Testing, testing: Test Positive Aware Network ( TPAN ) has expanded testing hours using the 20-minute OraQuick Rapid HIV Oral Test. HIV-testing hours are Mondays, 2-8 p.m.; Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thursdays, 2-8 p.m.; and Fridays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. ( Other times by appointment. ) Contact Nick Branock at 773-989-9400.
Laughs for a cause: The all-female troupe SpitFire Comedy will present a benefit show for The Endometriosis Association at T's, 5025 N. Clark, on Wed., March 14, at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. Call Kristy Mangel at 219-916-1710 for more information.
Rushdie hour: As part of the Story Week Festival of Writers 2007, sponsored by the Fiction Writing Department of Columbia College Chicago, acclaimed writer Salman Rushdie will appear on Wed., March 14, at 6 p.m. at the Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State. Call 312-747-4050 or see www.ChicagoPublicLibrary.org .
Great Scot's: The works of gay artists Travis and Michael Mitz will be showcased on Fri., March 16, 6-10 p.m., at Scot's, 1829 W. Montrose. During this evening, the works of these two artists will be for sale. ( It is the second of the Gay and Lesbian Artist Network-Chicago's 'contrast' series featuring artists of different styles. ) Call 773-528-3253.
Taboo-tiful: The 16th Annual International Vintage Poster Fair—with the theme 'Art of Taboo'—will take place Fri.-Sun., March 16-18, at Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph. A weekend ticket is $15; the March 16 preview party is $45 for the public. Call 800-856-8069, e-mail posterfair@earthlink.net or see www.posterfair.com .
Variety is the spice of life: Roosevelt University's RU Proud, an LGBTQA organization, will host a variety show benefit competition on Wed., March 21, 7-9:30 p.m., at 430 S. Michigan, 2nd floor. There is a $10 donation.E-mail ruproudclub@yahoogroups.com .
GLANCe fever: GLANCe—the Gay and Lesbian Artist Network-Chicago—will hold its monthly meeting on Wed., March 21, at the Merlo Library, 644 W. Belmont, 7-8:45 p.m. E-mail dan@zagotta.net for more info.
That's 'wife': Pulitzer-Prize winning poet Claudia Emerson will read from her celebrated collection, Late Wife, as well as from other works on Wed., March 21, at 6:30 p.m. in the School of the Art Institute of Chicago Ballroom, 112 S. Michigan. Admission is $10; $8 for students; and free for SAIC students, faculty and staff. Call 312 899-1229.
Hoe-ing the line: The Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe will host its third annual Job Fair on Fri., March 23, 10 a m.-4 p.m. The garden is seeking to fill 170 full and part–time seasonal positions in areas such as horticulture, plant production, plant health care and visitor services. See www.chicagobotanic.org/jobs.
Ape of good hope: Renowned chimp expert Dr. Jane Goodall will present 'Inside the Mind of the Chimpanzee' at the Navy Pier Grand Ballroom, 600 E. Grand, on Sun., March 25, 2-5 p.m. Tickets are $20 each. See www.LPZoo.org for more info.
A real zoo: Human Rights Campaign-Chicago Families with Children will present 'Easter at Brookfield Zoo' on Sun., March 25, 12:30-5 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults; $6 for children ages 3-11; and free for those under 3. E-mail diversity@hrc.org or shawn@coumbe.net .
Gull crazy: Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark, will host Anton Chekhov's The Sea Gull ( as directed by Michael Menendian ) on March 25-May 27. Tickets are $15-$25. Call 773-338-2177, or visit www.ticketweb.com or www.RavenTheatre.com .
One voice: South African singer Vusi Mahlasela—known as 'The Voice'—will perform at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington, on Tues., March 27, at 7 p.m. See www.ChicagoCulturalCenter.org .
The mingle life: The Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is hosting a mix-and-mingle networking event at The Spot, 4437 N. Broadway, on Thurs., March 29, 6-9 p.m. Tickets are $20 for members and $30 for non-members. See www.glchamber.org .
So Goode: The Joe Goode Performance Group will perform at the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, 1306 S. Michigan, on Thurs.-Sat., March 29-31, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $22-$26. Call 312-344-8300 or see www.dancecenter.org .
Eggs-actly: The Lakeview Chamber of Commerce will host The 2nd Annual Eggstravaganza, which features an Easter egg hunt, on Sun., April 1, 12-3 p.m., at Sheil Park, 3505 N. Southport. See www.LakeviewChamber.com .
Being Frank: Steppenwolf, 1650 N. Halsted, will show The Diary of Anne Frank on Tues., April 17-Sun., June 10. Tickets are $20-$65. See www.steppenwolf.org .
To market we go: The National Alliance of Market Developers is hosting its 55th annual conference, 'Marketing Black, Investing Smart in a Global Economy,' on Thurs.-Sun., April 19-22, at the Westin Chicago River North, 320 N. Dearborn. See www.namdchicago.org .
All that jazz: The Preservation Hall Jazz Band will perform at the Centre East Stage at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie on Sat., April 21, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $45 each and can be purchased by calling 847-673-6300 or visiting www.centreeast.org .
Picture this: 'Inside Out: Photographs by Iraqi Civilians and Farah Nosh,' a photo exhibit from wartime Iraq, will run through Fri., April 27, at Roosevelt University's Gage Gallery, 18 S. Michigan. Call 312-341-6458.
