With the R. Kelly trial starting today, I’ve got crime on my mind, especially with the appearance of follow-up stories on two of the Chicago area’s biggest crime stories of the past 30 years—the Laurie Dann shooting and Cathleen Crowell Webb’s later-recanted rape charge against Gary Dotson. Whether Kelly’s trial gets the same retrospective treatment from the Trib in 20 years probably depends alot on whether he’s found guilty or innocent. At this point, the trial seems more a referendum on Kelly’s well-documented history with women than it does a criminal proceeding.

Here are five things to do today:

BOOKS - George Saunders at University of Chicago, Swift Hall
One of the premier contemporary short-story writers—and a MacArthur–certified genius—Saunders takes a turn for the true with his first collection of nonfiction, The Braindead Megaphone. 4:30pm. University of Chicago, Swift Hall, 1025 E 58th St.  Bus: 172 U. of C.-Kenwood. Metra: Elec Main to 59th. Also Saturday. FREE! 

DANCE - A Flowering Tree
Dance is an important aspect of this multilayered spectacle, getting its Midwest premiere at Chicago Opera Theater. Freelance choreographer Renato Zanella, formerly director of the Vienna Opera Ballet, contributes the choreography. 7:30pm. Harris Theater, 205 E Randolph St between Michigan Ave and Columbus Dr (312-334-7777, harristheaterchicago.org). El: Red to Lake; Blue to Washington; Green, Orange, Pink, Purple (rush hrs), Brown to Randolph. Bus: 3, 4 (24hrs), 60 (24hrs), 145, 147. $35–$120.

MUSEUMS & CULTURE - ZAP’s Zinfandel Grand Tasting
It’s safe to assume that everybody who’s attending ZAP’s Zinfandel Grand Tasting, thrown by the California-based Zinfandel Advocates & Producers, is smitten with the bold, inky reds. With that in mind, you’ll want to show up at this event as early as you can and head straight for the most coveted brands (Ridge Vineyards comes to mind). 6:30–8:30pm. Mid-America Club, 200 E Randolph St, 80th floor at Columbus Dr (530-274-4900). El: Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple (rush hrs) to Randolph. $50.

MUSIC - Cluster at Empty Bottle
It’s never too late to oscillate. Cluster was never exactly a krautrock heavy like Can or Faust. The duo of Hans-Joachim Roedelius and Dieter Moebius was so committed to the spirit of experimentation that many of Cluster’s 13 albums sound distinctly different from each other. But what American space cadets lovingly recall are the albums the pair made with ambient mastermind Brian Eno: Cluster & Eno and After the Heat, which arrived in the late 1970s to help FM “free-form” radio listeners avoid the cheesy psychedelia of Tangerine Dream. 9pm. Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western Ave, at Cortez St, Ukrainian Village/West Town, Chicago (773-276-3600). $18.

SPORTS & REC - Chicago Marathon Kick Off Seminar
Coach Mark Buciak, who has completed more than his share of marathons, pontificates on how he can whip you into shape in time for the Windy City’s 31st edition of the 26.2 miler. This kickoff seminar will cover what’s expected out of you for the next 22 weeks. 6pm. Kiehl’s, 907 W Armitage Ave between Fremont and Bissell Sts (773-307-0033, theroadtoboston@rcn.com). El: Brown, Purple (rush hrs) to Armitage. Bus: 8 Halsted, 73 Armitage. FREE!