Laura Lodewyck, NBC5 Street Team

I'm Laura in the NUDE HIPPO Newsroom with these top stories!

Did you see that a middle school in the ‘burbs has banned hugging? The reason why is pretty hilarious: apparently, “so-called "hug lines" in the hallways were making students late for class and causing bottlenecks in the halls”. Oh, you clever students, using hug-time to evade class! Still, where’s Oprah when you need her? Remember when she defended that really needy Free Hugs guy?

Anyway, sorry for the whole hug tangent, but it seemed appropriate as this Thursday, October 4^th is the Opening Gala of Chicago Fusion Theatre’s inaugural production HUGGING THE SHOULDER.

The show, which originally premiered at the New York International Fringe Festival, is about a 20-something Southern guy who kidnaps his brother, stuffs him into a van, and takes him on a grueling road trip to conquer his heroin addiction. Chicago Fusion Theatre is seeking new ways to introduce the arts to audiences that don’t often go to theatre, hence the handy business-adjacent South Loop location at the hip Meztli Galeria.

So, this weekend: hugs, not drugs. (Unless, of course, you’re into both.)

Meanwhile, did you take my advice and hit an Oktoberfest? Did you have as much fun as Amy Zanglin and I did?

Maybe after all that beer, you need to relax and explore your domestic side. Check out the Chopping Block Trunk Show at Merchandise Mart from 10am-3pm on Saturday. It’s free, and there’s product tastings! Mmm, free fancy food. Later, you can pretend to be good at cooking by dressing up in a pretty apron and entering a The Mother of All Bake Sales for a chance to win $1,000 for both you and your favorite charity!

Of course, if you consider NOT subjecting people to your cooking your good deed for the week, you can still feel good about getting some culture with a rock n’ roll edge at the Sympathy for the Devil exhibit at the MCA , which is celebrating its 40^th year with 40 free days.