Facets Night School: the Fifth Element

Facets Multimedia presents the second session of Facets Night School, midnight screenings of classic and cult movies with discussions about each film. Tonight's film is the Luc Besson spectacular The Fifth Element. Northwestern U. Ph.D candidate Cary Jones Elza will lead a post-screening discussion of the film. The movie screens tonight at midnight, and tickets are only $5 (available through Ticketweb). Facets: 1517 W. Fullerton.

Sci-Fi Strip-Tacular

This Windy City Comicon afterparty keeps science fiction sexy. Flesh Tones Burlesque presents a night of racy outer space antics sure to appeal to nerds and non-nerds alike. Break out the Starfleet uniform: $2 off the $15 admission if you come in costume. 9pm, Viaduct Theater (3111 N Western). Sponsored by Evil Squirrel Comics.

Rollin' Outta Here Naked: A Big Lebowski Burlesque

Vaudezilla presents "Rollin' Outta Here Naked: A Big Lebowski Burlesque," at 10pm tonight and every Saturday in September at the Gorilla Tango Theatre, 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave. -- as well as at Lebowski Fest. Featuring dances inspired by the cult classic film, performers Red Hot Annie, Wham Bam Pam, Donna Touch, Bonny Babs and Maria May I will have you out of your element in no time. Tickets are $15 in advance.

2009 Windy City Comicon

Join vendors, exhibitors and a host of special guests (including acclaimed local artists Gene Ha, Tim Seeley, Chris Samnee and more) for Chicago's second annual Windy City Comicon. 10am-6pm, The Center on Halsted (3656 N Halsted). Tickets $10.

Artificial Intelligence 4: Raver Rewind 2000 @ Ai Lounge

Get ready to re-live the heydey of electronic music in Chicago with Raver Rewind 2000 on Saturday September 19 at Ai Lounge. Four Chicago-based DJs who've experienced the scene firsthand back in the day will be playing records only from 1992-2000 for an authentic soundtrack.

What's not prohibited is getting into the "raver spirit" by dressing the part--phat pants, bright colors, ravey t-shirts, and bringing some PLUR and good vibes. For some of us who were there in the scene, it will be a night heavy on nostalgia, and will bring back the joy of hearing classic tracks that we remember fondly.

For the newer recruits into the contemporary electronic music scene, it will be educational to hear the tracks, trends and products of available technology that influenced the kind of music being made today.

Arrive early to nosh on Ai Restaurant's AMAZING Japanese food & killer sushi. Valet is available for $10 all night. 358 W. Ontario, Chicago, 10pm-2am. 21+

Popkan (Old school House)
Cesario Magnifique (Italo / electro / disco)
Gianna Hardt (House / techno)
Tim Kasper (Vintage techno)

Live Visuals by DREAMDAZE (www.dreamdaze.org)

Official Site: http://www.subvariant.com

REI Adopt A Beach Service Project

Join REI in cleaning up Montrose Beach and collecting data for compilation into a report on the Great Lakes. Participants will meet at the White Beach House at Montrose Beach (4400 N. Lake Shore Dr.) at 9 AM for the event. Volunteers will receive an REI t-shirt (while supplies last) and breakfast. Free, but space is limited and participants must register by calling Customer Service at 312-951-6020. For more information e-mail churwit@rei.com.

Scavenger Hunt with New Suit Theatre Co.

New Suit Theatre Company's scavenger hunt kicks off at 1pm from Milton Lee Olive Park (Lake Shore Drive and Grand Ave - near Navy Pier) and finishes with a cookout and games. Bring a team of 2-5 people and a digital camera. Entry fee $10. Register in advance and learn more here.

Chicago Dance Crash's The Drawing Board @ Ruth Page Center

The Ruth Page Center for the Arts will host Chicago Dance Crash's final main stage production of the year, and the final full-length offering of outgoing Artistic Director Kyle Vincent Terry. Combining a screwball menu of unpredictable scenes, ideas, jokes, and pop culture rip-offs, Crash's crew of seasoned dancers and mercenary movers will give audiences exactly what they've asked for, and more in The Drawing Board.

The Drawing Board premiers at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, located at 1016 N. Dearborn, at 8pm. Tickets are $18 advance, $20 at the door. For ticket reservations, contact (312) 337-6543 or visit their site here.

D Tour screening @ Chicago Cultural Center (FREE)

Rogue Wave's Pat Spurgeon has big dreams to make it as an indie rock musician. Just as his career is about to take off, he suffers an incredible setback when one of his kidneys begins to fail. Follow Pat on his emotional search for a living organ donor. But can he balance his health with a rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle? D Tour screens for free at 2pm, Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., Claudia Cassidy Theater, Chicago, IL 60602. 312.744.6630 More on the movie here.

Talk Like a Pirate Day @ Field Museum

Yar, mateys! In honor of International Talk Like a Pirate Day (9/19) the Real Pirates exhibit will be taking over the Field Museum today. Details. 10am-3pm at the Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr., (312) 922-9410. Free with admission.

Rosh Hashanah Bike Ride Starting at Oz Park

Meet up by the Tin Man in Oz Park at 11am to ride bikes with anyone who'd rather ride instead of going to a Rosh Hashanah service. The ride is free and open to anyone. You should bring a Shofar if you have one, but no propaganda, proselytizing or solicitation of funds will be allowed. The ride should conclude by 2pm. View the highly entertaining and informational video announcement on youtube.

Chicago Poetry Mini Conference

Join Series A Conversations for a day of panels and discussions on the art of poetry. Free and open to all. Panels include topics such as poetry publication, new media poetics, and contemporary poetry schools. Over 30 writers will speak and read. BYOB.

Hyde Park Arts Center
5020 S. Cornell
4833 Studio Room
9am - 5pm

John Krause @ Green City Market

John Krause of the French Pastry School will give a cooking demonstration today at 10:30am at the Green City Market, Stockton and LaSalle Drives.