Well hello again all ya'll. Sorry about the lateness of this one, week's been crazy. In case you somehow failed to notice the plethora of free passes floating 'round the interweb, ArtChicago is this weekend. I went to the preview last night. NEXT is definitely worth the look, and if ya like antiques, there's plenty of that too. I'm going to be reviewing the whole kit and kaboodle this weekend, so look out for it if ya care for my smarmy take on the show. As for this weekend, there are a ton of things going on, riding on the coat tails of Art Chicago (or vice versa). Tonight is the MFA opening. If you want to see my work in person, drop by between 8pm and 11pm. Saturday afternoon there are parties going on in both River North and the West Loop, with a free shuttle running back and fourth. That's not all, but that's all I'm writing. See ya'll out there.

FRIDAY:
BOWMANVILLE -
Avram Eisen - 5202 N. Damen. May Flower Exhibition, group show. Reception Fri 5/1, 5-9 PM. 5/1-5/31.

LAKEVIEW -
A. Okay Official - 3270 N. Clark. Mutts, Group show of custom-built vinyl toys. Reception Fri 5/1, 6-10 PM. 5/1-5/3.

LOGAN SQUARE -
Art on Armitage - 4125 W. Armitage. Rainbow, Installation by Hyun ja Shin inspired by Michael Craig-Martin's "An Oak Tree." May 1-31.

LOOP –
School of the Art Institute Sullivan Galleries - 33 S. State, 7th fl. MFA Graduate Exhibition. Reception Fri 5/1, 8-11 PM. 5/1-5/15.

NEAR NORTH -
Galleries Maurice Sternberg - 875 N. Michigan #2850. Without Borders, Work by Adnan Charara. Reception Fri 5/1, 5-8 PM. 5/1-6/30.

NEW EAST SIDE -
Ogilvie/Pertl - 435 E. Illinois #151. Monument and Memory, Work by Dan Addington. Reception Fri 5/1, 5:30-8:30 PM. 5/1-6/1.

REpose Gallery - River East Art Center, 435 E. Illinois Street. Two versatile spaces dedicated to promoting and representing the resident artists of Project 465. Featured artwork by Bouba, Sergio Ceron, José Luis Corona, Rory Coyne, Alexandru Darida, Nicole Melanie Davis, Terry Dixon, Predrag Djordjevic, Devin Dobrowolski, Tara Fadenrecht, S. Hill-Sanchez, Rebecca Moy, Hyeseung Shin, and Thomas J. Walther.

OLDTOWN -
International Museum of Surgical Science - 1524 N Lake Shore Dr. Anatomy in the Gallery, New "Anatomy in the Gallery" exhibitions of medically themed contemporary art opening tomorrow at IMSS! These shows contrast two traditional conceptions of human anatomy: the body as an extension of nature and the body as machine. Free, public reception for the artists: Friday, May 1, from 5 to 8 pm The entire museum will be open for viewing during the reception. Both exhibitions will remain on display through July 17, 2009.

RIVER NORTH -
ARC - 832 W. Superior #204. Construction—Meditation, Sculptural work by Sonja Weber Gilkey and Iris Goldstein & River of Spirit of Life, Video of a performance/installation piece & Still/Moving, Work by Barbara Stewart Thomas. Reception Fri 5/1, 6-9 PM. 4/29-5/23.

Gallery KH - 311 W. Superior. Contemplations, Abstract paintings by Amy Cannady. Reception Fri 4/24, 5-8. 4/24-5/29.

Instituto Cervantes - 31 W. Ohio. Joan Abello. Reception Fri 5/1, 6 PM. 5/1-7/15.

Schneider - 230 W. Superior. Lalla A. Essaydi, photos. Reception Fri 5/1, 5-7:30 PM. 5/1-6/20.

RIVER WEST -
Woman Made Gallery - 685 N. Milwaukee. Group Exhibition: The Emotional Body & Solo Exhibitions by Lily Mayfield and Elzbieta (Elka) Kazmierczak & Private Collection by Jean Cozier & Artisan Gallery: Physicality.

SOUTH LOOP -
Museum of Contemporary Photography - Opening Reception, Curator's Tour and Artist Talk: Natasha Egan with Christina Seely, Tim Long and Andrew Harrison. Friday May 1, 5-7pm @ MoCP

UKRANIAN VILLAGE -
Fulton Street Collective - 2000 W. Fulton, second floor. In These Times, group show. Fri., May 1, 6 p.m.-12 a.m.

Ukrainian National Museum - 2249 W. Superior. A Kaleidoscope of Vivid Images and Colors, Paintings by Orest Poliszczuk. Reception Fri 5/1, 7 PM. 5/1-5/31.

WEST LOOP -
65Grand - 1378 W. Grand (entrance on Noble). Selections From the Analog Collection, Photo installations by Zoe Crosher. Reception Fri 5/1, 7-10 PM. 5/1-6/13.

Architrouve - 1433 W. Chicago. Absence Presence, Work by Jason Peot and Perry Pollock. Reception Fri 5/1, 6 PM.

Gallery 400 - 400 S. Peoria. Our Literal Speed Exhibition, Installation featuring "Picasso/Braque 1989." Part of the Our Literal Speed conference; see ourliteralspeed.com for a complete list of events. Reception Fri 5/1, 8 PM, with performances starting at 8:30. 5/1-5/2.

G.R. N'Namdi - 110 N. Peoria. Richard Hunt, Sculpture. Reception Fri 5/1, 6-9 PM; Hunt discusses his work, Sat 5/2, 2 PM. 5/1-6/30.

Walsh - 118 N. Peoria, 2nd fl. Microcosm, Large-scale photos by Miao Xiaochun. Reception Fri 5/1, 5-8 PM. 5/1-6/13.

WICKER PARK -
Flat Iron Arts Building - 1579 N. Milwaukee. On the first Friday of each month, Flat Iron Artists' Association Presents Wicker Park / Bucktown First Fridays. First Friday of each month: 6-10pm

Gallery 203 - 1579 N. Milwaukee. Science As Art, Work from reclaimed materials by Bohdan Gernaga. Reception Fri 5/1, 6-10 PM. 5/1-5/31.

Novem Life - 1114 N. Ashland. UPSET MAGAZINE & NOVEM STUDIOS PRESENTS: Martha Cooper's 25th Anniversary Edition of Subway Art and Going Postal Book Signing First Ever Chicago Handmade Sticker Exchange--All Stickers $5 and Making Deals Zine Premiere Friday, May 1st 5-10 PM.

Silver Room - 1442 N. Milwaukee. Sandra Ivelisse Antongiori: Closing Reception. Fri., May 1, 7-9 p.m.

SATURDAY:
EAST VILLAGE -
The Family Room - 1821 W. Hubbard, ste. 202. The Post Family presents: Trichotillomania, Paintings and sculpture by Rachel Niffenegger. Reception Sat 5/2, 6-11 PM. 5/2-5/16.

HOMAN SQUARE -
Murphy Hill - 3333 W. Arthingon. The Spiritual in Art II, group show. Reception Sat 5/2, 6 PM-midnight. 4/30-6/6.

HYDE PARK -
Renaissance Society - 5811 S Ellis Ave. Curator Hamza Walker offers insights into this group exhibition exploring “various kinds of silence.” Noon, free.

Smart Museum - 5550 S Greenwood Ave. Yours Truly Workshop: The Materiality and Lost Art of Letter Writing Saturday, May 2, 2-4 pm.

NEAR NORTH -
Museum of Contemporary Art - 220 East Chicago Ave. Inspired by the atmospheric and sensory experiences of the Olafur Eliasson exhibition, artist Kristin Sabatino leads a class in making sculptures using simple materials such as Plexiglas and special UV tape that create stunning kaleidoscopic effects. Sabatino is a Chicago area painter and silversmith who specializes in murals and one-of-a-kind wearable art. 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

NOBLE SQUARE -
Roots & Culture - 1034 N MILWAUKEE. R & C 3rd Annual Fundraiser and Art Fair Decompression Party! May 2nd, 8pm- 12am.

PILSEN -
Margin - 1915 S. Halsted. Spring Art Show, group show. Reception Sat 5/2, 6-10 PM. 5/2-5/30.

RAVENSWOOD -
Lillstreet - 4401 N. Ravenswood. Michael Corney and Bart Johnson, ceramics. Reception Sat 5/2, 3-6 PM. 5/2-5/27.

RIVER NORTH –
Art Dealers Association of Chicago – West Loop & River North. Gallery Parties Saturday, May 2 - Free River North/W. Loop Shuttles, 6-9pm.

Marx-Saunders Gallery, LTD - 230 W. Superior. Lino Tagliapietra: New Work; Opening reception Sat. May 2, noon

WEST LOOP -
Art Dealers Association of Chicago – West Loop & River North. Gallery Parties Saturday, May 2 - Free River North/W. Loop Shuttles, 6-9pm.

McCormick Gallery - 835 W. Washington. Harold Krisel: Works from the Estate. Reception May 2, 7-9pm.

Monique Meloche - 118 N. Peoria. Roadside, Photos, works on paper, and installation by Joel Ross. Reception Sat 5/2, 6-9 PM. 5/2-6/13.

Packer Schopf Gallery - 942 W. Lake St. We are having a reception for Brian Dettmer and Betsy Stirratt this Saturday night from 6 - 9 PM. Both artists will be in attendance. Catalogs are available for both shows.

Thomas McCormick - 835 W. Washington. Structured/Forms, Paintings and prints by Harold Krisel. Reception Sat 5/2, 7-9 PM. 4/25-5/30.

WICKER PARK -
Revolution Tattoo - 2221 N. Western. Returns & Exchanges, Work by Toby Stanger and Matthew Ryan Sharp. Reception Sat 5/2, 8 PM-midnight. 5/2-6/21.

Scott Projects - 1542 N Milwaukee Ave. “Thomas Roach: Fun, Natural Fun (Take Off Your Shoes).” 6pm–10pm.

Th!nkART - 1530 North Paulina, Suite F. Following a blockbuster opening at Th!nkArt Salon during the first Chicago International Music and Movies festival on March 6th, French rock photographer Richard Bellia is going to be represented by ThinkArt at the Art Chicago international art fair, May 1st - 4th. 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM