New events starting to fill the September calendar

8/31: IFP’S ON TAP: KICK OFF PARTY Monday, Aug. 31 at Lagunitas Brewing, on the Cinespace campus, will announce its new programs and partnerships.  Evening highlights: A compilation reel of members work on monitors throughout the evening, great raffle prizes, tasty bites and networking. 

At the Basement, 2607 W. 17th St., 5:30-8:30 p.m.  Tickets, $20, may be purchased here.

9/8: FORMER WLS RADIO SHOW HOST and communications consultant Catherine Johns speaks on “How to Make an Impact beyond the Written Word” to the Independent Writers of Chicago (IWOC), Tuesday, Sept. 8.  Johns, also an author, spent 18 years at WLS 890 as news anchor to Larry Lujack and side-chick to John Record Landecker and hosting her own popular talk show.

At the Gratz Center, 126 E. Chestnut, 5-7 p.m., members, $10, non-members, $15. To register, click here.  

9/17-24: THE 33rd REELING, the second oldest LGBTQ+ International Film Festival Sept. 17-24, presents some 40 features and 60 shorts from around the world – most of them being Chicago premieres.  Opening night’s presentation, bro comedy “Fourth Man Out,” featuring alum performers from Second City and Annoyance Theatre, takes place at the Music Box Theatre. 

The bulk of the films will screen at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema.  Reeling’s home base, Chicago Filmmakers, also will host screenings.  Consult the festival website for a full schedule, news and ticket giveaways, or call 773/293-1447.  

9/21 MIND OVER MINDY,” an indy rom com written and directed by Robert Alaniz and executive produced by Tom Rovak, holds a Chicago Gala Screening, Saturday, Sept. 19 at the Patio Theatre in Portage Park. A cast meet-and-greet at 7 p.m., screening at 8, cast and crew discussion afterwards. See the trailer here.

9/25-27: THE FIRST “IRISH AMERICAN MOVIE HOOLEY” is being presented by the Gene Siskel Film Center and Hibernian Transmedia at the Center, Sept. 25-27.  Two Ireland-made and a Chicago feature will play on successive nights.  All three directors will field Q&A. (The Irish call it a “hooley” when things get exciting.) 

The Hooley is dedicated to discovering talented filmmakers whose films celebrate his passion, humor and swagger of the Irish Diaspora, which brought thousands of Irish to Chicago between 1841 and 1853. 

At 164 N. State; tickets, $11 general admission.

Send your events notice to ruth@reelchicago.com.