Publications & Sites 
Judy’s Top Five for the week of Sept. 6, 2012
Updated: October 7, 2012 7:49AM
EVANSTON — Here’s Judy’s pick of coming community activities in the Evanston area, spiced with a little commentary.
Gotta dance!
The Boocoo Festivale takes place from noon to 9 p.m. Sept. 9 at the BooCoo Cultural Center, 1823 Church St. in Evanston. The festivale is a celebration of musical and artistic sights and sounds for the whole family, featuring live music, a craft fair, other entertainment and food. Later, stay for the candlelight tango dancing and starlight salsa dancing. The patio fest is free; the indoor fest is $6.50 per person. For more information, call (847) 864-8164.
This BooCoo Festivale sounds terrific — I so want to “trip the light fantastic,” so to speak, and be twirled around the floor. Slight problem — “trip” is a good description my dance style, and the only way twirling will take place is if I’m lying on the floor and someone gives me a spin. Ah well, I’ll just get out there and tango on down, down being the operative word. Feel free to step over me, everyone does.
Community announcement
Starlight Movies in the Park continues with the classic Hollywood musical, “Singin’ in the Rain, at 7:45 p.m. Sept. 8 in Dawes Park, Sheridan Road at Church Street. The film stars Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor. Admission is free. Movies are canceled in inclement weather.
So the terrific musical “Singin’ in the Rain” will be shown in Dawe Park; however, I notice the listing says movies are canceled in case of inclement weather. I want to assure everyone this means the inclement weather actually occurring outside, NOT the rain that’s shown in the movie, “Singin’ in the Rain” itself. Always glad to be of help.
Yes, I talk to fictional characters. So?
The African American Literature Discussion Group will meet at 7 p.m. Sept. 11 to discuss the book, “Erasure,” at the Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave. Fictional character Thelonius “Monk” Ellison is upset over the seventh rejection of his novel, so he writes a parody in this scathingly funny look at racism and the book business. Copies of “Erasure” are at the reader’s services desk, stop by or call (847) 448-8620.
Mr. Ellison, it says above that in this book you are upset after the seventh rejection of your novel. Oh, Mr. Ellison — only the seventh? How about the 2,763rd turn down? I, personally, hold that honor, but I keep writing because I know I am brilliant (although some days not even functional). So persevere, which this terrific book says you do, but I can’t go into that because I must now open my mail ... zowie, the 2,764th!
Hotline to heaven
Dance Center Evanston, in the Evanston Plaza at 1934 Dempster St., offers several new classes in Session 1 (14 weeks), which starts Sept. 8. One example is DanceFit from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Mondays — an exhilarating fusion of dance styles that promotes coordination, strength and flexibility. For fees, to register and a complete schedule, visit www.dancenterevanston.com or call (847) 328-6683.
What does Judy want in dance/fitness classes? (“Who cares,” is not an acceptable answer): Admiration — instead of ridicule/astonishment at Judy’s pitiful efforts; admiration — instead of asking Judy to sit down because everyone is laughing so hard they can’t dance; and admiration — because it’s what God wants for Judy and those who deny her (both God and Judy) will not get to Heaven, but will be forced to drive around filled parking lots and then, oh joy, see an empty space ahead, but, too bad, there’s a motorcycle in it. Forever.
Hubba-hubba
The Evanston History Center, in the historic Charles Gates Dawes House, 225 Greenwood St., hosts a program titled, “A Poem in Brick and Stone: Architectural Conservation of the Dawes House,” presented by Kris Hartzell, at 7 p.m. Sept. 13. From 6:30-7 p.m., a wine-and-appetizer reception will take place. Reservations are recommended. For fees and to register, call (847) 475-3410.
A poem in honor of this “A Poem in Brick and Stone: Architectural Conservation of the Dawes House” program: “Brick and Stone can be soap-opera names/Of guys who go on to fortune and fame.” Of course this has nothing to do with architecture, although some of these hunks are built, let me tell you.
