The Chicago International Film Festival is a little event run by a few people on a shoestring budget but it packs a big punch. Somehow, the Chicago International Film Festival manages to get access to the latest independent films and often times show the award winners that year before they have gone mainstream. This year the Chicago International Film Festival has done it again, they have found some really interesting unique films that may not be shown in Chicago otherwise and are presenting them October 8th through the 21st, 2009.

This year the festival has changed formats slightly, locating all the showings in one theater rather than at 4 or 5 across Chicago (which I always found confusing). The one theater you need to know about in order to see these amazing new films is the AMC River East on Illinois Street.

45th Chicago International Film Festival
October 8 – 21, 2009
150 films from more than 40 countries.
All in two weeks. All under one roof.
AMC River East 21 (322 E. Illinois St.)

The films available this year look better than usual. I normally have interest in 2-3 films, but this year almost all of them look like something I would be curious about.

Tickets aren’t cheap but they aren’t any more than the regular price of a movie either. The Gala Events bring in celebrities that you wouldn’t normally see in Chicago and can be worth the extra money for the experience of the event.

SAVE UP TO 40% OFF Your ADMISSION!
If you buy now, get an extra $10 off your order with the promo code 45FEST09, valid until 9/23.

You can purchase tickets now online at: CHICAGOFILMFESTIVAL.COM

the Chicago International Film Festival Packages are:

MOVIEGOER (10 admissions)
$80 for Cinema/Chicago members; $110 for non-members

PASSPORT (20 admissions)
$155 for Cinema/Chicago members; $210 for non-members

GALA PASS (4 admissions to Gala Presentations)
$80 for Cinema/Chicago members; $100 for non-members

There are a limited number of Chicago International Film Festival Gala Passes are available. The Moviegoer and Passport Passes are not valid/available for/including Gala Presentations. All passes are not valid for Opening Night or Closing Night.

Individual tickets on sale September 23
$9 for Cinema/Chicago members, students, and seniors; $12 for regular admission

Gala Presentation event tickets
$20 for Cinema/Chicago members; $25 for non-members

Some of the movies I plan on seeing are:

The Chicago Theater hosts the Gala Event for the Chicago International Film Festival

Motherhood

(Gala Presentation) – USA
Director: Katherine Dieckmann. Uma Thurman is in a charming, high-energy comedy as a beleaguered Manhattanite just trying to survive another day of the madness that comes with raising two young kids (and a husband and best friend).

Made in China – USA – Director: Judi Krant
Wes Anderson’s whimsy meets David Mamet’s love of duplicity in the peppy, comic tale of a wide-eyed Texas hayseed who travels to China to find a manufacturer for the novelty product he hopes will put him right up there with the guy who invented the whoopee cushion

Hipsters / Stilyagi – Russia – Dir: Valery Todorovsky
Moscow, 1955. Soviet uniformity is the order of the day, but incurring the wrath of all the grim-faced comrades in Russia isn’t enough to stop a group of young “hipsters” from donning outrageous threads, puffing up their pompadours, pushing up their cleavage, throwing back martinis, and shakin’ their hips. Could this romantic, infectiously fun musical be this year’s Slumdog Millionaire?

Ira Glass ready for the show.

This American Life has gone on the road again to produce 2 live stage shows, one in Chicago at the Chicago Theater and one in New York City which will be taped and beamed live via some fancy newfangled satellites to a bunch of movie theaters (400!) across the country so you can see the show as it happens from where ever you live. The two live shows have sold out instantly so if you want to get tickets to this yearly event you can only get tickets to the movie theater beamed shows now. See full list of This American Life Live Movie Theaters below.

I like that even though This American Life has gotten more popular and more widely known in the last 10 years they haven’t forgotten that people still like live shows on stage and seeing the personalities firsthand. I am also glad that  they haven’t forgotten their Chicago peeps since they went out and made it big in NYC, and are willing to still do a show in the Chicago Theater as a dress rehearsal of sorts.

The Chicago Theater from a past This American Life Show Live.

The show is said to include a radio show taped live with Ira Glass (as we would expect from past live shows) and include their local contributors: Dan Savage, Starlee Kine, Mike Birbiglia, David Rakoff and Dave Hill. They also mentioned an appearance by Joss Whedon, creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer?? (am I msising something?) The live show should last around two hours.  I am planning on attending one of the movie theater beamed shows in Illinois, since that is what is available. If you get tickets to the Chicago Theater version of the show, let me know how it goes. Things are rather unpredictable in live shows.

If you would like to find out which cities the live This American Life Show will be instantly beamed, here is the list that I found: (hopefully they won’t be pissed that I copied it from their site, but I like info to be all in one place when I’m researching it, and it was a few pages buried into the site. It seems like all the states are represented, way to go!

Illinois: 7 PM Tickets are $20.00 each.

Addison – Addison 21
Barrington – AMC South Barrington 30
Batavia – Randall 15 with IMAX
Bloomingdale – Century @ Stratford Square
Carbondale – Carbondale Showplace
Chicago – AMC River East 21
Chicago – Chicago City North
Chicago – Chicago Webster Place
Crystal Lake – Showplace 16
Deer Park – Century 16 Deer Park
Edwardsville – Edwardsville Stadium 12
Elgin – Elgin Fox Theatre
Evanston – Evanston 18
Gurnee – Gurnee Cinemas 20
Lincolnshire – Lincolnshire 20 plus IMAX
Lombard – AMC Yorktown 17
Naperville – Naperville Showplace
New Lenox – New Lenox Showplace
Niles – Niles Showplace
Orland Park – Orland Park Cinemas 14
Pekin – Pekin Showplace
Peoria – Willow Knolls 14
Rockford – Rockford Showplace
Savoy – Savoy 16
Springfield – Springfield West Showplace
Warrenville – AMC Cantera 30
Woodridge – Cinemark Woodridge 17 with IMAX
——————————————————————————–
Alabama: Birmingham – Trussville 16
Gulf Shores – Cobb Pinnacle 14
Huntsville – Hollywood 18 – Huntsville
Mobile – Stadium 18
Tuscaloosa – Hollywood 16
——————————————————————————–
Arksansas: Little Rock – Breckenridge Village
——————————————————————————–
Arizona: Glendale – AMC Arrowhead Town Center 14
Glendale – AMC Westgate 20
Mesa – AMC Mesa Grande 24
Mesa – Cinemark 16 – Mesa
Oro Valley – Century – Oro Valley Marketplace
Phoenix – AMC Ahwatukee 24
Phoenix – AMC Desert Ridge 18
Scottsdale – Sonora Village 10
Tucson – El Con 20
Tucson – Park Place 20
——————————————————————————–
California: Alhambra – Alhambra Renaissance 14
Arcadia – AMC Santa Anita
Bakersfield – Bakersfield Stadium 14
Burbank – AMC Burbank 16
Chico – Cinemark Chico
Chula Vista – AMC Otay Ranch 12
Cupertino – AMC Cupertino 16
Daly City – Daly City 20
Dublin – Hacienda Crossings 20 plus IMAX
El Centro – Cinemark Imperial Valley Mall 14
Elk Grove – Laguna 16
Emeryville – AMC Bay Street 16
Fresno – Fresno Stadium 21 plus IMAX
Hayward – Century – Hayward
Huntington Beach – Huntington Beach 20
Irvine – Irvine Spectrum 20 plus IMAX
La Jolla – AMC La Jolla Village 12
Long Beach – Long Beach 26
Los Angeles – AMC Century City 15
Los Angeles – The Bridge
Manteca – Showplace 16
Merced – Mainplace Stadium Cinema
Mill Valley – Mill Valley Cinearts Sequoia 2
Milpitas – Milpitas Great Mall 20
Monterey – Monterey 13
Mountain View – Mountain View Cinemas 16
Ontario – AMC Ontario Mills 30
Orange – AMC The Block 30 @ Orange
Orange – Orange Stadium Promenade 25
Palm Springs – Palm Springs Courtyard Stadium 9
Pleasant Hill – Pleasant Hill Downtown 16
Redding – Movies 10
Redwood City – Century 20 Downtown Redwood City
Riverside – AMC Galleria at Tyler 16
Roseville – Roseville 14
Rowland Heights – AMC Puente Hills 20
Sacramento – Natomas Marketplace
Sacramento – Sacramento Downtown Plaza 7
Sacramento – Sacramento Greenback Lane 16
Sacramento – Sacramento Stadium 14
San Bruno – Century Theatres at Tanforan
San Diego – AMC Mission Valley 20
San Diego – Horton Plaza
San Diego – Mira Mesa 18 with IMAX
San Francisco – Century 9 San Francisco Centre
San Jose – AMC Eastridge Mall 15
San Jose – Cinearts Santana Row 6
San Jose – San Jose Oakridge 20
San Mateo – San Mateo Downtown
San Rafael – San Rafael Regency 6
Santa Barbara – Arlington Theatre
Santa Clarita – Valencia Stadium 12
Santa Rosa – Rialto Cinemas Lakeside
Stockton – Stockton City Center Stadium 16
Tracy – Movies 14
Tustin – AMC Tustin Legacy 14
Union City – Union City Union Landing 25
Ventura – Ventura Stadium 16
Walnut Creek – Walnut Creek 14
Woodland Hills – AMC Promenade 16
——————————————————————————–
Colorado: Aurora – Southlands 16
Boulder – Southlands 16
Broomfield – AMC Westminster Promenade 24
Castle Rock – Castle Rock Stadium 12
Colorado Springs – Cinemark Carefree Circle with IMAX
Colorado Springs – Hollywood Theaters 14
Colorado Springs – Tinseltown
Denver – Pavilions 15
Englewood – Greenwood Plaza 12
Fort Collins – Cinemark Fort Collins
Greeley – Cinemark Greeley Mall
Highlands Ranch – AMC Highlands Ranch 24
Lakewood – Bel Mar 16
Lakewood – Colorado Mills Stadium 16
——————————————————————————–
Connecticut: Branford – Branford 12
Fairfield – Quick Center for the Performing Arts
Manchester – Buckland Hills Showcase Cinema
——————————————————————————–
DC: Washington – AMC Mazza Gallerie 7
——————————————————————————–
Wilmington – Brandywine Town Center 16
——————————————————————————–
Florida: Altamonte Springs – AMC Altamonte Mall 18 with IMAX
Aventura – AMC Aventura Mall 24
Boca Raton – Shadowood 16
Brandon – AMC Regency 20
Coral Springs – Magnolia Place 16
Delray Beach – Delray Beach 18
Fort Myers – Belltower 20
Ft Lauderdale – Cypress Creek Station 16
Gainesville – Gainesville Cinema 14
Jacksonville – AMC Regency Square 24
Jacksonville – Tinseltown USA
Lake Buena Vista – AMC Pleasure Island 24
Lakeland – Lakeside 18 Cinemas
Merritt Island – Merritt Square 16
Miami – Dolphin Cinebistro
Miami – Movies @ The Falls 12
Miami Beach – South Beach Stadium 18
Miami Lakes – Miami Lake 17 Cinemas
Naples – Hollywood Stadium 20-Naples
Oldsmar – AMC Woodland Square 20
Orange Park – AMC Orange Park 24
Orlando – Pointe Orlando with IMAX
Orlando – Waterford Stadium 20
Palm Beach Gardens – Downtown At The Gardens 16 Cinemas
Royal Palm Beach – Royal Palm Stadium 18
Sarasota – AMC Sarasota 12
Sarasota – Hollywood Stadium 20-Sarasota
South Miami – AMC Sunset Place 24
Tampa – Citrus Stadium Park Mall 20
Vero Beach – The Majestic
Wesley Chapel – Grove 16 Cinemas
——————————————————————————–
Georgia:Alpharetta – North Point 8
Atlanta – Perimeter Pointe 10
Augusta – Augusta Exchange 20
Chamblee – Hollywood 24 @ North I-85
Kennesaw – AMC Barrett Commons 24
Lawrenceville – AMC Discover Mills 18
Lithonia – AMC Stonecrest Megastar 16
Morrow – AMC Southlake Pavilion 24
Savannah – Savannah Stadium 10
——————————————————————————–
Hawaii: Honolulu – Dole Cannery 18
——————————————————————————–
Iowa: Ames – Movies 12
Cedar Falls – College Square 12 Theatre
Council Bluffs – Star Cinema 17 with IMAX
Davenport – Davenport 53 Showcase Cinemas
Dubuque – Star Cinema 14
Iowa City – Sycamore 12 Theatre
West Des Moines – Jordan Creek 20
——————————————————————————–
Idaho: Boise – Boise 21 plus IMAX
——————————————————————————–
Indiana: Bloomington – Bloomington Showplace East
Evansville – Evansville Stadium 16
Fort Wayne – Coldwater Crossing
Indianapolis – AMC Castleton Square 14
Indianapolis – Galaxy 14
Indianapolis – Indianapolis Showplace with IMAX
Lafayette – Eastside 9
Michigan City – Michigan City Showplace
Mishawaka – Movies 14
Muncie – Muncie Showplace
Noblesville – Hamilton 16 with IMAX
Portage – Portage 16 with IMAX
Schererville – Schererville Showplace 16
Terre Haute – Terre Haute Showplace
Valparaiso – Valparaiso Commons
——————————————————————————–
Kansas: Lawrence – Southwind 12
Leawood – AMC Town Center 20
Merriam – Cinemark 20 (Merriam)
Olathe – AMC Olathe Studio 29 with IMAX
Topeka – Hollywood Stadium 14
——————————————————————————–
Kentucky: Florence – Showcase Cinemas De Lux Florence
Lexington – Hamburg Pavilions 16
Lexington – Lexington Green Movies
Louisville – Stonybrook Cinemas
Louisville – Tinseltown Louisville
——————————————————————————–
Louisiana: Baton Rouge – Citiplace 11
Baton Rouge – Perkins Row
Covington – Hollywood Stadium 14
Harahan – AMC Elmwood Palace 20
Harvey – AMC Westbank Palace 16
Shreveport – Tinseltown
——————————————————————————–
Massachusetts: Boston – Fenway 13
Braintree – AMC Braintree 10
Burlington – AMC Burlington 10
Dennis – The Cape Cinema
Foxboro – Patriot Place
Framingham – AMC Framingham 15
Great Barrington – The Mahaiwe Theatre
Hadley – Hampshire Mall 12
Lowell – Lowell Showcase Cinemas
Marlborough – Solomon Pond Mall 15
Millbury – Blackstone Valley
Randolph – Randolph Showcase Cinemas
Revere – Revere Showcase Cinemas
Swansea – Swansea
Wellfleet – Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre
West Springfield – West Springfield Showcase Cinemas
——————————————————————————–
Maryland: Abingdon – Bel Air Cinema 14
Bowie – Bowie Crossing 14
Columbia – AMC Columbia Mall 14
Columbia – Snowden Square 14
Germantown – Germantown 14
Owings Mills – AMC Owings Mills 17
——————————————————————————–
Maine: Brunswick – Brunswick 10
Ellsworth – The Grand
Rockland – The Strand Theatre
——————————————————————————–
Michigan: Ann Arbor – Quality 16
Battle Creek – West Columbia 7
Canton – Canton Cinema
Flint – Flint West Showcase Cinemas
Grand Rapids – Celebration Cinema – Grand Rapids North
Holland – Holland 7
Jackson – Jackson 10
Kalamazoo – Kalamazoo 10
Lansing – Celebration Cinemas Lansing
Lansing – Lansing Mall Cinemas
Livonia – AMC Livonia 20
Mount Pleasant – Celebration Cinema Mt Pleasant
Oxford – Oxford 7
Port Huron – Krafft 8
Saginaw – Saginaw 8 / Quad
Sterling Heights – AMC Forum 30 with IMAX
Traverse City – State Theatre – Traverse City
Walled Lake – Commerce Township 14
Ypsilanti – Ann Arbor Showcase Cinemas
——————————————————————————–
Minnesota: Duluth – Duluth 10 Theatre
Eagan – Eagan 16
Eden Prairie – AMC Eden Prairie 18
Mankato – Movies 8
Maple Grove – AMC Arbor Lakes Megastar 16
Minneapolis – Brooklyn Center 20
Minneapolis – Kerasotes Block E
Oakdale – Oakdale Cinema
Roseville – AMC Rosedale 14
Waite Park – Parkwood 18 Theatre
——————————————————————————–
Missouri: Cape Girardeau – Cape Girardeau Town Plaza
Chesterfield – AMC Chesterfield 14
Columbia – Forum 8
Hazelwood – St. Louis Mills 18
Joplin – Northstar 14
Kansas City – AMC Barrywoods 24
Kansas City – Cinemark 14, The Palace
Kansas City – Kansas City 18 Cinemas
Saint Joseph – Hollywood Theaters 10
Saint Louis – AMC Esquire 7
Springfield – College Station
——————————————————————————–
Mississippi: Pearl – Tinseltown Jackson
——————————————————————————–
Montana: Bozeman – Gallatin Mall Cinema 11
Helena – Great Northern 8
——————————————————————————–
North Carolina: Asheville – Hollywood 14 Asheville
Charlotte – Stonecrest 22 @ Piper Glen
Concord – AMC Concord Mills 24
Raleigh – Brier Creek Stadium 14
Raleigh – North Hills Stadium 14
——————————————————————————–
North Dakota: Bismarck – Grand Theatre
Fargo – Century 10 Theatre
——————————————————————————–
Nebraska: Lincoln – South Pointe Cinemas
Omaha – AMC Oakview 24
Omaha – Village Pointe Cinemas
——————————————————————————–
New Hampshire: Portsmouth – The Music Hall
——————————————————————————–
New Jersey: Clifton – AMC Clifton Commons 16
Edgewater – Edgewater 16 Multiple Cinemas
Hamilton – AMC Hamilton 24
North Brunswick – Commerce Center 18
Paramus – AMC Garden State 16
Parsippany – Parsippany Cinema 12
Rockaway – AMC Rockaway 16
Voorhees – Showcase at the Ritz Center
——————————————————————————–
New Mexico: Albuquerque – Albuquerque Downtown 14
Albuquerque – Cottonwood 16
——————————————————————————–
Nevada: Las Vegas – Century 16 South Point
Las Vegas – Colonnade 14
Las Vegas – Orleans 18
Las Vegas – Sams Town 18
Las Vegas – Village Square 18
Reno – Riverside 12
——————————————————————————–
New York: Albany – Crossgates Stadium 18 – Albany
Bronx – AMC Bay Plaza 13
Brooklyn – BAM – Brooklyn Academy of Music
Buffalo – Elmwood Center 16
Farmingdale – Farmingdale Multiplex Cinemas
Holtsville – Island 16 Cinema De Lux
Hudson – Time and Space
Ithaca – Ithaca Mall 14
Loch Sheldrake – Sullivan County Community College
New Rochelle – New Roc Stadium 18 plus IMAX
New York – Chelsea Cinema
New York – First and 62nd Cinemas
New York – Union Square Stadium 14
Port Washington – Port Washington Cinemas
Potsdam – Roxy Theatre
Rochester – Tinseltown 17 with IMAX
Syracuse – Carousel Mall Stadium 17
Victor – Eastview Mall 13
Westbury – Westbury Stadium 12
White Plains – City Center 15 Cinema Delux
Whitestone – College Point Multiplex
Williamsville – Transit Center Stadium 18 plus IMAX
——————————————————————————–
Ohio: Akron – Montrose Movies 12
Cleveland Heights – Severance Stadium 14
Columbus – AMC Easton Town Center 30 with IMAX
Columbus – AMC Lennox Town Center 24
Columbus – Crosswoods Cinema 17
Columbus – Georgesville Stadium 16
Dayton – Hollywood Stadium 20 @ Fairfield Commons
Mason – Deerfield Town Center
Maumee – Maumee Showcase Cinemas
North Canton – Tinseltown USA 290
Pickerington – Pickerington Cinemas 16
Springdale – Springdale Showcase Cinemas
Valley View – Cinemark 24 Cleveland
West Carrollton – Dayton South Showcase Cinemas
Westlake – Crocker Park Stadium 16
Zanesville – Colony Square Mall
——————————————————————————–
Oklahoma: Norman – Spotlight 14
Oklahoma City – AMC Quail Springs 24
Oklahoma City – Tinseltown USA
Tulsa – Cinemark Tulsa 17 with IMAX
——————————————————————————–
Oregon: Beaverton – Cedar Hills Crossing 16
Bend – Old Mill Stadium 16
Happy Valley – Clackamas Town Center
Medford – Tinseltown
Portland – Lloyd Center 10
Springfield – Cinemark 17 (Springfield)
——————————————————————————–
Pennsylvania: Bensalem – AMC Neshaminy 24
Erie – Movies 17
Harrisburg – Susquehanna 14 Harrisburg
King Of Prussia – King of Prussia 15 plus IMAX
Lititz – The Penn Cinema
Moosic – Cinemark 20 Moosic
Philadelphia – Riverview Plaza
Philadelphia – The Bridge – UPenn
Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh West Showcase Cinemas
Plymouth Meeting – AMC Plymouth Meeting 12
Reading – R/C Reading Movies 11 & IMAX
Tarentum – Cinemark 17 Pittsburgh Mills
Warrington – Warrington Crossing 22
——————————————————————————–
Rhode Island: Warwick – Warwick Showcase Cinemas
——————————————————————————–
South Carolina: Columbia – Sandhill Stadium 16
Greenville – Hollywood 20-Greenville
Myrtle Beach – Cinemark 14 at Coastal Grand
Summerville – Azalea Square Stadium 16
——————————————————————————–
South Dakota: Sioux Falls – Sioux Falls Stadium 14
——————————————————————————–
Tennessee: Knoxville – West Town Mall 9
Nashville – Green Hills 16
Nashville – Opry Mills 20 plus IMAX
——————————————————————————–
Texas: Amarillo – Hollywood USA
Arlington – AMC Parks At Arlington 18
Austin – Cinemark Southpark Meadows
Austin – Metropolitan 14
Bee Cave – Cinemark Hill Country Galleria
Burleson – Movies 14
Cedar Park – Cinemark Cedar Park
Dallas – AMC Northpark Center 15
Dallas – Cinemark 17 with IMAX
Dallas – Galaxy Theatre
El Paso – Cinemark Cielo Vista
Fort Worth – Fossil Creek
Grapevine – Tinseltown Movies 17
Harker Heights – Harker Heights
Highland Village – AMC Highland Village 12
Houston – AMC Gulf Pointe 30
Houston – AMC Willowbrook 24
Houston – Houston Marq*E Stadium 22
Houston – Memorial City Mall
Humble – AMC Deerbrook 24
Killeen – Stadium 14
Lewisville – Vista Ridge Mall
Longview – Hollywood Stadium 14 Theatres
Lubbock – Movies 16
Mesquite – AMC Mesquite 30
Midland – Tall City
Pflugerville – Tinseltown USA Pflugerville
Plano – Cinemark 24 (The Legacy)
Plano – Tinseltown USA Plano
San Antonio – Cielo Vista 18
San Antonio – Fiesta 16 Theatres
Spring – Cinemark at Market Street
Sugar Land – AMC First Colony 24

Waco – Jewel 16
Webster – Cinemark 18 Webster
——————————————————————————–
Utah: Midvale – Union Heights 16
Ogden – Tinseltown Newgate
Provo – Cinemark 16 Provo
Salt Lake City – Salt Lake City 16
West Jordan – Cinemark 24 W. Jordan
——————————————————————————–
Virginia: Alexandria – AMC Hoffman 22
Arlington – Ballston Commons 12
Fairfax – Fairfax Towne Center
Glen Allen – Virginia Center 20
Hampton – AMC Hampton Towne Centre 24
Mclean – AMC Tyson’s Corner 16
Norfolk – Mac Arthur Center 18
Virginia Beach – AMC Lynnhaven 18
——————————————————————————–
Vermont: South Burlington – Palace Cinema 9
——————————————————————————–
Washington: Auburn – Auburn 17 Theatres
Federal Way – Century Theatres Federal Way 16
Kent – AMC Kent Station 14
Lynnwood – Alderwood 7 Theatres
Olympia – Capital Mall 14
Port Townsend – The Rose Theatre
Redmond – Bella Bottega 11 Cinema
Seattle – AMC Pacific Place 11
Spokane – Northtown 12
——————————————————————————–
Wisconsin: Appleton – College Avenue 16
Appleton – Hollywood Cinemas 14
Ashwaubenon – Bay Park Cinemas
Brookfield – The Majestic – Brookfield
Kenosha – Tinseltown Kenosha
Madison – Point Cinemas 16
Mequon – North Shore Cinemas 11
Oak Creek – South Shore Cinemas 16
Oshkosh – Oshkosh Cinemas 12
Sheboygan – Sheboygan Cinemas 13
Sturtevant – Cinema at the Renaissance
This show is one night only. Thursday, April 23rd, on these select movie screens nationwide.

Delaware:

Everyone loves a good party and this year the recession has compelled more people to stay home and party for the Oscars with their neighbors and TV than in years past. The superbowl was a great example of people staying in, having a house party, bringing pot -luck dining items and enjoying the evening spectacle on DVR. The Oscars are always a very entertaining telecast and this year with Hugh Jackman hosting there will likely be lots of singing and dancing as well.

I think the Oscars will be entertaining whether you go out or stay in this year. Watching the Oscars at a posh party in Chicago is nice, although you will have a hard time justifying $150 ticket prices in the recession. Chicago Oscars house parties will be very popular this year and here are some tips for making yours fun. Remember that creativity is what really makes your Oscar party fun and not necessarily how much money you spend.

Chocolate Oscar Candy for guests.

Chicago Weekend Fun’s Oscar House Party Tips

:

1. Dress up. Seriously. Don’t buy anything new, just raid the closet and dress up fancy as if you were attending a formal Oscar party. Some people also take more of a character theme to party costumes and tell guests to dress up as their favorite movie character.

2. Champagne, or in most cases, use the champagne glasses with ginger ale soda and voila, it’s a lot cheaper and nobody gets drunk before the end of the loooong Oscars broadcast and has to figure out how to drive home.

3. Liveblog the telecast on your blog, or twitter your reactions to what is happening on the Oscars telecast online. Some snark may make that pretty popular with guests and your online friends if it is a “virtual” party.

4. Invite the neighbors, friends, family. People enjoy getting together the more people the merrier. It proves that just sticking together helps in a recession like this. Pull all the chairs into the TV room for seating to watch the Oscars and put the food in another room so people don’t chat in the room where people are actually watching the show. Interesting mixes of people from different areas of your life make the most interesting parties.

If you really can afford a $100+ ticket to an Oscar Party in Chicago here is one of the local Chicago Oscars Events you may be interested in:

The Gene Siskel Film Center Oscar Party @ 6pm till Midnight downtown at the Gene Siskel Film Center. “Oscar Night in America”. $150 or VIP $250. This is a formal black tie event, but you get to watch the most well known awards for movies with some of the most influential movie personalities in Chicago, making this a truly unique experience if you can afford it this year. CALL 312-846-2072 for your tickets.

Memorial Weekend is the offical beginning of the summer and the first time you can accessorize with white shoes and a handbag. If you are less into antiquated fashion norms than I am, you may be wondering what is goin on this weekend in the area of parties, BBQs and festivals. Maybe you are traveling to Chicago and staying in a hotel downtown and need something to entertain yourself with over the 3 day weekend? Maybe you live in the Chicagoland area and want to come downtown to take a mini-vacation this weekend?

First you can check out the Festival List  to see where the action will be. Next we have some recommendations here that don’t even require you to buy charcoal or lighter fluid. The list ranges from the regular to the unusual, and hopefully all travelers will find something to suit their holiday needs this weekend.

1. There is a Memorial Day Parade Downtown in Chicago on Saturday May 24th and it is Free of course, if you like free events to take the kids to in the city.  The parade route is on State Street from Wacker to Van Buren and the parade starts at noon on Saturday. Call 312-744-3315 for more info.

2. Go see DEAD MAN’S CELL PHONE  at Steppenwolf theater in the Downstairs Theatre. Steppenwolf has been known for producing the highest quality dramatic theater in Chicago and last year’s hit “August: Osage County” won a Pulitzer prize this year and is up for a long list of Tony awards. Dead man’s Cell Phone is playing Tuesday – Sunday at 7:30 pm and Saturday and Sunday at 3:00 pm. See steppenwolf.org for tickets and to order online or call the theater at 312-335-1650

3. Go see “America the Beautiful“, a movie at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema Theater in Lakeview. (2828 N. Clark Street in Chicago, IL) This documentary looks at the beauty and cosmetic surgery industry and what it is doing to our country and to women all over the world. I realized recently that by the time I was 4 I knew that I wasn’t what people thought of a “thin” or “pretty” so I wouldn’t go to ballet class because they made you wear leotards. I wonder where I got that idea? A bonus this weekend is that on Friday and Saturday there will be a special Q & A after the 7:10 and 9:45 pm showtimes.

4. Randolph Street Fest is the festival of the week this weekend. It runs all summer on specific weekends. This street market used to be known as the Chicago Antique Market, but alas less antiques leads to a name change. This means all kinds of good stuff is for sale, although not at discount prices. Check it out for some browsing action at 1400 W. Randolph St, in Chicago 60607. They now feature indie items (eco friendly, home made, crafters) and world goods from all over in addition to the antiques. From 10am -5pm Saturday may 24th and Sunday May 25th. It is $10.00 to enter to cover the site rental and security fees. Call 312-666-1200 for more info.

5. The 7th annual Bike The Drive bike ride is happening this Sunday from 5:30 – 10:30 am. The problem with this event is that it costs $50.00 to participate and it is really early. I could see it being fun though if you are a bike rider with enough stamina to actually make it through 15 or 30 miles of pedaling. I am not someone who could do that, but it is great exercise. Call the event hotline at 312-427-3325 ext. 251 for the full info. The ride starts at 300 East Jackson Boulevard and you may want to get there early if you haven’t pre-registered.

6. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Movie  releases Thursday and the reviews in Cannes and in the US have been pretty good so far. So, to avoid not going to see this blockbuster this weekend, buy your tickets online in advance.

7. Nordstrom is having their 1/2 yearly annual sale right now (on everything) and the discounts are a lot deeper than they were last year. They are taking up to 40% off of all the brand name merchandise that we know and love. I went over to the Nordstrom on Michigan Avenue today and was surprised to see that Dolce and Gabbana purses were heavily marked down at the same rate as the house brand. Apparently they are trying to offer better deals in this tough economy to help people spend more with their rebate checks by offering a better deal. If you do go, get there early before all the good stuff is sold out.

8. Indy 500 and Monaco F1 Race  are on TV if you want to experience some of the best racing has to offer. Tivo or DVR the Monaco race since it starts at 6am on Sunday morning. See if Danika Patrick can keep the momentum going and do well this weekend at the Indy 500. Ok, these may require grilling.

9. And a little bit after the weekend, the Chicago Reader  will be running their annual book swap  at the Cobra Lounge. They emailed me about it and they had this to say about the fun and entertaining social event:

Make Spring Cleaning Fun! Come to the Chicago Reader Book Swap! You have books you don’t need. You need books you don’t have. So come to the Chicago Reader Book Swap at Cobra Lounge (253 N Ashland) Wednesday May 28, 6-9 pm.  Bring books! Take books! Meet people who read books! Win fabulous door prizes! Have a beer! Free tote bag to the first 300 swappers!

They have been smart enough to figure out that book talk goes better with drink specials so, they mentioned that there will be” $2 PBR, $2 Schlitz, $2 Makers Mark, $3 Guinness, $3 Jameson, $3 Newcastles” available also. I think the best idea here is that this is all free. I have piles of books I never plan on reading again, and I may head over there for this too.

Personally, I will be spring cleaning my condo from top to bottom because I have visitors coming in next week and going to see Avenue Q at the Cadillac Palace Theater. Have a great weekend and Happy Memorial Day!

Every summer provides a long list of movies trying to get our attention away from the beach, the grill, your computer and the video games. This summer in Chicago will be no different. Whether you see your movies at AMC Theaters or Cineplex Odeon you will need a scorecard to keep up with the new releases.

New Comic-Book Movies. This genre wasn’t even around before Toby Miguire made it sexy to be Spider Man. Now the comic book franchise has hit an all time high with 4 movies this summer and some new actors trying their hand at playing comic book characters.

Iron Man (May 2), features Robert Downey Jr at the Iron Man and Tony Stark a billionaire inventor who develops an iron suit with all kinds of special superpowers built in. Of course this is an interesting project because the character battled alcoholism and so has the actor. Although when Robert Downey Jr was in rehab it was more rare than it is now, what the stars do regularly makes his stint seem pale by comparison. I just saw this movie last week and while some people were there to see how true to the comic books it was or how good the special effects were, I thought the story and the characters were great too.

The Incredible Hulk (June 13) is back with Edward Norton as the guy who gets green, and he decided to also co-write the screenplay for this movie. There has been mixed feedback about that decision with people writing that he has made some not so good decisions about it but we won’t know for sure until it is out. The Hulk or Bruce Banner is a scientist trying to find a cure for the disease that causes his metamorphosis and change at the same time as being chased by Tim Roth as a villain called The Abomination.

Also, Wanted (June 27), Angelina Jolie and James McAvoy are in the film they shot here in Chicago last fall. James is an office worker guy who is recruitd by a sexy assassin Angelina find his hidden superpowers and work for good not evil.

Hancock (July 2) isn’t actually a comic book story but makes fun of them. The film has Will Smith as a much-disliked superhero and Jason Bateman as his publicity guru and Charlize Theron as the wife of the PR guy. Not much info is available about this movie yet, but these are pretty big names.

Hellboy II: The Golden Army (July 11) is directed by Guillermo del Toro and features Ron Pearlman as Hellboy, a demon and hero. (weird that one can be both) This is a mythological story with armies coming to fight from every direction. This does not really sound like an appealing film to women, unless you enjoy a good fight.

Also, you can’t forget the much hyped, filmed in Chicago Batman film The Dark Knight (out July 18). Thie is the movie that Heath Ledger just finished after filming as the Joker. This is a sequel to Batman Begins but before all the ones we know from Clooney-Keaton times. Christian Bale is Batman once again and battles the Joker as the series continues to evolve in a character, set and costume way.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (releases May 22) This movie is being released 19 years after the last film in the series! I am surprised they decided to do this and not really sure why they would risk the legacy of positive fans the series has now that everyone is older. Steven Spielberg is directing like old times and Harrison Ford is pitted against a Russian spy Cate Blanchett in a race to find this crystal skull. This seems like a fun retro movie, and Shia LaBouf is in this also which should add some excitement.

I can’t believe they still make these Mummy movies, and I don;t know who watches them, but The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (releases Aug. 1) is the only work that Brendan Fraser seems to get. He is still an archaeologist and this time he goes to China to find mummies. Who knew they had mummies in China? But it does give them a chance to feature Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh.

Sci-fi and fantasy movies are also big box office hits in the summertime. I am suprised by the growth of this genre and how its cool to be a geek into sci-fi now and everyone wants to see these movies and geek out.

Speed Racer (May 9), is a film loosely based on the 1960s Japanese cartoon animated series and is remade here by The Wachowski brothers. All I have heard about is how Christina Ricci is in this film, and how her chin implant makes her look totally different. I am never sure about animated (or anime) car films. They rarely have anything to do with cars. So, if you’re into cartoons, see this, if you’re into cars skip it.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (releases May 16) is the next in the Narnia Book/Movie series. I am not one for fantasy films/books either so it is hard for me to suspend my disbelief that these geeky children’s books have become multi-million dollar box office hits. I do hear though that Eddie Izzard plays the swashbuckling mouse Reepicheep. That alone might coax me into the theater.

M. Night Shyamalan is back with The Happening (June 13), another thrill type movie that never really explains itself or is about anything that people really care about. Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel are in this one, but I am not sure where this one is going with a general title and no real details that makes sense.

Brendan Fraser scores his second job in many years in Journey to the Centre of the Earth: 3D (July 11), but this is a 3D movie best seen on those IMAX theater screens.

The X-Files: I Want to Believe (opening July 25) is odd because we had just finally packed up our fan fiction and forgotten about aliens, David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson. The creator of the 1993 television series, is back with new ideas and pursuits for these characters that we knew and loved. I always wonder though if they really can recapture the magic when it has been gone so long.  

More Cartoon heroes are also back for kids, not based on comic books, there seems to be more animated and cartoon related work being created than ever before.

First off Kung Fu Panda (opens June 6) with Jack Black voicing a chubby panda in a team of kung-fu fighting animals. Ok, I know kids need a lot to stay entertained so they go pretty far with the disbelief thing. Apparently Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, and Lucy Liu are also fighting animals in the film trying to fight an evil leopard (they are just misunderstood) from their valley.

Wall-E (which premiered a commercial during the super bowl, opens June 27). This is another brilliant Pixar film with a story about one last robot left on a planet. (awww) I am sure the animation is great here and Pixar has a great history with developing great stories too. Bring the kids to see this one.

Also for kids and some adults is Star Wars: The Clone Wars (releasing Aug. 15) an animated movie with Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Padmé Amidala. This is supposed to take place between the real movies somehow and tie together story lines. Apparently there are dozens of Star Wars books besides the ones made into movies and there are all kinds of side stories that they never even got into on film that they want to start exploring now that geekdom is cool and sci-fi brings in big crowds.  

Fly Me to the Moon (opens Aug. 22), is a 3-D (oh we love the glasses) animated movie about three little flies who become the first insects on the moon by hitch hiking a ride on the Apollo 11 rocket. Buzz Aldrin voices a character and these flies aim to entertain. 

Made of Honor (released May 2). Patrick Dempsey ( of Grey’s Anatomy and Enchanted fame) plays a guy who looses his best gal pal to an engagement to another guy. He has to either get over it or get the girl back. He somehow agrees to be the maid of honor in an effort to undo the wedding. Does Patrick Dempsey only get Ken Doll movies? Is he the new Jude Law?

Sex and the City: The Movie (releases May 30). Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Samantha (Kim Cattrall), Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) are all back for their big paychecks to reprise their roles in the big screen version of the cable TV show. While I enjoyed the TV show for years I am not sure if there was enough there to pull together a movie. I think it will still be entertaining though and many long time fans will enjoy seeing their old friends once again.  

He’s Just Not That Into You (Aug. 1) is an ensemble film and a romantic comedy, with Drew Barrymore as a woman who pursues an advice columnist. Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johansson, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Connolly and Kris Kristofferson complete the ensemble. It is an interesting ensemble.

The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2 (Aug. is back since young tweens everywhere loved the first movie in 2005. I am guessing this is a small market for girls between the ages of 10 and 15 but it will do well there and possibly with their moms too. A story about self discovery, coming of age and long term friendships is usually a winner with girls because they emphasize everything they want to be and try to inspire good things. Which is an honorable task for a movie these days.

Adam Sandler stars in You Don’t Mess with the Zohan (June 6) releases at the exact same weekend as Steve Carell’s Get Smartspy series movie remake.  Generally I always think Steve Carell is funnier than Adam Sandler but this will be the battle of the comedies weekend. Why not see both? Personally I think Anne Hathaway will be great as Agent 99 and Steve’s partner.

There is actually a comedy triumvirate happening with The Love Guru also launching, starring Mike Myers as a self help guru from India. Jessica Alba is a co-star and other celebrity cameos are included ala Austin Powers. I am actually pretty un-impressed that Mike Meyers is the guy who created many great characters on SNL and now relies on only one formula for these movies. Foreigner in US + fake facial or body hair + prosthetics + bad accent + cameos from other stars + phonetically spelled lewd words used as names. Some of us just don’t think it’s funny anymore. Plus he has so much more talent than that. This movie can most likely be skipped without any social implications.

Rainn Wilson ( of The Office fame) stars in The Rocker (Aug. 1), a comedy movie featuring a mid-aged rock band drummer who gets a second chance at fame, playing with his nephew’s high-school band. Kewl.

Tropic Thunder (Aug 15) Ben Stiller directs which means this is going to be full of awkward moments that make you feel uncomfortable again and again. You either love his work or like me you loathe it. If army awkward comedy is your thing and you don’t like social conventions, go see this one. If not, this would be one to skip. 

The weather has gone from cold and frigid to balmy and a little humid in Chicago. Everyone is outside enjoying the sun (and rain) thankful that the snow has finally ended. There are lots of things happening this weekend but here are my recommendations and picks. Personally it’s time to change the brakes on my car, but if you don’t already have plans, check out these suggestions:

1. Put your air conditioners in the windows but don’t turn them on yet. I am thinking this is a great time to get ready for the oppressive heat that is to come this summer and fit all the air conditioners in the windows of my condo now, before it is 90 degrees and sweltering humid inside. It also may be a good time to check if you need a new air conditioner since the freon or whatever cooling material they use now doesn’t last forever. Mine maybe has one more year left. I will also be sealing better around the air conditioner this year to try and conserve some energy on cooling.

2. Rake the lawn and garden, plant some flowers and fertilize the lawn. I have seen many families tackling these tasks already but most of us have not yet. It is time to pull yourself away from the television and internet to get working outdoors. At least if you live in the suburbs it is. If you live in the city, lucky you.

3. Spring clothing sales at the mall. Since gas is near $4.00 a gallon and people are cutting back on non-essential purchases like clothing, the retailers are not having a great season and they are putting stuff on sale. So, if you need yet another pair of red shoes, see Macy’s or DSW.

4. New movies this weekend. Baby Mama should be plenty weird and possibly funny. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler get wacky with surrogates. Harold & Kumar escape from Guantanamo Bay. This could be really funny satire or really awkward and sad. I am hoping for funny. Chicago native and Second City alum Helen Hunt stars and directed the film “Then She Found Me” with Bette Midler which actually sounds like a  good drama-comedy type movie. That is my best bet recommendation for this weekend. If more manly fare is your style, Forbidden Kingdom and Forgetting Sarah Marshall are still playing too.

5. Rodeo in Chicago?Someone in our office said that they had a Rodeo bull rider on the morning news a few days ago and there is a Rodeo at AllState Arena this weekend. They had it almost right. If you enjoy seeing men flung off livestock you can attend the Professional Bull Rider’s Show at 6:50 PM Saturday April 26th. Ticket prices range from $20-$100.00. Call 312-559-1212 for tickets.

6. The NFL Draft is Saturday and Sunday.This means most men will be glued to the TV or Internet all weekend. This is the pre-cursor to the Fantasy Football season draft. It’s necessary educational programming if you play the fantasy league.

7. Artropolis is an Art and Antique show at the Merchandise Mart. Tickets are $20.00 just to walk around, but the volume, rarity and quality of art and antiques is supposed to be high. If you are in the market for rare antiques or a window shopping day this is for you. I found their website artropolis.com confusing, but what I can gather is that it is open from 7am to 6pm (I think) but you may want to check it out yourself just to be sure. Parking is pretty difficult in the Merchandise Mart area downtown, take the brown, green or any line that stops by the Merchandise Mart for an easier trip.

This weekend promises to be a cold and rainy one as far as weather goes in Chicago, but there is still plenty to do. As always there are new movies opening, new restaurants opening and plenty to shop for now that all the new spring clothes are in at the mall. I have tried to compile a list of cool things to do this weekend here and as always feel free to leave me some feedback about what you are doing in Chicago and if I have missed any events or happenings. If you do plan on some fun recreation this weekend it might be wise to stay inside through the April showers and wait for the May flowers.

1. New movies opening this weekend in Chicago. I am kind of a picky movie person so it is always a challenge to recommend movies. The ones playing this weekend that look promising to me are Leatherheads and 21. Leatherheads is a vintage 1920s movie about football and hopefully comedy. TIME magazine wasn’t too impressed, but I still like Renee Zelwegger in Vintage roles and George Clooney in anything. 21 is a movie based on a true story about the MIT card counting gambling team. It looked good in the previews as a nerds win after all and possibly go over the edge kind of film. I like thrill of some kind in movies that don’t have a lot of violence, I think this one delivers. Keanu Reeves has a new film out called Street Kings but it looks very violent and almost like a live action video game. Something about his walk just looks digital now. Anyway, have fun with those picks and let me know what you think of them.  

2. New Restaurants opening in Chicago. Cinners just opened in Lakeview on the North Side. It is located at 4757 N Talman Ave in Chicago and features a dinner specialty called Cincinnati Chili. What is Cincinnati Chili you ask? (I asked too) It is a kind of chili-mac kind of dish that involves a lot of layers of good things like spaghetti noodles, chili, beans and cheese. It’s not too spicy but it has some kick to it too. There were several people in our office here that were excited about this because they grew up in Ohio and this was a favorite food of theirs. I know there are a ton of ex-Ohioans living in Chicago, so Cinners should be a big hit. There were some complaints listed on Yelp though about the initial opening weekend, lets hope they got those complaints addressed and fixed by now. There are also not a ton of options for vegetarians, so it’s not the best place for that. It is pretty reasonably priced for the north side of the city at about $8 per dinner dish on the menu plus tax and tip. Check out Cinners this weekend. 773-654-1264

Maggiano’s(former Lettuce Entertain You Chain Restaurant) has opened a new location in Naperville off of I-88. It is the latest new location where you can get great Italian dishes in portions as big as your head. Always get your left overs to go, they are great the next day. The new Maggiano’s location is at 1847 Freedom Drive, Naperville, IL, 60563. They are open at 11 am every day and stay open until 10 pm weeknights, 11pm Friday and Saturday and till 9pm on Sunday night. As always the prices range from $10-$25 per dinner (depending on what you order) at Maggiano’s but you will get at least 2 meals out of it. Call 630-536-2270 for a reservation.

3. Jerry Seinfeld is doing his stand-up again at the Chicago Theater (175 N State Street) on Friday and Saturday night (wow, two shows each night, 7pm and 9:30pm). See if he mentions recently rolling the vintage Porsche in the monologue at all. I was never really a fan of his show or his stand-up but a lot of people miss him and will turn out in force for these shows. Tickets range from $45-$85.00 each on Ticketmaster but I couldn’t find any available online. If you are a huge Jerry fan and want last minute tickets, check out StubHub or Ebay for what is available via resale.  

And have a great weekend!

I have been looking at the New Movies being released in the next month and it looks like there will be a lot to see over the Christmas holiday break. A lot of big blockbuster movies will be out and hopefully everyone will have more free time around the holidays to go out and see them at the theaters. (or at least kids and teenagers will, adults may still be working) Some of the movies I think look good are:

1. Sweeny Todd (the demon barber of fleet street)- This is an adaptation with Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter from a musical. So expect singing, but also expect something unique and quite dark that only Johnny Depp and Tim Burton could bring you. I wouldn’t expect a lot of gore here, but I would expect the odd take on the world that seems to be their specialty and expect some humor too.

2. I Am Legend- People are excited about seeing Will Smith in a movie again since this is supposed to be a movie adapted from a graphic novel. That seems to be the golden ticket with the teens and 20’s people of today. Nothing is hotter underground than the comic culture except maybe zombies and vampires and this has those too. It’s scifi genre with a killer virus. Scifi is a genre that Will Smith does well so maybe this will be a sneak attack because people have been kind of bored with Will Smith lately. But I am not so sure about those vampires. I think that’s where this one falls off the cliff.

3. Kite Runner – a movie that is small and independent and features cultural differences between the west and the middle east in cultures. I think this is a contemporary and relevant story right now and people appreciate the truth in stories that entertain and educate at the same time. We can all relate here.

4. The Golden Compass – Nicole Kidman hasn’t had a hit in a while and is in a post Oscar slump. I’d really like this fantasy film with animation to work out for her and Daniel Craig. They can do great work, but sometimes it’s not the best story. Fantasy films have been big the last 5 years or so and this is well within that genre although it’s not based on a well known book with a geeky following. So it looks good but it’s too soon to tell if this is really a great film or not.

What’s going on in Chicago this weekend?

It’s fall now, the leaves have mostly fallen and we are picking through the last of the Halloween candy and thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas. (started you shopping yet?) But there are still a lot of things going on in Chicago during this holiday intermission. There are always new movies released every Friday and this week there look like a few I would actually go see. On Sunday we have some free cultural events at Millennium Park and some Musical Improv Theater. Saturday is open with artistic and theater possibilities.  Check out all the listings below and plan your weekend today:

——————–

Friday November 2

——————–

Friday night is Movie Night! These new movies open this Friday in Chicago:

American Gangster - this highly anticipated Oscar buzzy film is very popular before it’s opening. The buzz for this movie started back in July. The American public is always interested in gangster life drama that balances the wrongs they do in society with the strong family bonds and entrepreneurial spirit that they use to make a living in hard places. This movie promises a lot of drama and surprises.

Martian Child - John Cusack is finally starting to look like his sister. I never saw the resemblance before. In this movie he is a guy that adopts a boy. Why not in this world? If dads can get full custody they should be able to adopt too. Maybe it’s not a manhood movie in the sense of blowing things up but its still a manly characteristic to be a good father.

Bee Movie - Jerry Seinfeld’s animated “B” movie featuring a Bee has been getting hype for about a year now. How a film takes 3 years to develop and involves so many people that even Eddie Izzard is in the trailer I don’t know. It was a random unfocused project, we will see if it is a random unfocused movie or if it will be memorable and get Jerry out of the Seinfeld rut that so many long running sitcom people have after the shows end.

Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead - Ethan Hawke and Phillip Seymour Hoffman (playing brothers) are in this movie and they say there are Oscar nominations waiting in the wings. Yet there has been little or no advertising support for this. So maybe it is good? Or not? Or just doesn’t have a marketing budget? Seriously, if we didn’t bring you the rundown, where would you find out about these un-promoted movies?

Darfur Now - Don Cheadle has made a documentary about the places in Africa in Darfur that he learned about while making Hotel Rwanda. It seems that a few celebrities really take the time to go learn about a humanitarian crisis and do something to try and help. He seems like one genuinely dedicated to promoting this problem but aside from another military invasion we can’t support I am not sure what any of us are supposed to do in this situation.

———————-

Saturday November 3

———————-

DANCE Chicago is now playing at the Athenaeum Theater on Lincoln and Southport in Lakeview/Lincoln Park. Check out all kinds of dance styles and performances all month long from the traditional to the modern and avant garde. Tickets are very affordable at $10, $20 and $30 dollars depending on the show and the seat. The tickets can be purchased from dancechicago.com or ticketmaster.

Dane Cook - Standup Comedian extrordinaire is playing the very large house of United Center Saturday night. Last minute tickets might be found at ticketmaster or by checking ebay or stubhub or craigslist. They orginally listed at $30-$100 bucks, now being last minute expect to pay double. Go rock out the su-phi finger thing with all the other college and 20 somethings. He is funny, but it’s getting a bit overplayed. Please Dane, some more new material…we like A:46 but we need some new stuff to chew on.

Drink for Hunger - Charity bar club event at Aliveone. Open Bar 8-11 pm and music all night long. Located at 2683 N. Halsted Street Chicago, IL 60614-2301 call 773-348-9800 for more info and tickets.

SOFA Chicago - The 14th annual International Exposition Sculpture Objects and Functional Artfeatures three-dimensional fine art in glass, ceramics, wood, metal and fiber, from 100 galleries in 18 countries, including dealers from England, Scandinavia, the Czech Republic, Argentina, the U.S. and others. Also includes a lecture series on art-related topics. All artwork is for sale. Located in the pier’s festival hall. I have yet to see this but it is supposed to be really spectacular. The creativity here influences the consumer products we buy and use years down the road. Get hip to the emerging trends here first. Open at Navy Pier Friday Saturday and Sunday this weekend only. Tickets $15 bucks at the door. Call 800-563-7632 for more information.

———————-

Sunday November 4

———————-

Second City Danny’s Skybox Theater – The Second City Musical Improv House Ensemble puts on one heck of a show. Not only are they all skilled improvisers, they are also great singers and end up improvising a lot of very funny songs. Check out this week’s Sunday show at 8pm. Tickets are $10 dollars at the door.

Arctic: Soundscape Millennium Park- As part of the Chicago Humanities Festival 2007 “The Climate of Concern,” this  outdoor audio/video installation will have you revisioning the outdoor Pavilion as a giant iceberg. A collaboration between composer Max Eastley and video artist David Buckland, Arctic combines chilling video footage with sounds recorded on the Arctic island of Spitsbergen, (part of the Cape Farewell Project), reassembled into a haunting hour-long sound and video spectacular. Max Eastley’s Arctic will be played over the speakers of the Park’s Jay Pritzker Pavilion and the Great Lawn from 9am – 10pm. It’s a Free event!

Last weekend I took a break from the weekend reviews, but not I am back with your weekly dose of entertainment options this weekend! Chicago has turned chilly with fall winds and colored leaves this week. I walk to the train in a scarf and gloves in addition to the wool coat now.  I have noticed that more people are opting to stay in on weeknights and weekends since the weather is changing. I recommend getting out now before it becomes oppressively cold. Enjoy those last few trips walking along the lake and wandering in town shopping before you can’t be outside for more than a few minutes.

Christmas is also starting to arrive as we prepare for Halloween. The Macy’s on State Street (Formerly Marshall Fields) and the Bloomingdales Home Store downtown are all decked out for Christmas already. You can get a jump on your Christmas shopping now, or shop online this holiday season. But, we still have to dress up for Halloween, carve some pumpkins and gourds, eat a ton of Halloween candy and have a huge Thanksgiving Turkey dinner with the family first! Check back in a few weeks for more details about what is happening in Chicago over the holidays.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday October 26

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday night is Go out to a Movie Theater night!

New Movie Reviews - Opening This Weekend:

Dan in Real Life: Steve Carrel keeps his comedic movie career going with this new romantic comedy about a guy that covets his brother’s girlfriend and has interesting kids.    

Saw 4: No one needs to see these tortuous gruesome films. Avoid at all cost.

Rails & Ties: This movie was directed by Clint Eastwood’s daughter Allison Eastwood. It stars Kevin Bacon and Marcia Gay Harden and is about a train accident and the aftermath for the people involved.

Music Within:A soldier comes back from Vietnam with hearing impairment and finds a new place in the world as an advocate for the handicapped community.

Bella: This is said to be like the movie “Once” but set in New York city. Just 2 people enjoying the randomness of their meeting and crossing paths that moment in time. If it is half as good as once it is worth seeing. (I’m adding Once to my netflix queue now)

Gone Baby Gone: A film directed by Ben Affleck, since acting hasn’t really gone so well for him latley. He cast his brother in the lead role of the investigator trying to figure out the crime of a child abduction. Its not a funny movie at all, its a serious drama type. And Google’s ratings are all 5 stars right now.

Nothing interesting here? Check out these recent films that are still going strong at the box office:

Michael Clayton, Rendition, We Own the Night and The Game Plan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday October 27

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Halloween Parties and Clubs in Chicago with Halloween events this weekend: If you are looking to get your drink on with costumes.

Creepfest 312-654-0234
If Enclave’s is creeped out for halloween and it includes a creepy three-hour cocktail reception (9 p.m.-midnight) Costumes Required and Encouraged. 9 pm Saturday. $30. 220 W. Chicago Avenue Chicago, IL 312-654-0234. Tickets: chicagotwentysomething.com.

Halloween Frenzy 773-278-6600
Bands are playing at Subterranean and its a dancing halloween night. Opens at 9:30 pm on Saturday ONLY $5. @ 2011 W. North Avenue Chicago, IL. 773-278-6600.

Haunted House Music Bash 708-536-8455
The Congress Theatre features House music legend Lidell Townsell live @ (10 p.m.), and 15 more DJs bring the party home all night and morning long. Starts at 8 pm on Saturday. Tix: $25-$30 Address: 2135 N. Milwaukee Avenue Chicago, IL 708-536-8455. Tickets: ticketmaster Yo.

Nocturna Halloween Ball
Horror Films, Costume Contests and a Scary DJ are all going to turn the House of Blues Orange. Doos open @ 11 pm Saturday. $10-$15 (18+ only). Address: 329 N. Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 312-923-2000. Tickets through ticketmaster or HOB box office.

Mix ‘n Mash Bash 773-528-7569
When they give you a 500.00 bar tab for winning a costume contest you kinda gotta show up right? Go Mix. Opens at 9 pm Saturday. $30 Address: 2843 N. Halsted Street Chicago, IL Call 773-528-7569 for more information.

X-ecutioner’s Ball VI 312-266-1944
Grrrr ok, the gory horror fans only need apply here at Excalibur. (as if it isn’t creepy enough regularly?) You can win $1,000 cash at Excalibur’s big deal party. 7 pm Saturday. $10-$15 Excalibur Address: 632 N. Dearborn Street Chicago, IL 312-266-1944

RedEye/Metromix Halloween Bash 312-644-0100
The newspaper funded bash is at 10pin Bowling Lounge this year, which is a small venue. Go hit some pins and scare up some guys phone numbers at 9 pm on Saturday. $35 10 Pin Bowling Alley Address: 330 North State Street, Chicago, IL a part of the HOB complex now known as the Hotel SAX. Call 312-644-0100 for info and Tickets thrugh redeyechicago.com

Double Door Halloween Bash
Double Halloween Fun at DoubleDoor party. Bands get costumed more than normal as The Last Vegas as Alice Cooper, The Midnight Shows as Boy George and more at 9 pm Saturday. $12 cover charge. The Double Door is located at 1572 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL. Call 773-489-3160 or go online to ticketmaster.com for tix.

Sidetrack’s Halloween Party 773-477-9189
Sidetracks apparently just has the parade on a screen as entertainment, and alcohol of course. Check it out if you’re bored. And they have a costume contest later for $500 @ 10 pm. 7 pm Halloween Wednesday Oct 31. Free, No cover. Address: 3349 North Halsted Street, Chicago, IL call 773-477-9189.

The Coffin Banger’s Monster Mash Party 847-345-4008
Not sure what to say about this one, it’s the first of it’s kind. Do the monster mash.

Halloween Masque Bash 312-733-2222
Like Absinthe? Come get some at Lumen’s Halloween party with green glow. @ 8 pm Wednesday October 31. $15-$20. 839 West Fulton Market Street, Chicago, IL 312-733-2222

Metromix ‘Scareoke’ Party 773-348-5600
Our Halloween-night bash at Victory Liquors is the only karaoke contest in town where you’ll actually win prizes for having the worst voice. If the crooning is too much to bear, just drown it out bobbing for shots. 7 pm Wednesday October 31. FREE No cover. 2610 North Halsted Street Chicago, IL 773-348-5600.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunday October 28

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Howl’oween Dog Parade in Chicago – Dress up your doggie and go see the parade. From 1 to 3pm and it’s Free! Located at the Museum of Contemporary Art on 220 E. Chicago Ave in Chicago. Call (312) 280-2660 for more info: Sunday, October 28, 2007

Chicago Antique Market – I Love antique markets. I could spend days going through stuff and exploring. I rarely buy things there though because if someone knows it’s an antique they probably know its value and have marked up the prices. The rule of thumb is not to fall in love with something, try and know its value before you go with a book or online research and only buy if you can get a good deal. They love it when someone wanders in from the neighborhood not intending to buy anything and then walks off with a $500.00 fireplace mantle that they have no idea where to put. This market is at 1350 Block of West Randolph and inside the historic Plumbers Hall. 9am-5pm general admission $8 both days and 7:30am early outdoor buying Saturday only for $20. chicagoantiquemarket.com

Childrens Halloween Party 10/27/2007 from 10:00 am to Noon @ the Farmer’s Market – Join us for Halloween fun for kids of all ages. Costume contest, face painting, apple cider making demonstration, craft project (make a goody bag to be used for trick or treating with farmers/vendors) chicagogreencitymarket.org

Bonus: Halloween is Wednesday October, 31 so get your favorite costume and wear it to work just to scare your coworkers.

There is a lot going on this weekend to choose from, and it is finally cold!  Movies, theater, dance, fashion shows, celebrity chefs, Maytag’s 100 Year Anniversary at the Museum of Science and Industry and a bears Game. If you need to decide what to do this weekend, just pick from this list:

Friday October 12: Friday Night is Movie Night!

New Movie Releases at the theaters this weekend:

Lust Caution - A Chinese thriller that has an erotic NC-17 rating. Only available in certain cities and theaters. Some people will dislike the sexual content but others see it as truly revealing in life and art. This is only playing in Chicago at the Landmark Century Cinema in Lakeview.

We Own The Night - New movie with Joaquin Phoenix and Mark Wahlberg. (who we have forgotten ever had a music career) Brothers. Mob. Police. Drama. Violence. Nuff Said.

Elizabeth The Golden Age - Cate Blanchett is playing Queen Elizabeth again and we love her in this role. Such an unbelievable place for a woman to be in that time. Full of drama and old England style medieval life.

Lars and the Real Girl – Slightly eccentric movie about a guy who orders a “doll” in the mail and rather than viewing it as a sex toy, really falls in love with it as if it was a woman. The town knows this is a delusion and struggles to accept and embrace the fiction rather than fact.

Michael Clayton – **Best Pick This Weekend**  George Clooney is a lawyer who has cleaned up some messes in his time. Now someone wants to wipe him off the face of the earth. Hopefully a smart chase thriller ala Bourne Ultimatum, but expect less action and more thinking.

Why Did I get Married – A drama about 4 African American couples and their relationship struggles while on vacation together. It might be interesting to anyone, but I get the feeling it was targeted for a certain market. Stars Janet Jackson and is from new hot director Tyler Perry.

Sleuth - It stars Jude Law and Michael Caine. This has potential to be great and is released in Oscar time zone, so why haven’t we heard a word about it?? Apparently a remake of an old film by Harold Pinter of a movie which Michael Caine was in originally, although no one remembers the film, so we aren’t really looking for it. Still, consider this one.

Control - Music rocker guy commits suicide. Not really interesting to me.

The Final Season - A baseball movie staring the guy from Rudy! Sean Astin finds another heartwarming sports story role as the ever all American guy and sometimes hobbit. This film is not being released in all areas. Check local listings to find if it is playing by you.

Not finding anything worth seeing? The Game Plan and The Kingdom are still playing at most theaters and have had mostly good or great reviews. Check them out instead.

Macy’s Charity & Celebrity Chef Gala - October 12th @ 6 p.m. – 12:30 am.  $100-$350. Tickets online at mealsonwheelschicago.org or call 312-744-2120  The charity event is at Macy’s on State Street ( 111 N. State St Chicago, IL 60602 312-781-1000)  Jimmy Bannos of Heaven on Seven, Rick Bayless of Frontera Grill and other big names in the Chicago culinary scene are going to be there for this Meals on Wheels Chicago 2007 Celebrity Chef Gala. Attend the  cocktail reception, four-course meal served by the Chefs and a decadent dessert bar and dancing.

Saturday October 13:

Around The Coyote Festival (Fall Edition) A great wicker park arts festival featuring all kinds of talented and emerging artists. I have only been to the freezing cold February version of this festival, but it had great sculpture, paintings of all styles and 3-D art that would brighten and enlighten any loft space in Chicago. Of course it’s all on sale as well, many people come in hopes of finding a breakout new artist and investing in buying before the prices go sky high.  This also features theater performances and films. Tragically cool. Expect to feel way out of place at this event if you are a working business professional or over 40. One day pass is $10.00 a full weekend pass is $40.00. ½ W. North Ave and aroundthecyote.org.

MayTag 100 Year Anniversary at The Museum of Science and Industry -  Washers make our lives more live-able and more clean. Come see the history and ingenious machinery behind the invention that gave you 40 minutes or more free time every day. You get Free Museum of Science and Industry admission for the day if you pre-register (TODAY) at www.maytag.com/100years by Tuesday, Oct. 12, First 100 attendees 18 and older receive a $100 gift card to the Home Depot, Drawing for free Maytag Centennial top-load laundry pair and (Bonus) a chance to meet the Maytag Repairman and Willard Scott!! There will be some great exhibits at the museum on Oct. 13. I don’t know about you, but I like a bit of consumer history and the Museum of Science and Industry in my Chicago weekend. And while you’re there check out the Main Street of Yesterday, that was always my favorite part of the museum. And say Hi to Willard Scott for me! **Best Pick This Weekend**

The Chicago International Film Festival is still running. Check out their films at any of the 5 theaters running them this weekend.

The Crucible @ Steppenwolf Theater- This classic Arthur Miller play has been extended due to increasing demand. It is a riveting story that is uncannily applicable to today’s struggles with terrorism and Iraq. See what all of Chicago is talking about a Steppenwolf this weekend. Tickets are sold out some days and cost from $40-$70 dollars each. (duh, this is award winning theater) Call (312) 335-1888 or go to steppenwolf.org.

Giordano Dance at the Harris Theater in Millennium Park – See this world class dance company perform new works and the ones they are known for. Tickets are $25 each. The Harris Theater is cold and stark but the dancers will bring it alive with their amazing creativity and choreography. Call (312) 334-7777 for tickets. 

Sunday October 14:

I suggest going out to see the fall leaves before they are gone, taking some photos, getting you Halloween Costume ready or bobbing for Apples if you are BORED. The Chicago Bears are playing the Minnesota Vikings at Noon at Soldier Field, so avoid that area if you are not going to the game. See it on FOX Channel 32 in Chicago. 

Fashion Focus at Millennium Park - A Free event from the city of Chicago. See the latest styles at five runway shows at Millennium Park, plus check out garments and installations by design students, learn about illustration techniques and more during Chicago’s annual fashion event. Most are for sale there too. See fashionfocuschicago.com for details.

Sweet Treats: Take a break from the hectic weekend before the new week starts the roller coaster all over again. Check out all the sweets at the Sweet Collective, is located at 5333 North Lincoln Avenue and Berwyn Avenue in Chicago. Phone: 773-293-0888

Have a great weekend!

It’s starting to feel a lot like Fall in Chicago. (or Autumn if you call it that) The leaves aren’t all turning just yet, but in a week they should be in peak colors. This weekend there is plenty to do in Chicago and the Suburbs. Hey, why not get a jump on your Christmas Shopping? Ok, maybe not just yet. But definitely get to it before the weather gets bad. Or maybe you are attending the Chicago International Film Festival and getting to see films from all over the world that may not otherwise be released here. Then after a few films you can cheer on the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Runners as they run their 26 mile course throughout the city.

———————–

Friday October 5th:

———————–

New Releases at the Movie Theaters in Chicago this week:

The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising - Dragons, fantasy, action stuff here. Not my cup of tea, but some who are into this genre like this one.  

Heartbreak Kid- Who really wants to see Ben Stiller go to the most awkward worst painful places in a relationship in the 15th film he has done this year. They’re all the same. Not funny. Overacted, overly awkward, trying to heighten the not funny to an even not funnier level. Here’s a tip, people laugh when they identify with the comedy, no one identifies with these ridiculous cringe-tastic tales.

My Kid Could Paint That – Don’t most people say that when they see some modern art? See the movie that shows a 4 year old doing just that. Lucky for her, the dad was an artist, so it comes in the family.

Feel The Noise- A party rapping hip hop rave-tastic film about the music lifestyle brought to you by Jennifer Lopez. We wonder where J.Lo is these days? None of her projects have done well since she got married.

The Good Night- Lots of big Oscar names here. Why haven’t we seen any ads yet for this film? Gwyneth Paltrow, Morgan Feeman and Penelope Cruz. Lucid dreaming is one of my favorite things to do on a Sunday afternoon, why not see the movie about it?

Not into any of these movies? Check out what’s still playing from last week and the weekend before:

The Game Plan: Beat estimates to be #1 at the box office last weekend, even though it was a completely saccharine predictable Disney movie.  The Kingdom didn’t do as well as I would have liked and was #2 at the Box office last week. It’s still playing also.

Pretty In Pink: This event is all about pampering and grooming. Manicures, facials, masagges and more are offered all for one price of $31.00. You do have to travel between participating salons in Chicago though. Proceeds do go to Breast Cancer Research. There is too much to list here about the services and salons participating in this special event. Go to PrettyCity.com/Pink for the full list of details. This runs all weekend.

Metromix Best Bartender Bash: This is an annual competition where the best voted Bartenders in Chicago from Metromix get to battle it out in person. And of course the night is all about the drinks and the DJ’s music. There are complimentary samples of new drinks to try and specials on lots of others. It’s at the EVIL OLIVE in West Town @ 1551 W. Division St. Chicago, IL 60622 Phone: 773-235-9100 The event goes from 8-11 m and there is no cover charge, it’s free to get in for over 21.

————————
Saturday October 6th:

————————

Bow Wow Bash: A party for the pooches. A full dog party including contests for best costumes and all kinds of doggie entertainment. It’s October 6th from 11 am to 3 pm and it’s free. Phone Number: 312-498-0845 @ Hoyne Avenue between Barry and Wellington Avenues in Lakeview. Address: 3100 N. Hoyne Ave. Chicago, IL 60618.

Roscoe Village ShopWalk
Shop Roscoe Village boutiques to benefit The Children’s Place Association (providing funds for families with sick kids), then hit Bucktown’s local designer trunk shows to benefit Nest (fighting global poverty).  Roscoe, Thursday, 6-9 p.m.; ShopWalk, Saturday, 3-7 p.m. @ Roscoe, shops on Roscoe & Belmont Sreets., between Damen & Oakley Aves. Info at 773-281-6577. ShopWalk, tours begin at Hot Chocolate, 1747 N. Damen Avenue, between St. Paul Avenue. & Willow Street. Call for Tickets: 773-255-7866 or buy online at chicagoshopwalk.com

————————

Sunday October 7th:

————————

You can either participate, cheer or avoid the Chicago Marathon this weekend. If you’re not running or supporting, stay off the roads. Every street you use will most likley be affected by the course map and closed due to the race. Reminder: Move your car the night before to avoid being towed. Make some french toast and stay in with some netflix, or venture out only on foot or by bike before 2pm. Today in the office they were betting on where on the course the runners start to pee or poop themselves because they can’t bear to stop running and use the bathroom and loose time. This is yet another reason to avoid the course map for a while. If you are running, ignore that last statement, and good luck in the race!

————————

BONUS: Monday is Columbus Day! And if you are one of those lucky people who has the day off from work or school, check out the parade and the sales! Or go to the Chicago Improv Rebellion Show at IO Theater on Clark and Addison.

————————

This weekend feels a lot like fall now. The daytime temperatures get up into the 70’s but at night it is in the 50’s and 60’s. It’s definitely light jacket weather now. And if you are going out this weekend it should be sunny and clear but a little windy. Some trees are beginning to turn colors, but not all of them yet. Here’s what’s happening around Chicago this weekend.

Also the Chicago CUBS have clinched the National League Central Title. (the last time they did that was 2003) Congratulations to the CUBS organization, players and fans. I wish you all the best of luck in the playoffs. Go Cubbies! Champaign for everyone!!

————————

Chicago’s New Movie Releases: 9/28/07

————————

The highly anticipated “The Kingdom” with Jennifer Garner, Chris Cooper, Jamie Fox and Chicago’s own Jeremy Piven. I think this movie will be in Bourne Ultimatum territory as far as thinking and thrilling go. Some people say that like other Oscar hopefuls it was released this fall to attract award attention, but if it’s a good quality movie it will attract a lot of attention in ticket sales.

We also have “The Game Plan” which is a sticky sweet movie about a football player “The Rock” who discovers he has a daughter in grade-school when she shows up in his life and hilarity ensues. Or at least hilarity is supposed to ensue. It’s a hard clash between very polarized gender roles which I don’t think people have anymore really. I am not sure why “the rock” keeps making terribly saccharine Disney films. I am also not sure why Disney keeps making them either. Anyway, its a ”safe” bet if you have kids that want to see a movie.

The Darjeeling Limited opens also. It’s a movie about connecting between brothers who have lost touch and something Americans aren’t that knowledgeable about yet: Tea. Darjeeling is something you occasionally hear reference to if you watch downloads of TopGear or other UK shows, but I am not sure we have any reference to it here usually. Which is fitting because no one will likely get the strange humor in this film either. Its from the guy that gave us Bill Murray in “the life aquatic” which was bizarre but not funny. This is a novelty though since Owen Wilson plays a guy who may have attempted suicide in this film while recently being in the news for the same thing in real life. You wonder sometimes about how life and art are intertwined.  

Feast of Love is also new this week with Greg Kinnear, who only does projects involving hosting shows and possible Oscar awards. I don’t know how he picks them, but he seems to do one film a year and it is always buzzed about for Oscars. He is just the suburban “every guy” and we like him. We know that this involves two couples and crossed love tales, but how is this not a romantic comedy then? Is it a chick flick or mainstream drama? You will have to see it to find out.

There are some others I haven’t heard much about yet. Trade; about the sexual slavery trade underworld, Postal; which should be something mail and crazy related, and Black Irish; which sounds like it’s related to the ill fated Black Donnellys from NBC last year. If you haven’t seen the latest stupid Zombie movie “Resident Evil Extinction”, that is still playing and so is The Brave One with Jodie Foster.

—————————

Saturday September 29

—————————

The Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Walk Chicago starts in Grant Park. The 11th Annual Susan G Komen Chicago Race for the Curewill be held on September 29th in Grant Park, Chicago. The 5K Run/Walk or 1 mile Fun Walk will begin at 8:30 am @ Columbus & Balbo with Race Day registration beginning at 6:30 am. A complimentary Survivor Breakfast will be served from 7:00 – 8:00 AM in the Survivor Cafe with the survivor photo following at 8:00 am. October is also Breast Cancer awareness month. Wear your pink and encourage all the women you know over 40 to get a mammogram and breast cancer screening.

 Cafe Iberico has recently been renovated. Check out their tapas and payaya. Everything on the menu is fantastic and the sangria is also wonderful. Cafe Iberico is located at 739 N. LaSalle Drive in Chicago. The phone number for reservations is 312-573-1510. Be sure to have a reservation, they fill up fast.

The Museum of Contemporary Art has a new exhibit about Art and Rock and Roll. They might have called it Sex Drugs and Rock and Roll, but the official name is: Sympathy for the Devil: Art and Rock and Roll Since 1967 It is open from Friday September 29, 2007 through January 6, 2008. I think it may have equal appeal for 60’s hippies as it does for the youth of today.

Oktoberfest (Again!) This used to be called St’ Alphonsus Oktoberfest, but now it’s just Oktoberfest. Head down to the corner of Lincoln and Southport Avenue for Beer, Bratwurst, Om Pa Pa Music and more Beer. The festval runs from Friday through Sunday. Open 11:30 Am to 8 PM. $5 bucks to enter plus the cost of food and beer. Guten Tag!

————————-

Sunday September 30

————————-

PAWS Chicago’s 6th annual ”Run for their Lives” charity run/walk that benefits stray pets. (8K run/4K walk) It starts in Lincoln Park at 9am on Sunday September 30. If you are an animal lover, sign up and come out to support the furry friends. You can register starting at 8am that morning or at PETCO, 2000 N. Clybourn on Saturday, September 30 from 11- 3 p.m. (parking is available)

Theater: Get tickets to Wicked or Jersey Boys, two great musicals playing in Chicago. The Crucible is also open at Steppenwolf Theater and some tickets are available at a discount each day if they aren’t sold out. Call in the morning to reserve two.

And don’t forget that the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon is next weekend, buy your tickets now for the Chicago International Film Festival and enjoy the crisp fall weather before the oppressive cold hits.