Prime Shorts @ Siskel Film Center

The Siskel Film Center presents the latest installments of Prime Shorts, a bimonthly short film series featuring local and international films and videos. Two hours of films starts at 8:30 tonight, and will be followed by live music and a reception. Siskel Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.

Stuart Dybek @ 57th St Books

Stuart Dybek , Childhood and Other Neighborhoods Wednesday, January 28th, 2004 at 7 pm at 57th Street Books. Showing us both immutable aspects of human nature and delightful, Chicago-specific details, Stuart Dybek and his adolescent heroes evoke an urban wonderland in the short stories of Childhood and Other Neighborhoods. Born and raised on the southwest side of Chicago, Stuart Dybek is the author of the short story collection The Coast of Chicago, the poetry collections Brass Knuckles and Streets in Their Own Ink, and the new fiction, I Sailed with Magellan. His work has appeared in The New Yorker, The Atlantic Monthly, Harper's and more.

Bailiwick Directors' Fest: "Chicago Works"

Bailiwick Repertory Theatre presents the second phase of its 16th annual Directors' Festival. Chicago Works features world premieres by Chicago authors or Chicago premieres by authors with strong Chicago connections. Performance starts at 7:30pm; tickets are $10. Call 773-883-1090. Tonight's schedule:

Just Pretend: "a comedy-drama that looks at some of our most base and necessary primal desires and needs, and in doing so reminds us that we get what we need when we're really ready for it." Written and directed by Colby Sellers.

Out of My Mind: "A story about a writer, a gay TV star, a challenging friend and coming out of the closet." Written and directed by Blake Walton.

Three Note Organ: "A sad clown, a bag of broken glass, and the Backstreet Boys. Sounds like the perfect comedy. Or is it? Sharon and Ruth lead you on an unexpected quest to discover the meaning of the Three Note Organ." Written by William Charles Hare, directed by Laurel Haines.