Bedno.com
1999.12.17 (week 129)

Surfing The Waves Of Positive Energy
Surfing The Waves Of Positive Energy
LIFE is an eXtreme sport, and LOVE is the half-pipes. Stay sharp, be one with it, and YELL on the good parts! It's a gnarly week, crest of the curl to futureland. Join me for DJ Rap on Friday, the Howl art event on Saturday, Velocity Magazine's 5th anniversary party on Sunday or the extraordinary astrological event on Wednesday. Other best picks: See Redmoon's lovely winter play, or Bettie Page uncensored, both end this weekend. The Holiday Bright Skate on Saturday is the last great group blade this year, the Best Holiday Decorated Houses Northside Tour on Sunday sounds delightful, and the month of Indian cultural programs climaxes on Saturday. The Psychotronic Film Society shows the star-studded peculiarity "Skidoo" on Monday, the MusicBox is full of fun films, and a colossal new luxury Megaplex opens. Music this week includes the Windy City Gay and Lesbian Chorus, the Do-it-Yourself Messiah, and some pretty darn good DJ and club events. Chicago's best will play in the mayor's Holiday Hoops 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament this weekend and the Bulls and Bears have some home games. Now pass me a Champagne and Mountain Dew cocktail!

Seasonal:

CHECK THESE OUT!
Help feed the world's starving just by visiting this site:
    http://www.thehungersite.com
Comprehensive collected holiday songs, recipes and stories:
    http://bedno.com/winter
THIS WEEKEND ONLY: Nuts and Bolts, unique Nutcracker interpretation, $20 Fr 8p/Sa 2+8p/Su 3p.
Joel Hall Dancers -Sunday. Ticketmaster: 312/902-1500.
Athenaeum Theatre, 773/722-5463, 2936 N Southport.
Skate on State. Blading alternative! ice/motion/sun/snax/shelter, free.
Also a dozen other free park district rinks open all over!
7 days 9-11a, 11:30a-1p, 1:30-3p, 3:30-5p, 5:30-7:15p. $2-3 rentals.
State at Randolph, 312/744-2898, 100x200ft oval, -2000.02.27.
http://www.cityofchicago.org/SpecialEvents/Festivals99/SkateOnState99.html
A Christmas Carol continues it's long holiday run, -2000.01.02.
Goodman Theatre, 312/443-3800, 200 S Columbus
http://www.goodman-theatre.org
Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol. Told from business partner's point of view. $18-27 8p.
Goodman Theatre, 312/443-3800, 200 S Columbus, various days.
http://www.goodman-theatre.org/plays/jacobmarley.html
Christkindlmarket (3rd), festive German style holiday market, timber cabins, food, gifts, sounds. 11a-8p.
Daley Center Plaza, Washington and Dearborn, 312/744-3370, -1998.12.23.
http://www.christkindlmarket.com
Christmas Around The World / Holidays of Lights, traditional decorations on 40 trees.
Museum of Science and Industry, 773/684-1414, 57th at Lake Shore, -1999.01.02.
http://www.msichicago.org
Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular, various times -1999.12.30.
Rosemont Theatre, 847/692-2220, 5400 N River Rd, Rosemont, I find them somewhat disturbing.
http://www.radiocity.com/schedule/xmas_chicago.html
The Nutcracker, Joffrey Ballet, -1999.12.26.
Auditorium Theatre, 312/431-2357, 50 E Congress.
http://www.auditoriumtheatre.org
Free photo with Santa for 94th floor visitors, 11a-5p F-Su.
John Hancock Center Observatory, 312/751-3681, 875 N Michigan, $8, $6 kids.
http://www.hancock-observatory.com

Ongoing:

FINAL SHOWS! Bettie Page Uncensored, well reviewed baudy biographical play, 18+ Fr/Sa 10:30p.
Playground Theatre, 312/726-4849 tickets, 3341 N Lincoln, -1999.12.18
http://www.psychotronic.com/bpu.htm
Movies:
End of Days, Dogma, Toy Story 2, The World Is Not Enough, Bringing Out The Dead,
Being John Malkovich, Story of Us, Boys Don't Cry, American Beauty, Random Hearts,
Fight Club, Mystery Alaska, Sixth Sense, Happy Texas, Drive Me Crazy, Minus Man, Guinevere, ...
http://bedno.com/movies
South Park / Clerks (separate theaters) Fri/Sat, midnight.
Music Box, 773/871-6604, 3733 N Southport.
http://www.musicboxtheatre.com

Friday 1999.12.17:

Immense new 14 screen Megaplex opens, stadium seating, Starbucks, garage.
General Cinemas, on Western between Diversey and Fullerton.
http://www.generalcinema.com/index.asp?ID=0807&PID=26
Local H, all ages $15 doors 6p.
Metro, 773/549-0203, 3730 N Clark. Red line Addison stop.
http://www.metrochicago.com
Redmoon Winter (Solstice) Pageant, come 1hr early, all ages $8 7p.
This year the always intriguing troupe reflects on brave firefighters.
Logan Square Auditorium, 773/388-9031, 2539 N Kedzie. -Sunday.
http://www.redmoon.org
Liquid Soul, Robert Cornelius 7, Rico, 18+ $8-10 7:30p.
Vic Theatre, 773/472-0449, 3145 N Sheffield.
http://www.victheatre.com
Smithereens, 21+ $20 9p.
House of Blues, 312/527-2583, 329 N Dearborn.
http://www.hob.com/bin/calendar.pl?VENUE=CHI
Recording artist DJ Rap, w/ Danny the Wildchild, Roki, and Ry-N. 21+ $10-12.
Aura, 312/266-2114, 640 N Dearborn.
http://www.aceplaces.com/aura
Space Ghost Coast To Coast, the strangest talk show in the galaxy, 10p.
TOON on cable, tape it, also see 8p Courage...Dog and 8:30p Power Puff Girls!
http://www.cartoon-network.com
Bang: techno guest Luke Slater, Hiroki/Ry-N jungle mezz, crowded later, 10p-4a.
Dress well, no tennis shoes. Often too much house music.
One of Chicago hottest clubs, but people have died here.
Crobar, 312/413-7000, 1543 N Kingsbury.
http://www.gilburns.com
Beats Werkin': Astralwerks, Tom Pazen, DJ Warp, 21+ $10 10p.
Smart Bar, 773/549-4140, 3730 N Clark.
http://www.metrochicago.com/pages2/smart_choices.html

Saturday 1999.12.18:

Mayor Daley's Holiday Hoops 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament. $80 to play, check in 8-11a.
McCormick Place South Building, 312/744-3315, 2300 South Lake Shore Drive.
http://www.cityofchicago.org/SpecialEvents/Festivals99/HolidayHoops99.html
Holiday Market, artist crafted one-of-a-kind gift curiosities, 11a-6p.
HotHouse, 312/362-9707, 31 E Balbo, -Sunday. Easy downtown train access.
http://www.hothouse.net
Special Indian cultural events:
World Kitchen - Dehli. Guest chefs teach, talk, give recipes, 11a.
    Gallery 37, 66 E Randolph.
"Thank You India", Modern dance piece, 3p.
    Chicago Cultural Center, Cassidy Theater, 312/346-3278, 78 E Washington.
Bhangra, American influenced Punjabi pop music, dancing, free 4p.
    Randolph Cafe, 312/744-1426, 77 E Randolph.
All parts of "India: A Celebration of Independence, 1947-1997" -1999.12.30.
    http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Tourism/CulturalCenter
Howl, artist-driven celebration of millennium transition. Free 4:30-6:30p.
Culminates in bonfires of art to release some darker ghosts of the past.
Hyde Park Art Center, 773/324-5520, 5307 S Hyde Park Blvd.
http://www.projectmillenium.org/trans/onetime_2.asp
Holiday Bright Skate, join the City's coolest bladers! free 5p.
If reasonably dry, cold irrelevant. Tour decorated sites, 5-10 miles.
Wear battery powered holiday lights and dress warm.
Ends up at Great Scott's for drinks, corner of Scott and Wells.
Ice skating on State instead if lightly snowing or dangerously wet.
If raining or snowing substantially simply meet at Great Scott's.
Optionally bring a $5-10 grab bag gift.
Daley Center Plaza, Washington and Dearborn.
http://Bedno.com/skate
Redmoon Winter (Solstice) Pageant, come 1hr early, all ages $8 5p and 7:30p.
This year the always intriguing troupe reflects on brave firefighters.
Logan Square Auditorium, 773/388-9031, 2539 N Kedzie. -Sunday.
http://www.redmoon.org
Bulls host Orlando, carried on WGN, 7:30p.
United Center, 1901 W Madison. Ticketmaster: 312/902-1500.
http://www.nba.com/bulls
Brew&View, smoking, heckling, drink deals, fun!
8p (Sa-Th): "Fight Club" B.Pitt, H.B.Carter, E.Norton, Meat Loaf, ...
10p (Sa-Th): SuperStar Molly Shannon, Will Ferrell.
midnt (Sa,Th): "American Pie" nobody.
312/618-VIEW, 3145 N Sheffield, Belmont red line stop. Hi Dennis!
http://www.brewview.com
Windy City Gay and Lesbian Chorus, holiday classics and humor, $20-25 8p.
Paige Staiger Concert Hall, 773/404-9242, 1977 S Campus Drive, arts circle, N.U., Evanston
http://www.windycitysings.org
Miles Maeda, 21+ $10 10p-4a.
Smart Bar, 773/549-4140, 3730 N Clark.
http://www.metrochicago.com/pages2/smart_choices.html
Renown DJ Christopher Lawrence spins trance. 21+ $? after 10p-5a.
A Pippy Joller production, also featuring Christopher Robin.
Peak urban club-wear required; expensive but big and intense; usually too much house.
Email pippyjoller@hotmail.com for guest listing.
Karma, 312/321-1331, 318 W Grand.
http://www.karmachicago.com

Sunday 1999.12.19:

Mayor Daley's Holiday Hoops 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament. $80 to play, check in 8-11a.
McCormick Place South Building, 312/744-3315, 2300 South Lake Shore Drive.
http://www.cityofchicago.org/SpecialEvents/Festivals99/HolidayHoops99.html
Holiday Market, artist crafted one-of-a-kind gift curiosities, 11a-6p.
HotHouse, 312/362-9707, 31 E Balbo. Easy downtown train access.
http://www.hothouse.net
Family Day, celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa in song and ceremony, 11a-5p.
Chicago Cultural Center, 312/744-6630, 78 E Washington4.
http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Tourism/CulturalCenter
Indian music group Jayho Jazzmata, followed by show of contemporary fashions, free 2p.
Chicago Cultural Center, Preseton Bradley Hall, 312/744-6630, 78 E Washington.
http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Tourism/CulturalCenter/December/Programs/9912World.html
Bears host Detroit Lions, on FOX and WMAQ (670AM), noon.
Soldiers Field, 425 McFetridge Pl.
http://www.chicagobears.com
Skyscapers! Workshop constructs model fantasy buildings, 1-3p.
Museum of Contemporary Art, 312/280-2660, 220 E Chicago.
http://www.mcachicago.org
Redmoon Winter (Solstice) Pageant, come 1hr early, all ages $8 2p and 5p.
This year the always intriguing troupe reflects on brave firefighters.
Logan Square Auditorium, 773/388-9031, 2539 N Kedzie.
http://www.redmoon.org
Windy City Gay and Lesbian Chorus, holiday classics and humor, $20-25 3p.
Paige Staiger Concert Hall, 773/404-9242, 1977 S Campus Drive, arts circle, N.U., Evanston
http://www.windycitysings.org
Best Holiday Decorated Houses Northside Tour, 3.5hrs $49 arrive before 5p.
Starts with dinner (included), then tour Logan Square, Rosement, Park Ridge, Skokie, and Lincolnwood in a luxury bus. See spinning trees, holiday ferris wheel, a giant snow dome, a brilliantly-lit park, an animated candy cane factory and a Christmas tree that pops through a rooftop.
Cornelia's Roosterant, 773/248-8333, 748 W Cornelia.
http://www.christmashouses.com/tours.html
NEW CARTOONS!!! King-O-Hill, Simpsons, Futurama, starts 6:30p.
Y2K Propane crisis, Tim Robbins/Gary Coleman, Robot Santa executioner.
WFLD (Fox 32) http://www.fox.com
Triple Threat DJs, Apollo, Vin Roc, Short Kut, 21+ $15 8p.
House of Blues, 312/527-2583, 329 N Dearborn.
http://www.hob.com/bin/calendar.pl?VENUE=CHI
Liquid Soul, great band with a rapper and horn section, 9p-mdnt.
Double Door, 312/489-3160, 1572 N Milwaukee.
http://www.doubledoor.com
Velocity Magazine anniversary party (5th), 10p-?
Likely to be great! Small place, may fill up. Free booze, hip-hop DJs.
Liar's Club, 773/657-1110, 1665 W Fullerton.
http://www.velocitymag.com
Motion, supa-DJ Ry-N, guest Snuggles, GrrrrrrEAT drum-n-bass! time? price?
Betty's Blue Star Lounge, 312/243-8778, 1600 W Grand.
http://jungle.ffwd.com/sjc

Monday 1999.12.20:

Bulls host Seattle, carried on FSChi, 7:30p.
United Center, 1901 W Madison. Ticketmaster: 312/902-1500.
http://www.nba.com/bulls
Psychotronic Film Society shows "Skidoo" (1968), free 8p.
Trippy film starring Frankie Avalon, Carol Channing, Jackie Gleason, Frank Gorshin, Richard Kiel, Peter Lawford, Burgess Meredith, Harry Nilsson, Slim Pickens, George Raft, Cesar Romero, Mickey Rooney, Arnold Stang, and Groucho Marx. See it here with other cool geeks.
Liar's Club, 773/665-1110, 1665 W Fullerton.
http://www.psychotronic.com
Do-it-Yourself Messiah, a grand tradition, also Tuesday, free.
Handels work with full orchestra, audience participates as chorus.
Lyric Opera House, 20 N Wacker, call 888/880-9701 to reserve.
http://www.netletter.net/lasalle/11_12_98/ng.html
Milk, drum + bass + hiphop, $3 10p-2a.
MadBar, 773/BAR-BAR7, 1640 N Damen
http://www.madbar.com

Tuesday 1999.12.21:

Forefathers' Day.
Anniversary of 1620 Mayflower landing at Plymouth, honors the pioneers.
Do-it-Yourself Messiah, a grand tradition, free.
Handels work with full orchestra, audience participates as chorus.
Lyric Opera House, 20 N Wacker, call 888/880-9701 to reserve.
http://www.netletter.net/lasalle/11_12_98/sing.html
Sing-a-long Double Feature: It's a Wonderful Life (4,9:45p), White Christmas 7p.
Music Box, 773/871-6604, 3733 N Southport, -1999.12.23.
http://www.musicboxtheatre.com
Disturbed, Relative Ash, From Zero, all ages $5 doors 6p.
Bring a can of food to get in free.
Metro, 773/549-0203, 3730 N Clark. Red line Addison stop.
http://www.metrochicago.com
Nocturna, Goth w/ DJ Scary Lady Sarah, THE weekly gathering of darker souls.
Smart Bar, 773/549-4140, 3730 N Clark, near the Addison red line stop.
http://www.gothicchicago.com
Testosterone Tuesday, hard dance music, ultra buff male strippers.
Berlin, 773/348-4975, 954 W Belmont, at the Belmont red line stop.
http://www.testosterone.net

Wednesday 1999.12.22:

Extraordinary synchronicity of Full Moon, at Perigee, on Solstice!
An almost incomprehensibly stunning harmony.
It hasn't been this bright and full and close and long in 133 years.
Full Moon, always adds an interesting twist.
http://www.earthsky.com/Features/Skywatching
Winter Solstice, shortest day, official start of winter.
http://www.earthsky.com/Features/Skywatching
Start of Capricorn, astrological sign, the goat.
http://www.astrology.com
Sing-a-long Double Feature: It's a Wonderful Life (4,9:45p), White Christmas 7p.
Music Box, 773/871-6604, 3733 N Southport, -1999.12.23.
http://www.musicboxtheatre.com
Bulls host Minnesota, carried on WGN, 7:30p.
United Center, 1901 W Madison. Ticketmaster: 312/902-1500. http://www.nba.com/bulls
Seminar, (drum-n-)Bass By The Pound, $3 21+ 9p-2a.
Resident DJs Glyde, Gamewarden, Flipside, Poolside, Kee. Cool decor, good drink selection, but no place to dance. Big Wig, 773/235-9100, 1551 W Division. http://jungle.ffwd.com/sjc/cgi-bin/sjc.cgi?ev-seminar
Sonic Wednesdays, DJs Gil Burns, PuLz-8, and Jeff Moyer, $? 10p-4a.
Like a dark semi-artsy NYC underground club with a good budget.
Former Lunacy DJs, harder than house. Circus acts. Dress well.
E-Mail lname,flname,phone,email to SonicCircus@SonicWednesday.Com for comps.
Circus, 312/266-1200, 901 W Weed.
http://www.sonicwednesday.com

Thursday 1999.12.23:

Sing-a-long Double Feature: It's a Wonderful Life (4,9:45p), White Christmas 7p.
Music Box, 773/871-6604, 3733 N Southport, -1999.12.23.
http://www.musicboxtheatre.com
Blue Meanies, Apocalypse Hoboken, Mary Tyler Morphine, all ages $10 doors 6p.
Metro, 773/549-0203, 3730 N Clark. Red line Addison stop.
http://www.metrochicago.com
Special evening events and late hours at all cultural institutions.
MCA, Randolph Cafe, Shubert Theater, Shedd Aquarium (Jazz), more.
http://www.dtnchicago.com
Adult skate w/ bar, hip-hop/urban, (FrSa mid-4a, Su 8p-1a) 18+ $7 9:30p-3a.
Rainbo, 773/271-6200, 4836 N Clark.
http://Bedno.com/skate

Museums:

Day Of The Dead exhibit (12th), big collection, -1999.12.26, free.
Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, 773/738-1503, 1852 W 19th. Tu-Su 10a-5p.
100 Years of Architecture -2000.03.12.
Beat Streuli, large color transparent photos in the windows -2000.03.19.
Museum of Contemporary Art, 312/280-2660, 220 E Chicago.
Mon closed, Tu 10a-8p free, We-Su 10a-5p.
http://www.mcachicago.org
Special programs all month observing Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.
India: A Celebration of Independence (since 1947) -1999.12.30.
A Century of Bicycle advertising retrospective -1999.12.31.
Chicago Cultural Center, 312/744-2400, 78 E Washington.
Also good stuff at the Randolph Cafe daily at 1p, late Thursdays.
Free. Mo-We 10a-7p, Th 10a-9p, Fr 10a-6p, Sa 10a-5p, Su 11a-5p.
http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Tourism/CulturalCenter
NEW: Cartier exhibit opens, 200 pieces, many diamonds -2000.01.16.
Sounds From The Vaults, try 50 international instruments, world's largest harp!
Underground Adventure, walk through hugely magnified soil ecosystem.
Field Museum, 312/922-9410, Roosevelt Rd. at Lake Shore.
http://www.fmnh.org
NOW: Zoolights, 100K twinkles.
Lovely design, near conservatory, lake, rookery. New lion web cam!
Lincoln Park Zoo, 773/742-2000, 2200 N Cannon.
http://www.lpzoo.com
Consistent world class wonderland, set aside a whole day.
NEW Omni Laser Fantasy. 20KW music visual immersion experience Fr-Su.
Museum of Science and Industry, 773/684-1414, 57th at Lake Shore.
Beatles 6:30p, Floyd Machine 7:30p, Nirvana 9p, Beastie 10:30p, Floyd Moon mdnt.
http://www.msichicago.org
Lego underwater, and far more quality exhibits and activities for young minds.
Chicago Children's Museum, 312/527-1000, Navy Pier, 10a-5p Tu-Su, free Th.
http://www.chichildrensmuseum.org
Seahorse Symphony, the amazing seahorse and kin, becoming endangered.
90000 gallon Coral Reef Exhibit now re-opened.
Shedd Aquarium, 312/939-2438, 1200 S Lake Shore.
http://SheddAquarium.org
Sky Pavilion, major new expansion, much high tech exhibitry.
Adler Planetarium, 312/922-STAR, 1300 S Lake Shore.
http://www.adlerplanetarium.org
Bill Viola well reviewed video installations -2000.01.16.
Masterpieces and other stodgy stuff (16th century Polish works?!?!).
Art Institute of Chicago, 312/443-3500, 210 S Michigan.
MWF 10:30a-4:30p, TuTh 10:30a-8:00p, SaSu 10a-5p, Free Tuesdays.
http://www.artic.edu

Notes:

Always call before going to a listed event.
If you like this, spread the fun, TELL A FRIEND, NOW!
Thanx Matt for the moon info and for being you.
Shoutouts to Ed, Boa, Chandra, Molly, Erika, Amy, Jasim and Heather.
And Maria, I have deeply enjoyed meeting you!

1999.12.17