Friday 6
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Rigoberta Menchu Tum grew up on a coffee plantation in Guatemala, one of the most brutal regimes in Central America, and now lives in exile in Mexico, where she continues to campaign for the rights of her country’s indigenous population. You can hear the 1992 Nobel Peace Prize winner speak on Human Rights in Latin America at 8 tonight at Saint Vincent DePaul Church, 1010 W. Webster. It’s free. Call 325-7000, ext. 1872.
Saturday 7
Today’s your last chance to see this year’s DanceAfrica, which for the first time features a group from Africa itself: the Ghana Dance Ensemble, whose performance at this fifth annual event is its first in the States. Also on the program are Philadelphia’s Rennie Harris PureMovement, which combines African and street dance; New York’s Djoul’e African; and Chicago’s Sundance Production. African wares–good things to eat, jewelry, clothing–will be on sale during what’s called the African marketplace, set up in the Medinah Temple’s maze of hallways, from noon to 6. The performance begins at 3; tickets are $18 for main-floor and dress-circle seats, $14 for the balcony. It’s at 600 N. Wabash. Call 989-3310 for tickets and info.
If you’ve got a little secret itching to get out, today may be the day to run with it. For National Coming Out Day, the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Office of Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Concerns will be staffing two information booths on campus. One will be set up in the Chicago Circle Center, 750 S. Halsted, today from 10 to 2, the other in the Chicago Illini Union, 828 S. Wolcott, from 10 to 2 tomorrow. Also this week, the group sponsors an appearance by Achy Obejas, who reads from her collection of stories We Came All the Way From Cuba So You Could Dress Like This? in room 502 of the Circle Center at 12:15 on Thursday. It’s all free. Call 413-8619 for details.
Thursday 12
