P@rty: Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington, kicks off Chicago Artists Month by hosting @rtNight on Thurs., Sept. 28, 6-9 p.m. The works of artists DZine, photographer Jonas Dovydenas and sculptor Paul Kass will be on display. Admission is $15 in advance and $25 the day of the event. Call 312-742-TIXS.
Brunch room: The Lesbian Community Cancer Project will hold its Fall Brunch on Sat., Sept. 30, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., at Feast Restaurant, 1616 N. Damen. The VIP reception begins at 11 a.m. The brunch, open bar and one-of-a-kind live auction will take place from 12-3 p.m. VIP tickets are $200, and regular and sponsoring tickets are $100. Contact Cat Jefcoat at 773-572-5117 or cat@lccp.org .
Smooth as silk: Silk Road Chicago: Summer 2006 will offer workshops and concerts until Sept. 30 that cover everything from Japanese calligraphy to Indian choreography. For a complete schedule of events, call 877-CHICAGO or see www.silkroadchicago.org .
All the world's a stage: Single tickets are now on sale for the 2006-07 performances of The Center of Performing Arts at Governors State University, 1 University Parkway, University Park. Among the highlights are comedian Bill Cosby ( Sat., Sept. 30 ) , pianist Jim Brickman ( Sun., Dec. 10 ) , group Ladysmith Black Mambazo ( Sat., Feb. 17 ) and actress Lily Tomlin ( Fri., May 11 ) . Call 708-235-2222 or see www.centertickets.net .
To Hellman and back: Writers' Theatre opens its 15th season with Lillian Hellman's Another Part of the Forest, directed by William Brown, which runs at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe, from Tues., Oct. 3, through Sun., Nov. 26. See www.writerstheatre.org or call 847-242-6000.
Rhythm of the night: On Wed., Oct. 4, 8:30-10:30 p.m., at Old town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln, Luna Negra Dance Theater Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro and Afro-Peruvian singer Susana Baca discuss their collaboration and the creation process regarding the piece Mi Corazón Negro. The second part features Trio Perú and Perú Profundo, who specialize in Peruvian folkloric dance and music. Call 773-728-6000.
Picture this: The David Weinberg Collection will open Fri., Oct. 6 at 300 W. Superior, Suite 203, with, 'Reflections on a City,' a show of photographs. See www.d-weinberg.com for more info.
Urban renewal: Sulzen Fine Art Studio, 2720 W. Saint Georges Court, will display the urban paintings and photography of Julie Sulzen and Dan Zamudio on Oct. 6-8, 14, 21 and 28. See www.juliesulzen.com, e-mail jsulzen@yahoo.com or call 312-409-4618.
Free to be: The Women's Coming Out Workshop will be held Sat., Oct. 7, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Center on Halsted, 2855 N. Lincoln. Call 773-472-6469, ext. 261, to register.
Snakes alive!: The 6th Annual North American Reptile Breeders Conference & Trade Show will take place Sat.-Sun., Oct. 7-8, at the Convention Center at Tinley Park Holiday Inn Select at 18501 S. Harlem, Tinley Park. Call 708-932-8044, e-mail info@narbc.com or see www.narbc.com .
A space about race: 'Wanna Be Part of the Human Race,' an exhibit by Shane Huffman—which includes a 12-foot-long sculpture made from fiberglass, cellophane and adhesive—will be shown at the Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell, until Sun., Oct. 8. See www.hydeparkart.org or call 773-324-5520.
Taiwan on: A DanceMasters class involving the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan will take place Wed., Oct. 11, 6-8 p.m., at the Dance Studio at the Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington. The registration fee is $15. Call 312-344-8300 or see www.dancecenter.org .
Blowin' in the wind: Northlight Theatre will open its 32nd season with Inherit the Wind, directed by Jessica Thebus, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Performances run Wed.-Sun., Oct. 4-Nov. 12. See www.northlight.org or call 847-673-6300.
Whip it: Kinky Kollege, a pansexual BDSM ( bondage-discipline/sadomasochism ) lifestyle educational event, will take Fri.-Sun., Oct. 13-15, in Chicago. Classes range from Spirituality in BDSM to Fear Play. E-mail EventChair@kinkykollege.com or see www.kinkykollege.com .
Jazz it up: Project VIDA will host a 'Jazzy Affair' on Mon., Oct. 16, 5:30-9:30, at the South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. Shore Dr. The event will feature Lisa Porter & Her Jazz Trio and the guest speaker will be Rae Lewis-Thornton. Tickets are $75 each. Call 773-522-4570.
Matthew's legacy: Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard, will speak on her son's legacy on Mon., Oct. 16, at the Auditorium Theatre at Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress, at 7:30 p.m. Call 312-341-3510 or see www.roosevelt.edu .
It's in the genes: The Chicago Center for Jewish Genetic Disorders will hold educational programs and screenings for young adults on Tues., Oct. 24, at Anshe Emet Synagogue, 3760 N. Pine Grove, and on Mon., Dec. 4, at Emanuel Congregation, 5959 N Sheridan. ( Both run 6:30-9 p.m. ) See www.JewishGeneticsCenter.org .
Rooted in dance: Professional dance company Deeply Rooted Productions will present 'Classical Roots: An Evening in Three Acts' on Thurs.-Sun., Oct. 26-29, at The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, 1306 S. Michigan. The program will feature new works, an HIV/AIDS awareness event, Gospel Night and a women's brunch ( on Oct. 29 ) . Call 312-913-9773 or see www.deeplyrootedproductions.org .
Trade in full: Chicago Women in Trades needs volunteers for its 25th-anniversary fundraiser, 'Building For Our Future,' which will be held Nov. 3 at Plumbers Hall, 1380 W. Washington. Call 312-942-1444 or see www.chicagowomenintrades.org .
Suicide group: An LGBT suicide survivors' group meets every second and fourth Monday at Howard Brown, 4025 N. Sheridan. Contact Edmond Yomtoob, Psy. D., at 773-450-4434 or Edmond.Yomtoob@psychologistchicago.com .
