Friday 1
Patti Filardi was on her way to visit her grandfather last October when two men stepped out of the shadows, stabbed her, took $30, and left her for dead. When it was over, she was left paralyzed from the neck down. Although she’s regained some movement in her arms, neck, and wrists, Filardi is still dependent on others to get around. The Friends of Patti Filardi want to raise $25,000 to get her a handicapped van and an electric wheelchair. Today’s benefit in the terrace at Wrigley Field, 1060 W. Addison, includes a full buffet and an open bar. Admission is $25. Raffle tickets are $1; prizes include a weekend at the Drake Hotel with dinner at Bistro 110. The silent auction features a baseball signed by the Cubs, a basketball signed by Michael Jordan, a hockey stick signed by the Hawks, paintings by local artists, and more weekend hotel packages. Filardi, who friends say is in great spirits, will be there. It all starts at 4 PM. Call 708-518-0435.
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Local jazz pianists Mike Kocour and Brad Williams take the stage Mondays and Tuesdays at the Gold Star Sardine Bar, 680 N. Lake Shore Drive. Kocour, a Rogers Park native, seems to prefer more traditional Porter and Gershwin tunes, while Williams has been known to wander into more progressive songbooks and occasionally into an improv set or two. Kocour has the stage on Monday, Williams on Tuesday. Music starts at 7. There’s no cover, but you’ve got to buy one drink. Call 664-4215.
Ever since its inception, the Independent Voters of Illinois-Independent Precinct Organization has been of a liberal bent, landing most of its endorsements in the Democratic column. But the emergence of Jim Edgar, a prochoice and often progressive Republican, has caused a major uproar in IVI-IPO’s sensitive ranks. The membership might actually endorse Edgar later this summer, unless–as some of Edgar’s supporters predict–Dem candidate Neil Hartigan manages to stack the endorsement session. You can watch the machinations for all this tonight when, for the first time since 1972, both of the major-party candidates will be present at the group’s annual Independents Day Dinner. The gala starts at 6 at the Great Hall of the Congress Hotel, 520 S. Michigan. Tickets are $60. Call 663-4203.
