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Bengston's Pumpkin Farm
Thursday, October 15, 2009, 10am - 8pm
You'll experience hours of enjoyment including a relaxing Hayrack ride, pumpkins (of course!), a completely animated Haunted Barn, a giggling animated Fun Barn, the "famous" action-packed Pig Races (running 10x a day on the 1/2 hour), the adorable Petting & Feeding Zoo, The Giant Crazy Corn Maizey, The animated singing chickens at "The Grand Ole' Poultry", The Pumpkin Launcher, the Flying Frogs ride, a Train Ride, Bluegrass playing Skeleton Band, Farm Animals, Straw Tunnel, the Honey Pots T-Cup ride, Pony Rides, the Frog Hopper Ride, the "Moulin Rouge Chickens on a Hot Tin Roof", delicious refreshments such as hot apple cider with a cinnamon stick, pumpkin spice cappuccino, eats & treats: Hot & Fresh Funnel cakes, Ole' Tex BBQ, delicious Chili in a Bread Bowl and Farm made Kettle Corn (just to name a few) and, along with various Halloween displays all in the colorful splendor of autumn. [More]
Soleil's Take: I had a ball with my godkids at this one - the especially loved the pig race and the corn maze!
Price: $13; $12, 3-11 years old
Other Times To-Do It: Daily through October 31st
MSI Spooky Science
Thursday, October 15, 2009, 11am - 4pm
Never fear! The Museum offers a host of hair-raising activities, events and exhibits that will help our guests ring in the Halloween season in style. We've also scared up one extra Halloween treat for our guests: general admission is free on weekdays through October 30th! Resurrected! The Haunted Coal Mine! The Coal Mine will be transformed into a ghoulish haunted experience for guests who want to participate in a Halloween treat. If you would prefer to have the traditional Coal Mine experience, normal scare-free tours will still be offered 2-3 times an hour. Timed tickets for both regular and haunted tours will be available at the exhibit entrance. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through November 1; the haunted tours depart 15 and 30 after the hour.
Price: $9-13
Other Times To-Do It: Daily through November 1st
CIFF/Black Perspectives: Blue
Thursday, October 15, 2009, 6 - 7:50pm
Murder. Robbery. Abandonment. Gary "Blue" Meekins' past is one he'd prefer not to remember. Even after surviving the rough streets of Harlem, Blue finds himself struggling to make it through the days. Now, with the help of an old coach and his emotionally damaged neighbor, this burgeoning prizefighter is finally getting his shot at the title. But after so much, will Blue make it to the fight of his life?
Director Ryan Miningham and Writer, Producer and Actor Don Wallace are scheduled to attend.
Price: $12; Members, $9
World Kitchen: Now You're Cooking Series
Thursday, October 15, 2009, 6 - 8:30pm
This class is for people who have mastered basic cooking skills and now want to learn more of the timesaving techniques that professionals use, including tips on menu planning and best kitchen practices. The insider secrets will increase students' kitchen confidence to go beyond basic recipes to make their own creative meals.
This culinary class is part of World Kitchen Series. Explore Chicago's diverse cultural heritage through ethnic cuisines, and focus on culinary skills and techniques in our state-of-the-art facility. World Kitchen offers opportunities to experience the true pleasures of food as nourishment for the body as well as art for the soul. Food industry professionals share their expertise with students at any level of cooking experience.
Price: $100 for series, registration is required
Other Times To-Do It: Thursdays, October 1, 8, 15, 22, 6-8:30 pm
eta Literary Series: Useni Eugene Perkins - "Poetry from the Masters: Black Arts Movement"
Thursday, October 15, 2009, 6 - 8pm
Join prolific poet, playwright and author Useni Eugene Perkins for a discussion and signing of his latest release Poetry from the Masters: Black Arts Movement. The collection explores the dynamic Black Arts Movement (BAM) of the 1960s and 70s through poetry written by the most significant poets of the period. Included are Amiri Baraka, Nikki Giovanni, Haki Madhubuti, Sterling Plump, Carolyn Rogers, Sonia Sanchez, Angela Jackson, Quincy Troupe and others. Perkins is a nationally recognized author of books and plays that focus on youth and youth issues. Books will be available for sale and autographing.
Price: Free!
Other Times To-Do It: Third Thursdays
Terri Stevens Chicago Trunk Show
Thursday, October 15, 2009, 6:30 - 8:30pm
An event for true fashionistas! I will be in Chicago this week to host a V.I.P. trunk show! Come see my Funky and Fabulous 2010 Spring Collection. This line was recently viewed and well received during Fashion Week in New York!
To RSVP e-mail qhall@dwilliamspr.com or call (312) 225-8705 or (847) 970-8157.
Price: Free!
Dream Reapers Haunted House
Thursday, October 15, 2009, 7 - 10pm
(Friday & Saturday, Open 'til 11pm)
Nightmares Inc. decided to fabricate a haunted house using a new genre of haunt. One of old technology, Dark, misdirecting and actor based scares carefully merged with that of new technology. High tech. animatronics, high detail and touching 4 of your 5 senses. The end result was Dreamreapers. Dreamreapers haunted house is over 14000 SqFt. of sheer terror. With over 22 rooms, 40+ animatronics, over 40 actors and actresses and something rarely duplicated in the industry, scents based upon the theme of the room. And has wheelchair accessibility. Dreamreapers was rated the #1 haunted house in Illinois for three years in a row*. And we intend to keep that title this year. Dreamreapers can host your small to corporate sized group with reasonable group rates. So . . . stand back and let the real psychos show you how it's done!
Soleil's Take: Avoid the lines with a VIP ticket! Think twice about brining kids . . .
Price: $16; VIP, $30
Other Times To-Do It: Daily through October 31st
Organic Groov: Walter English III
Thursday, October 15, 2009, 7pm - 12am
Walter has performed with Detour, Phat Katz and was a part of an opening act for Aretha Franklin. Walter is the co-writer of "Stand Up" a song performed by Jennifer Hudson.
Price: Free!
Other Times To-Do It: Wednesdays & Thursdays
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (Closing Week)
Thursday, October 15, 2009, 7:30 - 10pm
Matinees: Wed, 10:30am; Sat, 3pm; Sun, 2:30pm
Court Theatre returns to August Wilson's Century Cycle, with the 1920s entry--his only play to be set on the South Side of Chicago. A recording session for blues legend Ma Rainey and her band becomes a battle of wills in the first major Chicago production in over 10 years.
Miscellaneous Info: Learn about the extraordinary life of legendary blues singer Ma Rainey. Read the article.
Other Times To-Do It: September 17 - October 18
12 Ophelias: A Play With Broken Songs
Thursday, October 15, 2009, 8 - 10:30pm
by Caridad Svich
Directed by Kate Hendrickson
Shakespeare's Ophelia rises up out of the water dreaming of Pop Tarts and other sweet things. She finds herself in a half-remembered land where Gertrude runs a brothel, Hamlet is called Rude Boy, and nothing is what it seems. In this mirrored world of word scraps and cold sex, Ophelia cuts a new path for herself. Combining original music with poetic and colloquial language, 12 Ophelias is a theatre song-poem about being broken by society and love, being lost and finding yourself again.
Price: $20
Discounts: 2 for 1 on Thursdays
Other Times To-Do It: Thursdays - Saturdays, through October 31, 2009
New Era In Jazz: Tiaybe
Thursday, October 15, 2009, 8 - 9:30pm
TIAYBE (Tee-Yah-Bay) Tiaybe is a quiet, multi-faceted chanteuse from Chicago driven to share her eclectic vision of music with the world. Tiaybe released her 1st solo CD project title "Soul Odyssey" featuring hits - Set Free, Moonlight & Stimuli 4 Ur Mind. Tiaybe has shared stages with mainstream artists such as Chico Debarge, Glenn Lewis, Dwele, Kindred, Patti Labelle, Tremaine Hawkins, De La Soul, Geno Young, Carmen Rodgers, Yahzarah & Sy Smith as well as local soul artists - Yaw, Tina Howell, Zzaje, Avery Young, We Hit and many talented others. Tiaybe's musical influences include many great Soul Divas - Minnie Riperton, Chaka Khan, Aretha and Natalie Cole just to name a few. Her unique brand of soul displays multi-genre influences from jazz, gospel, rock, pop, R&B & soul. Helping her along the way to push and develop her own sound was legendary Chicago vocalist coach Lena McLin (who also played a crucial part in helping Khan develop her unique style), Hortense Love, Denize Knox and Larry Robinson. In 2001, Tiaybe joined one of Chicago's forward thinking Neo Soul ensemble - the Soul People. The marriage of Tiaybe's warm, rich, honeyed vocals as lead vocalist to the collective's cohesive grooves, has kept Soul People's name at the forefront of must-see bands in the Windy City and in the neo-soul movement itself.
Other Times To-Do It: Thursdays
CIFF/Black Perspectives: Mississippi Damned
Thursday, October 15, 2009, 8:45 - 10:45pm
They weren't the first to dream of escaping their small Mississippi town, but-raised among their family's vicious cycle of abuse, addiction, and lies-three young black children learn the hard way that their dreams will never be enough. Based on a true story, Mississippi Damned is the brutally honest tale of what happens when a family's haven is also its prison. Director Tina Mabry and Producer Morgan Stiff scheduled to attend.
View the complete schedule!
Price: $12; Members, $9
UniverSoul Circus (Closing Weekend)
Friday, October 16, 2009
The UniverSoul Circus Story By Cedric Walker Founder, President and CEO In 1994 the UniverSoul Circus was born. The vision was to explore the various talents other than singing and dancing that black performers had to offer. We had the idea to present something different, to create a show that presented a wide spectrum of black talent to a wide demographic of spectators. To reach deep into our culture and search for what talent and skills lie asleep in the black entertainment experience. We wanted to apply our gathered years of experience in the live appearance industry, to make a difference, to change the industry we lived in, creating growth and new opportunity. Recruiting, training and production began in 1993. Three weeks before the opening, I paid a visit to the training facility. It was clear that the person we chose wasn't working out. [more]
Soleil's Take: I've got my own UniverSoul Circus Story, but it's so long I had to include it in a separate page - see UniverSoul Circus Story for another one of my magical adventures . . .
Price: Varied
Other Times To-Do It: September 23 - October 18th; Tuesdays - Thursdays, 10:30am and 7:30pm; Saturdays, noon, 4:30 and 8pm; Sundays, 1, 4 and 7pm
CIFF/Black Perspectives: Mississippi Damned
Friday, October 16, 2009, 6 - 8pm
They weren't the first to dream of escaping their small Mississippi town, but-raised among their family's vicious cycle of abuse, addiction, and lies-three young black children learn the hard way that their dreams will never be enough. Based on a true story, Mississippi Damned is the brutally honest tale of what happens when a family's haven is also its prison.
Director Tina Mabry and Producer Morgan Stiff scheduled to attend. View the complete schedule!
Price: $12; Members, $9
Inside Out
Friday, October 16, 2009, 6 - 10pm
This is a fundraiser event intended to replace the boards spanning the room of the second floor gallery. In order to do so, two street artists have been turning the walls into works of art. At the event there will be an opportunity to actually purchase a chunk of these painted historic walls along with several other ways to support the project. It will be showcasing a collection of street artists, musicians, and performers. Join us for the celebration and take home a piece of history!!
Price: Free-but donations appreciated!
Black Monks of Mississippi
Friday, October 16, 2009, 6 - 10pm
In conjunction with "The Demise of the South Side Community Art Center," the Black Monks of Mississippi will be performing at the South Side Community Art Center along with sound and noise artists FluiD and ONO. The Monks will perform at 8:15pm, but you should really come early to hear the other artists. I hope you can join me for this night of rich, compelling music.
Price: Free!
Historic Bronzeville Art District Third Friday Trolley Tour
Friday, October 16, 2009, 6 - 9pm
Bronzeville is conveniently located on the near south side of Chicago and in recent years, has experienced an explosion in residential and commercial development. Urban professionals are leading the resurgence of the area by renovating historic homes along King Drive and surrounding streets. The renewed interest in this community has had a contagious effect and has given rise to four new art galleries within the last two years along with the South Side Community Art Center. Forming a partnership and working hard to make Chicago a major center of African American art and art of color again, the five Bronzeville art galleries developed the Bronzeville Art District Third Friday Trolley Tour. The Trolley Tour is to introduce, increase awareness, and appreciation of African American, African and Caribbean art and artists to a diverse audience, while preserving the legacy of the rich visual arts and culture of Bronzeville.
The tour now includes the following galleries: Faie African Art in Bronzeville, 4317 S. Cottage Grove, Chicago, Il, 773 268-2889 (View works of art and sculpture from the Western, Eastern, Central, and Southern Regions of Africa); Gallery Guichard, 3521 S. King Drive, Chicago, Il 60653, 773 373-8000 (Located in a historic renovated town home that was part of the Supreme Life building, three floors of contemporary exhibition space offers an eclectic selection of artwork in diverse mediums by master, mid-career and emerging artists);and, South Side Community Art Center, 3831 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, Il 60653, 773 373-1026 (The oldest African American Art Center in the country open its doors in 1940 and was the starting point for many nationally known African American artists).
Price: Free!
Other Times To-Do It: Third Fridays through October
Meals on Wheels Chicago Celebrity Chef Ball 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009, 6pm - 12:30am
Get your tickets today to Chicago's longest running Culinary event and fundraiser, benefitting Meals on Wheels Chicago. As Chicago's oldest and most established culinary fundraiser event, the Celebrity Chef Ball is a two-tiered culinary event featuring over 60 top chefs from Chicago and around the country., Since 2005, the event has taken place at Macy's State Street and has featured many members of the Macy's Culinary Council including: Rick Bayless, Nancy Silverton, Marcus Samuelsson, Takashi Yagihashi, Tim Scott, Tom Douglas, and Gale Gand., The Celebrity Chef Ball was featured as an Elimination Challenge on the 2007 season of the hit Bravo TV show "Top Chef: Chicago," where local star Stephanie Izard, a long-time supporter of our event, claimed the title of Top Chef for the season., The party option is without comparison, offering at a very good value an amazing combination of ample dining, cocktailing, dancing and casino games in a high-energy social and entertainment environment.
Dress Code: Cocktail Attire
Doors Open: 6:00 pm, VIP; 8:00 pm, Chef Tasting Party
Price: $250 VIP, $100 Party
CIFF/Black Perspectives - Precious
Friday, October 16, 2009, 6:15 - 8:05pm
Director: Lee Daniels, USA, Set in Harlem in 1987, Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire is the story of a 16-year-old African American girl born into a life no one would want. Claireece "Precious" Jones (Gabourey Sidibe) is pregnant for the second time by her absent father. At home, she must wait hand and foot on her abusive and poisonously angry mother (Mo'Nique). School is a place of chaos, and Precious has reached the ninth grade with an awful secret: She can neither read nor write. Precious may sometimes be down, but she is never out. Winner of three awards at Sundance, Precious is a vibrant, honest and resoundingly hopeful film about the human capacity to grow and overcome.
View the complete schedule!
Price: $12; Members, $9
Me'Shell Ndegeocello
Friday, October 16, 2009, 7pm - 12am
Two sets - 7pm and 10pm
with special guest Deep Blue Field, Meshell Ndegeocello is a genre-destroying, yet soulful, musical chameleon with an incendiary live show. We are thrilled to have her rock the Old Town School stage! "As aggressive as power-chorded rock, as spacious as reggae and as cerebral as jazz . . . Ndegeocello's music sounds as if it springs directly from a mind that's restlessly curious about ideas, people, interactions and possibilities, and is passionate about all of them." -The New York Times Deep Blue Field emits a lush electronica sound with live string orchestrations and arresting projected visuals. A unique atmosphere of chilled out acid jazz and trip hop with strings on top.
Price: $30
President's Scholarship Fund: Red & Black Tie Gala "Building Scholars"
Friday, October 16, 2009, 7 - 10pm
An Evening Featuring Performances by Avant & After 7, Tickets On Sale! For More Info Call 847-226-6666 or Email info@fwelive.com
Price: $100
Games People Play
Friday and Saturdays, 7:30 - 9:30pm through October 31st
Games People Play is about the choices you make or don't make and how it affects others. The play is centered around a Jazz / Spoken Word Cafe, Club Chizoba. The patrons of the club talk about the games that they have experienced in life. However, in a mysterious twist each patron finds out how their lives are affected by the games they are playing.
Door: $20
Advance: $16
Michael Sterling
Friday, October 16, 2009 and Saturday, October 17, 2009
What can you call someone who plays virtually every music instrument, composes, arranges, directs, sings and has been a skilled songwriter for years? Generic labels like impresario, maestro, multi-talented or Renaissance man don't seem to encompass the extraordinary gift of Michael Sterling's musicianship., So what you do when faced with this seeming inability to describe such a wondrous gift is delve deeper into who this artist is --knowing that if you experience his music through his perception -- the words you seek will finally come., Performed and/or recorded with Queen Latifa, Buddy Guy, Michael Bolton, Buddy Miles, Derek Trucks, The Emotions, Stanley Jordan to name just a few.
Price: $5
Other Times To-Do It: Friday and Saturday
Dianne Reeves: Strings Attached
Friday, October 16, 2009, 8 - 10:30pm
Dianne Reeves, vocals, Russell Malone, guitar, Romero Lubambo, guitar, With her improvisational virtuosity, Dianne Reeves is one of the most compelling vocalists in jazz. Her unique voice has earned her an unprecedented four Best Jazz Vocal Grammy® Awards. Strings Attached features guitar masters Russell Malone and Romero Lubambo in a seductive collection of old and new standards infused with the great guitar traditions of the blues and bossa nova.
Price: $24- 83
"The Message Is In The Music" (God Is A Black Man Named Ricky) (Previews)
Friday, October 16, 2009, 8 - 10:30pm
The Message Is In The Music" (God Is A Black Man Named Ricky) is a new look at an old story, the fight of good against evil and the struggle between love and hate, where the battlefield is the universe and beyond. This is an old story with a new twist, and although we already know the ending, the road to victory is paved with rollicking laughter, devilish dance and a whole lot of heavenly sounds!
Price: $40-45
The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity (Happy Hour Night)
Friday, October 16, 2009, 8 - 10:30pm
A world premiere, By Kristoffer Diaz, Directed by Eddie Torres, Macedonio Guerra is a middle rank pro wrestler who may have discovered his ticket to the big time: an impossibly charismatic, hip-hop-influenced Indian kid from Brooklyn. Their boss has the perfect concept for their in-ring alter egos: pair them as a team of terrorists. Diaz' smart, comic look at pro wrestling, geopolitics, and refrigerator crispers is a theatrical smack down of dazzling hip-hop language presented with a fresh, funny, high-octane flair. Set in the world of professional wrestling, Chad also raises pertinent questions about racial identity and pop culture in our society. In addition to generating major buzz last summer at Ignition, Chad Deity was a finalist for the 2008 O'Neill Playwrights Conference, and subsequently won Arizona Theater Company's National Latino Playwriting Award. His other plays include Welcome to Arroyo's and Guernica, which have been produced and developed at American Theatre Company, The Orchard Project, Hip-Hop Theater Festival, The Lark, Summer Play Festival, Donmar Warehouse, and South Coast Rep. Diaz also was one of the creators of Brink!, the apprentice anthology show at the 2009 Humana Festival of New American Plays. He is a 2009-2010 Jerome Fellow, and a new playwright-in-residence at Teatro Vista.
Miscellaneous Info: Happy Hour: 6:30pm Event; 8pm show
The series formerly known as Pub Night has a new name - Happy Hour! Come early to meet friends and make new ones over pre-show appetizers in our own Biograph lobby bar. Read more about the making of Chad Diety.
Doors Open: 6:30pm
Price: $30-48
Other Times To-Do It: September 25 - November 1, 2009
CIFF/Black Perspectives: Blue
Friday, October 16, 2009, 8:30 - 10:20pm
Murder. Robbery. Abandonment. Gary "Blue" Meekins' past is one he'd prefer not to remember. Even after surviving the rough streets of Harlem, Blue finds himself struggling to make it through the days. Now, with the help of an old coach and his emotionally damaged neighbor, this burgeoning prizefighter is finally getting his shot at the title. But after so much, will Blue make it to the fight of his life?, Director Ryan Miningham and Writer, Producer and Actor Don Wallace are scheduled to attend
Price: $12; Members, $9
Peek-A-Boo: An Ooky Spooky Halloween Burlesque Revue!
Friday, October 16, 2009, 10 - 11:30pm
(Special Midnight Performances October 30 & 31)
Directed by Chris O. Biddle, Choreographed by Erica Reid & Vanessa K. Hughes, Featuring Naughty Natanya, Siren Jinx, Natasha Minsk and Lula Hoop Garou!, Boys and Ghouls (of an adult age) are bound to be delighted by the onstage antics of Peekaboo! An Ooky Spooky Halloween Burlesque Revue! Your charming host, Mr. Bones, will be resurrecting some of the most haunting boooo-lesque you've ever seen! Thrill to the amazing mental feats of Dr. Percepto! Chortle to the hilarious antics of Frank-N-Stein and Dr. Acula! Enjoy the scintillating thrills of Halloween burlesque performed my Naughty Natanya, Siren Jinx, Natasha Minsk and Lula Hoop Garou! Also, Zombies!!! Every Friday and Saturday night in October, at 10pm at The Greenhouse Theater! Be there or Be Scared!!!
Price: $20
Other Times To-Do It: Fridays & Saturdays, October 2-31, 2009
Men's Health Urbanathlon™
Saturday, October 17, 2009, 8am - 3pm
This October, see the iconic city of Chicago. Hit the concrete, climb the steps of Soldier Field, experience landmarks like never before, scramble through urban obstacles, and never, ever forget it . . . Run the Men's Health Urbanathlon™, a race unlike any other.
Secure your spot. Register now! Bring it to Chicago in 2009!
Miscellaneous Info: Entry Fees:, Solo: $90 (register before 6/30/09), $110 (after 6/30/09) *Team: $150 (register before 6/30/09), $180 (after 6/30/09) *A team consists of three athletes, all male, female or co-ed. Complete information on all three athletes must be entered in order to register., After the race, join Men's Health at the Urbanathlon™ Festival in Grant Park-Lower Hutchinson Field. Free and open to everyone, the festival features DJ sets, food and drink, and tons of useful stuff to demo, sample and take home.
World Kitchen: Bar Food
Saturday, October 17, 2009, 11am - 2pm
It's clearly time to expand on the basic chips and dips! What better guides than award- winning Chef Tony Mantuano and his wife Cathy, authors of Bar Food, when they share their impressive array of tempting little plates and snacks to up the ante at your next party.
Miscellaneous Info: WORLD KITCHEN, Learn basic cooking techniques or specialized professional secrets in culinary arts classes offered by instructors and guest chefs in a state-of-the-art professional training kitchen located in the Gallery 37 Center for the Arts. All World Kitchen classes are hands-on unless indicated otherwise. Single classes are $30. Series classes (4 classes in a series) are $100. Students must 16 years or older. For reservations, call the hotline number at 312-742-TIXS (8497) or visit the box office, located at 66 E. Randolph St. The box office is open Tuessday through Saturday, noon to 6 pm and Sunday, noon - 4 pm.
Price: $30, registration is required
CIFF/Black Perspectives - Story of my Life
Saturday, October 17, 2009, 12 - 1:30pm
Many screenwriters and directors approach the filmmaking process through the lens of their own personal life histories. Festival and local filmmakers will discuss the creative practice of translating unique personal experiences into film narrative.
Price: Free!
CIFF/Black Perspectives: The Athlete
Saturday, October 17, 2009, 12:20 - 1:50pm
Original Title: Atletu
Director: Rasselas Lakew, Davey Frankel
Ethiopia / Germany / USA,
English, Amharic with subtitles
In 1960, the barefoot Ethiopian marathon runner Abebe Bikila stunned the world by becoming the first African to win the Olympic gold medal. Then he won gold again four years later in Tokyo. But his story had just begun with Olympic medals. A few years later in Ethiopia, fate presents this champion with his greatest challenge. Seamlessly blending autobiography, biopic, drama, and documentary, The Athlete is a beautiful and moving investigation of a man who is ceaseless in his journey for greatness., Directors Davey Frankel and Rasselas Lakew scheduled to attend.
Price: $12; Members, $9
CIFF/Black Perspectives - Talkback: Roger Bobb
Saturday, October 17, 2009, 2 - 3:30pm
Every film is the product of a team of skilled individuals who participate in an ongoing creative exchange that informs the filmmaking process. Roger Bobb, award-winning supervising producer of Tyler Perry Studios, will reflect on his experiences with creative collaboration in the film industry. Vaun Monroe of Columbia College's Department of Film & Video will moderate.
Price: Free!
Tim and Tom: A Comedy in Black and White
Saturday, October 17, 2009, 2 - 3pm
Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen met for the first time in tumultuous 1968 Chicago. While the country was wracked by the civil rights movement, a sexual revolution, and a controversial war, these friends took the stage as the first-and so far, only-black and white comedy team. Together they spent five years touring the country, facing unabashed racism, occasionally violent hecklers, and cheering crowds. Reid went on to star in the sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati and create the influential Frank's Place, and Dreesen spent 30 years in stand-up, including 15 years as Frank Sinatra's opening act. The duo returns to the stage to tell their stories and reflect on a lifetime of unique experiences. Ron Rapoport moderates.
Price: $5
CIFF/Black Perspectives: Soundtrack for a Revolution
Saturday, October 17, 2009, 2:30 - 3:52pm
Director: Dan Sturman, Bill Guttentag, USA
Relive the American civil rights movement through the soul-stirring folk songs that fortified protestors struggling for equality. This powerful doc pairs modern renditions by Wyclef Jean, John Legend, TV on the Radio, the Roots, and others with footage from the bitter days of segregation and emotional present-day interviews with the people (including Harry Belafonte and Congressman John Lewis) who fought and lived through it.
Price: $5
CIFF/Black Perspectives: Mississippi Damned
Saturday, October 17, 2009, 2:45 - 4:45pm
They weren't the first to dream of escaping their small Mississippi town, but-raised among their family's vicious cycle of abuse, addiction, and lies-three young black children learn the hard way that their dreams will never be enough. Based on a true story, Mississippi Damned is the brutally honest tale of what happens when a family's haven is also its prison.
Director Tina Mabry and Producer Morgan Stiff scheduled to attend.
Price: $12; Members, $9
Muntu Dance Theatre
Saturday, October 17, 2009, 6 - 7pm
You know the feeling: it starts with a nod, then a smile, and pretty soon you feel it to the ends of your fingers. That's the joy that comes from the celebration of the human spirit in motion. Nationally recognized Muntu Dance Theatre has been bringing that joy to audiences in Chicago since 1972. Known for high-energy dancing and drumming, Muntu presents dances that honor African and African-American traditions. The Festival is pleased to present Muntu in several works from its extensive repertoire, including Eveningtime, a playful gem from Muntu's past, and Mujuboo Rock, a synthesis of authentic West African dance with the contemporary, conceived by artistic director Amaniyea Payne. You might just find yourself dancing-and laughing-in the aisles.
Price: $10
EMERGED: The Fresh Faces of Gallery Guichard (Salon Series)
Sunday, October 18, 2009, 2 - 4pm
Featuring the unique styles of DJ Dante Samson, Gallery Guichard will be hosting an exhibition featuring some of the hottest young artists in Chicago. This Chicago Artists Month Exhibition will feature intimate artists talks and Sunday Salons allowing you to have an open dialog with these incredible young artists., Featured Artists:, * Paul Branton * Jennifer Bridgeforth * Quentin Crockett * Tia Etu * Philippe Gibson, * Christopher Jarred * Nicole Malcolm * Asten Mosley * Kudzai B. Mutasa * Max Sansing * Delores"Buttons" Walker, * Darryl Westly
Miscellaneous Info: **With Sunday Salons Every Sunday in October starting Oct. 11 @ 2pm, ** Annual Art District Trolley Tour Friday, October 16 from 6pm - 9pm
Price: Free!!
Other Times To-Do It: Through October 31st
CIFF/Black Perspectives - Shorts 5: Best of the American Black Film Festival
Sunday, October 18, 2009, 6:15 - 7:35pm
A family faces up to the pain of the past and the uncertainty of the future in Osvaldo's (USA). In The Roe Effect (USA), Dawn must choose between the girl she loves and an unwanted pregnancy. Michael Taylor Jr. attempts to prove his manhood to his father in Cuts (USA). In Popous Pane and the Kids He Loves to Hate (USA), a family's lies bring two long-lost brothers together. Chains (Canada) captures one woman's attempt to spring life into a world surrounded by darkness. Teenager Tisha struggles with an unplanned pregnancy in Premature (USA).
Price: $12; Members, $9
CIFF/Black Perspectives: My Neighbor, My Killer
Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 6:15 - 7:35pm
Director: Anne Aghion, France / USA, Kinyarwanda with subtitles, "When you bear a child, you make its flesh, but not its heart." These are the words of a peasant woman reflecting on why neighbor turned on neighbor in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Ten years in the making, this documentary by award-winning filmmaker Anne Aghion follows the victims-and perpetrators-as they learn to live side by side in the aftermath of the genocide.
Director Anne Aghion scheduled to attend
Price: $12; Members, $9
Julia Huff & The Company Band
T
uesday, October 20, 2009, 7 - 10pm
Julia has masterfully honed her vocal skills to extreme heights and has been compared to musical starlets like Sarah Vaughn, Nancy Wilson, Carmen McRae, and even Tina Turner and Gladys Knight. Her engaging interaction with the audience will make you feel like you are part of the performance, not just listening to it. Julia, along with her sizzling trio will leave wanting more long after the show is over.
Price: Free!
Other Times To-Do It: Live Music Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Jazz Wednesdays: TBD
Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 7 - 9pm
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Miscellaneous Info: Every Wednesday from 7pm-9pm, Park 52 will enhance your dining experience by featuring some of the very best jazz artists that Chicago has to offer. Please contact Events by Eve for more information in regard to the Wednesday roster at (773) 933-4781.
Price: Free!
Other Times To-Do It: Wednesdays
Chris Greene Quartet
Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 7 - 10pm
You and some friends stumble into a jazz club somewhere in Chicago. You are not quite familiar with the genre, but you have heard enough to know what to expect. You assume that the four guys who are preparing to play will do something that is mellow and cool, because that is what jazz musicians do. They will avoid anything that even resembles pop music, because that type of music has always been taboo in the more sophisticated jazz circles. But then the quartet begins to play, and you hear and see something that suddenly ruins all preconceived notions of what jazz music is supposed to be. The songs are spirited and melodic. The band's energy is contagious - enough so that the crowd is now standing and making an improvised dance floor out of the little bit of space in front of the band. More surprisingly, the crowd is composed of people who are young and old, black and white. Something different is going on here, something which causes you to want more. [more]
Price: Free!
Other Times To-Do It: Live Music Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Organic Groov: Tiaybe
Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 7pm - 12am
TIAYBE (Tee-Yah-Bay) Tiaybe is a quiet, multi-faceted chanteuse from Chicago driven to share her eclectic vision of music with the world. Tiaybe eleased her 1st solo Cd project title "Soul Odyssey" featuring hits - Set Free, Moonlight & Stimuli 4 Ur Mind. Tiaybe has shared stages with mainstream artists such as Chico Debarge, Glenn Lewis, Dwele, Kindred, Patti Labelle, Tremaine Hawkins, De La Soul, Geno Young, Carmen Rodgers, Yahzarah & Sy Smith as well as local soul artists - Yaw, Tina Howell, Zzaje, Avery Young, We Hit and many talented others. Tiaybe's musical influences include many great Soul Divas - Minnie Riperton, Chaka Khan, Aretha and Natalie Cole just to name a few. Her unique brand of soul displays multi-genre influences from jazz, gospel, rock, pop, R&B & soul. Helping her along the way to push and develop her own sound was legendary Chicago vocalist coach Lena McLin (who also played a crucial part in helping Khan develop her unique style), Hortense Love, Denize Knox and Larry Robinson. In 2001, Tiaybe joined one of Chicago's forward thinking Neo Soul ensemble - the Soul People. The marriage of Tiaybe's warm, rich, honeyed vocals as lead vocalist to the collective's cohesive grooves, has kept Soul People's name at the forefront of must-see bands in the Windy City and in the neo-soul movement itself.
Price: Free!
Other Times To-Do It: Wednesdays & Thursdays
World Music Wednesdays: Fra Fra Sound
Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 8:30 - 11pm
The Old Town School of Folk Music in partnership with the Center for Black Music Research at Columbia College presents this unique excursion into Surinamese music. For nearly three decades, with more than a dozen acclaimed recordings, the Surinam-Caribbean septet Fra Fra Sound has played a prominent part within the international jazz and world music scene. Founded in Amsterdam in 1980, Fra Fra Sound has expanded its initial fascination with music styles of Surinam(ksaeko, kawina, and winti) by incorporating other musical influences from the Caribbean, Africa and the United States., The artists will offer a workshop in our Thursday Workshop Series
Price: $5, Suggested Donation
Thursday, October 15, 2009, 8 - 10:30pm 
Chicago Artists Month is an annual celebration of Chicago's vibrant visual arts community during the month of October. Over 200 events take place including exhibitions of emerging and established artists, openings, demonstrations, tours, open studios and neighborhood art walks at museums, galleries, parks, neighborhood art centers, artists' studios and other locations throughout the city. 
Through November 15, 2009 
Through November 15, 2009
Ongoing through December 30, 2009
Nightly
Mondays, 7:30 - 11pm 
Fridays
Saturdays through October 31 
Saturdays through October 25 
