MON 7/17
Wright yourself
The suds you slugged back over the weekend left you a little fuzzy? Sharpen those gray cells at open mic Mental Graffiti; the poetry collective hosts nationally and locally recognized slam poets, and spoken-word artists. Ease into the action with drink specials like $3 imports and $6 Smirnoff cocktails. 7:30 p.m. $5. Funky Buddha Lounge, 728 W. Grand Ave. 312-666-1695.
Game boys
We know: Sweat, muscle and brute force do not a top athlete make. But what about competitive couch surfing? We may be a few bulging biceps short of a gold metal, but we can watch the hell out of a free flick. Catch three shorts this afternoon as part of Reeling at the Gay Games VII: “Straight Acting,” “Gay Games I Opening Ceremonies” and “Take the Flame! Gay Games: Grace, Grit, and Glory.” Noon. Free. Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St. 773-293-1447.
C’est la vie
From Bastille Day bashes to head-butt replays, Chicago is crazy for all things French. But while our eyes were glued to World Cup clashes, we nearly forgot about Tour de France. Binge on spin at Brasserie Jo and get race-inspired dishes along with Tour coverage on a jumbo flat-screen. Share your predictions for the next stage’s leader, and you could win a new bike, dinner for two and more. 5 p.m. Through Sunday. Prices vary. 59 W. Hubbard St. 312-595-0800.
Tall tales
Whether you’d walk the plank to meet Johnny Depp or do the same to avoid his latest flick, we bet you agree on this: Living the pirate life is cooler than our day jobs. Not suited to the three-pointed hat? Take a ride on the tall ship schooner Red Witch instead. A two-and-a-half-hour lake cruise includes traditional sea chanties that could inspire a new office anthem. 7 p.m. $65. Burnham Harbor, 1559 S. Lake Shore Drive. 312-404-5800. Find more ways to get on the water in “Hope for the boatless” at metromix.com.
TUE 7/18
Slam dance
Ever since your rodent rendezvous in the alley, you’ve taken to creative noisemaking en route to the trash. “Stomp” takes the art of breaking beats to a new level (sans refuse). The eight-person cast behind the dance and percussion performance transforms garbage cans, brooms, wooden poles, matchboxes, Zippos, hubcaps and more into hypnotic rhythm machines. Watch them in action during a limited run that kicks off–with a bang–Tuesday. 8 p.m. Through July 30. $20-$55. LaSalle Bank Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St. 312-902-1400.
WED 7/19
Something’s fishy
A nibble here, a crunch there and–hey! Where did our groceries go? Ditch the old routine of scanning emptied bags at the checkout and opt for one-stop shopping at the Wine Discount Center’s A Night of Wine and Seafood. Sample more than 20 wines with eats like shrimp ceviche, crab cakes and tuna from Dirk’s Fish, then browse the store’s stock on a full stomach. 7:30 p.m. $45. 18261/2 N. Elston Ave. 773-489-3454.
———-
rkpalmore@tribune.com
