Dora McAlpin-Zeeks, a 42-year-old mother from Odenton, Md., penned a gay-themed work and triumphed over 200 other writers to win a novel-writing contest at one of the Web's most popular writing sites, TheNextBigWriter.com . McAlpin-Zeeks ( pen name: Ivey Banks ) won $5,000 for Out Of The Dark, which revolves around Thorn MacDonnell, a talented boy diagnosed with HIV and leukemia who becomes romantically involved with one of his male teachers.
Move your body: The Chicago Human Rhythm Project will present 'Rhythm World: Cutting Contest' on Thurs., Aug. 3, at Northwestern University's Wallis Theater, 20 Arts Circle, Evanston. ( The whole Rhythm World Festival takes place July 24-Aug. 6. ) See www.chicagotap.org or call 773-281-1825.
Story days: The 7th Annual Skald Storytelling Competition will take place at the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph, on Mon.-Sat., July 24-29. See www.wneptheater.org or call 312-742-TIXS for info and tickets.
Dance fever: It's Thursday, the only outdoor dance floor north of downtown Chicago, will be a six-week series of music and dance nights at the 909 Davis Plaza, Maple Avenue and Church Street ( at the Davis el stop ) , Evanston, from July 20-Aug. 24. Styles will inclue salsa and swing. See www.evmark.org .
All the world's a page: Women and Children First, 5233 N. Clark, will be holding a used book sale Sat. and Sun., Aug. 5-6, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Women's Voices Fund, the not-for-profit programming arm of Women & Children First. Call 773-769-9299.
Revealing: Plan B Gallery, 7453 W. Madison, Forest Park, will present a reception for 'Reveal,' an art show promising 'unconventional landscapes in a traditional manner,' on Fri., July 28, 5-9 p.m. ( The show runs July 29-Aug. 27. ) See www.plan-bgallery.com or call 708-488-1833.
The warrior within: ADODI National presents 'A Celebration of 20 Years of ADODI: The Principled ADODI Warrior,' a retreat that will take place in Reisterstown, Md., Wed.-Sun., Aug. 2-6. Individual fees range from $450-$500 depending on time of payment. Call Larry Rogers about payment arrangements at 773-274-4093 or Paul Smith at paulmsmith@yahoo.com for more info. Also, see adodichicago.org/id6.html .
