Things to do this weekend: September 18-20

I don't go to many literary events—but I did manage to make it to the Granta Chicago issue reading last night at Harold Washington Library. I've been a fan of Granta for years though I can't say I've finished every edition I've taken home. One of the writers last night made me sit up to attention. As Maria Venegas was responding to a question about whether she was writing fiction or non-fiction (has anyone else ever found the term non-fiction odd?), she talked about telling the story of her "above-the-law" father in a new book. I don't remember her exact words, but the gist of it was that he had told her stories from his perspective and she would be writing it that way, and, for her, that meant it was a "true story." As charming as Venegas is, I found this a bit dubious. Fiction authors may have the luxury and the tradition of mixing portions of truth and fantasy, but I felt that her reluctance to be labeled either way was based in something else. It's not that I have an issue with anyone's creative process—only that the truth can be dismissed so easily. As dangerous as it might sound, the idea that the "truth" put down on paper is always filtered through an individual or group and therefore always essentially less than objective is hard to refute. Does that mean we don't bother with truth-seeking? Maybe it is my newspaper background, but I can't shake the idea that there are facts, there's verifiable information out there and there's a record to be written—it isn't always as colorful and entertaining, but the truth is waiting to be found. Here are 15 things to do this weekend.

FRIDAY 18
ART & DESIGN - Industry of the Ordinary: SuperMarket
Artists Adam Brooks and Mathew Wilson give a provocative performance. Fine Arts Center Gallery, Northeastern Illinois University, 5500 N St. Louis Ave. 6–9pm. FREE!

GAY & LESBIAN - Jinx Titanic Back to School Special
Queer rockers Jinx Titanic play a farewell show with the help of bands Stewed Tomatoes and Actor Slash Model. Jackhammer, 6406 N Clark St (773-743-5772). Bus: 22, 151, 155. 8pm, $10.

NIGHTLIFE - Skream
Skream is, possibly the dubstep scene's biggest name. Hailing from Croydon in the U.K., he's dubstep's biggest poster child, having blown minds by bringing the genre into the public's consciousness with "Midnight Request Line." Tonight, he's joined by two staunch supporters of the dubstep sounds: Chrissy Murderbot and Abstract Science's Chris Widman. Smart Bar. 10pm; $15, before midnight $12.

MUSIC - Astral Project
New Orleans's premier modern jazz outfit arrives at the Mill. The long-standing combo is equally at ease swinging through a Bayou shuffle and exploring postbop abstractions. Green Mill, 9pm, $12.

FILM - The Postman Always Rings Twice
No, we don’t know what the title means, but we do know that The Postman Always Rings Twice is one of the great film noirs, and Lana Turner is one hot femme fatale. Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N State St at Randolph St (312-846-2600). El: Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple (rush hrs) to State/Lake; Red to Lake; Blue to Clark/Lake. 6pm. $9, students $7, members $5.

SATURDAY 19
MUSIC - World Music Festival at Navy Pier
This year's globally promiscuous city-sponsored music fest is a bit spread out—at more than 20 venues. But on Saturday, you've got no excuse for missing out on the rhythms—there are one, two, three, four great free shows at Navy Pier—culminating with a 9pm set from California's Fool's Gold—who work interwoven guitars deftly in a propulsive Afrobeat swirl. Navy Pier, FREE!

FILM - Animal Crackers
The Marx Brothers bring their usual brand of anarchy to a society party in Animal Crackers. We’ll agree with Woody Allen’s claim that the Marx Brothers are a cure for whatever ails you. Music Box, 3733 N Southport Ave between Grace St and Waveland Ave (773-871-6604). El: Brown to Southport. Bus: 80 Irving Park, 152 Addison. 11:30am. Regular and midnight $9.25, first daily show $8.75.

SPAS & GYMS - Harmony Yoga birthday class
Harmony Yoga is celebrating its first birthday by giving you the gift of free classes. Stop by the River North studio at 10am or 2pm on Sat 17 for a power vinyasa session (there’s also one at noon on Sun 20). Or visit on Sunday evening for a 6pm candlelight yoga class. After all that stretching, you probably won’t feel like eating birthday cake, which is perfect because Harmony will provide healthy light snacks and refreshments. Harmony Yoga. Sat 19, 10am, 2pm; Sun 20, noon, 6pm FREE!

NIGHTLIFE - Turntables on the Hudson
As the World Music Festival kicks into high gear again this weekend, the nightly after-parties do the same, and much to our delight. TTOH has been throwing tremendous get downs on the Hudson River and throughout New York City for years now, giving them endless bragging rights when many other party promoters and DJ crews are struggling to get even a modest turnout. So it's a real treat for the entire crew—that is ESL's Nickodemus and his musical compatriots Mariano and percussionist Nappy G—to be flying in to headline the weekend's festivities. And Sonotheque couldn't be a better venue. Already a mecca for those looking for some culture spice in their dance-music mix, TTOH's Latin, Arabian and African-tinged party jams are sure to go over like mojitos on a hot day. Sonotheque. 9pm, $12.

SPORTS & FITNESS - Chicago Beachathlon
This four-mile fun run crosses five beaches and ends at a tropic luau filled with island-themed drinks, music and LandShark Lager. Heads up, slowpokes: Awards are given to the first to cross the finish line in a grass skirt and runners with the best costumes. Proceeds benefit environmental charities across the globe. North Avenue Beach, 1600 N Lake Shore Dr (773-354-7434, chicagobeachathlon.com). 10am, $50.
SUNDAY 20
MUSIC - Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Bruce and the band recently covered "I Wanna Be Sedated" (seriously?) and many fans have so-so feelings about the recent Working on a Dream, but none of that matters tonight. For this Chicago date, the Boss trots out his 1975 bar-raising Born to Run. United Center, 7:30pm, $65–$98.

ART & DESIGN - Allan Sekula: Polonia and Other Fables
Sekula's pointed photos of Chicago's Polish community launch the RenSoc’s fall season. Renaissance Society, 5811 S Ellis Ave. 4–7pm, includes artist's talk from 5–6pm. FREE!

FILM - The Prowler
Film noir rises to the level of high art in the hands of Joseph Losey in The Prowler. A cop decides he’ll do anything to get the married woman he craves. Being a cop, he’s got a lot of options in terms of getting hubby out of the way. Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N State St at Randolph St (312-846-2600). El: Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple (rush hrs) to State/Lake; Red to Lake; Blue to Clark/Lake. 3pm. $9, students $7, members $5.

THEATER - boom
Catch hot young scribe Peter Sinn Nachtrieb's apocalyptic comedy, then stick around for a Q & A with the playwright, who'll be in attendance at Sunday's performance. Next Theatre Company at Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 2pm, $25–$40.

AROUND TOWN - Introduction to Canine Massage
Why should humans hog all the pampering? Pet massage therapist Pam Kuhn explains how and why owners should treat their pets to a solid rubdown. Participants are encouraged to bring their own dogs, provided that pets are friendly and current with their vaccinations. Registration is required. Anti-Cruelty Society, 169 W Grand Ave (312-644-8338). 1–2:30pm, $10.