Friday 8/4 – Thursday 8/10
You might know British actor Michael York from his recent role as British Intelligence agent Basil Exposition in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. But he’s also an acclaimed Shakespearean actor of both stage and screen and a writer to boot. His new book, A Shakespearean Actor Prepares, cowritten with Adrian Brine, “points out the sources of energy in [Shakespeare’s] plays, which, if tapped, will galvanize an actor’s fantasy and liberate his talent.” York will explain further tonight at 7 at Barbara’s Bookstore, 1350 N. Wells (312-642-5044). It’s free.
Best of Chicago voting is live now. Vote for your favorites »
5 SATURDAY Chicago was home to over 145 breweries at the turn of the last century. “Different ethnicities catered to their own folks,” says National Association of Breweriana Advertising president Norman Jay. “People would go down to their bar or brewery with pails that they would fill up and bring it home.” The breweries began to disappear with the advent of refrigeration and long-haul trucking, but the stuff they left behind–beer steins, trays, postcards, cans, tap knobs, foam scrapers–are popular collectibles; Jay himself has some 255 signs and 3,200 can openers in his west-suburban home. This weekend the NABA holds its annual convention in Chicago; the normally members-only event will be open to the public to buy, sell, and trade memorabilia today from 10 to 3. It’s at the Holiday Inn, 1801 N. Naper in Naperville. It’s free. Call 630-690-1565 for more.
7 MONDAY Most Chicago Hash House Harrier runs consist of three to seven miles on an urban trail blazed–in chalk–by a designated human “hare.” A pack of hungry “hounds” follow said trail as best they can, either walking or running. At the finish line hare and hounds unite for socializing, games, awards, and libations. Tonight’s race is unique in that hashers are invited to bring their real hounds. The “drinking club with a running problem” meets at 7 at Durkin’s, 810 W. Diversey. It’s $5; you must be 21 to participate. Call 312-409-2337 for more.
