By Bill Wyman
Swiss photographer Robert Frank is probably best known for the unblinking outsider’s view of the country expressed in his collection The Americans. But he’s also a respected avant-garde filmmaker; besides his seldom seen Rolling Stones tour documentary, Cocksucker Blues, he’s created mid-length experimental films for decades. A series of this work put together by the Film Center begins tonight with Frank’s first film, Pull My Daisy, a half-hour adaptation of Jack Kerouac’s play The Beat Generation, narrated by Kerouac and starring Allen Ginsberg. Tonight’s program, which also includes the 1983 film This Song for Jack and 1961’s The Sin of Jesus, begins at 6. Admission is $5. The series continues through June 23 at the Film Center, Columbus Drive and Jackson. Call 443-3737 for details.
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Futuristic jazz big-band leader Sun Ra’s space-age virtuosity and otherworldly philosophizations are being celebrated by a group of Chicago musicians known as Saturn Research Arkestra. Directed by saxophonist Vandy Harris Jr. and featuring Jodie Christian, Malachi Favors, Bob Griffin, Boaz McGhee, Afifi, Aye Aton, and the Reader’s own Maia, the group will play both Ra’s works and new ones inspired by him tonight at 7 in the James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph. It’s $15, $12 for seniors. Call 493-2487.
Liz Belile, who graced the poetry stage at last year’s Lollapalooza and has a new spoken-word album, Your Only Other Option Is Surgery, out on SST–is one of three west-coast writers reading at Quimby’s Queer Store today. Nicole Panter, one of the creators of Pee-wee Herman’s TV show, and novelist Peter Plate round out the bill. The free reading starts at 3 at the store, 1328 N. Damen. Call 342-0910 for more.
Monday 5
Due in stores around June 20, Fish Stories is a new literary magazine dedicated to “traditional and experimental fiction reflecting the diversity of American literature.” It holds a fund-raiser tonight featuring the ska band the Howards and performance artist Michael Brownstein. It starts at 8 at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport. Tix are $10. Call 334-6690.
Thursday 8
