Things to do this weekend: May 9 - 11

This week's featured shot from the TOC Flickr photo group comes to us from Timothy Gray Photography. I think it's appropriate since the CTA has so much rerouting planned for the Red Line and the Loop this weekend that we'll all need to pack extra reading material.

Here are some things to do this weekend:

FRIDAY

ART & DESIGN - Metamorphosis: Archeworks Benefit 2008 
This year's gala for the graduate architecture program honors founders Eva Maddox and Stanley Tigerman, and welcomes new directors Sarah Dunn and Martin Felsen. 6pm. Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N Cannon Dr at Fullerton Pkwy (312-867-7254, archeworks.org/benefit). Bus: 74 Fullerton, 151 Sheridan (24hrs). $300.

DANCE - Marquez Dance Project and Nicole Gifford Dance: Changing Flight
Independent choreographers Gifford and Jennifer Sandoval (of Marquez) share a show at Hamlin. Gifford’s Migration is a contemplation on mortality, while Sandoval’s Openings explores both fear of change and the happy anticipation of opportunity. 7:30pm. Hamlin Park Fieldhouse Theater, 3035 N Hoyne Ave between Wellington and Barry Aves (312-952-3615). Bus: 50, 76, 77 (24hrs). $15.

FILM - Rock 'n' Roll High School at the Music Box
Those zany music critics Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis are at it again, hosting another rock-related movie screening. This time it’s Rock ’n’ Roll High School (Dir. Allan Arkush. 1979), featuring the Ramones. Mary Woronov will attend this special screening sponsored by the radio show Sound Opinions. For advance tickets, go to soundopinions.org. 8pm. 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. Regular and midnight $9.25, first daily show $8.75.

MUSEUMS & CULTURE - Don Giovanni Simulcast
The Chicago Opera Theater presents a free simulcast of a concurrent Harris Theater performance of Mozart’s opera, broadcast live to the stage of the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium
Park. This is the first of its kind in this city’s rich performance history. 7:30pm. Millennium Park, Pritzker Pavilion, 205 E Randolph St between Michigan Ave and Columbus Dr (312-704-8420). El: Red to Monroe; Blue to Washington; Orange, Green, Brown, Pink, Purple (rush hrs) to Randolph. Bus: 3, 4 (24hrs), 14, 124, 127, 145, 157. FREE!

MUSIC - Jim White + oRSo at Old Town School
It’s never a good sign when the new album by a resolutely American artist gets released in the U.K. before the USA, but it’s not Jim White’s fault his Transnormal Skiperoo was held up while David Byrne’s Luaka Bop label searched (again) for a new distributor. Coproduced by Joe Pernice, the disc is a mix of pop and amorphous Americana, steeped in faith and a whole lot of good old-fashioned weirdness, which of course we Americans didn’t invent; but damned if we haven’t perfected it. 8pm. Old Town School of Folk Music; 4544 N Lincoln Ave between Sunnyside and Wilson Aves (773-728-6000). El: Brown to Western. Bus: 11 Lincoln, 49 Western (24hrs). $16–$20.

SHOPPING & STYLE - Pivot
Earth Day has come and gone, but at this eco-friendly boutique in the West Loop, every day is Earth Day. Today’s event features local designer Lara Miller, who was recently featured on the Sundance Channel’s Big Ideas for a Small Planet. The episode will be screened throughout the trunk show, and Miller will showcase organic pieces from her latest collection. Pastries from Hannah’s Bretzel, the city’s first organic carry-out, promise to add even more green goodness. 3–8pm. Pivot, 1101 W Fulton Mkt at Aberdeen St (312-243-4754, pivotboutique.com). El: Green to Clinton. Bus: 8 Halsted, 20 Madison.

SPORTS & REC - 8 Count Productions: Battle for Pride
We’re pretty sure that every time two or more gather in the name of boxing, it’s a battle for pride. In any event, tonight’s rumble in Cicero features former Contender contestant Miguel Hernandez in a cross-town showdown against fellow Chicagoan “Superman” Derrick Findley (no word on if anyone’s busting out their Soulja Boy). There will also be some real-deal fighting Irish when Henry Coyle, hisself from the Emerald Isle, faces veteran Ben Aragon in an eight-round junior-middleweight scrap. 8pm. Cicero Stadium, 1909 S Laramie Ave, Cicero (312-226-5800, 8countproductions.com). El: Blue, Pink to 54th/Cermak. Bus: 21 Cermak. $30–$100.

THEATER - Lipstick Traces
Adapted by Austin’s Rude Mechanicals from Greil Marcus’s book about the Sex Pistols and the history of rebellion, Traces purports to tell “an alternative history of the 20th century.” David Perez directs the Midwest premiere. 7:30pm. Pavement Group at AV-aerie, 2000 W Fulton St, unit 310, at Damen Ave (773-278-9083). Bus: 20, 50, 65. $15.

SATURDAY

ART & DESIGN - The Challenges of Making Political Art
SAIC professor Margaret Olin moderates this panel discussion with artists from the ongoing exhibition "60 Years." 3pm. ARC Gallery, 832 W Superior St, #204, at Green St (312-733-2787, arcgallery.org). El: Blue to Chicago. Bus: 8 Halsted, 66 Chicago. FREE!

DANCE - Film: Maria Tallchief
Sandra Osawa’s 2007 documentary traces the biography of Maria Tallchief, born in 1925. One of the nation’s first American Indian ballerinas, she is also a longtime Chicago resident. Learn about her Osage Nation heritage, her ballet training under the Russian Mme. Nijinska, her personal and professional partnership with George Balanchine as prima ballerina of the New York City Ballet, her part in founding the Chicago City Ballet, and much more. The film also includes rare performance footage of the extraordinarily elegant Tallchief in performance. If you can hit the matinee, do, and go early to get a good seat. Tallchief, Osawa and Tallchief’s daughter, the noted poet Elise Paschen, will be present for audience discussion at the 3pm screening. 3, 5:15pm. 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. $9, students $7.

FILM - Bicycle Film Fest at Block Cinema
You like bikes. You like movies. You’re cheap. But how can these things come together? How about an afternoon of free bike-themed movies? The Block is showing The Bicycle Thief and Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, which strikes us as a crazy-great double bill. 1pm. Block Cinema Northwestern University, Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, 40 Arts Circle Dr, Evanston (847-491-4000). El: Purple to Foster. Metra: Union Pacific N to Davis. $6, students $4.

MUSEUMS & CULTURE - Cultural Connections: Roots and Renewal
The Field Museum’s monthly Cultural Connections program pairs two neighborhood museums or cultural centers for a day of cross-cultural exchange. Today, the Cambodian American Heritage Museum and the Swahili Institute join forces to explore harvest celebrations. Cambodian representatives will share their Taing Tok, or table displays, while reps of African customs will discuss Kwanzaa and other celebrations. Registration is required. 11:30am–2pm, 3:30–6pm. Cambodian American Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial, 2831 W Lawrence Ave at Francisco Ave (312-665-7474). El: Brown to Francisco. Bus 81 Lawrence (24hrs), 82 Kimball/Homan. $15, teachers, students, seniors $10, kids under 12. FREE!

MUSIC - The Police + Elvis Costello
Sting may be a superstar, tantric sex symbol, self-made lord, respected author, global solo act, knight, composer, activist and any number of other things, but deep down the dude is nothing without the Police. So perhaps it was inevitable that Gordon Sumner should reteam with Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland in ’07 and start printing money. Elvis Costello opens—a massive step up from the Police’s nepotistic pairing with Fiction Plane (Sting Jr.’s band) last time—to support his new album Momofuku. 7:30pm. Allstate Arena; 6920 Mannheim Rd, Rosemont (847-635-6601). El: Blue to Rosemont, connect to Pace 221. $50–$250.

SHOPPING & STYLE - Andersonville Galleria
May offers a bevy of activity at this marketplace-style store, but Sat 10 tempts with several particularly enticing reasons to drop by for a visit, including a demonstration with Terry’s Toffees (10% off for the weekend) from noon–3pm and free gift-wrapping all day. Plus, participating merchants will donate up to 25% of the evening’s sales to local nonprofit the Enterprising Kitchen, which is an organization dedicated to providing workforce development and support services to women working toward self-sufficiency. 11am–7pm. 5247 N Clark St at Farragut Ave (773-878-8570, andersonvillegalleria.com). El: Red to Berwyn. Bus: 22 Clark (24hrs), 92 Foster.

SPORTS & REC - 2nd Saturday of the Month
These open rides, hosted by the Windy City Cycling Club, will teach you everything about Chicago’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered bike club, but were afraid to ask. You’ll head to Merci on the South Side for brunch, so it’s a great chance to chat up members and get to know your fellow newbies. 9am. Lake Shore Drive Totem Pole, 3600 N Recreation Drive between Addison St and Irving Park Rd (773-856-0301, windycitycyclingclub.com). Bus: 80, 144, 146, 151 (24hrs), 152. FREE!

THEATER - As Told by the Vivian Girls at Dog & Pony
Audience members choose their own adventure in this sprawling, promenade-style interpretation of outsider artist Henry Darger’s 15,000-page novel, created by Devon de Mayo and the ensemble. The stunningly ambitious, fascinating performance piece isn't for everyone (such as those who like linear storytelling, or sitting), but for the explorers among us there are breathtaking moments to be found. 7pm. Dog & Pony Theatre Company at Theater on the Lake, 2401 N Lake Shore Dr at Fullerton Pkwy (773-360-7933). Bus: 77 (24hrs), 151 (24hrs), 156. $20, students and seniors $15.

SUNDAY

MUSEUMS & CULTURE - Mother’s Day Cruise
No, you haven’t yet missed the boat on reserving a nice meal with Mom on Mother’s Day. This one even includes a Lake Michigan cruise, buffet-style dining, live entertainment and what else but a floral gift. Boarding begins one hour prior to cruise time. Call 888-957-2322 or go to spiritofchicago.com for reservations and more info. 11am–1pm, 3:30–5:30pm, 7–10pm. Spirit of Chicago, departs at the south side of Navy Pier, 600 E Illinois St at Fairbanks Ct (866-211-3804). El: Red to Grand. Bus: 29, 65, 66. (24hrs), 124. $61-95.

SHOPPING & STYLE - Jayson Home & Garden spring upholstery sale
May is a big moving month, so start furnishing your new place with the sale at this home-decor shop. All in-stock upholstered items (in the store and online) are 20% off, so you can have that new sofa waiting at your new place before you even move in. (As long as it’s okay with the landlord, of course.) 11am–5pm. Jayson Home & Garden, 1885 N Clybourn Ave between Kenmore and Sheffield Aves (773-248-8180). El: Red to North/Clybourn.

SPORTS & REC - Touring Ride: The Chicago Botanic Gardens
We’re hoping that the lot of you joining up with this ride to the beautiful botanic gardens in Glencoe will stay in Mom’s good graces and get back in time to give her some flowers of her own during her Mother’s Day celebrations. 9am. Clock Tower, Waveland Ave and Lake Shore Dr (contact Michael Wasserman at 312-719-9191, chicagocyclingclub.org). El: Red to Sheridan. Bus: 8, 151 (24hrs), 152. FREE!