Coffee talk: The Public Square at the IHC's Café Society and Intelligentsia Coffee, 3123 N. Broadway, are giving away free drinks to attendees at its Tuesday discussions ( at 7:30 p.m. ) on timely topics. Other weekly locations include Pause Cafe, 1107 W. Berwyn, and Valois, 1518 E. 53rd. See www.ThePublicSquare.org .
Hungry eyes: The Flesh Hungry Dog Show will take place Fri., Sept. 7, at Jackhammer, 6406 N. Clark, with The Joans, Das Kapital and the Sass Dragons. Call 773-743-5772.
A garde day's night: In honor on Hispanic Heritage Month, the Aldo Castillo Gallery, 675 N. Franklin, will unveil the new works of Latin American avant-garde artist Ignacio Gana on Fri., Sept. 7, 5:30-8:30 p.m. ( His works will be shown through Mon., Oct. 8. ) Call 312-337-2536 or see www.artaldo.com .
Wine and dine: On Fri., Sept. 7-Sat., Sept. 8, the Windy City Wine Festival—complete with more than 250 fine wines from across the globe—will take place at Daley Bicentennial Plaza in Grant Park, 337 E. Randolph. Tickets are $25. Visit www.windycitywinefestival.com or call 847-382-1480.
Sale away: Gerber/Hart Library, 1127 W. Granville, will hold its back-to-school book sale Fri., Sept. 7-Sun., Sept. 16. See www.GerberHart.org for more info.
Stars in their eyes: Lyric Opera of Chicago will present a star-studded free outdoor concert as its pre-season gift to the city on Sat., Sept. 8, at 7:30 p.m. in Millennium Park. Music Director Sir Andrew Davis will conduct Isabel Bayrakdarian, Elizabeth De Shong, Bryan Griffin and Stacey Tappan, among others, in arias and ensembles with the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus ( preparation by Chorus Master Donald Nally ) .
On 'affirm' ground: 'Reconciling Journey—Affirming Devotional Study for GLBT Christians' will take place Sun., Sept. 9, at Ministry Cabin, 4025-A Route 34, Oswego, 6:30-8 p.m. Visit www.GLBTChristian.org .
On the edge: 'The Art of Edge,' a group art show, will take place Sat., Sept. 15, at the Milwaukee Gay Arts Center ( in collaboration with Leather Archives & Museum ) , 703 S. 2nd, Milwaukee, Wis., 8 p.m.-12 a.m. Call 414-383-3727.
Moving and grooving: The Chicago Park District, in partnership with Deeply Rooted Productions, will present 'Community Rhythms III: A Dance Festival in the Park' on Sat., Sept. 15 at the South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. South Shore. ( Registration is at 9 a.m.; all ages are welcome. ) Dance genres to be explored will include tap, ballet, African, hip-hop, pilates, praise dance, jazz, belly dancing, steppin' and Latin. Admission is $5. See www.ChicagoParkDistrict.com .