Beast Women 2009 Winter Series:
A variety show features live music, belly dancing, erotic poetry, burlesque, sketch comedy, modern dance, fire spinning and more from a rotating roster of local women. Curated by local performer Jillian Erickson. Michelle Power hosts; through Dec. 19. 10:30 p.m. Sat.; $15. Prop Thtr, 3504 N. Elston Ave.; 773-278-1212
Belmont Burlesque Revue:
An hourlong variety show features striptease, comedy and novelty acts. Hosted by Jack Midnight and Second Cousin Joe, with magic by the Amazing Tomas. The third Saturday of the month features themed revues. BYOB; open end. 11:59 p.m. Sat.; $10, tickets: brownpapertickets.com. Playground Theater, 3209 N. Halsted St.; 773-556-8238, 773-871-3793
Christkindlmarket Chicago:
The 14th annual, open-air, German-style market showcases handmade ornaments, accessories, clothing and gifts from more than 50 vendors. Also features German food and drink such as beer, hot spiced wine, potato pancakes, bratwurst, schnitzel, strudel and more; through Dec. 24. 11 a.m. Wed.; free. Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St.; 312-494-2175
Contemporary Sculptures From China:
Four large-scale works take up temporary residence in the park’s Boeing Galleries. Participating sculptors and installation artists include Sui Jianguo, Zhan Wang, Shen Shaomin and Chen Wenling; through Oct. 31. 6 a.m. daily; free. Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St.; 312-742-1168
Conversations at the Edge:
Writers, filmmakers, artists, animators and theorists present film screenings, performances and discussions. 6 p.m. Thu.: Laura Heit; $4-$10. Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St.; 312-846-2800
Dick O’Day’s Big, Lovely Thanksgiving Bingo:
The wacky former “Wild Chicago” correspondent hosts an interactive game show with a political theme. Includes tacky prizes, theme show tunes and more. 8 p.m. Thu.; $10. The Annoyance Theatre, 4830 N. Broadway; 773-561-4665
Free wine tasting:
Get a 10 percent discount on any of the featured wines; open end. 2-6 p.m. Sat. Randolph Wine Cellars, 1415 W. Randolph St.; 312-942-1212
Get Outside 5k:
A run or walk through the woods includes a T-shirt, goody bag and refreshments. 9 a.m. Sat.; $30-$35. Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, 3609 Spring Road, Oak Brook; 630-850-8119
The Happy Family series:
A live arts showcase features multimedia performance, short plays, live music, improv and more. Each show includes five acts drawn from a rotating roster of more than 20 local performers including David Kodeski, Edward Thomas-Herrera and the Curious Theater Branch co-founders Jenny Magnus and Beau O’Reilly; through Dec. 6. 7 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun.; $12 per show, 3 shows for $30. The Viaduct Theater, 3111 N. Western Ave.; 773-296-6024
In One Ear poetry night:
Five-minute performances range from spoken word and poetry to music and visual art. Pete Wolf hosts. Performances are videotaped unless otherwise requested. Food available for purchase; open end. 10 p.m. Wed.; $3. Heartland Cafe, 7000 N. Glenwood Ave.; 773-465-8005
Barbara Laken:
The author reads from her novel, “The Cooperating Witness,” inspired by the experiences of a financial criminal turned informant. 7:30 p.m. Thu.; free. Women & Children First, 5233 N. Clark St.; 773-769-9299
Lighting of the lobby Christmas Tree with the Joffrey Ballet:
“Nutcracker” cast members light the Palmer House tree. 2 p.m. Sat.; free. Palmer House Hilton, 17 E. Monroe St.; 312-726-7500
Magic Cabaret:
P.T. Murphy, David Parr and other local magicians perform interactive, small-scale parlor magic in an early 20th century setting; open end. 7:30 p.m. Wed.; $20. Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-404-7336
Musical open mic night:
Hear local artists play, or sign up to perform; open end. 7 p.m. Sat.; free. Limestone Coffee & Tea, 15 E. Wilson St., Batavia; 630-761-2966
New Blood III:
School of the Art Institute of Chicago students perform new pieces and works in progress which blend theater, movement and visual arts; through Sun. 7 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 6 p.m. Sun.; free. Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.; 312-744-6630
Night of Fallen Stars:
Transgender songstress Jaila Simms (as seen on MTV’s “Making His Band”) appears at this showcase for trans artists featuring music, dance, comedy and poetry, presented in recognition of Transgender Awareness Month. Sat., 5:30 p.m.: Reception; 7 p.m.: Performances; $5 suggested donation. Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St.; 773-472-6469
Pearl of the Snowlands — Buddhist Printing at the Derge Parkhang:
The first exhibition of its type in the U.S. features prints, books, photographs and videos of the only surviving traditional Tibetan printing temple; through Dec. 5. Fri.-Sat., Mon.-Wed.; free. Center for Book & Paper Arts, 1104 S. Wabash Ave., 2nd floor; 312-344-6684
Peppermint holiday party:
6 p.m. Fri.; $20-$30. Hard Rock Hotel Chicago, 230 N. Michigan Ave.; 312-345-1000
PFLAG meeting:
Listen to guest speakers from the Chicago Gay Lawyers Association and meet friends and family of GLBT individuals. Includes light refreshments; open end. 2 p.m. Sun.; free. Howard Brown Health Center, 4025 N. Sheridan Rd.; 773-935-2398
Scrabble Sundays:
All you lucky wordsmiths can break out your wicked nerd skills here in good company and with sweet rewards. If you’re the big winner, bring your score sheet up to the register for a free drink; open end. 1 p.m. Sun.; free. Swim Cafe, 1357 W. Chicago Ave.; 312-492-8600
Tim Long — Daniel Burnham’s Enduring Vision for the Philippines:
Features photographs from architectural and landscape photographer Tim Long of Manila’s streets and buildings, which were designed by Burnham two years before he began work on the “Plan of Chicago”; through Jan. 10. 10 a.m. daily; free. City, 806 N. Michigan Ave.; 312-744-6630
Uptown Poetry Slam with Marc Smith:
Two decades running, this is the granddaddy of all poetry slams. The evening includes an open mic (7 p.m.), scheduled performers (8 p.m.) and a slam competition (9 p.m.); open end. Sun.; $6. Green Mill, 4802 N. Broadway; 773-878-5552
Wild Party variety hour:
Local performers Nathan Paul and Marvin Quijada host a cabaret featuring burlesque, mime, modern vaudeville, solo performance, stage combat and more. Live music follows; open end. 10:30 p.m. Sat.; $10. Mary-Arrchie Theatre, 735 W. Sheridan Rd.; 773-597-5403
Winter Arts and Crafts Expo:
Shop for holiday gifts at the 7th annual fair, featuring handmade jewelry, ceramics, fiber art, metal works, paintings and other original wares from more than 100 artists. Tickets to a preview party Friday are $30-$35 and include a silent auction. Also, artwork by adult students complements the showcase from Dec. 5-13; through Dec. 22. 6 p.m. Fri. (preview party); 10 a.m. Sat.-Wed.; noon Sun. Evanston Art Center, 2603 Sheridan Rd., Evanston; 847-475-5300
With Malice Toward None — The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition:
Celebrate the 200th birthday of America’s 16th president with a showing of rarely seen artifacts, including the Bible he was sworn in on (also used by President Obama) and a lithograph of the Emancipation Proclamation; through Dec. 19. 8:15 a.m. Thu.-Sat., Mon.-Wed.; free. Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton St.; 312-255-3700
For complete listings, go to metromix.com
