Friday 10
The Mayor’s Office of Special Events estimates that 200,000 people will soak up the soul-stirring, leg-shaking, mind-melting singing offered up by more than a dozen groups from Chicago and around the world in the city’s annual Gospel Fest. The shows take place today and tomorrow. The first sets, from noon to 4:30, are on the so-called “early stage” at Jackson and Lake Shore Drive in Grant Park. The evening shows, from 5 to 10:45, are in the Petrillo Music Shell, at Jackson and Columbus. Saturday’s headliners are the Winans, Sunday’s are the Mighty Clouds of Joy. It’s all free; for more, call 744-3315 or 744-3370.
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Snake in the Heart is a compilation CD of work by the most notable performers on the local spoken-word scene. It’s the first recording issued by Tia Chucha Press, which is the publishing company connected to the Guild Complex, which is the literary-events arm of the late, lamented Guild Bookstore. Got that straight? Anyway, the lineup on the CD includes poetry and performance from the likes of Patricia Smith, David Hernandez and Street Sounds, Cin Salach & the Loofah Method, Rohan Preston, Circadian Rhythm, and the complex’s own Michael Warr. Hear many of these performers live at a party tonight at Red Dog, 1958 W. North, from 7:30 to 11. It’s $8; you can also join the complex, get the CD, and attend the party for $40. Call 278-2210 for details.
Nobel Peace Prize-winner Desmond Tutu hits town today to pick up the “World of Children” award from a group called the United States Committee for UNICEF/Chicago. Richard Attenborough will present the award, after which the archbishop will speak at a benefit luncheon at the Four Seasons Hotel, 120 E. Delaware. It’s at 11:30; tickets are $85. (There’s a $200 ticket that gets you a VIP session as well.) Call 670-2379 for details.
The city’s gay and lesbian task force is holding an open meeting tonight to let anyone air any gripes they might have on the role the city should take on anything having to do with matters gay and lesbian. The meeting of the City of Chicago Commission on Human Relationships Advisory Council on Gay and Lesbian Issues is at the offices of Operation PUSH, 930 E. 50th, at 6:30 PM. It’s free. For details, call 744-7911.
