MON 2/21
The new Black
If you were ROFL through the July 17 premiere of Comedy Central’s new “Reality Bites Back” show, here’s your chance to tell host Michael Ian Black how much you enjoyed it. The humorist reads from and signs copies of his new book, “My Custom Van: And 50 Other Mind-Blowing Essays that will Blow Your Mind All Over Your Face.” Noon. Free. Books-A-Million,
144 S. Clark St. 312-857-0613.
Speak up
Got a fresh and fearless tale to tell? (Maybe even one about last weekend?) Throw down with other local performance poets and spoken word artists at the Mental Graffiti Poetry Set. Build up some courage for the open mic with $3 domestic beers and $5 vodka cocktails. After you sound off, sit back for a competition between slam teams from Mental Graffiti, The Green Mill and The Chicago All-Stars. 7:30 p.m. $5. Funky Buddha Lounge,
728 W. Grand Ave. 312-666-1695.
TUE 7/25
Grant Park lark
Sure, you can curl up at home with Netflix, but we’ve got a better idea: Grab a blanket and watch the 1968 classic comedy “The Odd Couple” under the stars at the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival. Reserve a take-away gourmet picnic from Chicago Firehouse Restaurant (1401 S. Michigan Ave. 312-786-1401, $49.95 for two, call one day ahead) and stop by the Metromix booth for giveaways and newsletter sign-ups. 8:51 p.m. Free. Butler Field, Grant Park,
100 S. Lake Shore Drive.
312-744-3315.
Who’s the boss-a
With airfares skyrocketing, it may be awhile before you can get your tall, bronzed, young, lovely self to Rio. But you can step (OK, sway) back into 1960s Brazilian cafe society at Twilight on the Rooftop, which features a bossa nova dance lesson with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and DJ Robyn Mineko Williams. Includes appetizers, tastings from nine Napa Valley and Sonoma vineyards, raffles and a silent auction. 7 p.m. $75-$125. East Bank Club rooftop, 500 N. Kingsbury St. 312-850-9744. Tickets: hubbardstreetdance.com
Simply margalous
Is the summer heat dehydrating your love life? Revive your romantic prospects (and your parched palate) at Margarita Madness, a singles mixer featuring a margarita and Finlandia vodka tasting (7-8 p.m.). Too shy to introduce yourself? Hosts will pair you up for icebreaker games and other activities. 7 p.m. No cover. Moe’s Cantina, 3518 N. Clark St. 312-335-9596.
THU 7/24
All booked up
Stock up on summer beach reading at Newberry Library’s 24th Annual Book Fair, where you can browse more than 100,000 books in 60 categories, with topics ranging from antiques to zoology. Already blown your beach budget on bikinis or Speedos? No worries; many of the books cost $2 or less. Noon. Through Sunday. Free. 60 W. Walton St. 312-255-3510.
———-
metromix@tribune.com
