Billy Bragg et al.

Billy Bragg, Tom Morello, Lester Chambers, Mike Mills, and quite a few other musicians will be playing in town tonight at the Park West for the Chicago stop of the Tell Us The Truth tour, which is a musical tour designed to educate the general public about the dangers of media consolidation. If you can't make the concert tonight (at 7:30), there will also be a panel discussion by the musicians at The HotHouse this afternoon at 1:30. Park West: 322 W. Armitage. (773) 929-1322. The HotHouse: 31 E. Balbo. (312) 362-9707.

Martin Amis @ Barbara's Oak Park

Author Martin Amis will be at Barbara's Bookstore in Oak Park reading from and signing his latest novel, Yellow Dog. 7:30pm, free. Barbara's is at 1110 Lake St. in Oak Park; call 708/848-9140 for more information.

Blind Boys of Alabama @ Hothouse

In a rare appearance at such an intimate venue, renown gospel group The Blind Boys of Alabama will be appearing at Hothouse tonight at 31 E. Balbo Drive. The concert, which starts at 8pm, is in support of their latest album, Higher Ground. Tickets are $30 and you may call 312-362-9707 for more information.

Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles

Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles is the country's first all-female mariachi incorporating "pop rhythms with the romance, style and flair that make mariachi one of the best-loved forms of Mexican music." They will be performing tonight at the Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 East Randolph Drive at 7pm. Tickets range from $15-$30. Call (312) 629-8696 for more details. Sponsored by the Mexican Fine Arts Center.