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Mar. 30--"The first civil act of many people is to get on a jury and vote for someone to die," says Thomas Geoghegan, a Chicago lawyer and author.
The crowd inside 57th Street Books (1301 E. 57th St., 773-684-1300) bristles on this recent Thursday night. For the last half-hour, they've absorbed Geoghegan's arguments from his latest book, "The Law in Shambles." And every few minutes, more of the curious and civic-conscious file into the shop's book-filled, subterranean Room 3 until it's standing room only.
Just another night for 57th Street and its continuing free lecture series.
"Our customers and our community are interested," says Pier Petersen, the store's event planner. "We have authors who want to share in a public way, who want to reach an audience. And we have people interested in their topics, but not just professors."
This taste for literary nightcaps extends beyond 57th Street, as lecture series and readings draw crowds all over the area. And unlike the anarchy of an it-place nightclub or a TV-filled sports bar, these "heady" after-hours events are great ways to challenge your mind rather than your liver.
You can also bring the kids to some of these events, a wonderful discovery that Jonathan Beere and Sibylle Salewski made when the Lakeview couple brought their two young children to Geoghegan's lecture. It was the first lecture either had attended at the bookstore.
"We were worried whether or not it would be practical," said Beere, 32, as his daughter wriggled in his arms. "But I'm glad we came. I thought it was very interesting."
"I like the atmosphere," said Salewski, 34. "It wasn't too formal. It was relaxed and serious ... and we could bring the kids."
Interest from both authors and patrons keeps the bookstore's calendar filled with two to six events weekly, Peterson says. The authors get to hand-sell books afterward, and customers such as Dev Bowly get to talk about their pet issues with an author informed on the subject.
"I enjoy the stimulation," says Bowly, an attorney. "It's always something topical, in an area I'm interested in."
Take a quick look around Chicago and you'll find other signs of intelligent nightlife. Here are a few options:
THE LITERARY GANGS OF CHICAGO
In its first year, this series brings in local literary "gangs" such as the Dollar Store, the 2nd Hand and Funny HAHA to host a night of original readings and short fiction at the Museum of Contemporary Art. The readings, usually attended by 50 to 100 people, last about an hour and are followed by discussion periods when patrons can grab a drink, chat with the readers or check out the rest of the museum until closing time.
MacArthur Foundation "genius grant" recipient Aleksander Hemon and author Elizabeth Crane read at a recent Literary Gangs event. The next event, April 18, will feature writers from the Danny's reading series, a local literary group.
6:30-8 p.m. April 18 and May 16; Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave.; free; 312-280-2660 or www.mcachicago.org/mca/Calendar/litgangs.html.
READING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
Since starting a year ago, Reading Under the Influence has grown in popularity into a fun night out for the local literati. Held the first Wednesday of each month at Sheffield's, RUI is part-reading, part-trivia game. Readers recite works from famous authors based on a specific theme--previous themes included Opening Day, banned books and Chicago authors--and then quiz the audience about the reading and author. Occasionally, audience members (mostly local writers) get the chance to read some of their original work.
The "under the influence" part comes in before each reading, when the bartender pours two shots. The reader downs one, reads, then downs the other.
Also, answer the most questions and win books or a free drink. Don't and, well, drink anyway.
7:30 p.m. April 5; Sheffield's, 3258 N. Sheffield Ave.; $3; 773-281-4989 or www.readingundertheinfluence.com.
SECOND STORY
Here's one that's a little ways off, but worth marking in your calendar. The hybrid performance and wine-tasting festival from Serendipity Theater will kick off its second annual event in May at Webster Wine Bar.
Serendipity mixes music, wine and theatricality into a relaxing-yet-intense night of funny, somber and introspective prose. Transforming the bar's second floor into an intimate performance space, local actors and writers perform original short stories and monologues as patrons sip flights of wine.
May 3-7 and May 10-14; Webster Wine Bar, 1480 W. Webster Ave.; $10, with an extra $5 at the bar for the wine tasting; 773-868-0608 or www.websterwinebar.com.
gjeffers@tribune.com
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