THURSDAY FREEBIE
‘Wordy’ to the wise
Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St. 312-747-4396.
Get a humorous take on politics and Puritanism with author Sarah Vowell. The public radio regular discusses and signs copies of her new book “The Wordy Shipmates” and explores the roots of the country’s current predicaments.
6 p.m.
thu 23
What a feeling
Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club, 3700 N. Halsted St. 773-525-1111.
Tease up your bangs, rip the neck out of your sweatshirt and head to ’80s Flashback Night where “Top Gun” plays on five jumbo screens, the Kit Kat Divas perform as ’80s pop stars, and retro items dot the menu. Includes half-price bottles of wine with the purchase of two entrees. 7 p.m. No cover.
Hops to it
Maeve, 1325 W. Wrightwood Ave. 773-388-3333.
Looking for a good fall brew to stave off fall chills? Hoppy goodness abounds at the Oktoberfest Beer Tasting, featuring more than 20 seasonal offerings from around the world, such as Brooklyn Brewery’s Post Road Pumpkin Ale and Kiuchi Brewery’s Hitachino Nest Beer paired with brats, cheeses and gourmet pretzels. 7 p.m. $20.
fri 24
Shine on
1520 N. Milwaukee Ave. 312-972-1291.
Polish up a lackluster wardrobe at the High Gloss Sample Sale, which features 50-80 percent discounts on samples and overstock for men and women from local, national and European clothing companies, including Chaiken, Lipstick Prophets and California Shirts. Friday’s kickoff includes desserts and complimentary salon touch-ups such as brow-shaping. 4 p.m. Through Sunday. Free.
sat 25
Weird science
International Museum of Surgical Science, 1524 N. Lake Shore Drive. 312-642-6502.
For site-specific Halloween fun, head to the second annual Eat, Drink and Be Scary — for Charity costume party, where you can peek at the original plaster cast of Napoleon’s death mask and other exhibits. Includes cocktails, appetizers and costume contests. 7:30 p.m. $75-$85. Proceeds benefit Normal Moments and The Foundation for Community Betterment. Tickets: communitybetterment.org
sun 26
Mars attacks!
Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-871-3000.
Commemorate the 70th anniversary of “shock radio” at a storytelling-radio mashup, “Martian Invasion: Decoding the War of the Worlds.” Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich, hosts of the radio show “Radio Lab,” combine first-person storytelling with old-time clipsin an exploration of Orson Welles’ 1938 “War of the Worlds” broadcast. Zoe Keating, formerly of cello rock group Rasputina, provides accompaniment. 7:30 p.m. $30. Tickets: victorygardens.org/radiolab
