Friday 5/4 – Thursday 5/10
5 SATURDAY In the 1950s Thomas E. Warner’s father, who suffered from sickle-cell anemia, lived in Alabama and had trouble getting transfusions because of restricted blood allotments for African-Americans. Warner lived in Chicago and worked at Michael Reese Hospital; when the hospital got wind of his father’s situation it arranged to fly blood down south. Warner’s mother would pick it up at the airport and take it to his father in the hospital. His father passed away in 1963; in 1971 Warner’s wife, Dolores, founded the Michael Reese chapter of the Sickle Cell Anemia Volunteer Enterprise to benefit the hospital’s hematology-oncology department. Tonight it’ll hold a benefit called Bringing Jazz to the South Side of Chicago, Cabaret Style. It starts at 6 with a carnival and card games; live entertainment, including a magician, the Crosswind Band, and DJ Luther, starts at 8; the steppin’ begins at 9:30 at the hospital’s Rothschild Pavilion, 2816 S. Ellis. Tickets are $30; call 312-791-2231 for reservations.
Best of Chicago voting is live now. Vote for your favorites »
9 WEDNESDAY In August the city will host Ladyfest Midwest Chicago, a four-day showcase of women’s art, music, performance, and activism. Over the past few months organizers have been holding a slew of benefits; tonight’s film and video fund-raiser will feature work by local artists, including Kate Horsfield’s Queers and Steers, Sadie Benning’s Aerobicide, excerpts from Mary Patten’s Riot Grrrandmas!!!, and many others. There will also be a bake sale and a live performance by filmmaker and puppeteer Laura Heit. It all starts at 8 at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia. Admission is $5; you must be 21 (773-227-4433).
