00pm to 9:00pm
Free

Book Signing and reading from local writers Jill Summers, Tim Hall, Nick Ostdick, Jason Fisk and the author.
Musical performances by Brendan Losch, Venna, and Other World

About the Author:
Most Likely You Go Your Way and I'll Go Mine is the second novel from Chicago writer Ben Tanzer. His debut novel, Lucky Man, was published by Manx Media in March of 2007. Since the books release, Tanzer has become known for his inventive marketing and networking skills as well as his well-written debut. He blogs at This Blog Will Change Your Life, which is the centerpiece of his vast, albeit faux, media empire, and in March of 2008, he launched his own journal, This Zine Will Change Your Life, which combines literature with music and street art.

About the book:
Most Likely You Go Your Way and I'll Go Mine takes place in an early nineties New York City and follows the romance between Jen and Geoff the novel's two main characters. It is a story about fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, the value of friends, the reason its best to go out for coffee on first dates and what exactly defines being on the rebound. The characters riff on their favorite books, channel Yoda and Bob Dylan, deal with siblings and try to make sense of a world that shouldn't be as confusing as it seems to be. They also seek greater self-awareness and debate why Dallas will always be superior to Knots Landing, even as they find love, lose it and find it again.

Guinness Oyster Festival

The Guinness Oyster Festival hits Roscoe Village today from noon to 11pm. $7 gets you through the gates to drink Guinness (and Harp) and eat oysters while listening to music:
Noon: The Hue
1:30pm: Trippin Billies
4:00pm: Hello Dave
6:30pm: Carolina Liar
8:30pm: Everlast

"The People's Temple" @ American Theater Company

"The People's Temple" kicks off the American Theater's 24th season. This is a riveting play about Jonestown in 1978.
American Theater Company: 1909 W. Byron Street
Tickets: $40.00
Box office: (773) 929-1031
Friday and Saturday at 8:00p.m and Sunday at 3:00p.m.

UIC Open House

UIC's alumni association is holding a free open house today starting at 1pm. Tour the campus, listen to talks on a variety of topics, and check out a replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall. More details here.

3rd Annual Bocce for Bad Bowels Tournament

The 3rd annual Bocce for Bad Bowels Tournament hosts are hoping to top their previous $3K donation to the Illinois Chapter of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. Sign up with a team of four (or sign up alone and meet new friends) and you'll get a bbq lunch, a sweet tshirt, and a great afternoon in Welles Park (2333 N. Sunnyside at Western in Lincoln Square) for your donation of $25. RSVP to Amy Fattori at amyfattori (at) yahoo (dot) com and be sure to tell her your tshirt size.

Shelley Young @ Green City Market

Shelley Young of the Chopping Block will be giving a cooking demo today at 10:30 a.m. at the Green City Market, located at Clark and Stockton Drive.