This week in STD, we embark on a trip back to our youth with stops for prom and lots of story time. Your comfy Dodge Caravan features a soundtrack of the very best of the ’80s and ’90s… sorry.
Friday, May 12
Some of us only know GSB students as those professional-looking people you see riding the #172. Others only know the GSB because of the luscious free fruit that used to be in its lobby. (By the way, does anyone know what happened to that?) Anyway, check out the annual GSB Follies tonight—a totally student-created and -produced extravaganza. (Mandel Hall, 6–9 p.m., $15 in advance at the GSB, $20 at the door)
It turns out you don’t always have to go to abandoned suburban warehouses to get to a decent rave. The Music Production Organization presents “The Rave” tonight, with eight DJs, refreshments, food—and what party would be complete without free glow sticks? (Shoreland Ballroom, 9 p.m., $5 before and $7 after 11 p.m.)
It might be too late to get tickets to see Late Night with Conan O’Brien here in Chicago, but be sure to check out his last Chicago show on NBC at 11:30 p.m.
Revision: Modernist Sculptures by Rodin, Lipschitz, and Moore opens today at the Smart Museum and runs through June 10. So if the only Rodin sculpture you’re familiar with is “The Thinker” (you philistine!), this is a must-see. (5550 South Greenwood Avenue, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., free)
Artificial Lover, Oto, and Insect Deli headline Hive Days 2, brought to you by (who else?) the Hive. (Ida Noyes Hall, 9 p.m., free)
Saturday, May 13
Take in a free performance of S. Bear Bergman’s thought-provoking (yet hilarious) one-person show “Clearly Marked.” This piece, presented by QueeReligious and Hillel, deals with a life of labels, from “Little Jewish Ambassador” to the ambiguous-but-still-a-label “ze.” (Social Sciences 122, 3–5 p.m., free)
Experience the FOTA Launch Party (you’ve seen the posters, surely?). The fashion show starts at 10 p.m. For more FOTA events throughout the week, check out fota.uchicago.edu. (Hutchinson Courtyard, 9 p.m.–1 a.m., free)
Too cool for school? Re-experience prom the hip way at Indie Rock Prom, featuring National Trust, Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, and Life During Wartime DJs. Formalwear still required, and it still costs less if you bring a date. (2359 North Kedzie Avenue, 8:30 p.m., $15 individual, $25 couples)
Not to be confused with the current show by Off-Off, the Giving (not Giving Up) Tree Hunger Cleanup involves students from different RSOs banding together to serve the greater Chicago community. E-mail Teresa at tslim@uchicago.edu to participate. (Reynolds Club South Lounge, 8:30 a.m. breakfast, 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. service, 1–2:30 p.m. lunch and speaker, free)
The Queer is Folk Festival is back for its sixth year—with a much better name. Alt Q, at the Old Town School of Music, features queer folk musicians Toshi Reagon, Eric McKeown, the Prince Myshkins, Brady Earnhart, Mekole Wells, and Carrie Lydon. (4544 North Lincoln Avenue, 7 p.m., $21–$25)
Sunday, May 14
Happy Mother’s Day! If your mom’s around, take her to the Neo-Futurists’ special Mother’s Day version of Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind. If you’ve never been to TMLMTBGB (whew), it’s an awesome experience, with 30 plays—some heart wrenching, some hysterical—in 60 minutes. (5153 North Ashland Avenue, doors open at 6:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m., $7 plus the roll of a die, mothers with one of their kids get in free)
If you can’t afford $8-$13, take Mom to U Lucky Dawg for a free Mother’s Day brunch. (6821 North Western Avenue, 7–11 a.m., free)
Monday, May 15
Settle in for story time at Quimby’s, where Jason Ockert will read from Rabbit Punches, a collection of absurd Southern-themed stories that includes everything from a man preparing to arm wrestle Jesus to a boy feeding ticks into another kid’s ear. (1854 West North Avenue, 7 p.m., free)
Tuesday, May 16
Award-winning poet and novelist Nick Laird reads from his debut collection, To a Fault, this afternoon. (Classics 10, 3:30 p.m., free)
Remember Live? The band with the confounding name that made any conversation turn into a “Who’s on First?” situation? They’re at the Vic tonight, probably playing “Lightning Crashes,” “I Alone,” and other songs nobody listens to anymore—and the ticket price might explain why. (3145 North Sheffield Avenue, 7:30 p.m., $34)
Apparently people still listen to Pearl Jam, though—they’re at the gargantuan United Center tonight and tomorrow. (1901 West Madison Street, 7:30 p.m., $51)
Wednesday, May 17
Listen to former secretary of state Madeleine Albright on The Mighty and the Almighty: Reflections on America, God, and World Affairs. A book signing will follow. (I-House, 5 p.m., free)
Thursday, May 18
Between classes, grab some lunch and head to the Midway to check out “Prom Dress Rugby” with the U of C women’s rugby team. (East 59th Street and Ellis Avenue, noon, free)
Now might be your chance to tell Don Randel what you really think—good or bad—about the Core, housing, the community and its lack of decent grocery options, et cetera. The Presidential Brown Bag Lunch features Subway sandwiches and, of course, the president and vice president of the University. (Reynolds Club South Lounge, 12:30–1:30 p.m., free)
If you actually are fond of cheesy ’80s acts (I know I am), head to Park West tonight to see Erasure—in an acoustic session, no less. Actually, the thought of “Chains of Love” without all the bouncy background noise is pretty terrifying—but make the trek if you’re brave and willing to trade your soul for a ticket. (322 West Armitage Avenue, 8 p.m., $60)
Have an event you’d like to see in STD? E-mail steffers@uchicago.edu.
