Friday 21
You’re likely to hear some “Dump Dan” grumbling at the Gray Panthers’ eighth annual garage sale today. The seniors are mad at Congressman Rostenkowski, whose Ways and Means Committee put together the Catastrophic Illness Act, the controversial Medicare bill that makes seniors responsible for the financing of their catastrophic care. Last year the Panthers’ books, kitchen utensils, dishes, electrical appliances, and other household items brought in more than $ 1,000. They hope to do even better this year; the proceeds are earmarked to fight the way the bill is funded. The sale runs from 10 to 7 today and tomorrow at 2144 N. Fremont–smack in the middle of the Sheffield neighborhood’s 21st annual House and Garden Walk, which features music and other entertainment. For more information on the garage sale call 663-9093.
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Monday 24
The Los Angeles-spawned Improv comedy club didn’t exactly endear itself to Chicagoans when, shortly after opening its local franchise, it went after Charna Halpern’s homegrown ImprovOlympic for copyright infringement–the California guys claimed they owned the word “improv.” They hired lawyers, sent letters, and made all sorts of ugly noises. But after the local media came to Halpern’s defense, the threats quietly disappeared. Improv has been on good behavior ever since. It offers top national acts such as Michael Coylar and Gerry Swallow, who appear tonight. Show time is 8 Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; 8 and 10:30 Friday; and 7, 9:30, and 11:45 Saturday. Admission is $8.50, $10 on the weekends. There’s also a two-drink minimum. The club’s at 504 N. Wells. Call 782-6387.
Like so much other antiapartheid art, the film Mapantsula is banned in its native South Africa. But its fine portrait of the gradual politicization of a small-time crook made it the first South African film to be invited to the Cannes Film Festival. The Blacklight Film Festival sponsors its Chicago debut tonight at Facets Multimedia, 1517 W. Fullerton, as a benefit for the Free South Africa Movement; tickets are $10. The film will run through August 10; show tunes are 7 and 9 Friday, Saturday, and Monday through Thursday; 5:30 and 7:30 Sunday. Admission is $5, $3 for members. 281-4114.
