Weekend Events
“If all mankind minus one were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind.”–John Stuart Mill, On Liberty
Intellectual freedom is the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction. While we may not agree with each other’s opinions, we must defend each other’s right to express those thoughts. Our democracy could not exist without the freedom to express different ideas.
Censorship suppresses those ideas however. Individuals, groups, and government officials try to impose their views of what is truthful and/or appropriate on everyone else. Censors do not allow others to make up their own minds about the “objectionable” material.
The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum, and the Newberry Library are sponsoring a Banned Books Week Read-Out!, which will be held Saturday, September 29, from 1 pm to 4 p.m. at Pioneer Plaza. Admission is free. Come support your freedom to read. (Books that have been or are currently banned include Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell, and Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe.)
When I was in college, I had the privilege of seeing Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitl'n perform on our campus. They are a fun, talented mariachi group from Mexico that was founded over 100 years ago. They are considered one of the best mariachi groups in the world and have collaborated with many artists, including Linda Ronstadt. Now in its fifth generation, Mariachi Vargas has recorded more than 50 CDs and has been featured in more than 200 films and music videos. For one night only, they will be performing at the Chicago Symphony Center. Don’t miss out!
- is celebrating their two-year anniversary with magicians, body painters, stilt walkers, and live music at the Full Moon Party. (Sept 27-28)
- St. Alphonsus, one of the city’s oldest churches, holds its 7th Annual Oktoberfest, a weekend full of bratwurst and beer. (Sept 28-30)
- Are you a fan of death metal? Check out Cannibal Corpse at the House of Blues. (Sept 28)
- Check out Manos: Rock Opera of Fate, the tale of a family lost on the way to their paradise vacation. With nowhere left to turn, they stop at a small house inhabited by an evil master and his confused servant. (Adult Content) (Sept 28-Nov 3)
- Celebrate the arrival of autumn with beer, food, and live music at the 3rd Annual Lincoln Park Fall Festival. (Sept 29)
- Americana musician Alejandro Escovedo will be performing at the Abbey along with Head of Femur. (Sept 29)
- Listen to fifteen straight hours of top-notch jazz at the Hyde Park Jazz Festival. (Sept 29)
- With two days of German sing-alongs, grape stomping, barrel races, and more, the Lynfred Winery Oktoberfest is sure to please. (Sept 29-30)
- Akira unveils its new line, La Renaissance, at the 4th Annual Garden of Eden Fashion Show at Galleria Marchetti. Models will strut their stuff down the runway in seasonal fashions while attendees enjoy appetizers, cocktails, and a silent auction. (Sept 30)
- Brats, hot dogs, sauerkraut, and beer are all available at St. Michael’s Oktoberfest. Or enjoy the pig roast at ELVN’s Oktoberfest in Wrigleyville. (Sept 30)
- Joan Sebastian and Pepe Aguilar, popular Latin musicians, will put on an excellent show of Latin pop, ranchera, and Mexican folk music at the Allstate Arena. (Sept 30)
Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) Sergio Lubezky
Banned Books Week Read Out! (free!): Pioneer Plaza (between Tribune Tower and the Chicago River); 312-222-4444
Sept 29: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Pay lot; no parking on Michigan Ave
Public trans: Bus # 2, 3, X4, 10, 26, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 151, 157
Red Line train (Grand)
http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/oifprograms/bbwreadout/bbwreadout.htm
Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitl'n @ Chicago Symphony Center ($20-$50): 220 S Michigan Ave; 312-294-3000
Sept 29: 7:30 p.m.
Street parking difficult; pay lots available
Public trans: Bus # 1, 2, 3, 4, X4, 6, 7, 10, 14, 26, X28, 29, 36, 62, 126, 127, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 151
Orange/Purple/Green/Brown Line train (Adams)
Red/Blue Line train (Monroe, Jackson)
Metra Electric Line train (Van Buren)
http://www.cso.org/
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1 opinion for Weekend Events
Mary Jo
Sep 27, 2007 at 5:04 pm
I proudly read banned books!
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