THU 1/24
Card shark
If you’ve got a mean poker face, show off your skills at the Fourth Annual Majestic Star Casinos Charity Poker Championship. Prefer to just watch? You can do that too. The benefit for Children’s Oncology Service, Inc. offers competitors the chance to advance to the 2008 World Series of Poker. If Nintendo is more your style, compete in a Wii tournament for a chance to win a trip to sunny Cancun ($5 fee). Includes an open bar, plus pulled pork and brisket sandwiches from Sweet Baby Ray’s and Poker Chip ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery. 5 p.m. $250 to compete; $50 to watch. River East Art Center, 435 E. Illinois St. 312-924-4220.
Vegas, baby
Get a taste of Las Vegas this weekend when striptease show Ivan Kane’s Forty Deuce comes to town. The bawdy production, which regularly headlines at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, features glamorous burlesque-style dance performances with accompaniment by an old-school three-piece band. DJs Matt Roan and E6 spin between sets. 10 p.m. Through Saturday. $30. Le Passage, 937 N. Rush St. 312-255-0022. Tickets: wantickets.com/lepassage.
Wind not?
Remember how neighborhood video rental joints ruled the roost in the days before Netflix? In the comedy “Be Kind Rewind,” Jack Black plays a video store employee who accidentally erases all the tapes — and then schemes up a plan to recreate them all. See an advance screening withGenArt, then head to NV Penthouse Lounge (116 W. Hubbard St.) for beer and cocktails. 7 p.m. $15. AMC River East, 322 E. Illinois St. RSVP by noon Thursday: 312-229-1701, genart.org.
FRI 1/25
Mercury rising
We’ve got a surefire way to survive this week’s frigid temps: denial. Escape to the Taste of Brazil and let the slushy conditions fade away as you sip on sunny cocktails such as the Batida de Carnivale (cachaca, strawberry puree and passion fruit juice, $9). Special menu items include white shrimp-and-rice croquettes ($9), braised pork ($25) and guava-and-cheese empanadas ($7). DJ Mar spins. Reservations recommended. 9 p.m. No cover. Carnivale, 702 W. Fulton Market. 312-850-5005.
Give it up
Have your hopeful resolutions to eat smarter, exercise more and drink less all but evaporated? Trade failure stories with members of social networking group Chicago Shakers at the Broken New Year’s Resolution Party and toast your lack of commitment with beer, wine and appetizers. 7 p.m. $30-$35. Tickets: chicagosha kers.com. Take Five, 3747 N. Southport Ave. 773-871-5555.
Sam I am
Popular L.A.-based DJ Samantha Ronson rocked it out to huge crowds three times last year at Crimson Lounge, including the club’s opening party. Now she’s back for the first time in ’08 for a repeat performance. Bottle service available. 9 p.m. No cover. 333 N. Dearborn St. 312-923-2473.
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lmarnett@tribune.com
