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Five things to do in Chicago, from the obvious to the absurd.

Thursday Mar 26, 2009.     By Centerstage Chicago Staff

Lifestyle Feed

Chicago Confidential
9:30 p.m. Friday at Subterranean; $15
Michelle L'Amour, the Duchess of Chicago burlesque, presents a one-night-only "striptease history of Chicago," highlighting the city's proud legacy of crime and corruption. L'Amour's theme shows are the perfect mix of sexy dancing, cheeky costumes and DIY fringe charm. This show has all that, plus a first-ever live orchestra. Bonus: a guest performance from the Silent Theatre, a troupe that reinterprets old films for the stage with a lusty, stomping physicality.

"the break/s: a mixtape for the stage"
Thursday-Saturday at the Museum of Contemporary Art; $25
Can anything on stage at the MCA truly be hip-hop? This one-man show, which has toured everywhere from DC to the Humana Festival, blows critics away with its passion for the power of the beat. Writer/performer Marc Bamuthi Joseph explores culture and identity with precise physicality, mad microphone skills and an impressive multimedia backup. Check out our full preview/interview with the man himself.

Earth Hour Dinner
Saturday at Nacional 27
The River North South Beach-inspired spot is showing its love for Earth with a candlelit lounge and dining room, a minimally lit kitchen and even a limited use of water. Instead of washing bar glasses in the usual commercial dishwasher, the staff is opting for the three-compartment sink. The restaurant will also be putting its entertainment to the green test, showcasing trumpet player Victor Garcia on only a single amplifier rather than in full surround sound. For all Earth Hour events and specials, click here.

Sweet 16 Flip Cup Tournament
Saturday at Merkle's Bar and Grill; email ammirati1 AT yahoo.com to sign up
Forget trivia nights; this event gives you a chance to show what you really learned during college. It costs $60 per team to enter this double-elimination tournament, and there are cash prizes for the top three squads. It should be especially exciting if Xavier wins its game on Thursday, as the Wrigleyville bar supports the Musketeers (after the Iowa Hawkeyes, of course). For more ways to do it up college-style this weekend, click here.

Rogers Park Dinner Crawl: A World of Taste
4-8 p.m. Sunday, beginning at DevCorp North, 1557 W. Howard; $25 (buy tickets here)
It's often been said that Rogers Park is the most diverse neighborhood in Chicago. Nowhere is this more evident than its wide array of restaurants; walk down Clark Street and you'll find everything from a Caribbean bakery to a Middle Eastern cafe within a few blocks. The Rogers Park Dinner Crawl aims to showcase the 'hood's many ethnic offerings. Each participant will receive a "passport" to get stamped at each location, as well as a map. There will be free shuttle service with four stops along the route.