In celebration of the hot new Lionsgate's movie release, Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself, there will be a free Gospel celebration and everyone is invited. It is encouraged to bring your own lunches or carry-out from a local eatery to enjoy this fun hour of music. Print out this FLYER and bring it along with you to receive a 10% discount at the following Atrium Mall eateries inside the Thompson Center. You must have the FLYER printed out to get the discount. If you are unable to view the Flyer link above, the image with this event is clickable and printable. If you still have questions please e-mail for details.

Insider Info: Participating restaurants at the Thomson Center Atrium include Arby's, Burger King, Dairy Queen/Orange Julius, Dunkin Donuts, Jazzman Café, Kentucky Fried Chicken, New Orleans Kitchen, PINKYS, Pita Express, Pizza Hut Express, Sbarro's Italian Eatery, Simply to Go, Steak & Fries, Sub Connection, Taco Bell Express, Tokyo Lunch Box, Panda Express (10% off combos only), Bonjour Café, Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin Robbins, Ronny's Original Steakhouse, and Sweet Factory. Lunch is only good on September 9th and from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM; discount applies before taxes, and can't be combined with any other promotion. See Flyer for all details.

Growing up in Russia, moving to Austria, then Italy, and finally ending up in the Bronx may have seemed like quite a journey but not for this Indie singer. Regina Spektor and her unique music career are taking her on tour in over 50 cities and 10 countries. Regina defines herself in the musical category of "anti-Folk" by exploiting her impressive vocal range and creativity within her dynamic songs. She will be playing at the Chicago Theatre along with Little Joy this Saturday.

Insider Info: When I first saw Regina she came on stage wearing a bright pink ballerina's tutu and timidly addressed the audience to thank the 50-person audience for coming to her show. Although she has come a long way since then, her timid, shy, and infinitely creative personality is more pronounced on stage and in her lyrics. Regina is a must see. Tickets to this hot September Indie show are available here.

Hopefully it won't feel so bad when he starts reading his newly published book; It Feels So Good When I Stop. Serving as Joe Pernice's newest artistic platform this performance shines a well deserving light on the angst driven novel of the Grunge based Mid-90's personal confusion that still lingers in every subsequent generation. Veering slightly off from his Indie roots with his band, The Pernice Brothers, Joe is touring solo with a unique display of both literary and musical talents. He will be reading excerpts from It Feels So Good When I Stop and singing some songs that go along with the text, which SubPop Records President, Mr. Jonathan Poneman, reviews as "Quite a remarkable piece of writing. Acidic, profane and easily one of the most lethal and unrelentingly hilarious books that I have ever read." Joe Pernice has become a one (literate) man band of novel proportions.

Insider Info:  You can pre-order your copy of Joe Pernice's book, It Feels So Good When I Stop, through Powell's Books. It's a smaller giant than other well known retailers and provides the buyer a price of $18.16 per copy versus the suggested retail price of around $25.00. I suggest you read it ahead of time so you will seriously enjoy your evening and hopefully think to bring it with you to get your newest favorite book signed. Harmony Grill next door will give you a free Mini Mac-And-Cheese appetizer if you call to make reservations on the night of the show. Reading, Music, and Mac-And-Cheese? Oh My. Tickets to the performance are available here.

Frank Connet will be exhibiting Blue Divide: New Work In Indigo. This will be his third solo exhibition at the Douglas Dawson Gallery and it open's Friday September. 11th, from 5:30-7:30 PM. Connet's large scale works are fiber pieces hand dyed with indigo and walnuts. Abstract imagery is incorporated into his handmade fabric's, some of which will be stretched over a frame and hung as diptychs and triptychs. The pieces are larger than life with abstract geometric ovoids and irregular symmetrical shapes in deep indigo in the center and irregular vertical walnut stained curvilinear lines vibrating like shimmering reflection of light on water in the background of each piece. The exhibition runs through October 10th, 2009.

Insider Info: Friday September 11th kicks off the official Chicago gallery season with exhibitions opening in the River North and West Loop gallery districts. According to Rod Slemmons, the Director of the Museum of Modern Photography, "The idea of woven fabric is based on opposition in general and individual one on one thread conflict in particular. It fights itself for integrity. But most fabric is not thought of as idea but as function. When artists like Frank Connet are confronted with this distinction they often celebrate one side or the other—regulated control or loose conflict...Each step allows for more control but also can produce surprises that may lead to a different use of the hard won control. Here the metaphoric possibilities begin and ideas become visible."

Timeline's newest production, the 1947 Tony Award winner All My Sons, comes to us from none other than our high-school lit class favorite, Arthur Miller (Death of a Salesman, The Crucible). The production is about a middle class American family struggling in the wake of WWII. All My Sons’ exploration's of business ethics and family responsibility are, in director PJ Powers' words, a "timely conversation" given the current-day drama playing out in our daily news.

Insider Info: Note that All My Sons is performed at the Greenhouse Theater at 2257 Lincoln Ave, due to the extended run of Timeline's hit The History Boys (http://www.thechiguide.com/beta/event/ArtsAndCulture/The-History-Boys-At-Timeline-Theater-Co/) in the company's Wellington Avenue theater. And, after seeing this performance, I have a feeling this production could get extended as well. Free post-show discussions are held on Thursdays, September 3, 10, and 17; Sundays, September 6 and 20; and Wednesday, September 23, and a free hour-long post-show panel discussion with experts on the themes and issues of the play will be held on Sunday, September 13. Tickets to Timeline Theater shows are available here.

This is the grand re-opening of a favorite gallery, Dubhe Carreño, which closed in Pilsen in 2008. For me, it is especially welcome news and will be a treat for those not yet acquainted. Carreño specializes in contemporary ceramics and material based works, a relatively unusual focus among galleries in Chicago. Two very different, not-to-miss exhibitions are part of the gallery's grand re-opening as well as the start of the fall gallery season: Thomas Schmidt's S K I N, & Barbara Hashimoto's "The Junk Mail Experiment."

Insider Info: Thomas Schmidt's veil-thin, luminous ceramic pieces are created through various processes, such as photography and mold-making, and they are well-suited to Carreño’s new gallery. We encounter ceramics in many forms on a daily basis. It is refreshing to see them really as art complimenting Schmidt's show with Barbara Hashimoto's "The Junk Mail Experiment." Events taking place throughout the fall include real-time video-feeds via Skype of the Experiment that is also taking place in Paris. Note: Carreno's opening is timed to coincide with the opening of Chicago's fall gallery season. Dozens of galleries will be opening around the city, with free trolleys taking visitors between River North and the West Loop gallery districts.

Check out the brand new Old Town Social at GiveForward's celebration of their First birthday and Run for A Reason philanthropy at this "Party for a Reason."  Included in your ticket price is a two-hour open bar of specialty cocktails, vodka drinks, beer, and appetizers while mixing it up with young professionals who know how to have a good time. Proceeds go toward various charity partners of GiveForward.org, a new Chicago-based social venture expanding the concept of online fundraising.

Insider Info: The day before I left the Gold Coast to move to the South Loop, I was strolling with my posse down North Avenue when we saw two attractive gentleman working on their carpentry skills while affixing rich-looking wood panels to the side of Old Town Social. So, we snuck a quick peek inside where we saw fireplaces and an overall homey and rustic feeling space. While I'm not certain that its somewhere I want to spend these last few 70+ degree weekends, I am sure I will want to warm myself up here as the weather turns. Tickets to this event are available here.

The REAL TV to talk about this fall is the premiere of Gossip Girl season 3 scheduled for September 14th on the CW. In celebration of this much anticipated season premiere get the party started at Chicago's distinguished establishment, The Red Canary, for an experience befitting even Chuck Bass. YouKnowYouLoveFashion.com invites you to indulge in appetizers and cocktails at this gastro-lounge while engaging in a fashion show featuring styles inspired by Gossip Girl's unmistakable styles.

Insider Info: Watch the season premiere of Gossip Girl season three in Red Canary's decadent private room during this event. So you know where this season begins brush off the cobb webs from this summer and get up to speed on where last season left off with this GG recap. Get your tickets to this Fashionable Gossip event. TTYL.

Are you tired of worn-out come-ons and let-downs? Dave & Buster's has a sweet spin on Speed Dating…with a twist! Start the night with a FANTASTIC comedy show presented by Gutana Entertainment - perfectly delicious Chicago Comedy designed to help you break the ice. Several quick dates will be a piece of cake after laughing together through this musical interpretation of what speed dating is all about. Sign-up to meet amazing eligible singles and engage in super-fun games at this full-service Speed Dating Event in a fun, casual environment.

Insider Info: This gathering will be held in the Showroom Lounge @ D&B's. Let the organizers handle the introductions; you just need to bring your A-game and sense of humor. Seating is limited to this event so call to reserve your spot today at 312-943-5151. Tickets are also available online.

The annual Renegade Craft Fair is a DIY fair and known to be the ultimate destination to discover one-of-a-kind pieces. The fair displays everything from knitting, jewelry, comics, paper goods, and anything else a person can create. Over 300 artists from across the country will descend on Wicker Park to sell their handmade goods at the 7th Annual Wicker Park area Renagade Craft Fair. Enjoy the sounds of the Brass and Reed group, the Black Bear Combo, as they provide music for the event. MANA Food Bar and Big Bite Catering will host the events food and beverage booths. This fair takes place on Division between Damen and Paulina.

Insider Info: For a little Renegade pre-party, head over to the Renegade Homemade store on September 11 from 6:00 – 9:00 PM. Be sure to check out the unveiling of the new storefront mural by an Indie craft artist. Stop in the store from September 7 through 11 and view the mini-gallery that highlights different craftspeople from across the country.

Put on your kilt and join your fellow lads and lassies for the 13th Annual Celtic Fest Chicago. Celebrate the culture of the seven ancient Celtic nations with music, entertainment and, of course, booze. Enjoy the daily bagpipe parade and sheep herding demonstrations at Butler Field from Noon to 2:00 PM. The popular 16 person group, Leahy and Gaelic Storm, will headline the festival at the Petrillo Music Shell with a performance on Saturday at 7:30 PM. Once you're all tired out from the many activities at the festival stop by the Blarney Stop Beer Tent or the Coffee & Tea Garden for some Celtic refreshment. Bringing wee ones along with you? The Celtic Cultural Tent will have storytellers and a play area.

Insider Info: Who looks better in a kilt, you or Mel Gibson? Brave men can enter the Men in Kilts contest to show off their legs in kilts on Saturday at 5:20 p.m. at the Celtic Crossroads stage. Registration is from 12:00 to 4:00 PM at the media tent. This is one of the most popular attractions at the festival so be sure to sign up early.

An event for social media involved people and those who want to learn more about Twitter & Social Media. Join Chicago as one of the 100+ cities around the world hosting Twestivals to bring communities together for an evening of fun while raising awareness of local Charities. This is known as Tweet Networking. Tweet Networking is an opportunity that bridges the gap between online conversations and offline networking by creating a space where like-minded young professionals can connect.

Insider Info: During the event you'll have the option of sitting down with 4-5 people to ask questions about Twitter, exchange ideas, and make some valuable connections. Joining in one of these groups is optional and on-site facilitators will check with people throughout the night to set them up; each one will last 7-8 minutes. With your suggested $10 donation at the door, both drinks (alcohol/non-alcohol) and food are included. Follow TheChiGuide.com on twitter here.