Today at 12:15 p.m., Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington, FREE more ›

On Monday and Thursday of next week, Fifth House Ensemble will present "The Great Exodus of the Tamed," the second act of their musical graphic novel Black Violet. The story is set during London's last plague outbreak in 1665, with Fifth House performing live music to accompany projected panels by Chicago-based artist Ezra Clayton Daniels. more ›

Don't be fooled by the kneading paws or the eighteen hours of sleep per day; cats haven't had it easy. In 1232 Pope Gregory IX declared them tools of the devil. They were burned alive as part of Queen Elizabeth I's coronation. Even today, conscientious animal shelters have strict requirements for adopting black cats in October because they're frequently used as Halloween party decorations and, even worse, for sacrifice in occult ceremonies. more ›