By Cara Jepsen
V.Vale, creator of the now-defunct zine Search and Destroy and former copublisher of RE/Search, has launched a new venture, V/Search, which recently released its first publication, Zines. The 200-page book features scams, pranks, tips on creating a zine, and a directory of 900 zines. Vale will sign copies tonight from 6 to 8 at Quimby’s Queer Store, 1328 N. Damen. It’s free; call 342-0910.
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Amenities on today’s Dog Days of Summer Cruise include water, dog treats, and a special newspaper-lined restroom. Fire hydrants, grassy areas, and tree-lined locations as well as the usual architectural marvels will be pointed out to dog lovers during the 90-minute cruise. The event is a fund-raiser for Chenny Troupe Incorporated, an organization that uses animals to augment rehabilitative therapy for the emotionally and physically challenged. Dogs must be leashed and accompanied by an adult. Tickets are $11 per adult, $5.50 per child, $5 per dog. It’s from 11:30 to 1. Meet at the Mercury Cruises ticket office at the southwest corner of the Michigan Avenue bridge, lower level. Call 332-1353 for more.
Long before Public Enemy there were the Last Poets, an African-American trio that performed revolutionary, often shocking lyrics over drums. The group was formed in 1968 at a birthday party for Malcolm X and has been influencing musicians ever since. They’ll play a stripped-down set tonight to promote the upcoming book On a Mission: Selected Poems and a History of the Last Poets. It’s at 9 at the Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln. Tickets are $10. Call 549-5549.
If you are flying out of the country any time in the next year, you can view photographer Peter Menzel’s “Material World: A Global Family Portrait” at O’Hare’s international terminal. The exhibit features photos of 30 “statistically average” families from around the world, posing in front of their dwellings surrounded by their possessions (some of the photos have been published in the Utne Reader). Not too surprisingly, a wide-angle lens was used for the Americans. The free exhibit opens today at 10, will run for at least a year, and can be seen only by airport employees and passengers. Call 686-3555 for more.
Lippizan horses, known for their gymnastic ability, are born black and fuzzy. They turn grey when they’re about four and go white between the ages of seven and ten. Adult stallions are trained to dance the quadrille and perform leaps and lifts. Tempel Farms imported 20 of the horses from Austria in 1982 and has been staging public performances ever since. The Tempel Lippizan stallions begin their performance season, which runs through August 28, today at 10:30 at Tempel Farms, 17000 Wadsworth Road, in Wadsworth. It’s $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, $5 for children. Audience members are invited to tour the farm after the performance. Call 847-623-7272 for directions.
