Aretha Franklin concert @ Civic Opera House

The Spirit of a Woman is an annual event put on by the group Southwest Women Working Together to campaign against domestic violence. This year's event features a concert by Aretha Franklin, and will also feature appearances by Iyanla Vanzant, Eve Ensler, US Representative Jan Schakowsky, Sunny Fischer and others. The concert is tonight at 7:00PM; tickets are available through Ticketmaster. Civic Opera House: 20 N. Wacker.

Richie Hawtin @ Smartbar

Richie Hawtin, whose Plastikman music has thrilled fans for the last decade, comes back to Chicago to dj at Smartbar for his Minimize to Maximize tour. The always-fantastic Magda opens. 3730 N. Clark, 21+, 20$.

Mike Doughty's Band @ The Abbey

Former lead singer/songwriter/and sexy rock star for Soul Coughing, Mike Doughty is now out and about with both a solo tour and his own new band (with a slightly rotating cast). This gig at The Abbey will include Mike Doughty on guitar and vocals, Thomas Bartlett (aka The Doveman) on keyboards and Shahzad Ismaily on drums. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. You can buy tickets on Ticketweb or at The Abbey at 3420 W. Grace (at Elston) ($15.00 advance, $17.00 day of show).