Things to do this weekend: Apr 25 - 27

 

This week's featured shot from the TOC Flickr photo group comes to us from Michael Brownlee. Personally, everything I've been dreaming about for the last month - nice weather, the White Sox in first place, ice cream contests - has been coming true. Except for that one dream I had about Martian Manhunter winning Deal or No Deal.

Here are some things to do this weekend:

FRIDAY

ART & DESIGN - Creative Move 2008: Moving Mountains
The HPAC's third annual 24-hour art party will include hands-on art-making, exhibition tours, artist talks, dancing and performances. 8pm. Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S Cornell Ave at 51st St (773-324-5520, hydeparkart.org). Bus: 6, 15, 28. Metra: Elec Main to 51st/53rd St. FREE! Also Saturday.

COMEDY - Bodyslam! The Rise and Fall of CAWC
Oh yeah! Can you smell what the Annoyance is cooking? Yes, it's a comedy show that involves lots of professional wrestling jokes. Wait, we thought professional wrestling WAS the joke…. 10pm. Annoyance Theatre, 4830 N Broadway between Lawrence Ave and Ainslie St (773-561-4665). El: Red to Lawrence. Bus: 36 Broadway, 81 Lawrence (24hrs). $15.

DANCE - Angelica Palomo, Blanca Aviles, Emily Haines and Olivia Bustos Rodriguez: Breaking Ground
Recent graduates of Columbia College Chicago’s Dance Center step out into “real world” roles as independent choreographers. We’ve seen Palomo and Aviles in professional performances around town: They’re both strong, charismatic performers. Since birds of a feather flock together, we have high hopes for all four of these budding talents. 8pm. Links Hall, 3435 N Sheffield Ave at Clark St (773-281-0824, linkshall.org). El: Red to Addison. Bus: 22 Clark (24hrs), 152 Addison. $12, students and seniors $10.

GAY & LESBIAN - Gender Fusions 4 at Film Row Cinema
Columbia's fourth annual celebration of all things queer includes a full weekend of peformance, burlesque, film, spoken-word, panel discussions and more. 6pm. Film Row Cinema and Conway Center at Columbia College, 1104 S Wabash Ave at 11th St (312-344-6709). El: Orange, Red, Green to Roosevelt. Bus: 4 Cottage Grove (24hrs), 62 Archer (24hrs). Free-$10. Also Saturday.

MUSIC - Immediate Sound: Moore/Lonberg-Holm/Horner/Reed + Vandermark/Vatcher Duo + Jewels and Binoculars at the Hideout
Immediate Sound’s second-anniversary celebration kicks off with this special weekend slot from two Americans based in Amsterdam: saxophonist Michael Moore and bassist Lindsey Horner. They’ll first collaborate with local musicians before teaming up with New York drummer Michael Vatcher as Jewels and Binoculars. A small miracle of a Bob Dylan tribute band, Horner, Vatcher and Moore use only their deep instrumental jazz knowledge—and not their voices—to pay homage to the scratchy-voiced titan. 9pm. Hideout 1354 W Wabansia Ave between Elston Ave and Throop St (773-227-4433). Bus: 72 North. $12.

SPORTS & REC - Critical Mass
The rolling celebration of bicycle culture continues. It’s a great way for cyclists to muscle cars off the streets of the city, albeit just for a little while. The group decides the route through a democratic process, so you never know where you’ll end up until you take off. 5:30pm. Critical Mass Daley Plaza, Washington and Dearborn Sts (chicagocriticalmass.org). El: Red to Lake; Blue to Washington; Pink, Brown, Green, Orange, Purple (rush hrs) to Randolph. FREE!

THEATER - Fiorello!
Nick Bowling's production of the 1959 musical about future New York mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia and his corruption-fighting rise to power—no, seriously—returns after a sold-out 2006 run; Bowling, music director Doug Peck and a spunky cast earn their exclamation point. 8pm. TimeLine Theatre Company, 615 W Wellington Ave at Broadway (773-281-8463). El: Brown, Purple (rush hrs) to Wellington. Bus: 8, 22 (24hrs), 36. $25, students $15.

SATURDAY

ART & DESIGN - "Black Is, Black Ain’t": A Conversation with Fred Sirmans and Hamza Walker
Walker (the curator of the Renaissance Society’s ongoing exhibition) discusses art and race with Sirmans, curator of modern and contemporary art at the Menil Collection in Houston.
Kent Hall, U. of Chicago, 1020 E 58th St at University Ave (773-702-8670, renaissancesociety.org). Bus: 4 Cottage Grove (24 hrs), 6 Jackson Park Exp, 55 Garfield (24 hrs). Metra: Elec Main to 59th St. 5pm. Admission free.

CLUBS - Radio Paradiso at La Pomme Rouge
We're hoping this overtly French eatery is more fun at night—tonight, at least, it should be bumping properly when Music 101 welcomes London's Lee Jarvis—one younger generation U.K. DJ who still loves that Chicago jackin' style of house. He might show us a thing or two about our own house scene. 10:30pm. La Pomme Rouge, 108 W Kinzie St. 312-245-9555. $10.

DANCE - Thodos Dance Chicago
The skilled performers in this modern dance repertory company interpret  seven works of diverse moods and styles. Choreographers include Melissa Thodos, Hubbard Street Dance associate Lucas Crandall, Broadway legend Anne Reinking and members of the Thodos troupe .  Lar Lubovitch’s piece Waiting for the Sunrise closes the program on a feel-good note. 8pm. North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd (847-673-6300, centreeast.org). El: Yellow to Skokie, then bus: 97 Skokie (Old Orchard). $40.

FILM - The Searchers at Block Cinema
If you think Westerns are all cowboys and yee-haw and shit, check out the sharp critique of the racist underpinnings of American progress in The Searchers. When John Wayne’s niece is kidnapped by an Indian chief, Wayne sets out on an obsessive quest to find her. But is he going to save her, or kill her because she’s been defiled? 8pm. 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.

GAY & LESBIAN - Margaret Cho at Chicago Theatre
She's still a funny and fabulous fag hag and we bow to her for making it cool to do stand-up aimed at queer audiences. "Beautiful" is the name of this latest tour. 8pm. Chicago Theatre, 175 N State St between Randolph and Lake Sts (312-462-6300). El: Red, Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple (rush hrs) to State/Lake. $28.50–$46.

MUSIC - Mary J. Blige + Jay-Z at United Center
Jay-Z is every bit the savvy businessman he’s made out to be, which explains his decision to step down as CEO of Def Jam and step back up to the mike. Better to be the guy getting paid than the guy getting bled dry, and Jigga’s reported $150 million deal with Live Nation will keep the yachts flowing well after the CD industry goes under. Tourmate Mary J. Blige has repeatedly reneged on her promise of “no more drama,” but since she’s not running for public office, she gets off easy. Besides, as Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, she’s royalty for life. 7:30pm. United Center 1901 W Madison St between Wood St and Damen Ave (312-455-4500). El: Blue to Medical Center. Bus: 19, 20 (24hrs), 50. $59–$299.

SHOPPING & STYLE - Savvy Shopper Approved men’s sample sale
Ladies have it tough in many respects, except when it comes to fashion. Savvy Shopper Approved (a new sister company to sample sale–turned–brick-and-mortar shop Beta Boutique) is looking out for the lads, too, by kicking off its first men’s sample sale. The event features designer overstock marked 40-90% off from designers such as Hyden Yoo and local boutiques. 11am–5pm. Brickermade Studio, 1109 W Fulton Mkt at Aberdeen St (312-560-6133). El: Green to Ashland. Bus: 20 Madison, 65 Grand.

SPORTS & REC - Walk for Randy
The Wildcats do the memory of former football coach Randy Walker, who passed away in June of ’06, proud with this inaugural 5K. Kicking off three hours prior to the annual spring football game, the start and finish line is at the corner of Walker Way and Ashland Ave. Participants will sport “Walk with Us” T-shirts with proceeds going to the Randy Walker Memorial Scholarship fund. 9am. Ryan Field, 1501 Central St, Evanston (847-491-7880, nusports.com). El: Purple to Central. $15, day of $20.

THEATER - In Spite of Everything
Bay Area slam poets the Suicide Kings portray teachers who come under scrutiny when one of their students goes on a shooting spree. Tonight is part of the MCA’s Hip-Hop Live + Reel festival; beatboxer Yuri Lane and the winners of the Louder Than a Bomb teen poetry festival also perform. 7:30pm. Museum of Contemporary Art Theater, 220 E Chicago Ave, ground level entrance, at Mies van der Rohe Way (312-397-4010). El: Red to Chicago. Bus: 3, 10, 26, 66 (24hrs), 125, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 151 (24hrs). $16–$20.

SUNDAY

ART & DESIGN  - Artropolis
Bring a compass and plenty of water to the five fairs at the center of this weekend’s cultural extravaganza: Art Chicago, NEXT: the Invitational Exhibition of Emerging Art, the Artist Project, the Intuit Show of Folk and Outsider Art, and the Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair. Merchandise Mart, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza between Wells and Orleans Sts (artropolischicago.com). El: Brown, Purple (rush hrs) to Merchandise Mart. Bus: 11 Lincoln, 125 Water Tower Exp. 11am–6pm. $20, seniors and students $15, kids and under 12 and cyclists free.

DANCE - Hafla Belly Dance Show
This shimmy fest features family-friendly performances from students and professional associates of the Jasmin Jahal School of Dance. Ticket fees cover the cost of the event; additional donations at the show will go directly to Apna Ghar, a domestic violence shelter. 2:30pm. Viaduct Theater, 3111 N Western Ave at Barry Ave (773-777-4037, bestbellydancechicago.com). Bus: 49 (24hrs), X49, 77 (24hrs). $10 advance, $12 at the door.

FILM - The Grand Illusion at Alliance Francaise
Jean Renoir’s The Grand Illusion, set in a prison camp during WWI, can be seen as one of the greatest anti-war films of all time, or as a subtle commentary on the persistence of the class system in French and German society, or as a science fiction precursor to Star Wars (okay, we made that last one up) but whatever you see it as, it should be seen. Period. 1pm. 1pm. Alliance Française, 54 W Chicago Ave between Dearborn and State Sts (312-337-1070). El: Red to Chicago. Bus: 22 (24hrs), 36, 66 (24hrs). A $5 donation is suggested.

SPAS & GYMS - Upward and upside down yoga
Turning your world upside down is a good thing when it comes to yoga. Explore your capacity to balance your body standing on your arms, head, harnds or feet with this workshop led by yogis Erin Jacques and Gail Mondry and find out what you can learn by seeing the world from a new perspective. 1:45–3:45pm. exhale, 945 N State St at at Oak St (312-753-6500, exhalespa.com). El: Red to Chicago. Bus: 22 (24hrs), 36, 66 (24hrs). $30.

SPORTS & REC - Ravenswood Run
This flat, fast 5K race through the streets of Ravenswood and Lincoln Square is celebrating its 12th year. Bring a can of food with you for the Ravenswood Food Pantry or raise some funds to benefit the student-health centers at Lakeview and Amundsen High Schools. This 5K, limited to the first 3,500 who register, is also a great way to start accumulating CARA points as this is a part of the CARA Race Circuit. 8am. Meet at 4555 N Hermitage Ave, between Sunnyside and Wilson Aves (contact Fleet Feet at 312-944-4113, fleetfeetchicago.com). El: Brown to Montrose. Bus: 22 Clark (24hrs), 145 Wilson/Michigan Exp. $30–$35.

THEATER - Old Town
A Chicago political dynasty (as if such things existed in real life, pshaw!) faces the election of its life. Prolific local playwright Brett Neveu’s first musical, with a score by Mikhail Fiksel, opens tonight. 7pm. Strawdog Theatre Company, 3829 N Broadway between Grace St and Sheridan Rd (773-528-9696). El: Red to Sheridan. Bus: 36 Broadway, 80 Irving Park. $20, students and seniors $15.