July 23 • CINEMA/CHICAGO'S FREE SUMMER FILM PROGRAM features Swiss feature "Fraulein," with speaker Jan Huttner, founder/coordinator of WITASAN, a group that promotes movies made by women. At the Cultural Center, 6:30 p.m. See www.chicagofilmfestival.org.

July 26 • BROADWAY SHOW COMPOSER CHARLES STROUSE (“Annie,” “Applause”) will discuss his new book, “Put on a Happy Face: A Broadway Memoir” and his life in musical theatre. At 1225 W. Belmont, 1-3 p.m. Free event, but reservations necessary. Phone 773/327-5252.

July 26 • "THE BLIND AND THE DEAD" PREMIERE with cast membrs and guest performers, starting at 10:15 a.m. At the Portage theatre, 4050 N. Milwaukee Ave.

July 26 • BROADWAY SHOW COMPOSER CHARLES STROUSE discuss his new book, “Put on a Happy Face: A Broadway Memoir” and his life in musical theatre. At the Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont, 1-3 p.m. Free event, but reservations necessary. Phone 773/327-5252.

August 1 • ANNUAL BLACK HARVEST FESTIVAL OF FILM AND VIDEO opens and plays through Aug. 28. At the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State; tickets $9.

August 3 • SCREENWRITERS NETWORK features Rosanne DiMesio on the process Hollywood readers use to evaluate scripts. At the Lincoln Restaurant, 4008 N. Lincoln, $3 plus $6.50 minimum at the restaurant; 6-8:30 p.m.

August 5 • A SURPRISE MOVIE screens at the Midwest Independent Film Festival and guests will not be informed of the identity until they arrive at the theatre. At Landmark's Century Centre Cinema, 2828 N. Broadway. 6 p.m. cocktail reception, 7:30 screening; $10.

August 8 • THE CHICAGO FILM RACE is like the 48 Film Film challenge, but creating a 4-minute short in 24 hours, Aug. 8-9. Completed films premiere Aug. 13 at the Century Cenre Cinema. See http://www.filmracing.com/Cities/chicago.htm.

September 1 • DEADLINE FOR IFP PRODUCTION FUND GRANT providing $100,000 worth of in-kind goods and services to members for completing their films. Now is also a good time to join. See chi.ifp.org.

September 2 • "THE PROMOTION" DVD RELEASE PARTY hosted by the Midwest Independent Film Festival. At Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema, 2828 North Clark; $10; 6 p.m. cocktail reception, screening at 7:30. See www.midwestfilm.com.

September 7 • SCREENWRITERS NETWORK features lacerating Hollywood screenwriting critic and author, Linda Segar. At the Lincoln Restaurant, 4006 N. Lincoln, 6-8 p.m., $3 cover and $6.50 at the restaurant.

September 15 - 16 • CHICAGO NEW MEDIA SUMMIT At The Museum of Contemporary Art Lobby & Theater; $425 ticket includes cocktails, SummitTalks DVD, gift bags and networking events throughout the year. At The Museum of Contemporary Art Lobby & Theater; $425 ticket includes cocktails, SummitTalks DVD, gift bags and networking events throughout the year. Register at chicagonewmediasummit.com.