The beat goes on: Beat poetry movement great Diane di Prima will perform at The Poetry Center of Chicago on Wed., May 9, at 6:30 p.m. in the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) Ballroom, 112 S. Michigan. Admission is $10; $8 for students; and free for SAIC students, faculty and staff. Call 312 899-1229.
Work the runway, sweetie: Columbia College Chicago’s fashion show will take place Thurs., May 10, at Conaway Center, 1104 S. Wabash. There will be two fashion shows—one at 1 p.m. ($35; students free with valid ID) and the other, with a reception, at 7 p.m. ($60: $35 for students). Call 312-344-6600 or see www.colum.edu/fashioncolumbia.
History lesson: Gay Liberation Network will hold a reading and discussion group on LGBT history on Wed., May 9, at Gerber/Hart Library, 1127 W. Granville, 7-9 p.m. The subject will be ‘The First Gay Movement in History.’ See www.GayLiberation.net, e-mail LGBTliberation@aol.com or call 773-209-1187.
Step up to the dyke: The Dyke Delicious Series of movie shorts (including The Gendercator, by Catherine Crouch) will be shown Sat., May 12, at 8 p.m. at Chicago Filmmakers, 5243 N. Clark. See www.chicagofilmmakers.org or call 773-293-1447.
Behind the zines: The Zines, Comics, and Other Hip Lit Fair will take place Sun., May 13, 12-4 p.m. at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago. Local and national comic artists, graphic novelists and poets will participate in special readings and book signings. See www.mcachicago.org.
Working it out: Dr. Mike Applebaum will lead ‘Be Your Own Personal Trainer: Design Your Own Cardiovascular Training Program’ at Latin Upper School, 59 W. North, on Wed., May 16, 7-8:30 p.m. The course fee is $40; call 312-582-6035 to register.