AROUND TOWN

Breaking New Ground: Harold Washington and the 1983 Election. Panelists—historian Timuel D. Black Jr., former Ald. Helen Shiller  and UIC political science professor Dick Simpson—discuss their direct involvement in the election of Chicago’s first black mayor, Harold Washington. Sun-Times columnist Laura Washington, who was appointed the mayor’s deputy press secretary in 1985, moderates. This conversation coincides with the anniversary of the history-making April 12, 1983, mayoral election. Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S State St (312-747-4050, chicagopubliclibrary.org). 6–7pm.

BOOKS

Former Saturday Night Live star Julia Sweeney—best-remembered for her androgynous character, Pat—recently wrote a book of essays on parenthood, If It’s Not One Thing, It’s Your Mother. Whether discussing adopting a baby from China or her disdain for large strollers, Sweeney is candid, insightful and LOL funny. She reads at the Book Stall (811 Elm St, 847-446-8880, thebookstall.com). 7pm. Free.

FILM

Leave Her to Heaven. Dir. John M. Stahl. 1945. 110mins. In Stahl's Technicolor noir, Gene Tierney's pathologically possessive wife goes to murderous lengths to keep her husband (Cornel Wilde) to herself. Doc Films, University of Chicago (1212 E 59th St, 773-702-8574, docfilms.uchicago.edu). 7pm.

FOOD & DRINK

Tavern on Rush turns 15 today, dude! Do you know what that means? That means if you can remember when the place opened, you’re way, waaaay too old to hang out here. Drink your denial away with celebratory $15 bottles of wine. 1031 N Rush St (312-664-9600). 11am–2am.

GAY & LESBIAN

L'imitation of Life. Camp authorities Hell in a Handbag Productions present this spoof of the 1959 Lana Turner melodrama Imitation of Life. We can't wait to see Ed Jones improve on yet another grande Hollywood dame with his indelible impersonations that border on channeling. Mary's Attic (5400 N Clark St, 773-784-6969, hamburgermaryschicago.com). $15–25, VIP $35–100.

MUSIC

Soft Opening + Onyx System Ashville, North Carolina, heavy-psych act Soft Opening rattles Ukie Village vinyl vendor Permanent Records behind the group's 2011 self-titled alum. The band hits the Burlington at 9pm after this show. (1914 W Chicago Ave, 773-278-1744, permanentrecordschicago.com). 6pm. Free.

SHOPPING & STYLE

Today marks the beginning of Spa Week, that glorious seven- day period when you can find spa treatments at deep discounts. You can find the full range of deals at spaweek.com, but here’s one that caught our eye: Kiva Day Spa is offering the YON-KA Plaisir D’ Aromes facial, an aromatic treatment that features aromatherapy and relaxing oils, for $50. The 50-minute service is usually $90. The deal is good through Sun 21. Kiva, 196 E Pearson St (312-840-8120, kivakiva.com). Thu 18, Fri 19, 9am–8pm; Sat 20, 9am–7pm; Sun 21, 10am–6pm.

"How do you tell a story about the best storyteller you've ever met?" Richard Roeper asked regarding Roger Ebert during a packed public memorial last night for the beloved film critic who died April 4 at age 70 after a long battle with cancer. The Sun-Times columnist's question was answered emphatically over two and a half hours as Ebert's family, friends, and film industry admirers stood on the Chicago Theatre stage to fondly remember a prolific newspaperman, a champion of independent artists and marginalized voices, and a humanitarian who saw the best in people—and made others recognize their own virtues. For his part, Roeper called the the Pulitzer Prize winner "our George Bailey," saying Ebert's "was truly a wonderful life."

Titled "A Celebration of Life: With Love From Chaz," the event had as its first and final speaker Ebert's widow, who for years was never far from her husband's side, whether during hospital stays or at Lake Street Screening Room. "Roger, this is your happening and it's freaking me out," Chaz said, appropriating a line from Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, the Russ Meyer–directed film for which Ebert wrote the screenplay.

A gospel choir's celebratory hymn "Lift Him Up" led into clips of Ebert and his Tribune critic frenemy Gene Siskel verbally sparring in the various iterations of their reviews show, from the shaggy early years to some hilarious '80s outtakes of the two men taking personal shots to the pair doing a "Pease Porridge Hot" routine. The series' creator-producer Thea Flam recalled schooling Ebert in writing for television. "Only once did he grumble, 'You know, Thea, I have a Pulitzer Prize.'" Her thoughts then turned to Chaz, "his guardian angel": "He had always been a great guy. She enabled him to become a great man."

Siskel's widow Marlene Iglitzen noted that films used to screen for critics at the Chicago Theatre. A small elevator would take the journalists to one of the upper floors of the building, and she said Gene and Roger made sure they never had to ride together. Inside the theater, Iglitzen recalled, "they sat as far away as possible" from each other. Despite the good-natured rivalry, "Gene was thrilled for Roger to have an epic romance off the screen" when he met Chaz. On the last anniversary of Siskel's death, Iglitzen said Ebert wrote to her to say he had "never felt closer to a man" as he did to Siskel.

Ebert's fellow film critics heaped their praises on the master. Variety critic Scott Foundas called Ebert a "gentle giant," as opposed to the likes of Pauline Kael, who inspired in her disciples a fierce partisanship. The Hollywood Reporter's Todd McCarthy concluded his memorial tribute saying, "In film criticism for 46 years, there was Roger Ebert—and then there was the rest of us." Christie Hefner said she was mortified to recall showing Ebert film reviews she had written for her college newspaper while he was interviewing her for a story "on Hugh Hefner's daughter." She later went on to review films for the Boston Phoenix.

Joan Cusack read aloud a heartfelt letter from the Obamas. Brother John remembered a nervous first run-in with Ebert at the Carnegie Deli in New York while on the press tour for The Sure Thing. "Don't worry," Ebert whispered to the young actor. "I liked your movie." "He didn't always love your movie, but he always gave you a fair shake," John Cusack said. "His writing was often better than the writing in the film."

Several filmmakers underscored Ebert's fairness—advocating for small-budget art-house cinema alongside reviews of Hollywood blockbusters. Director Gregory Nava (El Norte) said there was a time when Ebert "was the only major critic in this country who would look at our movies," indie films telling minority stories. Michael Barker, president of Sony Pictures Classics, called Ebert "the conscience of the movie business." Filmmaker Andrew Davis—whom Ebert imagined directing "the perfect Chicago movie"—had fond remembrances of his friend, even taking the chance to read Ebert's glowing review Davis's The Fugitive.

Ebert's boozy past made a brief appearance when Old Town Ale House proprietor Bruce Elliott told a bawdy barroom tale. (Apparently, Rog had a fondness for large-breasted women.) Comedian Dick Gregory did some off-color standup before comparing Ebert to a turtle: "hard on the outside, soft in the middle and always willing to stick his neck out."

Home video clips showing Ebert doting on Chaz's grandchildren shed some light on his family life. Many of the night's remembrances, whether from critics or celebs, ended in praise of Chaz. She was commended as Ebert's true love, his selfless rock who refused to let her husband die after he was first diagnosed with cancer in 2002 and during years of treament, surgeries and the loss of his voice. During that trying time, Chaz explained, angels had whispered in her ear to assure her it wasn't Roger's time. "I knew he had much more important work ahead," she said.

In closing, Chaz took the stage with her family. Pausing a few times to compose herself—creating a charged, resonant silence in the cavernous theater—she was, as always, standing by her man.

Dear Time Out Chicago readers,

Started in 2005 as a joint enterprise with Time Out North America, we were thrilled to launch Time Out in Chicago, a hub for world-class art, a legendary home for innovative comedy and theater, and a food-lovers' destination. Over the past eight years, Time Out Chicago has developed a large, loyal audience and become a go-to destination for what to do in the Windy City, and that did not change when Time Out Chicago became a separate company in 2010. We’re delighted to let you know today that Time Out Group has acquired Time Out Chicago, making it one of the Time Out Group owned and operated cities joining New York, Los Angeles, London and Paris.

Chicagoans will soon reap the benefits of Time Out Group’s digital offerings which, in addition to an improved website, means that we’ll soon be rolling out the same mobile and iPad apps currently enjoyed by fans in Los Angeles, New York, Paris and London. Completely free, the apps will bring all of Time Out Chicago’s reviews, features, and event listings to your fingertips. There will be changes to the ways in which you get your recommendations, listings and reviews and we’ll keep you up to date with these developments as they happen.

While the media world has changed dramatically since 2005, our purpose has remained the same—to inspire Chicagoans to make the most of their city. We look forward to delivering the expert recommendations and reviews to inspire you to do more of the things you love via new and improved technology.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Barr
Editorial Director, Time Out North America

More About Time Out Group

Time Out is the number one trusted choice for consumers seeking inspiration, information, and booking opportunities relating to arts, entertainment, and culture in the world’s major cities.

Time Out was founded in 1968 in London, by Tony Elliott and has since grown into a global media group that spans 37 cities across 25 countries and provides the very best inspiration and information.

Time Out is uniquely positioned as provider of local information and expert guidance to consumers through a distribution network which incorporates magazines, a massively growing online presence, mobile applications, events, and partnerships. Time Out has a worldwide audience of over 20 million across all these channels, most recently launching its iPad app in New York and London. The company received recognition for its achievements within the industry earning the International Consumer Magazine of the Year title at the Periodical Publishers Association Awards two years in a row, in 2010 and 2011.

Time Out North America was established as a partnership between Time Out Group and North American based partners to launch Time Out New York in September 1995. Time Out North America now includes Time Out New York, Time Out New York Kids, the recently launched web property Time Out Los Angeles, and Time Out Chicago.

In November 2010 Oakley Capital acquired a 50% stake in Time Out Group and in 2011 acquired a majority stake in Time Out North America. Oakley Capital is now the majority shareholder in both groups.

Here's a great list of free things to do this week in Chicago.

Wednesday 3

"Artificial Turf."
3–7pm, Peanut Gallery
Two dozen M.F.A. students from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign present their new work in painting, sculpture, photography, metal and new media.

D.S. Tequila Company's Team Trivia
8pm, D.S. Tequila Company
Walk away with $100 or get your dinner comped just for knowing useless shit.