October 16 - 19

Autumn is in full swing, the leaves are changing colors and dropping to the ground faster than we can rake them up. Apples are at their peak, cider can be found in every store and pumpkins are everywhere you look. There's only a few weeks left until Halloween, have you decided what you're going to be this year? Don't worry though, there are still plenty of things to do this weekend, check out some of these festive events!

Thursday, October 16

Marcia Marcia Marcia - Maureen McCormick will be signing her new tell-all biography at the Borders at 830 N Michigan today at 7PM - get there early!

You still have time to catch Carpenter's Halloween tonight at Mary's Attic. There's not much time left to see it, it runs Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays through Halloween. If you miss this you'll surely regret it! Reserve your tickets online for a guaranteed seat.

Kathy Griffin is performing at the Chicago Theater tonight, if you don't have tickets by now you'll have to make quick friends with someone who does.

The 44th Chicago International Film Festival kicks off tonight with their opening night presentation The Brothers Bloom at the Harris Theater - 205 E Randolph. The event runs through the 29th at various locations throughout the city. Check the site for full details.

Friday, October 17

You will not want to miss the premiere of Chicago's own Amanda Steinstein - of Feast of Fools fame - on "What Not To Wear." Catch the show tonight at Hydrate 7PM-9PM with the gang from Feast of Fools. This is sure to be a great show as it's been rumored that Amanda was the "most difficult guest" EVER! This is a must see!!!

Rufus Wainwright will blow the roof of The Venue at Horseshoe Casino tonight

k.d. Lang takes the stage at the Chicago Theater to belt out some tunes

Around the Coyote Fall Arts Festival kicks off tonight at Plumbers Hall - 1340 W Washington - 6PM-10PM

Saturday, October 18

Take your four legged friend to the Bark Bark Club today where they have joined forces with Wetnoze Photography to grab those precious portraits of your best friends. Visit the site to reserve your time.

Why not catch Filthy Pervert Seeks Same at the Bailiwick Repertory Theater - 1229 W Belmont Ave - this is the last weekend, all tickets are $25.

While we're talking about the Bailiwick , today is their annual Costume & Clearance Sale , $1 to get in from 10AM-4PM

Sappho's Salon is this evening at Women and Children First Book Store - 5233 N Clark. Make sure you catch performances by poet Red Summer and queer burlesque artist JT Newman . DJ SpinNikki will fill the spaces with music. 7:30PM-9PM

Sunday, October 19

You can meet lesbian author Allison Nichols at the Gerber/Hart Library - 1127 W Granville. She will read from her book "Contents Under Pressure" and be joined by poet Gregg Shapiro . 4PM-6PM

Don't miss Bertha Mason's Halloween Spooktacular at Mary's Attic this evening 7:30PM Bertha will share some wonderful kitchen tips and stories just in time for Halloween. tickets are only $10

Today is the last day to catch the Chicago Art Open at the Merchandise Mart. Don't miss a chance to catch this event as well as join in a discussion with Gregory Knight - Deputy Curator for the Visual Arts, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs - "A Collector's Odyssey: A Discussion with Chicago Legend Lew Manilow" 1PM