Friday 18
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The goal of the Blues University lecture series, organizers say, “is to expand the understanding of blues music as the foundation of American musical expression and further the appreciation of blues as an art form unique to the African American experience, putting it in context within a continuum of musical expression.” Blues U. 101, a four-week multimedia introduction to the genre, begins today at the Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton, and runs for the next four Saturdays starting at 1 PM. Speakers include NewCity blues writer Dave Witter and local promoter and Blues University capo Steve Pasek. The class costs $40; register at 943-9090, ext. 482, or call 604-1665 for more info.
The anticasino groups who’ve come together under the rubric Coalition for a Casino Referendum think putting casino gambling to a statewide vote will put the kibosh on the growing industry. Tonight’s performance of Stage Left Theatre’s take on Steven Dietz’s Boomtown is serving as a fund-raiser for the new coalition; appropriately enough, it’s the story of a small town in Colorado hit by lightning in the form of legalized gambling. The show starts at 8 at the American Blues Theatre, 1909 W. Byron (at Lincoln). The $35 ticket includes a postshow reception; call 787-2729, ext. 209.
A new outbreak of anti-Semitic vandalism in the Chicago area has the Holocaust Memorial Foundation of Illinois shocked. “I have always heard of anti-Semitic incidents in other places, but when you experience it then you will never forget the pain,” says Rabbi Moshe Francis, dean of the defaced Kollel Institute. Tonight at 7:30 the foundation is bringing in a speaker from the state’s attorney’s office to discuss the vandalism, proposed hate-crimes legislation, and other issues. Hate Crimes in the 90s takes place at the Mayer Kaplan Jewish Community Center, 5050 Church in Skokie. Admission is $5, $3 for members. Call 708-677-4640.
The School of the Art Institute’s ongoing lecture series examining the work of artist Joseph Beuys continues tonight with a slide presentation and talk by Douglas Davis, a videomaker and installation artist who has collaborated with Beuys. He talks at 6 in the auditorium of the school, which is at Columbus and Jackson. It’s $3, free to seniors and to students and staff of area colleges. Call 443-3711 for more.
