5 Monday
1. WHAT’S UP, DOC?
The University of Chicago’s student-run Doc Films, now in its seventh decade, presents nine films (total running time about 11/2 hours) by the late experimental filmmaker Stan Brakhage. The films chart Brakhage’s rapid artistic development. Brakhage was a leading experimental filmmaker, making mostly non-narrative films that often weren’t representational and at times even dispensed with photography altogether; with a few exceptions, his movies also were made without sound. Ida Noyes Hall at the University of Chicago, 1212 E. 59th St, 7 p.m., $5. docfilms.uchicago.edu
2. CRAB CONSUMPTION
Shaw’s Crab House marks the opening of Dungeness crab season with menu specials at Shaw’s Chicago, 21 E. Hubbard St., and Shaw’s Schaumburg, 1900 E. Higgins Rd.; shawscrabhouse.com or call 312-527-2722 in Chicago or 847-517-2722 in Schaumburg.
3. SWEAT FOR FREE
Through Jan. 16, the Chicago Park District invites would-be exercisers to visit one of its 60 fitness centers to work out on treadmills, cross trainers and stationary bikes, or to check out classes such as kickboxing, Pilates, yoga and aerobics at no charge. Sign up for a winter membership ($40 to $75) and get a free workout bag (while supplies last). For a complete list of participating locations, go to chicagopark district.com or call 312-742-7529.
7 Wednesday
4. MOON TALKERS
Local performance poets Robbie Q. Telfer and Shanny Jean Maney host “The Encyclopedia Show — Two the Moon,” a showcase of visual art, comedy, music and spoken word. Each month a topic is picked randomly from an encyclopedia, and volunteering Def Poetry Jam vets, writing professors, slam poets, stand-up comics, fiction writers, artists and performers are given assignments on that entry. Tonight’s topic is the moon. 7 p.m. at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. Tickets: $5. 773-486-4331; chopintheatre.com. Hosted by Young Chicago Authors.
5. BEVERLY MEETS POPPY
The Beverly Arts Center of Chicago, 2407 W. 111th St., presents the 2008 British film “Happy Go Lucky.” This R-rated (for language) comedy stars Sally Hawkins as Poppy, an irrepressibly free-spirited schoolteacher who brings an unsinkable optimism to every situation she encounters. Official selection at the Toronto, Telluride, New York and Berlin Film Festivals. 7:30 p.m.; $7 ($5 for BAC members). beverlyartcenter.org or 773-445-3838.
8 Thursday
6. DAYS FOR LAUGHING
The eighth annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival has been called (by this newspaper) an entertainment bargain and “a hoot, euphoric and addictive, and sports a staff that works hard to maintain that energy level.” The festival features local groups as well as national and international comedy artists, and runs through Jan. 18; performances and other special events will take place Thursdays through Sundays simultaneously in Theatre Building Chicago’s three adjacent theater spaces — North, South and West — all at 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Tickets are $12.50 for each show, and the all-sketchfest pass is $150; 773-327-5252 and chicagosketchfest.net.
7. KILLER OF A TOUR
The Chicago Architecture Foundation hosts “Devil in the White City,” a bus tour based on the Erik Larson book of the same name. The tour departs from the CAF office, 224 S. Michigan Ave., at 10:30 a.m. A slide presentation precedes the tour, which highlights sites and buildings from the World’s Columbian Exposition, the setting for Larson’s book, which is about the exposition and America’s first widely known serial killer. (The tour repeats twice a month through March.) Tickets: $45 to $55; reservations required. Call 312-902-1500 or visit architecture.org for tickets.
8. COMING TO AMERICA
“Look, What I Don’t Understand” is actor-writer Anthony Nikolchev’s dramatic solo show about his family’s 1960s escape from Bulgaria to America. 8 p.m. at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave. (Performances continue at 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 1.) thirteenpocket.com. Tickets: $15 to $10; ticketmaster.com or 312-902-1500.
9. HE’S BAAAACK
Celebrate Elvis’ 74th birthday at Dick’s Last Resort, 315 N. Dearborn St. in Marina City Towers, at 7:30 p.m. Live cover tunes. Dress the part and swivel your hips during the Elvis impersonation contest for a chance to win $500. No cover; 312-836-7870.
11 Sunday
10. THE BOG IN WINTER
The 17th annual WinterFest features indoor and outdoor activities, including live music, photo contest awards, guided bog hikes and more from noon to 4 p.m. at Volo Bog State Natural Area. Hot cocoa, cider and cookies will be for sale at the free event. The bog is on Brandenburg Road, just west of U.S. Highway 12 between Illinois Highways 120 and 134, Ingleside. 815-344-1294; friendsofvolobog.org.
