Too Much Light best-of shows @ Neo-Futurarium

The Neo-Futurists present their annual best-of shows this weekend. For three nights you can see some of the best plays that the ensemble wrote for their long-running show Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind (an ongoing attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes!). The best-of shows happen at the usual Too Much Light times: 11:30pm tonight and Saturday nights, and 7:00pm Sunday. Neo-Futurarium: 5153 N. Ashland (at Foster). 773-275-5255.

CTA Holiday Train: Brown & Orange Lines

The CTA Holiday Train will be rocking the Brown and Orange lines. Passengers can start climbing aboard at 4:00pm, when the train heads north from the Midway stop on the Orange line. A southbound run from the Kimball terminal on the Brown line gets going at 5:30pm. Click here for a timetable. A schedule for the 2008 season is posted on the CTA web site here -- check it for future updates. Normal CTA fares apply. 888-YOUR-CTA (888-968-7282).

Lincoln and His Admirals @ Mart Plaza Holiday Inn

Author and Navy Professor Craig L. Symonds comes to the Holiday Inn at Merchandise Mart for a dinner and presentation of his new book Lincoln and His Admirals. The book gives an account of previously unexamined relationships and politicking that influenced Lincoln's command of the Navy during the Civil War. Tickets the entire event, which includes dinner and the presentation, are $40; tickets the presentation only are $5. Reservations can be made by calling 630-460-1865 or emailing chicagocwrtdinner[at]earthlink[dot]net. 350 N. Orleans St.; cocktails start at 5:30pm and the presentation starts at 7:30pm.

Big Science @ The Hideout

Big Science is celebrating their new EP, The Coast of Nowhere, tonight at The Hideout.

The Gunshy will also be playing, following the show will be a DJ set from Tankboy.

Show starts at 10pm. $8. As always, The Hideout is 21+

Roosevelt Reading @ Book Cellar

Come to the Book Cellar, where Roosevelt University students will be reading their original works. Free at 7pm at 4736-38 N. Lincoln Ave. Call 773-293-2665 for more information.

Soldier of Three Wars @ Peter Jones Gallery

Soldier of Three Wars is a shadow puppet show portraying the story of Major J.D. Elderkin's life from 1820 til 1899, encompassing three wars as well as an incident with a chisel and some first-hand experience with General Grant. Based on his autobiography, this adaptation was created and set to music by House and Bird's Elisabeth Blair and Ryan Gunzel with live action by Eleffant Foot Theatre Company.
Peter Jones Gallery, 1806 W. Cuyler, 773-472-6725
Showtimes: 8pm tonight, 3pm & 8pm Saturday
Tickets $10 [suggested donation]