Carpe Weekend: Belief not required
By Jason Freeman jfreeman@southtownstar.com April 18, 2012 3:48PM
Johnny Winter plays during the 2009 Canton Blues Festival in downtown Canton, Ohio. | AP Photo/The Repository, Bob Rossiter
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Updated: May 20, 2012 8:05AM
You don’t have to believe in the paranormal in order to be entertained by it.
After all, you still can be enthralled by a Batman movie despite the fact that you know he isn’t really going to come to the rescue the next time your cat gets stuck in a tree.
The fact that he’s not real doesn’t put a damper on the fun.
I’m not saying ghosts don’t exist. Who knows? They might.
But I am sure of this: You can be a complete nonbeliever and still enjoy a good ghost story, as long as it’s a good one.
TOP PICK: APRIL 19
British boos
Professional ghost hunter and paranormal expert Richard T. Crowe will discuss London’s most famous haunted landmarks during “London Ghosts and the Mystery of Jack the Ripper.”
The event will take place from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 19 in the Warde Academic Center at St. Xavier University, 3700 W. 103rd St., Chicago.
Crowe will discuss the mysterious Tower of London, the sinister East End and the ghostly victims of Jack the Ripper that still allegedly materialize in Whitechapel and Spitalfields areas.
Information: Kathleen Fassl, (773) 233-3770.
APRIL 20
Wine and dine
A wine-tasting fundraiser to benefit Habitat for Humanity Chicago South Suburbs will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. April 20 at Tinley Park Kitchen and Bath Shoppe, 17050 S. Oak Park Ave.
Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the door and include the wine tastings and a performance by the Heart to Heart Live Jazz Quartet.
Information: (708) 756-2015, charityhappenings.org.
APRIL 21
Winter ain’t over
Guitar legend Johnny Winter will perform at 8 p.m. April 21 at the Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., Chicago.
Winter shifts seamlessly between country blues and electric blues-rock and has recorded several Grammy-nominated blues albums.
Tickets are $35 for Beverly Arts Center members and $39 for others.
Information: (773) 445-3838, beverlyartcenter.org.
APRIL 22
Ribbit, ribbit
Thorn Creek Nature Center, 247 Monee Road, Park Forest, will host a free Earth Day event celebrating amphibians from noon to 4 p.m. April 22.
The event will include a slide presentation at 1 p.m. titled “Our Local Amphibians” exploring the frogs, toads and salamanders of Thorn Creek Woods.
Retired Forest Preserve District of Will County land management coordinator David Mauger, who specializes in amphibian and reptile research and conservation, will share his insights during the presentation.
Other events will include raffles, amphibian displays, crafts, refreshments and a nature hike through Thorn Creek Woods at 2 p.m. with guides Dave Mauger and Jon Mendelson.
Information: (708) 747-6320, thorn_creek@att.net.
