Jerkstore Opening Party

The Jerkstore, a new electronic music venue by The Opaque Project, celebrates its grand opening tonight starting at 10pm. The show features Plastique de Reve from Geneva, Switzerland, Phon.o from Berlin, Atomly, Johnny Love and Marlon Montez. At 1550 N. Damen (above the Blue Line Cafe). Five bucks gets you in. More info at theopaqueproject.com

Jolie Holland @ Schubas

Jolie Holland plays at Schubas tonight, touring on her recent release Escondida. Holland's acoustic guitar music combines jazz and folk into a sound simple yet beguiling. Opening for Holland is Chicago's very own Edith Frost, who's warming up for a tour of her own. Head on over and send good vibes her way. Showtime is 10:00 PM; tickets are $10 in advance, and $12 at the door. Schubas: 3159 N. Southport. (773) 525-2500.

The Lord of the Rings Symphony

Tonight at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, film composer Howard Shore presents an evening of music from the three Lord of the Rings movies. The evening will also include performances by Chicago's very own Chicago Children's Choir, who will be singing songs in Elvish. Wow! The program begins at 8:00 PM, and runs tonight and tomorrow night. Tickets are $35-80; check the Auditorium Theatre Website for ticket options. Auditorium Theatre: 50 E. Congress Parkway. (312) 922-2110.

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.

Rhino Theater Fest: A Dangerous Ornithology

A piece by James Owens, part of the Rhinoceros Theater Festival. "The lives of seeming strangers become interwoven during the pressure of war in a one party state. Amidst the rising violence surrounding him, a prison camp worker is gripped by an irresistible urge to defy the laws. After a chance encounter on a train with an accountant who seems to share his thoughts, the prison worker discovers he is caught in a circle of murder, sex, and ritual. The cycle must be broken before all is lost. The problem is that, when neither history nor your own senses can be trusted, reality becomes the enemy." 9pm, Curious Theatre Branch, 7001 N Glenwood. $12 or pay what you can. Call 773-274-6660 for reservations.

Rhino Theater Fest: White Suit Science

A new piece written and directed by Shawn Reddy for the Rhinoceros Theatre Festival. "From the mind that brought you last year’s Rhino and PAC/Edge hit, My Name is Mudd, comes a super-scientific-y investigation into one of America’s great literary mysteries. Why did Mark Twain wear a white suit out of season? Complete with Mark Twain impersonators, Kentucky Fried Chicken conspiracies, dry cleaning techniques, God’s experiments on little animals, Silas Phelps’s penis, and much, much more in the way of irrelevant supporting material, White Suit Science finally reveals the greatest ancient Chinese secret this side of the Mississippi!" 7pm, Curious Theatre Branch, 7001 N Glenwood. $12 or pay what you can. Call 773-274-6660 for reservations.

Coming Out Ball

The Third Annual GLBTA Coming Out Ball will be held tonight from 8 p.m.–1 a.m. at Northeastetern Illinois University. This black tie affair is a celebration of Chicago’s diverse GLBT community and is for all ages and sexual orientations. Chicago celebrities Amy Armstrong and Freddy Allen will be emceeing, DJ Marc Scott will be spinning most of the night, and drag performer Miss Am’beyonce Knowles will be performing. All proceeds from this dry event are benefiting Project Vida and Lesbian Community Cancer Project. The ball is co-sponsored by Northwestern University’s Rainbow Alliance, Depaul University’s Spectrum, and University of Illinois (Chicago) Office of GLBT Concerns as well as Northeastern. The event takes place at Northeastern Illinois University Alumni Hall, located at 5500 N. Saint Louis Ave Chicago, IL, Admission $5/student with valid ID, $10 community members. Contact Anne Mothkovich at 773-402-9333 or email a-mothkovich@neiu.edu for more information.

Rhino Theater Fest: Cant

The Curious Theatre Branch's 16th annual Rhinoceros Theater Fest features Jenny Magnus's solo piece. "CANT is not not being able to. CANT is an edge, a brink that one can teeter on. Jenny Magnus returns to her familiar niche of solo performance with CANT, a new meditation on inclines and their slants when it comes to comfort, responsibility, and the terror of love. In her first new work in 2 years, Magnus uses her whining manner of speaking and vulgar slang to explore the relationship she creates with her doppelganger, a bag of rice the exact weight of her only child. When one’s concerns turn to having children, aging parents, and the inexorable passage of time, one must be careful of sudden movements which result in turning over or tilting up. Or so Magnus finds in her unique language, implying the pretended assumption of goodness. CANT is not not being able to. CANT is doing, in spite of whether one is able." 7pm. $12 or pay what you can. At the Curious Theatre Branch, 7001 N Glenwood. Call 773.274.6660 for reservations.

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.

Pilobolus @ Chicago Theater

Internationally acclaimed dance company Pilobolus is finally returning to Chicago, after several years' absence, for two performances at the Chicago Theater on October 8 and 9. I'm always amazed at what these dancers are able to do with their bodies, and they do it with a sensibility, athleticism and humor unparalleled by any other dance company. This is a must-see performance. Tickets range from $34-52, and go on sale August 13 from Ticketmaster, or at the Chicago Theater box office.

UNIVERSES: Slanguage @ MCA

A fierce fusion of poetry, politics, blues, and boleros combine in "Slanguage," an original performance by poetry ensemble UNIVERSES presented by the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), Chicago, in association with the Guild Complex, on October 8, 9, and 10 at 7:30 p.m. Hailing from the South Bronx, UNIVERSES is an ensemble-based company of multi-disciplined writers and performers, weaving their own lives and language into a collage of stories, songs, scenes, and poetry. Following tonight's performance, there will be a First Night post-show talk with UNIVERSES. For more information please visit the MCA website.