Ongoing:

Chicago Improv Festival (2nd), 40 major comedy ensembles from all over FINAL WEEKEND!

at Annoyance Theater (773/929-6200, 3747 N Clark, http://www.annoyance.com)
and Improv Olympics (773/880-0199, 3541 N Clark)
773/782-4720, http://www.cif.com/main.html

Asian American Showcase, $7, FINAL WEEKEND!

Film Center, 312/443-3733, Columbus Drive at Jackson. Great independent works. See a schedule. 773/871-1977, http://www.faaim.org

Golf Around Chicago, mini golf course by local architects, FINAL WEEKS!

M-Th 10a-10p FrSa 10a-11p Su 10a-7p $7 or less, -1999.04.18. Navy Pier, 312/595-PIER, 600 E Grand. http://www.navypier.com

Damien Hirst -1999.05, David Klamen -1999.04.25, Unfinished History FINAL WEEKEND! Jim Hodges, uses delicate everyday objects to evoke complex feelings FINAL WEEKEND.

Museum of Contemporary Art, 312/280-2660, 220 E Chicago. Tu/Th/Fr 11a-6p, We 11a-8p, Sa/Su 10a-6p. http://www.mcachicago.org

NEW! Chicago Loop recreation made of Legos. Also Seuss, and many 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

NEW! Underground Adventure, walk through a hugely magnified soil ecosystem.

Field Museum, 312/922-9410, Roosevelt Rd. at Lake Shore. http://www.fmnh.org

NEW! Omni Laser Fantasy. 20KW music visual immersion experience Fr-Su. Consistent world class wonderland, set aside a whole day.

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

Seahorse Symphony, the amazing seahorse and kin, becoming endangered.

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/

Mainly stodgy stuff (19th century textiles?!?) for the next few months.

Art Institute of Chicago, 312/443-3500, 210 S Michigan. http://www.artic.edu MWF 10:30a-4:30p, TuTh 10:30a-8:00p, SaSu 10a-5p, Free Tuesdays.

Variety of very interesting works. Czech Photography of the 1990s -1999.04.18; Spanish Folk Art, Mischa Kuball project Rooms.

Chicago Cultural Center, 312/744-2400, 77 E Randolph. Mo-We 10a-7p, Th 10a-9p, Fr 10a-6p, Sa 10a-5p, Su 11a-5p, late cafe stuff Thursdays. http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Tourism/CulturalCenter

Metamorphoses, very very well reviewed play, $24-25, extended -1999.04.18.

Ivanhoe Theater, 773/975-7171, 750 W Wellington.

Babes with Blades, stays here 'till I see it. 8p Fr/Sa 7p Su -1999.04.25.

Footsteps Theatre, 773/878-4840, 5230 N Clark.

WAY too much more GREAT dance and art and drama and comedy and poetry and music to cover.

Get yourself a Reader (http://www.chireader.com).

Movies: http://bedno.com/movies

Never Been Kissed, Twin Dragons and Go open. The Matrix, 10 Things I Hate About You, Ed TV, Doug's 1st Movie, The King and I, 20 Dates, Ravenous, 200 Cigarettes, Analyze This, Office Space, Blast From The Past, Payback, Shakespeare in Love, Bug's Life, Elizabeth, ...

Friday 1999.04.09:

Chicago Latino Film Festival (15th), 60 films, videos, shorts, -1999.04.21.

Facets Multimedia (773/281-9075, 1517 W Fullerton)
Water Tower Theaters (312/422-4463, 175 E Chestnut)
http://www.chicagolatinocinema.org

Brew&View, smoking, heckling, drink deals, fun!

6p (Sa-Su): "Patch Adams" Robin Williams.
8p (daily): "American History X" Edward Norton stars.
10p (daily): "Blast From The Past" Fraser, Silverstone, Walken, Spacek
midnt (Fr-Sa,Th): "Office Space" a Mike Judge comedy.
Tuesday 6p, "Big Night" special movie and dinner, call Bella Vista 773/404-0111.
312/618-VIEW, 3145 N Sheffield, Belmont red line stop. http://www.brewview.com

Gorgeous Gloves boxing, primally intriguing, $10 8p doors 9p show.

Cubby Bear, 773/327-1662, 1059 W Addison.

Space Ghost Coast To Coast, the strangest talk show in the galaxy, 10p.

TOON on cable, tape it, followed by Freakazoid! Also catch the outrageously cool Power Puff Girls at 8p. http://www.cartoon-network.com

Today is My Super Space Out Day, Box O Car, Gravel Pit, Tarts, 18+ $8 10p show.

Metro, 773/549-0203, 3730 N Clark. http://www.metrochicago.com

Bang, I.C.U. recording artist DJ Kimball Collins, jungle mezz, 10p-ish.

Crobar, 312/13-7000, 1543 N Kingsbury.

DJ Raja spins Bhangra, hip-hop, Hindi, fusion, 10p-ish.

Club 720, 312/266-6620, 720 Wells.

Strictly Jungle, outstanding radio show! Best on far North side, 11p.

89.3 WNUI, 847/866-WNUI (-9687), 312/409-7249 vmail, simul-web-cast. http://jungle.ffwd.com/sjc

Acne, very strange sounding flick, also Saturday, midnight.

Music Box, 773/871-6604, 3733 N Southport. http://www.musicboxtheatre.com

Saturday 1999.04.10:

Illinois Orchid Society Show and Sale (47th), 1500 specimens, also Sunday, 9a-5p.

Chicago Botanic Gardens, 847/835-5440, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. http://www.chicago-botanic.org

Rock against depression, Lithium plays, Bev Cobain speaks, 1:30p.

Fountain Square, 847/491-1309, Evanston.

Bulls host Miami, 7:30p.

United Center, 1901 W Madison, also on WGN. http://www.nba.com/bulls

Eve 6, young but polished alt rock, all ages $14 7:30p.

Riviera Theatre, 312/275-6800, 4647 N Racine. http://events.ticketmaster.com/cgi/events/state.idc?state=il

George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars, $30 7:30p.

Star Plaza Theater, 219/769-6600, 8001 Delaware St, Merrillville IN.

1964 Tribute, Beatles homage band. $19.50, 18+ 6:30p, 21+ 10p.

House of Blues, 312/527-2583, 329 N Dearborn. http://www.hob.com/schedules/CHI/CHIbody.html

Sunday 1999.04.11:

Suite for Bass and Ironing Board, Sandra Binion performance art, free 6p.

Chicago Cultural Center, Cassidy Theater, 312/346-3278, 78 E Washington.

Liquid Soul, great band with a rapper and horn section, 9p-mdnt.

Double Door, 312/489-3160, 1572 N Milwaukee http://www.doubledoor.com

Digital Underground, Earatik Statik, 8p doors 10:30p show, $12.

Cubby Bear, 773/327-1662, 1059 W Addison.

Sundaze, good deep DJs, jungle/d-n-b, best about 11p.

Empty Bottle, 773/276-3600, 1035 N Western. http://www.emptybottle.com

Monday 1999.04.12:

Rolling Stones, Jonny Lang - time/price irrelevant.

United Center, 1901 W Madison. Ticketmaster, 312/559-1212, http://events.ticketmaster.com/cgi/events/state.idc?state=il

Cubs home opener, hosting Cincinatti, 1:20p.

773/404-CUBS, Wrigley Field, 1060 W Addision. http://www.cubs.com

Golden Gloves Tournament, finals, co-ed amateur boxing for charity, 8p.

St. Andrew's Gym, 773/921-4000, 1658 W Addison, also 1999.04.13.

Chrome, Jungle DJs, rapping, break dancing, best at 10p.

MadBar, 773/BAR-BAR7, 1640 N Damen. http://www.madbar.com

Tuesday 1999.04.13:

Thomas Jefferson's birthday (1743-1826), Decl. of Indep. author and two term president.

Also an accomplished architect and politician.

Toonsday, new King-o-Hill, Futurama, PJs, 7-8:30p.

FOX, impressive prime-time block of animation. http://www.fox.com

Hubbard Street Dance, spring fest, various times/dates/prices, -1999.05.02.

Shubert Theatre, 312/902-1500 tickets, 22 W Monroe. http://www.tribads.com/dance

The Residents, bizzaro alt.culture icons since late 70s, 21+ $28 7:30p.

House of Blues, 312/527-2583, 329 N Dearborn. http://www.hob.com/schedules/CHI/CHIbody.html

Golden Gloves Tournament, finals, co-ed amateur boxing for charity, 8p.

St. Andrew's Gym, 773/921-4000, 1658 W Addison.

Testosterone Tuesday, hard dance music, ultra buff male strippers.

Berlin, 773/348-4975, 954 W Belmont, at the Belmont red line stop.

Nocturna, Goth w/ DJ Scary Lady Sarah, THE weekly gathering of the undead.

Smart Bar, 773/549-4140, 3730 N Clark, near the Addison red line stop. http://www.gothicchicago.com

Wednesday 1999.04.14:

South Park, new episode! 9p.

Comedy Central on cable TV. http://www.comedycentral.com

Bulls host Cleveland, 7:30p.

United Center, 1901 W Madison. http://www.nba.com/bulls

Steve Miller Band, $24-39 7:30p.

Rosemont Theatre, 847/692-2220, 5400 N River Rd, Rosemont.

The Offspring, Ozomatli, The Living End, $18 7:30p.

UIC Pavilion, 1201 W Harrison. Tickets say no moshing. http://www.ssb.uic.edu/pavilion

The Residents, bizzaro alt.culture icons since late 70s, 21+ $28 7:30p.

House of Blues, 312/527-2583, 329 N Dearborn. http://www.hob.com/schedules/CHI/CHIbody.html

Bass By The Pound, good drum-n-bass DJs, $3 21+ 9p-2a.

Big Wig, 773/235-9100, 1551 W Division.

Women Obsession, ladies mainly.

Berlin, 773/348-4975, 954 W Belmont, at the Belmont red line stop.

Lunacy, cheap drinks, ladies free, industrial, SM/tattoos, pretty darn good.

Crobar, 312/413-7000, 1543 N Kingsbury.

Thursday 1999.04.15:

Personal income tax due. Instituted in the 16th amendment (1913).

Withholding was introduced to fund World War II.
Fed: http://www.irs.ustreas.gov
State: http://www.revenue.state.il.us

Special downtown happenings and late hours.

MCA, Randolph Cafe, Shubert Theater, more. http://www.dtnchicago.com

Better Than Ezra, all ages 6:30p.

House of Blues, 312/527-2583, 329 N Dearborn. http://www.hob.com/schedules/CHI/CHIbody.html

Missing Persons, Enuff Z Nuff, tee hee, $8 8p doors 10p show.

Cubby Bear, 773/327-1662, 1059 W Addison.

Adult skate w/ bar, hip-hop/urban, 18+ $7 9:30p-3a (FrSa mid-4a, Su 8p-1a).

Rainbo, 773/271-6200, 4836 N Clark, great winter blading resource. http://www.skaters.com

BrockOut, THE BEST jungle/drum&bass night, by the DubShack crew, moshy from 10:30p.

Liar's Club, 773/665-1110, 1665 W Fullerton, like a conveniently located rave. http://www.hyperreal.org/raves/mw/calendar/cal.html

Notes: