THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

**** Anna in the Tropics the first Chicago production by acclaimed Cuban-American playwright Nilo Cruz is a lush romantic drama about Cuban-American cigar factory workers in 1920's Florida. Features Charin Alvarez (Conchita), Sandra Delgado (Marela), Ricardo Gutierrez (Cheche), Sandra Marquez (Ofelia), Dale Rivera (Juan Julian), Gustavo Mellado (Santiago) and Edie Torres (Palomo).Awarded the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. extended thru Oct. 31. Immediately following, Victory Gardens will transfer Anna in the Tropics downtown, for an additional one-month run at the Goodman Theatre,170 N.Dearborn Nov. 7-30 tix (312) 443-3800 or www.victorygardens.org

Maria Chronicles, The the third new play written and developed by the all female ensemble. Illustrates that truth is stranger than fiction, especially when you're a Latina trying to make a living as an actress in Chicago. Based on the real-life experiences of nine Latina actresses, offers a cheeky look at the entertainment industry from a Latina point-of-view. Thru Nov 23 Teatro Luna 556 W. 18th St (312) 829-7552

Mexican Wrestling MacBeth Homage to Mexican Monster Cinema from the 50s and 60s. A film director of monster movies attempts to direct the very first Mexican Shakespearean cinema, he can only get financial backing by casting Mexican Wrestlers in all the roles. Arch rivals of the ring battle it out for top billing in the movie, the Lady Mexican Wrestlers send folding chairs flying through the air and practice Ancient Aztec black Magic Blood Sacrifices in their attempts to secure the most coveted role of first Mexican Lady MacBeth 11pm. Thru Nov 1. Bailiwick Arts Ctr 1229 W. Belmont (773) 883-1090 www.bailiwick.org

**** Veracruz Cirque de Salsation all new sketch comedy revue by Chicago's original Latino comedy ensemble. Honors the spectacle of Cirque du Soleil's Varekai and Mexico's oldest and grandest port, Veracruz with a dash of the surrealism of Dali. Thru Nov 22 Teatro Luna 556 W. 18th St. (312) 670-8496

DANCE

Ballet Nacional De Cuba mixed repertory program. Oct 31 thru Nov 2 Auditorium Thtr (312) 922-2110

Luna Negra Dance Theater a fall concert of repertory works Nov 6 thru 9 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts 1016 N Dearborn (312) 337-6882

Mexican Fine Arts Ctr Museum Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles The nation's first all-female mariachi group. This band is comprised of versatile, uniquely creative young women who, within a short time, have dazzled thousands and made appearances everywhere from the Hollywood Bowl to the New Mexico State Fair. Nov 10 at the Harris Thtr for Music and Dance, 205 E Randolph in Millennium Park. (312) 629-8696

Tango Passion Exhilarating Argentinian dance, born in Buenos Aires: the dance of love and seduction. Paramount Arts Ctr Aurora (630) 896-666

ART

**** Aldo Castillo Gallery Marcos Raya The Unreal World. Raya was born in 1948 in Irapuato, Mexico, and moved to Chicago in 1964. His paintings, collages and installations bring together old and new works in a variety of media that explores the sociological impact of technological change, with an idiosyncratic hybrid of Mexican folklore and American pop culture, influenced by Dada and Surrealism, infused with elements of Chicago-style pop-expressionism and Rascuachismo. His work is permanently at the Museum of Contemporary Art, The Smart Museum of Art, University of Chicago, Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum of Chicago and The Menil Collection in Houston. Nov 21 thru Jan 31. 233 W. Huron St. (312) 337-2536 www.artaldo.com/

Art Institute of Chicago Meant to call attention to the collection by Chicago collectors of Spanish art even while Italian, French and Dutch masters of the early 20th century were popular. Also on view in gallery 215, Assumption of the Virgin. See gallery 156, 207, 217 and 219 for other notables. Faces, Places and Inner Spaces for young people, major woks of art from around the globe and through the centuries. Africa, China, Mexico and more. Scheduled to run thru 2006. Gauguin Drawing and Print Show thru Jan 11. 111 S Michigan. (312) 443-3600.

Columbia College's C33 Space Gallery Iconos and Hematomas: design culture in Post Latin America group art exhibition featuring the works of Pop Illustrator Carlos Aponte and the graphic design group Colectivo Hematoma, Aponte is a New York based Puerto Rican artist and creator of the award winning satirical Icons of the Poplar Culture of Puerto Rico and Other Stereotypes. Colectivo Hematoma is seventeen of Guadalajara, Mexico's most talented graphic designers. Thru Nov 21. 33 E Congress (312) 344-7812

Galería Tinta Roja, Institute of Puerto Rican Arts/ Culture present Puerto Rico and Colombia: Caribbean Connection, a multi-media arts exhibit, on the Caribbean Sea as agent for artisitc, cultural exchange among similar but diverse countries by extending this exchange to the community of Chicago. Five Colombian and five Puerto Rican artists in Chicago, showcase work in a variety of mediums: Natalia Castro, Andrés Duque, Lisandra Cruz, Alberto González González, Javier Lara, Kata Mejía, Raul Ortiz, Edra Soto, Brenda Torres and Luis Fernando Uribe. Galería Tinta Roja, 2701 West Division St 773.384.4767 www.iprac.org

Havana Gallery The gallery features art by contemporary artists living in Cuba, a variety of styles, including portraiture, abstraction, Surrealism and landscape. Havana Gallery is able to promote Cuban art in the United States thanks to a recent Supreme Court decision that allows cultural exchange between the U.S. and Cuba and allowing generation of much-needed funds for artists on the island 1139 W Webster Ave. (773) 549-2492, HavanaGallery@aol.com, www.havanagallery.com/

**** Las Manos Gallery 5220 N Clark St (773) 728-8910 Fri thru Mon, 12 - 5pm

Mexican Fine Arts Ctr Seventeenth Annual Dia de Muertos Exhibition: Reflections of the Soul, the nation's largest Dia de Muertos/Day of the Dead exhibition, commemorates tradition with roots in teh Ancient religious ritual of the indigenous people of Mexico and the religious beliefs o the spanish, solemn as a holy day and with the spirit and humor or a family reunion celebrated throughout Mexico on Nov 1 and 2 with paintings, mixed media, sculpture, photography and folk art. Many public events hru Dec 14. Mexican Fine Arts Center 1852 W 19th St (312) 738-1503 www.mfacmcicago.org