Synth City: 1984 Van Orwell

Vision Nightclub, 640 N. Dearborn St., hosts Synesthesia Chicago's Synth City: 1984 Van Orwell, featuring "an interpretive performance of Van Halen's 'Jump' video and the George Orwell classic '1984' simultaneously onstage." We're not sure exactly what that means, but no doubt it will be interesting. DJ Ryan Paradise spins, with a hosted bar from 10-11 p.m. Admission is $10, 21 and over. Check Vision's website or call 312/266-2114 for more information.

¡Descarga a la HotHouse!

HotHouse, 31 E. Balbo, celebrates its 2nd annual customer appreciation night with ¡Descarga a la HotHouse!, a jam session (descarga) featuring members of Victor and Connie Parra's Mambo Express and the Willie Gomez Con Cache Orchestra. The show starts at 9pm, and it's free with a canned food donation. Donations benefit the Gadshill Center in Pilsen. For more information, check out Hothouse.net or call 312/362-9707.

Russian Ark @ Siskel Film Center

Tonight at the Siskel Film Center, they're screening Russian Ark, a glorious-looking film shot in and around the Hermitage in St. Petersburg. The film weaves in and out of Russian history, moving from era to era as easily as its gliding Steadicam moves from gallery to gallery. The movie has but one continuous shot, which means that literally hundreds of actors were positioned and timed with precise planning throughout its 96 minutes. The film is part of a Russian film festival that's continuing on through February of next year. The showing tonight is at 6:15; there will be another screening tomorrow night at 7:30. Siskel Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.

NU v. BG in Motor City Bowl

The Northwestern Wildcats are in their fourth Bowl appearance in nine years -- against Bowling Green in the Motor City Bowl at Detroit's Ford Field. B.G. was 10-3 and is ranked 24th on the BCS chart. Tickets are still available.