Mystery Book Fair @ Newberry

It's time for the Newberry Library's 12th Annual Mystery and More Book Fair. The fair features thousands of used books in the genres of mystery, romance, science fiction, fantasy and true crime. Most paperbacks are priced at $1 or less. The event takes place Friday, March 12 from Noon to 8pm and Saturday, March 13 from 10am to 4pm. call 312-255-3510 for more information.

Boy George @ Zentra

The erstwhile Mr. O'Dowd DJs at Zentra nightclub, 923 W. Weed St. Guaranteed presale tickets ($20) are available until 5pm today by calling 312-787-0400, or you can add yourself to the lower priority guestlist here, with admission prices varying according to arrival time. (You can also just walk your ass up at any time of the night, but expect to wait in line.) The night kicks off at 8pm.

A Great Midwestern @ Heaven

"A Great Midwestern" opens at Heaven Gallery, featuring work by Jim Finn, Craig Prehn, Peter Thompson, Tema Stauffer and Deborah Stratman. The show will be running through March 27th. The opening reception will be held from 8-11pm.

Melissa Thodos & Dancers

Melissa Thodos and Dancers perform at the Harold Washington Library Auditorium, 400 S. State St. 773-883-1487. March 12-13 at 8 pm, March 14 at 3 pm. $25, $20 for students -- purchase tickets here.

2nd Fridays in Pilsen

Chicago's oldest artist neighborhood, the Chicago Arts District (aka Pilsen), opens the doors to its alternative galleries and working studios every second Friday of every month in 2004. Friday March 12th kicks off a busy month for the district. Three galleries are holding opening receptions tonight from 6-10, Unit B, Chicago Artists Collective and 4Art Inc. Other galleries in the neighborhood will be keeping their doors open late to the public.

Forbidden City exhibition @ Field Museum

At the Field Museum today, they're opening up a new exhibit: Splendors of China's Forbidden City, which contains nearly 400 artifacts from 18th century China. On loan from the Palace Museum in Beijing, the exhibit will be at the museum through September of this year. Field Museum: 1400 S Lake Shore Drive. (312) 922-9410.