October 23 - 26, 2008

It may be getting cooler but that's not stopping the fun activities in the Windy City - it just means things are moving indoors. Although it's going to be a cooler than expected this weekend you can heat things up by checking out these hot events!

Thursday, October 23

There is only one more week left to catch Carpenter's Halloween tonight at Mary's Attic . The show runs Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays through Halloween. If you miss this you'll surely regret it! Reserve your tickets online for a guaranteed seat.

Meet the photographer and author of Greyhounds, Barbara Karant , at Women & Children First Book Shop in Andersonville - 5233 N Clark. Poet, columnist and Greyhounds contributor Yvonne Zipter will join in a reading and discussion. 7:30PM

Join the ' One Book, One Chicago ' discussion of The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe at the Gerber/Hart Library this evening at 7PM - 1127 W Granville.

Enjoy 'stylish cocktails' at Y.E.S! Chicago's Fall Fashion Show . Y.E.S! the local chapter of Dress For Success, is a non-profit that provides interview suits and career development for low-income women in Chicago. Join host Steven Rosengard of Project Runway in a celebration of Rising Chicago Designers. Lumen - 839 W Fulton Market, 6:30-9:30PM, $30, email: dfs.yes.tickets@gmail.com to RSVP

Don't miss Macy's Passport - The Movie tonight at the AMC River East - 322 E Illinois, $25 with proceeds benefiting AIDS Foundation of Chicago.

MTV's The Real World's Dan Renzi presents "The (Un)ordinary Story of a Gay Guy" as part of LGBTQA Awareness month at Loyola Unviersity. Dan tells his stories of growing up gay in the Midwest, his coming out, and other tales. 8 p.m., Finnegan Auditorium, Loyola Campus.

Friday, October 24

Grab Cake Chicago 's Two Year Anniversary Show at Red Line Tap - 7006 N Glenwood tonight. Comedy by Ashley Thornton, live music by Ripley Caine and Music by DJ Sky. Starting at 9PM, $5.

Hang out with the cool kids at ' Think Pink Friday's ' at Wangs - 3317 N Broadway. DJ Stinky Pinky will spinning the tunes at this hot new locale! The 44th Chicago International Film Festival is in full swing, catch films at the 600 N Michigan and AMC River East.

Join Leather Archives & Museum as they celebrate their newest Gallery Show "_ask," which celebrates the mask and its ability to transform the wearer. The Opening reception is this evening from 6PM-9PM, $5. The show will run through January 9, 2009

Saturday, October 25

Join WCRAD ( Windy City Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf ) for their annual Halloween Madness Party at Spin - 800 W Addison - from 6-10PM, $15, proceeds benefit National RAD Conference 2009 in Chicago.

Just in time to get you geared up for Halloween the Music Box Massacre 4 starts at noon today and runs for 24 hours. Catch classics like Dr. Jekyl & Mr. Hyde , Dead Alive at midnight and Midnight Meat Train with director Clive Barker - In Person! Music Box Theatre 3733 N Southport. Tickets are $27 in advance or $33 at the door.

Looking to speed things up on the dating scene? Well, then now is your chance with this " Date & Dash " speed dating event at Noble Tree - 2444 N Clark, check in starts at 5PM and the dashing starts at 5:30, $35 which includes a complimentary wine tasting. Advance reservations ARE required for this event.

The Windy City Rollers , Chicago's very own all-female flat-track roller derby team the WCR All Stars take on the Carolina Rollergrils at the UIC Pavilion - 525 S Racine starting at 7PM tonight. Even better....it's Fan Appreciation Night, which means FREE BEER!

Sunday, October 26

Clive Barker was just at the Music Box Massacre 4 yesterday, and today he will be at the Parker Schopf Gallery - 942 W Lake St - where he will show his original concept paintings for the film, Midnight Meat Train (which hopefully you saw yesterday). The Gallery is open from 1-7PM, Mr. Barker will be visiting and signing autographs between 2PM-5PM

There's time for one more bike ride in the city! Cities around the country have closed off major highways to car traffic and opened it up to bike traffic. Think "Bike The Drive" but on the City Boulevards instead. Sunday Parkways makes it's second (and final) appearance today from 9AM-1PM, as a route from Garfield Park, passes through North Lawndale and Little Village to end at Central Park at Jackson and Madison. Give your bike one more good ride before you put it away for the season.

Are you a singer, a dancer or just have a stupid human tricks that you're dying to share with the world? Head over to Stargaze - 5419 N Clark - tonight at 7PM to sign up for Gays Got Talent . This 8 stop talent contest kicks off tonight and culminates in a Top 10 show in January at Sidetrack. Winners at each bar can win $100 and have a chance to compete for the Grand Prize of $1000. There is a $5 door cover and a $10 entry if you compete.

Don't miss the recently single Madonna at the United Center tonight at 8PM. I'm sure if you don't have tickets by now you'll just have to stand outside the arena and put your ear to the wall to listen. She's here on Monday too!