Chicago International Film Festival

The 40th annual Chicago International Film Festival begins tonight with a screening of the movie Kinsey, starring Liam Neeson as Dr. Alfred Kinsey, the controversial researcher who studied Americans' sex lives. The film festival runs for two weeks at various movie theaters around the city; check the festival's Website for a complete schedule and ticket purchase.

Madison Zine Fest

Not really in Chicago, but close enough that people could go for a day, or a weekend. Madison Zine Fest will be taking place this weekend as part of the Wisconsin Book Festival. Join zinesters and hipsters and music-makers at Open Book Cafe and other locations in Madison. Continues through Sunday.

Poetry Reading and Open Mic @ Unicorn Cafe

Tonight at 7 p.m. at the Unicorn Cafe in Evanston (1723 Sherman Ave.), Rhino magazine will host a reading and Open Mic as a part of Illinois Arts Week. The reading will feature three recent Rhino contributors: Dawn Tefft, Katia Zalkind, and Kelli Kaufmann. They will read for a half hour and then they will open it up for anyone to read.

Illinois Arts Week

This year, October 3–9 is Illinois Arts Week. Check out the vast Arts Week brochure (PDF) for a full schedule of events all around the state. Events in Chicago include a walking tour of Roger’s Park galleries, an experimental Chinese photography and film exhibit at the University of Chicago Film Studies Center and the MCA, and a performance of "A View from the Bridge" at the American Theater Company. Check the Illinois Arts Council website for more information about other Arts Week programs.

Forrest Gander Reading @ UofC

As a part of the Poem Present Reading and Lecture Series at the University of Chicago, Poet Forrest Gander reads today, Thursday, October 7 at 5:30 p.m. in Classics 10 on the University campus. For directions to and maps of the UofC campus visit here. For additional information and bios visit here.

The M's @ the Empty Bottle

Brilliante recording artists The M's play tonight at the Empty Bottle, located at 1035 N. Western Ave. Also playing: Natural History and The Dead Science. $10 Doors at 9:30 p.m.