Public Square's Cafe Society at MCA

Get together with Public Square's Cafe Society participants from all over the Chicagoland area for a free tour of Lee Bontecou's exhibit, "A Retrospective," refreshments, and discussion tonight from 5:30–8 p.m. at the MCA, located at 220 E. Chicago Ave. Please RSVP to Public Square by either calling (312) 993.0682 or sending an email to events@thepublicsquare.org. Everyone is welcome at this event co-sponsored by TEN by TEN magazine.

Lumen Eclipse

After Effects Chicago presents "Lumen Eclipse" a multimedia event featuring digital art, experimental video and a musical performance accompanied by live video mixing.

Opening the event, XChicago will be hosting an industry mixer with video artists and professionals, set to the rock/pop samplings of DJ Sanchez Ali. Next is an exploration of the visual and aural arts –- a screening of "The Best of Art After Next TV." The AFX TV line-up includes:
• The experimental video art of Walter Wright (inventor of the music video)
• The AFX interview w/ controversial punk rock group The Locust
• AMODA’s (Austin Museum of Digital Art) experimental contemplative audio performance series with Brent Fariss & Bill Thompson
• Select features from Illegal Art.

Following the video, The Passengers will give their live debut performance with a one-hour set, accompanied by digital artist Mason Dixon's live video mixing. There will also be raffle prizes, open to all, from Digital Juice, Magnet Media, and DV magazine that will help to fund future Art After Next and AE Chicago events.

It all starts at 7pm at Rodan, 1530 N. Milwaukee. No cover (donate what you can); 21 and over.

French Kicks @ Bottom Lounge

It's hard to describe the French Kicks but here's how MP Shows does: French Kicks are not a traditional rock'n'roll band. Although they have elements of snarly garage rock, slick new wave, and giddy classic mod-pop, they remain completely unique. The four of them work together like draughtsmen creating musical architecture - a note is never wasted, a drop is never spilled. Their songs always seem to be on an angle, hovering just at breaking point. They cut to the quick with lurching riffs and palpitating percussion, but they are also cute and coltish and undeniably catchy. At heart, this is simple pop music, with hooks hookier than velcro and disarmingly pretty three-part harmonies. So there you go. At the Bottom Lounge, 3206 N. Wilton St. with On The Speakers and The Joggers, 8pm, 18+.