Chicago is rolling out the red carpet for a Hollywood maverick.

Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino hits town Aug. 18 as honoree of the Chicago International Film Festival's summer gala. This annual event -- Clint Eastwood, Robin Williams, Steven Spielberg and Nicolas Cage were past invitees -- kick off the 45th moviefest running Oct. 8-21 at the AMC River East.

For CIFF founder Michael Kutza, two-time Oscar winner Tarnatino ("Pulp Fiction") is a natural-born trailblazer as evidenced by such nonlinear thrillers as "Reservoir Dogs," "Pulp Fiction" and "Kill Bill, Vol. 1 and 2." The writer-director "is consistently inventive as a director, writer, producer and actor ... `Pulp Fiction' remains one of the greatest directorial and writing achievements in cinema," Kutza said.

Mum's the word on which celeb will present the award to Tarantino, but the choice is "always interesting," an insider said.

The salute to the 46-year-old writer-director comes complete with film montage. Tarantino also will take part in a Q&A in the wake of the Chicago premiere of his upcoming World War II drama. "Inglourious Basterds" stars Brad Pitt, Melanie Laurent and Eli Roth as Jewish-American soldiers in Nazi-occupied France.

The screening begins at 6:30 p.m. at the AMC River East, 322 E. Illinois St., Chicago. A VIP reception follows at 9:30 at the Wit, 201 N. State St., aka the slick new Doubletree hotel in town. Tickets range from $50 to $150.

Cool change

If your low utility bills weren't a tip-off, Chicago has recorded the coldest July in 65 years. The average temp: 68.9.

Need heat?

Take a look at the smokin' photos of the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The images, recorded by an unknown photographer three to four weeks after the disaster, are on display at the City Gallery at the Historic Water Tower, 806 N. Michigan Ave. The tower was one of the few buildings to survive the blaze. Admission is free.

Grapevine

Spotted: "Late Night's" Jimmy Fallon and actor Cedric Yarbrough (Deputy Jones on "Reno 911") unwinding on separate occasions at Bull & Bear. Fallon is apparently a big fan of the UFC ... ... Good musicians like good music. Indie rocker Andrew Bird, Wilco guitarist Pat Sansone and Local H frontman Scott Lucas cheered on the Fab Four during Tuesday's 45th anniversary screening of "A Hard Days' Night" at the Music Box ... Let the moshing begin. The Warped Tour rolls Saturday into First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre (the former Tweeter Center) in Tinley Park. Acts include Bad Religion, Black Tide and Less Than Jake ... Condolences to legendary Chicago newsman Bill Kurtis and partner Donna LaPietra on the loss of his son Scott, 38. The younger Kurtis, who suffered from schizophrenia, heart and thyroid conditions, died last week in Kansas. He had lived and worked at his father's ranch.