Friday 8/9 – Thursday 8/15
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10 SATURDAY The Chinese Dragon Boat Festival commemorates the death of poet Ch’u Yuan, a patriot from the state of Ch’u who, for political reasons, was expelled from his homeland 2,300 years ago. The exiled poet, still loyal to the king who’d betrayed him, drowned himself when he learned the state was about to fall into enemy hands. Local citizens took to the river in boats to stop him, but they arrived too late, and in their anguish they threw bamboo shoots filled with rice into the water. Now the annual festival features dragon boat races and snacks of sticky rice and red beans. Each boat in today’s series of 300-yard races carries a crew of 20–18 paddlers, one drummer, and a flag bearer–and is decorated with a dragon’s head at the prow. The free event also includes food and entertainment and runs from 9 to 5 at Ping Tom Memorial Park, 300 W. 19th St.; call 312-326-5320.
14 WEDNESDAY Oak Park native Jim Goulding started working as a runner at the Chicago Board of Trade when he was 17 and quickly became a million-dollar T-bond broker addicted to the good life. He also became, soon enough, addicted to alcohol and cocaine, and tried to kill himself several times before he hit 27. A round of intensive therapy helped him recover, although he says AA also “played a small role.” His therapist advised him to keep a journal, which he’s now spun into his self-published memoir, From the Pits to the Pits. Goulding–who’s been sober 11 years and is now back on the floor at the CBOT–will discuss his book tonight at 7:30 at Borders Books & Music, 1500 16th in Oak Brook. It’s free; call 630-574-0800.
