TUE 8/29
Territory tutorial
Don’t know your tostones from your tortillas? Get a taste of Puerto Rico at Presencia Puertorriquena, a five-day celebration of island culture. Highlights include traditional eats from Latin American Restaurant (2743 W. Division St.), plus artwork and jewelry. 8 a.m. through Friday. Free. Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St. 773-365-0071.
Revenge of the nerds
Everybody loves a pretty face, but smarts are truly sexy. Unleash your inner geek alongside other brainy acts at a Nerds at Heart singles event. You can go head-to-head in a trivia competition or show off your moves over a board game–but please, leave the pocket protector at home. Includes a drink. 7 p.m. $10. Registration: nerdsatheart.com. Guthrie’s Tavern, 1300 W. Addison St. 312-351-3285.
Stage re-name
Botox. Implants. Tummy tucks. Showbiz success is all about reinvention. Be there when Victory Gardens Theater takes a cue from Hollywood and inaugurates a new name at the Victory Gardens Greenhouse Open House. You’ll also get a sneak peek at the 2006-07 season when new resident companies About Face, Eclipse, M’PAACT, Remy Bumppo and Shattered Globe perform excerpts from upcoming productions. RSVP for free acting demos and a chance to win a free acting class. 6 p.m. Free. Victory Gardens Greenhouse, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-549-5788, ext. 102.
Nice grill!
Burned out on brats? Put down those tongs and pop open a bottle of bubbly at W Happenings: Bubble-Q, an upscale back-yard barbecue where sparkling wines and grilled Tuscan specialties stand in for burgers and Buds. Wine reps will be on hand to answer questions. 5:30 p.m. Free. ristorante we, 172 W. Adams St. 312-332-1200.
WED 8/30
Simply dashing
Ladies, we see you sweating it out alongside the guys in the rat race every day. It’s only fair you set aside some of your leisure time for Fleet Feet’s Women’s Fun Run/Walk. Join other fit females for an afterwork jaunt along the riverfront path, then cool down with complimentary refreshments while you take in a strength-training seminar for runners led by experts from Bally Total Fitness. 6:30 p.m. run; 7:45 p.m. seminar. Free. Fleet Feet Sports, 4555 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-271-3338.
Slither, sisters
Don’t let the week sneak by without getting in at least one rock ‘n’ roll night. Slide past the midweek hump to the rhythms of DJ Andrew Vonn at West Town hang Cobra Lounge, where you can wrap your hands around drink specials like $3 Jameson cocktails and $3 Guinness and Bass pints. No cover. 235 N. Ashland Ave. 312-226-6300.
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KPRATT @TRIBUNE.COM
