The Jerk, Pootie Tang @ Music Box

Rarely do you get such an embarrassment of riches at the midnight screenings at the Music Box as you get this weekend, where you get to choose between Steve Martin's The Jerk and Lance Crouther in Pootie Tang. This would be worth attending just to see what kind of crowds these two movies are going to attract. Both movies show at midnight tonight and tomorrow night. Music Box: 3733 N. Southport. (773) 871-6604.

Winter Bike to Work Day

To commemorate the coldest day in Chicago history (20 January 1985, when the temperature was minus 27; minus 93 when accounting for windchill), the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation is hosting a breakfast party for bicycle commuters in Daley Plaza. The event features free hot chocolate, Eli’s cheesecake, and a raffle. 7 AM to 9 AM, 50 W Washington Street.

Jon Langford: The Executioner’s Last Songs @ MCA

This performance by artist and activist Jon Langford incorporates songs, theater, and visual art. Tickets are $22 (MCA members $18). 7:30 PM, in the MCA Theater, 220 E Chicago Avenue. For more information, visit the website.

The Bound Stems @ The Empty Bottle

As posted earlier this week, Flameshovel Records is considered one of the Top 10 indie labels in Chicago. Appropriately, we are featuring one of their bands, The Bound Stems, in our Transmission section this week. They are considered by many to be a band on the rise but don't take our word for it - give them a listen and see them live at the Empty Bottle this Friday.

Snow Turtle: Morning Time

Opening at Filter tonight, 1585 N. Milwaukee, "Snow Turtle: Morning Time" is a series of giant hanging comic panels that tell a story when read in order. Artist Dustin Kimmel heads the 6-10pm free opening. Call 773-227-4850 for more information.

Roe v. Wade Commemoration

The University of Chicago commemorates the historical Roe v. Wade court case with a panel discussion and keynote speech. Breakfast and refreshments will be served at the 9am-12pm event in the Max Palevsky Theater, 1212 E. 59th St. For information, contact Sage DePree at 773-834-4706 or sdepree[at]babies[dot]bsd[dot]uchicago[dot]edu.

Radiant Darkness -- Stories in Shadow Puppetry

If you didn't catch this show's first program run, here's another chance to see it. Tonight is the opening of the second program of this shadow puppet show that will go through January 29. This program contains Lost and Found by the Incurable Theater, Being Mad to Desperation -- Murder Ballads and Shadow and Puppetry by Anthony Whitaker and Shelley Miller and The Yellow Wallpaper adapted from Charlotte Perkins Gilman's work, among others. Tickets are $10; Friday and Saturday at 8pm, Sundays at 7pm. It all happens at Links Hall, 3435 N. Sheffield Ave., 2nd floor. Call 883-281-0824 or email info[at]linkshall[dot]org for tickets and information.

Jazz Fair @ Cultural Center

The Jazz Institute of Chicago joins with the Chicago Cultural Center in presenting a weekend of free jazz programming. Tonight between 7 PM and midnight, choose from a half dozen different panels, jams, and performances. 77 E Randolph Street. For more information, call 312-744-6630 or visit the website.

MAKE Magazine Release Party

Support a local literary magazine! Join the MAKE crew for the release of MAKE Issue #2, featuring writing from established and emerging writers, including Ebony Bolding, Daniel Borzutsky, Ira Brooker, GB's own Ramsin Canon, K.B. Dixon, and more. The night's festivities will include readings and music from Ramona Cordova, I Need Sleep, and Bound Stems.

The party's at the Empty Bottle, located at 1035 N. Western, and begins at 9:30. The cost is $8 and includes a fresh copy of MAKE.

Hardcore Herstories

Mess Hall's Hardcore Histories series continues with Hardcore Herstories -- a celebration of women in Hardcore. From 7-10pm, celebrate women with punk attitude, including Bikini Kill, Velocity Girl, Shonen Knife and many more. Mess Hall is located at 6932 N. Glenwood Ave. Call 773-465-4033 for more information.

Gary Schepers benefit shows @ Fitzgerald’s

A benefit show for Gary Schepers, a long-time local soundman recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, is going on at 9pm tonight at Fitzgerald’s, 6615 Roosevelt Road in Berwyn. Three shows will actually be going on: Robbie Fulks, Jay Ferrar, and Corky Siegel will be playing in the main room, Devil in a Woodpile will be playing in the side bar, and Dolly Varden, Bunker Town, and the Prohibition Orchestra will be playing in the front room of the side building. For more information about his show, see the Fitzgerald’s website; see the Bloodshot Records website for more information about the series of benefit concerts going on for Schepers.