The Chicago Traveler

Weekend Stuff

by Matt B on November 15th, 2007

• The Young Women’s Leadership Council will be hosting its 2^nd Annual Fall Fundraiser featuring a performance by Spitfire Comedy, a raffle, and a silent auction at the Mad River Bar & Grille. Selective complimentary drinks and food are included. (Nov 15)

• Jimmy Eat World performs live at the Riviera Theatre, while Ralph Stanley (the best banjo picker in bluegrass) shows off his skills at Fitzgerald’s. (Nov 15)

• This is the last weekend to catch “Runaways” in Humboldt Park. Local playwright Elizabeth Swados’ gritty musical drama takes place on Lower Wacker Drive, featuring hip-hop, rock, R&B, reggae, and mambo songs about the struggles of young urbanites. (Nov 15-18)

• CircEsteem’s 4^th Annual Benefit Gala features entertainment by fire jugglers, stilt walkers, and clowns, plus a circus act by the Chicago Youth Circus. Cocktails, appetizers, dinner, and a live auction will also be included at the Chicago Cultural Center (Nov 15)

• Denise Duhamel will recite selections from her work and autograph copies of her books, including Kinky, Queen for a Day, and Two and Two in the Gage Gallery at Roosevelt University. Later, Nathan McCall will discuss and sign copies of his new book, Them: A Novel, at Borders in the Beverly neighborhood on the far South Side. (Nov 15)

• Comedian Finesse Mitchell (a former regular on NBC’s Saturday Night Live) discusses and signs copies of his new book, Your Girlfriends Only Know So Much: A Brother’s Take on Making and Dating for Sistas at Borders in the Beverly neighborhood. (Nov 16)

• This is the last weekend to catch “The Birds” in Edgewater. This deconstruction of Hitchcock’s 1963 famous film focuses on the young star-in-the-making, Tippi Hedren. Hitchcock’s production assistant delivers his boss’s ultimatums to Tippi, leaving her isolated and sleep-deprived. It doesn’t take long for the line between Hedren’s experiences and those of her character in The Birds to become terrifyingly blurred. (Nov 16)

• Celebrate Boogie Nights at Excalibur. Cerqua Rivera dancers and vocalist Nicole Garza (from Oxygen Network’s Campus Ladies) perform in ‘70s-themed outfits. Enjoy ‘70s trivia and dance contests, raffles, DJ disco music, a live auction, and an appearance by a Cher impersonator. (Nov 16)

• Every third Friday of the month, browse artwork and hear live music from a dozen different artists and galleries at the Zhou B Art Center. (Nov 16)

• Huun Huur Tu, a music group from Tuva (a Russian republic), performs traditional folk songs at the Old Town School of Folk Music. The John Butler Trio is a primarily eclectic jam band from Australia who will be at the Riviera Theatre. (Nov 16)

• Mickey Mouse leads the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, a street-lighting procession along North Michigan Avenue, followed by a fireworks display over the Chicago River. The holiday lights will remain on Michigan Avenue through the end of February. (Nov 17)

• Back for its third year, Riot Fest is back for two full days at the Congress Theater. KT Tunstall, a Scottish singer and songwriter, performs at the Vic Theatre. (Nov 17)

• Watch your favorite college football games on TV while enjoying a buffet lunch and open bar at the Touchdown! at Moe’s Cantina in Wrigleyville. Proceeds benefit Special Olympics Chicago. (Nov 17)

• Still the best Christmas story ever told, the Goodman Theatre presents Charles Dickens’ classic tale, A Christmas Carol. (Nov 17)

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) Björnstar, ElvertBarnes, puroticorico, goatling, bluespf42

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