Captain Beefheart, Wesley Willis documentaries @ Intuit

Intuit: the Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art presents two documentaries about two classic Outsider artists, Don van Vliet (aka Captain Beefheart) and Wesley Willis. The two films are: "Some Yo-Yo Stuff", a 2003 Dutch documentary that focuses on van Vliet's artistic career after he stopped performing as Captain Beefheart (and apparently features an appearance by David Lynch); and "The Daddy of Rock'n'Roll", a look at the life of Wicker Park's most famous paranoid schizophrenic musician. The screening starts tonight at 7:00 PM. Tickets: $7, or $5 for Intuit members. Call for reservations. Intuit: 756 N. Milwaukee. (312) 243-9088.

Califone's "Deceleration - Music + Film" @ Rodan

Califone will be playing at Rodan, 1530 N Milwaukee, every Monday in November. The show is described thusly: "Califone's cross pollination of blues, folk music and broken electronic instruments fits well when performed to a film screening. Tonight they play to Dziga Vertov's 1924 Kino-Eye."

The show starts at 9:30pm; a $10 donation to the band is requested.

City Banner Auction

Today is the last day of the annual "Sharing It" banner auction at the Daley Center (50 West Washington St.). Bidding takes place in the lobby of the Daley Center from Noon–1:30 p.m. today. Cash, checks and credit cards (Visa, American Express and Mastercard) will be accepted with proper identification. Full-size and mini banners from events such as The Chicago Marathon, International Film Festival, and much more, will be available. Of course, Chicago’s sports teams will be featured banners as well: Chicago Cubs, Bulls, Bears, White Sox, prominent sports figures, and history-making events in sports. Popular museum exhibits will also be featured, including the Field Museum, Chicago Children’s Museum, Art Institute of Chicago, and more. These banners are creatively designed and make perfect gifts. New this year: Terra Museum of American Art, Steppenwolf Theatre, and University of Chicago’s Oriental Institute. "Sharing It" raises funds and collects food for the underprivileged through activities such as the banner auction, public donations, and a percentage of the proceeds from Taste of Chicago. Proceeds are donated to the Chicago Anti-Hunger Federation and the Greater Chicago Food Depository. "Sharing It" also helps the Department of Human Services buy turkeys for Thanksgiving, and pays for toy giveaways and clown performances at five major Chicago children’s hospitals during December.

"Treasures & Trimmings" Benefit @ Newberry Library

"Treasures & Trimmings" attracts a younger crowd of approximately 300 guests for a full selection of fine cocktails, a deluxe buffet of hors d'oeuvres, exclusive boutiques for holiday gift shopping and competitive bidding on eight silent auction packages, including cruise in Holland or France, a week's stay in Switzerland, or a private evening of poker with best-selling author James McManus.

Treasures & Trimmings takes place Thursday, November 18, from 6-9 pm at the Newberry Library (60 W. Walton St.). Tickets start at $100. All proceeds support the Newberry Library. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (312) 255-3510.

DJ Spooky "Rebirth of a Nation" @ MCA

DJ Spooky comes to Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) to present "Rebirth of a Nation" for four nights (Nov. 18–21) at 7:30 p.m. From the MCA: "Every culture has mythmakers, storytellers who can capture the essence of today and push it into the future. Paul D. Miller, also known as DJ Spooky, That Subliminal Kid, is a multitalented trickster of the imploding digital age whose mercurial mind crisscrosses cultures. Now he tackles one of the defining images of America – D. W. Griffith's profoundly racist, controversial and prophetic 1915 film Birth of A Nation. Tracing the roots of America's quick-cut, media-saturated popular culture, he remixes Griffith's film, fragmenting and melding it with new footage on three screens set to DJ Spooky's illbient score – creating a counter-narrative in which new stories can rise from the ashes." Look at his website for more information on DJ Spooky. Tickets are $22, $18 (MCA members). For tickets, please call the MCA Box Office at 312.397.4010 or visit TicketWeb.

Ellen Allien & Kate Simko @ Smart Bar

Tonight, local electronic gurus Meiotic welcome back Bpitch Control labelhead and Berlin resident Ellen Allien for her debut Smart Bar performance. Unfortunately, some unpleasant Visa trouble prevented her last scheduled tour of the States, but apparently she is in town this time and ready to perform. Expect a set of varied electro, techno and abstract beats, while Chicago's very own Kate Simko (of Detalles fame) warms things up with a live show of dubby, atmospheric IDM. Personally, I'd get there early, as Simko's performance will likely be the highlight of the evening. Meiotic resident DJs Audiophile and m50 kick things off with a tag team set. More info is available here.