Andrew Bird @ Metro

Andrew Bird's record release show is tonight at the Metro, 3730 N. Clark, with Archer Prewitt and Clyde Federal opening. It's 18 and over, tickets are $15 and doors open at 8pm. Skip the TicketMaster charges by getting your tickets at HiFi Records next door, 3728 N. Clark.

Get-in-Gear Volunteer-a-thon

Working Bikes Cooperative volunteers celebrate their new storefront at 1125 S. Western Ave. and all of their past, present and future! Working Bikes welcomes all interested in volunteering to learn about their accomplishments, projects and plans for promoting bikes and the biking lifestyle. This afternoon's free reception last from 3-7pm, with a presentation at 4pm. Snacks and refreshments provided. Contact Paula at pa_skoodna[at]yahoo.com for more information.

Ayun Halliday @ Quimby's

Kick-ass author (and former Chicagoan) Ayun Halliday will be at Quimby's this afternoon at 4:00 PM, to promote her new book Job Hopper: The Checkered Career of A Down-Market Dilettante. No word on what Ayun has prepared for the event, but I betcha it's gonna be great. The event is free. Quimby's: 1854 W. North. (773) 342-0910.

Fast Forward Film Fest

This year's Fast Forward Film Fest competition screens tonight at 8pm at Open End Gallery, 2000 W. Fulton Ave. The show is free. More info here.

Too Much Light Kids!

The Neo-Futurists present "Too Much Light Kids!", a family-friendly version of their long-running late-night show Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind. GB's Alejandra Valera reviewed the show when it ran last December; read the review here. Appropriate for ages 6 and up, "Too Much Light Kids!" happens at 2:00 PM on Saturday afternoons through June 25 at the Neo-Futurarium. Admission: kids get in for $1-6 ($1 x the roll of a six-sided die), adults get in for $8-13 ($7 + the roll of a six-sided die). Group rates available; call (773) 878-4557 for details. Neo-Futurarium: 5153 N. Ashland (at Foster). General show details: (773) 275-5255.

Belgian Beer Celebration: Kendall College

Kendall College hosts the 'Belgian Beer Celebration: A Discovery of Food, Culture and Drink' on April 15-16, 2005. The event will feature more than 100 beers, representing a majority of the many brands in the Chicagoland market. There will also be a selection of Belgian specialty foods, information, displays, seminars and beer items.

On Saturday, April 16, from 12:30-5 PM there is an open public tasting along with seminars presented by brewery experts covering: the beer styles and regions of Belgium, an evaluation of how certain beers age and develop, and the cuisine and gastronomy of Belgium-food and beer pairings.

For more information, please contact either Richard Cooper, Project Manager: 773-330-9886 or the Office of Wallonia Trade: 312-357-0992.

Aline Kominsky-Crumb @ Rhona Hoffman Gallery, Quimby's

Cartoonists Aline Kominsky-Crumb and Peter Popalski will be at the Rhona Hoffman Gallery this afternoon from 1:00 to 3:00, to promote Popalski's new book on Aline's husband R. Crumb (you might have heard of him). And after this event, the pair will be off to Quimby's at 7:00 PM, where they will be hosting an R. Crumb look-alike contest! (I'm assuming James Urbaniak is disqualified from participating.) The grand prize is a dream date with Aline herself. So drag out your straw boaters and coke-bottle glasses, guys, because you've got a shot at a date with Devil-Girl! Rhona Hoffman Gallery: 118 N. Peoria. (312) 455-1900. Quimby's: 1854 W. North. (773) 342-0910.

From Me to You @ U of C

Grammar-philes unite! The University of Chicago is presenting "From Me to You: The Significance of the Second Person," a two-day conference exploring implications of second-person address through literature, law, philosophy and other disciplines. This is where you'll get to discuss the relationship between "you" and "me" (and maybe learn some new pickup lines). The conference is open to the public and will be held in the West Lounge of Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th St. Check out the schedule here.