Friday / October 24
As part of its Doc Knight weekend screenings, Doc Films shows The Dark Knight for the few who have yet to catch the summer blockbuster and for the rest of the general population that just wants another glimpse of Heath Ledger’s genius at work in his portrayal of the Joker. (Max Palevsky Cinema, 10 p.m., free)
Started in 2004, the Found Footage Festival features clips from videotapes found at garage sales, thrift stores, dumpsters, and anywhere else one can expect to find an old VHS tape. Curators Joe Pickett and Nick Pruehl offer their witty comments throughout the film in the style of Mystery Science Theater 3000. (3175 North Broadway, 8 p.m., $12)
Saturday / October 25
University Symphony Orchestra opens its season with its Halloween concert, Legends of Fright. The performance of pieces such as Stravinsky’s Infernal Dance of King Kastchei and Wendel’s The Headless Horseman will be supplemented by costumes and special effects. (Mandel Hall, 7 p.m., $4).
Sunday / October 26
The Oriental Institute will be showing The Mummy—the original 1932 version, not the modern update starring Brendan Fraser with a totally preposterous story about an army of mummies in ancient China. The screening is part of the Institute’s Halloween celebration. After the film, take a tour of the museum to get a sense of how real-life mummies lived. (Oriental Institute, 2 p.m., free)
Queen of one-night stands, Chelsea Handler brings her class to Chicago for the signing of her latest book, Are You There Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea. Later in the evening, she will also host Comedy for a Cure, a benefit for the Christopher and Dana Reeves Foundation. (2817 North Clark Street, 3 p.m., free)
Monday / October 27
Despite the bad press she has been getting recently (Kabbalah, the A-Rod scandal, her arms of steel, etc.), Madonna’s doing her world tour the only way the Material Girl knows how to. The tour features 40 wardrobe changes, a closet designed by Valentino, all new dance moves, and the occasional political tirade against vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin. (1901 West Madison Street, 8 p.m., $55)
Tuesday / October 28
Physician and Nobel laureate Robert Lown will discuss his new book Prescription for Survival: A Doctor’s Journey to End Nuclear Madness. Although he invented the defibrillator, Dr. Lown was actually awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his peace and anti-nuclear activism. (International House, 6 p.m., free)
Daily Show resident expert John Hodgman (perhaps better known as the PC guy) will be reading from his new book More Information Than You Require, a trivia almanac which, according to the book flap, is “full of amazing true facts that are all made up.” Cartoonist David Rees will also be on hand to read from his new book. (1608 North Wells Street, 7 p.m., free)
Wednesday / October 29
Ingmar Bergman’s Academy Award–winning film Through a Glass Darkly will be playing at Doc as part of its quarter-long focus on Bergman’s films. The film centers on Karin, a recently released mental hospital patient who is still delusional. The story takes place within a 24-hour period while Karin and her family are vacationing on a remote island. The film’s idyllic setting proves an ideal spot for her eventual encounters with God. The film is in Swedish with English subtitles. (Max Palevsky Cinema, 7 p.m., $5) Band’s eponymous tour. (6920 North Mannheim Road, 7 p.m., $25)
Thursday / October 30
The typical clash between mothers and their daughters is brought to the political playing field in the Pegasus Players’ production of Continental Divide, a series of two plays about a typical American election. The Republican candidate’s campaign is covered in “Mothers Against” and the Democratic campaign in “Daughters of the Revolution.” While there are some overlapping characters in the two productions (the flower child who becomes the powerful senator—Barbara Boxer anyone?), the plays can still be seen separately for full enjoyment of the critical analysis of the current political divide. (1145 West Wilson, 8 p.m., $25)
