Chicago is home to one of the largest and oldest film festivals in the United States. Taking place every October, films from around the world are premiered at the Chicago International Film Festival.

Named for local boy who made it big as a film critic, the Gene Siskel Film Center presents world-class independent, international, and classic cinema. For a listing of all cinemas, including drive-ins and specialty theaters: Centerstage's Guide.

Nightclubs

More common in Chicago then dance clubs or techno music are all-night jazz and blues clubs. Locals gravitate to bars with soul and a little bit of grit. The Kingston Mines is a large award-winning club where you are sure to get the blues. The B.L.U.E.S. is another Chicago tradition with authentic Chicago atmosphere.

If you are looking for the nighttime crowd, Halsted Street, Lincoln Avenue and Clark Street on the North Side all have various bars and clubs. The best gay clubs congregate in the Lincoln Park area.

For a complete listing of Chicago clubs, try Centerstage. Or you can pick up the free newspaper The Reader (copies comes out Thursday afternoon). The weekly "New City" and the gay and lesbian "Windy City Times" are good sources as well. Full listings also appear in the Friday issues of the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune, and "Chicago Magazine" has useful arts and restaurant listings. The Gramaphone Ltd record store at 2663 N Clark St (tel 773/472-3683) is the best place for details of one-shot dance nights.