You better think: Center on Halsted offers "Queer Spirit Chicago Drop-In Guided Meditation," a weekly guided meditation, at 11-11:45 a.m. on Mondays, and 6-7:15 p.m. on Tuesdays. The fee is $5-$10. RSVP's are strongly encouraged; contact Cathy Jones at cjones@centeronhalsted.org or 773-472-6469, ext. 265.
Band on the run: Gay amateur musicians are sought to form an artists' group. Pianists, violinists, cellists, brass players, etc., are welcome. Perfection is not requiredonly enthusiasm. E-mail PVarnell@aol.com, and indicate interest and instrument ( s ) .
Partners in life: Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, is continuing its six-week group Partners in Transition, which is open to women whose partners "are transitioning and identify along a male spectrum." The group runs Dec. 3, 10 and 17, 6-7:30 p.m. Call 773-472-6469, ext. 279.
In the hunt: Talk-show host Bonnie Hunt will join Chicago Mayor Richard Daley at the 96th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Daley Plaza Wed., Nov. 25, at 4 p.m. Visit www.explorechicago.org/specialevents or call 312-744-3315.
Love and straight: The Stonewall Association of Naperville's Straight Spouses Support Group will meet Wed., Nov. 25, at DuPage Unitarian Church, 4 S. 535 Old Naperville, Naperville, at 7 p.m.
I love a parade: McDonald's 76th Thanksgiving parade will take place Thursday, Nov. 26, 8-11 a.m. on State, from Congress to Randolph. There'll be more than two dozen marching bands in addition to celebrities such as Danny Pudi from the NBC show Community.
Decoration nation: Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, presents "CenterED: A Holiday Ornament Workshop with Dan Crowley" Dec. 3 and 10, 7-9 p.m. Dan Crowley will guide participants through the fun of creating three different holiday ornaments using polymer clay, glitter and other materials. The two-session workshop is $50; see www.CenterOnHalsted.org .
Dance fever: Hubbard Street Dance Chicago ( HSDC ) will present its Winter Series Thursday-Sunday, Dec. 3-6, featuring works by HSDC resident choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo, Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin and Johan Inger. Call 312-850-9744.
Season's readings: The Q Review will host a live ( and free ) reading and release party Friday, Dec. 4, featuring performances by David Trinidad, Ames Hawkins, Gregg Shapiro, Aldo Alvarez and Samuel Park at Columbia College Chicago's Conaway Center, 1104 S. Wabash, at 5 p.m. See www.QReviewOnline.com .
I hear a symphony: "In Honor of Assyria: A Christmas Concert," featuring the Chicago Symphony Quartet, will take place Saturday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. at the Christian Heritage Academy, 315 Waukegan, Northfield. Tickets are $20-$50; e-mail payoukhana@gmail.com or call 847-470-1600.
Everybody, dance now: Dance Chicago will mark the end of its 15th anniversary with a grand finale Saturday, Dec. 12, at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago, Evanston, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20-$25; see www.dancechicago.com .
Eve of destruction: SSION will headline "Stardust New Years Eve" at Berlin, 954 W. Belmont, on Thursday, Dec. 31. Other performers will include Lady Miss Navy Pier and DJ Greg Haus. Tickets are $20-$25; see www.TicketWeb.com .
"Queer" and now: OUT at CHM will present "Queer Spaces" with Sharon Haar and Doug Ischaar from the University of Illinois at Chicago at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark, Thursday, Jan. 28, at 5:30 p.m. They will discuss "how city space is rethought and remade by and for queer communities." Admission is $10-$12; see www.chicagohistory.org .