The Dwell Guide to Events in Your City

Wednesday, March 5

The late Sybil Shearer came to Chicago in the 1940s to pursue a career in modern dance. To accompany her memoir Without Wings the Way is Steep, the Spertus Institute screens films of her performances. Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies, 610 S Michigan Ave.; (312) 322-1700; www.morrisonshearer.org

The 11th Annual European Union Film Festival begins today, with Consul General of Slovenia Dr. Zvone Zigon’s introducing Estrellita, the opening night film about a boy and his violin. Through April 3. www.artic.edu/webspaces/siskelfilmcenter/2008/march/1.html

Thursday, March 6

Filmmaker Anne Quirynen introduces her new video Interzone, an opera by Enno Poppe whose plot is based on the William S. Burrough’s novel of the same name. 6 p.m.; Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St.; (312) 846-2600; www.artic.edu/webspaces/siskelfilmcenter

Recently heralded Poet Laureate, Robert Pinsky, discusses the poetry of Walt Whitman, Emily Dickenson, and other greats at the Art Institute of Chicago today. 6-7 p.m.; The Art Institute of Chicago,111 South Michigan Ave.; (312) 443-3600; www.artic.edu

Friday, March 8

Shannon McDonald, author of The parking Garage: Design and Evolution of a Modern Urban Form, traces the garage from the 1890s through today. 12:15-1 p.m.; The Chicago Architecture Foundation, John Buck Company Lecture Hall Gallery at the ArchiCenter, 224 S. Michigan Avenue; (312) 922-3432; www.architecture.org

The Alliance Francaise hosts the week-long Festival de la Francophonie, a celebration of the world’s 200 million French-speakers and the 55 countries from which they hail. Through March 15. Alliance Française de Chicago, 810 N Dearborn St.; (312) 337-1070; www.af-chicago.org/app/homepage.asp

Last Chance: The MCA takes down Joseph Grigley’s sound and video installation St. Cecilia. 220 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago; (312) 280-2660; www.mcachicago.org

Saturday, March 9

Don’t feel like getting out of bed on Sunday? Turn the dial to 98.7 WFMT for Writers on the Record. Today, Richard Price, author of Clockers and Freedomland, airs his thoughts on Lush Life, his new crime drama. Lookingglass Chase Studio Theater. 12 p.m.; 821 N Michigan Ave, 312.337.0665) www.lookingglasstheatre.org/events/wotr.php

Tuesday, March 11

The Merchandise Mart, the world’s largest commercial building, was awarded Silver Certification under the LEED rating system. Members of the project team come to CAF today to discuss the challenges of greening multi-use buildings. 12:15-1 p.m.; The Chicago Architecture Foundation, John Buck Company Lecture Hall Gallery at the ArchiCenter, 224 S. Michigan Avenue; (312) 922-3432; www.architecture.org

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