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.
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.
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.
Getting together: Gender JUST is holding an organizational meeting Sunday, Dec. 6, at 813 E. 63rd at 1 p.m. E-mail info@genderjust.org or call 312-545-6871 for more info.
All that jazz: Jazz trumpeter Chris Botti will perform Sunday, Dec. 6, at Waukegan's Genessee Theatre. Tickets start at $40; contact Ticketmaster.com or call 800-982-2787.
United, we stand: The United Way Young Leaders Society will hold its holiday party at English Bar & Restaurant, 444 N. LaSalle, 6-9 p.m., on Tuesday, Dec. 8. Tickets are $15 in advance and $25 at the door; e-mail YLS@uw-mc.org or call 312-906-2222.
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 .
In the Thicke of time: Singer Robin Thicke will perform and sign copies of the new CD Sex Therapy at Borders, 150 N. State, on Friday, Dec. 18, at 12:30 p.m.
Angels we have heard on high: The band Snow Angels will perform its 6th annual Yuletide rock 'n roll extravaganza at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, 10 p.m., on Saturday, Dec. 19. The cover is $8; see www.TicketWeb.com or www.DiverseyRecords.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 .
Southern comfort: Southern Illinois University-Carbondale will host a debate featuring the Democratic candidates for Roland Burris' U.S. Senate seat Tuesday, Jan. 19. Award winning Journalist David Yepsen, the director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, will moderate. E-mail SIUCDemocrats@gmail.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 .