TOP 5 PICKS FOR MONDAY, MAY 14
1. "God Bless America" At West End Cinema
It's horrible outside so today is all about movies. Bobcat Goldthwait's newest film stays true to his recent output. Personal stories that spin off from horrible events, "God Bless America" is a revenge comedy about a man with a brain tumor and a teenage girl that loves revenge. Think "Kick Ass" meets "Bonnie and Clyde" with a message of be nice added on. 3 p.m., 17+, $10, through May 17
2. "Fade To Black" At McFadden's
If Goldthwait's story of two people taking a cross-country murder spree is too much, maybe a 32 year old film about a film nut that embodies his favorite film character killers is for you. This one is a little more camp and a little less realism. Unless your reality is 1980s Hollywood. 8 p.m., 21+, $5 donation
3. "The Last Hour of Elena and Nicolae Ceausescu (Die letzten Tage der Ceausescus)" At Goethe-Institut
Nicolae Ceausescu was the head of the communist regime in Romania until its downfall. He and his wife Elena were sentened and executed on Christmas Day 1989, on television. This film, based on a play, is presented by the Goethe-Institut and will be introduced by Professor of Comparative Politics at the University of Maryland and Head of the Presidential Commission for the Analysis of the Communist Dictatorship in Romania in 2006 Vladimir Tismaneanu. 6:30 p.m., all ages, $4-7
4. Tribute To Jackson Pollock At Lawrence A. Fleischman Gallery
This exhibit showcases some of the papers left behind from the master of 'direct painting.' Donated by his wife, the painter Lee Krasner, his eldest brother Charles and some of his friends and associates, a stroll through this exhibit should give a better idea of the American artist. The full title of the show, "Memories Arrested in Space: a centennial tribute to Jackson Pollock from the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art" comes from a Pollock quote. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., all ages, no cover, until Tuesday, May 15
5. Kittie At Jaxx
Remember Kittie? The all female metal quartet? They growled and teenagers liked them? That was in 2000. 12 years later, they're much better, tighter thrash musicians. Really. If you're into speed metal, it's time to give Kittie another chance. If you're still into their slower, more poppy metal, sorry, things have changed. 5 p.m., all ages, $17
TOP 5 FOR THE NEXT 5 DAYS
Tuesday, May 15
Herta Müller at the Library of Congress
The Nobel Prize Laureate will be speaking about with the Chair of the Department of German at Georgetown University Peter C. Pfeiffer about house searches, the censorship of her novel "Nadirs," and interrogations by the Ceausescu regime. Since leaving Romania for Germany in 1987, her works have been translated into more than 20 languages.
Wednesday, May 16
JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound at Black Cat
This Chicago group has shared the stage with Wilco and Rahm Emanuel, which means they're the most well connected band in the Windy City. They also happen to be a tight five piece post-punk, soul revival act. Dirty, smooth and able to make anyone move. This show is at the Back Stage. Don't be surprised if they're in the bigger room this time next year.
Thursday, May 17
"Freak Dance" at Arlington Drafthouse
UCB founder and funny person that seems to have cameos in every decent to good television show and film, Matt Besser is the mastermind behind this sort of improvised film. A parody (not all parodies are bad) of dance films, "Freak Dance" is more "Strangers with Candy" than "Scary Movie." This screening includes a Q and A with Besser.
Friday, May 18
Buzz Bissinger at Politics and Prose
The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "3 Nights in August" (an excellent ready for any baseball fan, especially if you follow the Cubs or Cardinals) and Friday Night Lights is touring his new book, "Father's Day: A Journey into the Mind and Heart of My Extraordinary Son." A personal story, this book tells the story of Bissinger and his special needs son on a cross-country road trip.
Saturday, May 19
8th Annual Testy Fest At American Legion Post 139
This exists and while it may be a little off putting, it needs to be celebrated. We live in a glorious time in a glorious place, where like minded individuals can get together and eat the testicles of various animals without shame.