FANCY FEET

Macy's annual Great Tree Lighting takes place at noon on Saturday at the retailer's flagship store, 111 N. State. It's the 103rd annual celebration of the Christmas tradition inside the store's legendary Walnut Room restaurant. A 45-foot-tall tree trimmed with 10,000 lights and more than 1,000 ornaments will greet visitors through Jan. 10. The event is free. Call (312) 781-1000.

Hot on the heels of last year's successful holiday-themed sketch show, the Gift Theatre, 4802 N. Milwaukee, is presenting "Santa's Great American Depression Holiday Show! America 2: Son of Santa's Great American Depression Holiday Show! America!" -- a new revue featuring a collection of improv and sketch comedy from Second City and iO actors. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 13 at 10 p.m., and Sundays at 5:30 p.m. Tickets, $10. Call (773) 283-7071; www.thegifttheatre.org.

"Apostles of Beauty: Arts and Crafts from Britain to Chicago" opens Saturday at the Art Institute of Chicago (111 S. Michigan). Nearly 190 ceramics, furniture, metalwork, paintings, photographs and textiles from the Arts and Craft period from master artists such as William Morris, Elbert Hubbard and Frank Lloyd Wright will be on display Nov. 7-Jan. 31. $18 adults, $12 children 14 and over, students and seniors. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and Fridays,10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. on Thursdays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Call (312) 443-3626; www.artinstituteofchicago.org.

Reeling 2009: The 28th Chicago Lesbian and Gay International Film Festival continues through Nov. 15 at area venues. The festival showcases more than 150 films in what's billed as the second-oldest lesbian and gay film festival in the world. (See our coverage in today's Movies section). Tickets, $6-$10; special event prices vary. Call (773) 293-1447 or visit www.reelingfilmfestival.org for complete information and schedules. Venues include: Landmark Century Centre Cinema, Film Row Cinema, the Music Box Theatre and Chicago Filmmakers.

Does form follow function or function follow form? Answer the question yourself at the 16th annual Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair (SOFA) at Navy Pier's Festival Hall, 600 E. Grand, today through Sunday. Sixty-eight galleries from 10 counties will display their wares from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. today and Saturday, and noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $15, or $25 for a three-day pass. Call (800) 563-7632 or www.sofaexpo.com.

The Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beer takes place Saturday at the Journeymen Plumbers Hall, 1340 W. Washington. The 7th annual fest boasts beers from around the country, that those 21+over can sample from 6 to 10 p.m. (the afternoon session is sold out). Admission, $35-$45, includes a tasting glass and tickets for 12 samples; food is available for purchase. Visit www.illinoisbeer.com for more information.

River North Chicago Dance Company celebrates its 20th anniversary season with a performance of dance pieces tonight at 8 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park (205 E. Randolph). The program includes two world premieres: "Forbidden Boundaries" and "Evolution of a Dream," as well as last season's "Uhuru," and "Tuscan Rift" (above) featuring the music of Andrew Bird. $30-$65. (312) 334-7777 or www.rivernorthchicago.com.

DON'T MISS IT: First Friday at the MCA. It's happy hour -- from 6 to 10 p.m. today -- with an eclectic mix of specialty drinks (cash bar), free appetizers from Puck's at the MCA, DJs, creation stations, and an iMac G5 digital dating bar. The musuem is located at 220 E. Chicago. Tickets $8-$16 (include museum admission, entertainment and hors d'oeuvres); 21+ over. Call (312) 397-4010; mcachicago.org.