You’ve Got a Busy Weekend

There is definitely a chill in the air! Grab your jacket as you head out this weekend for a fabulous time. Snow White is back in town, it's Transgender Awareness Month and there's lots of music all weekend long. Get out there and have some fun!

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19

Head over to the Center on Halsted for 'T-Out Mic' A Trans-focused open-mic night hosted by Jamie Bantry and OUTMusic's Lars Von Keitz. If you're a musician, poet, speaker or artist get there by 7 to sign up for a kickoff at 7:30PM. Free, but donations are suggsted.

If you're looking to add some music to your evening Dylan Rice Band will be playing at Martyrs' at 10PM along with Ian Wilson & Analog Device, $7 cover. Or head north to Heartland Cafe to experience 'Four Women Only' a new musical series that will focus on female artists, the show starts at 8PM and tix are $10 at the door.

Two great Broadway shows are in town so make that you make time for Young Frankenstein playing at the Cadillac Palace Theater thru Dec 10th and the recently opened Addams Family starring Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth at the Oriental for it's Worldwide debut on it's way to Broadway.

BONUS Do you enjoy looking at the stars...no, not Lady Gaga, the ones in the sky! Head out to the Adler Planetarium for 'Adler After Dark' a 21+ evening that gives you a chance to peer through the Doane Observatory telescope with your own eyes. A DJ will be on hand to spin tunes and this week they'll talk about the End of the World. Tix are $15 at the door $10 online.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20

MidTanget Productions is at it again gender-bending fairy tales and storybooks just in time for the holidays with their latest show. Start your Friday and Saturday nights at Hydrate by taking in the latest installment of the Snow White story we saw earlier this year in the same space. This time X-mas is being attacked by the evil Madame Grinch. Snow White, the 7 Drag Queens, and her boyfriend Harry Prince take on the evil grinch and show her the true meaning of X-mas in "Snow White and the Drag Queen that Stole X-mas", now through Dec 12, tix are $10 at the door. Get there early!

Looking for a unique Holiday present? Head down to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) for their annual Holiday Art Sale today and tomorrow. Not only will you be able to grab some unique, one of a kind gifts made by some of the schools most talented students, but you'll also be helping them out as students get 85% of every sale. So go out and support the Arts!

Head to the Center on Halsted tonight for the opening night reception for Pate Conaway's sculptural installatioin that is runs through January 13th. Check it out, $5 suggested donation. While you're at the Center grab a screening of Flawless at 6:30 in recognition of Transgender Awareness Month.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21

Reeling Film Festival is now a memory but that doesn't mean the fun can't go on. Head to Andersonville to catch HEARTS ON FIRE: Best Short Films 2009 at Chicago Filmmakers at 8PM. They'll be showcasing projects that have made the festival circuit like Sundance, south by Southwest and others. Check the site for a full listing of films.

Tonight the community will gather at the Center on Halsted for their 5th Annual Night of Fallen Stars in honor of Transgender Awareness Month and A Day of Rememberance. Jaila Simms, recently became the first transgendered artist to win the MTV reality program P. Diddy's Making His Band, will make a special appearance. Reception starts at 5:30 with the performance starting at 7PM, tix are $5 at the door.

It's time to head north for Cake Chicago at Red Line Tap in Rogers Park. Kathry Tapper, Jenn P, Ripley Caine and The Locals will surely make for a fun evening. Tix are $5 at the door, the fun starts at 9PM.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22

You're right in the middle of Muppets, Music & Magic: Jim Henson's Legacy screenings at the Gene Siskel, now through Dec 2 catch some of Henson's classics. Today you can catch 'The Muppet Movie' at 2PM and then 'Commercials & Experiments' at 4PM. Check the site for more films like 'The Dark Crystal' and 'The Great Muppet Caper'

Carla Gordon and Beckie Menzie are holding a Tribute to Bea Arthur at 5PM this afternoon at Davenport's. Stop by for some tunes, memories and pay respect to the Ultimate Golden Girl. Tix $15 at the door.

As part of it's Fresh Squeezed season, and to mark World AIDS Day, Michael Kearns will perform intimacies in a 20th anniversary revival at Victory Gardens. Check out this trailer. The show starts at 7:30, tix are $25 in advance or $30 at the door.

Coming Soon:

TUES - Al Gore @Borders on State St