Venus Release Party

Venus is throwing a little shin-dig at the Open-End Gallery (2000 W. Fulton #310) tonight beginning at 9:30 pm. There will be dee-jays, demonstrations from Early To Bed, some vegand desserts. An $8 donation inlcudes free beer.

PISTIL magazine release party

PISTIL magazine is having a masquerade ball release party for their "Public/Private" issue tonight at The Darkroom (2210 W. Chicago). The ball starts at 9 pm.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band @ Fermilab

Few people realize that in addition to being a serious scientific institution, Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory out in Batavia is an active supporter of the arts. Kicking off this year's Fermilab Arts Series is the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, an old-fashioned New Orleans jazz ensemble. The show begins at 8 p.m. in Ramsey Auditorium, in Wilson Hall (directions) on the Fermilab campus. There will be a pre-concert talk by Deborah Gillespie of the Chicago Jazz Archives, University of Chicago at 7 p.m. in Room One West, and a post-concert reception. Tickets are $26, half-price for children under 18. Ticket information here. For more information call (630)-840-ARTS

Northcenter Oktoberfest

The Northcenter neighborhood gets into the Oktoberfest act this Friday and Saturday, in Northcenter Town Square at 4100 N Damen (at Belle Plaine Avenue across from Osco). There will, of course, be beer, but also both traditional German music and "popular bands" (read: Afrodesiacs and Waco Brothers) playing and both German food and barbecue from Laschet's Inn and Smokin' Woody's. In an unusual twist, this is an evening-only event -- 5-11pm Friday and 4-11pm Saturday. $5 admission. More info here, and Metromix has a band schedule.