The 3rd annual Drinking & Writing Festival happens Sat. June 9th, Noon - 5 PM. The festival (blearily) focuses on drinking, writing, and writing about drinking.

Twilight Tales will be there, debuting Tales from the Red Lion - a collection of stories by 14 Chicago authors, telling tales of booze, barmaids, and barflies, all set in Chicago’s own haunted Red Lion Pub.

Authors from the book will be onhand all day to sign books, quaff beers, and have an all-around rip-roaring time. Other Twilight Tales books will also be on sale.

TT authors in attendance will include John Weagly, Tina L. Jens, Martin Mundt, Martel Sardina & Larry Santoro.

This year the focus is on the man who inspired the creation of Drinking & Writing Brewery, Charles Bukowski, with special guests to talk about Buk and beer.

Other events will include the “2 Drink Minimum Writing Contest.” After quaffing some afore-mentioned ale - provided by multiple award-winning small breweries, participants will be given pen, paper,a theme, and 2 minutes to write a story. Marvelous beer-related prizes go to the winner.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

Come join the fun at the Hopleaf Bar, 5148 N. Clark (Clark & Foster)

For more info, visit: http://www.drinkingandwriting.com/

On May 11th and 12th, 2007, the venerable Wilmette Theater will present a special limited engagement of the new indie comedy STASH, written and directed by Evanston native and bestselling novelist Jay Bonansinga, and featuring local funnyman Tim Kazurinsky (POLICE ACADEMY, SNL), as well as counter-culture icon Marilyn Chambers (BEHIND THE GREEN DOOR)!

The darkly comic story revolves around a young entrepreneur who will sneak into a client’s home, in the event of their death, and remove all their stashes of embarrassing adult magazines and DVDs before their loved ones have a chance to stumble upon them. The film has also won the Houston “WorldFest” Film Festival Gold Remi award.

Director Bonansinga is a Columbia College graduate, a Northwestern professor in the School of Radio/Television and Film, and also an acclaimed author whom the Chicago Tribune has called, “one of the most imaginative writers of thrillers.” STASH marks his directorial debut. The film is shot in the style of such beloved mock documentaries as SPINAL TAP and THE OFFICE. A host of Chicago improv specialists round out the cast, including Will Clinger (WTTW’ WILD CHICAGO), Jimmy Carrane (NATURAL BORN KILLERS), Mary Kay Cook (STIR OF ECHOES), and a new discovery in the lead, Chicago actor Brian King.

Show times are at 10:00 PM each night. (On Friday night only: The Director and selected Cast and Crew will be present after the screening for Q&A.) IMPORTANT NOTE: This film is not yet rated and is for mature audiences only. Length: 1:22. Color.

For ticket information contact:

Wilmette Theater at (847) 251-7411

www.stashmovie.com