Democracy Burlesque @ No Exit Cafe

Democracy Burlesque, the monthly cabaret/revue show, presents its post-election show tonight at 8:00 PM at the No Exit Cafe (6970 N. Glenwood). Tickets are $10 or pay-what-you can. You can also get $2 off the ticket price with some "2006 election detritus" (a yard sign, flyer, button, voting receipt, etc.). For more details and a schedule of more upcoming shows, see the Democracy Burlesque site.

Alien @ Film Center

The Gene Siskel Film Center is running a series of science fiction films through the end of the year. This week's film is the 1979 Ridley Scott classic Alien (a new print of the original film, not the recently re-edted version). The film screens tonight at 6:00 PM, and will also include a lecture/discussion by SAIC professor Jim Trainor. Tickets: $9, $7 for students, $5 for Film Center members, and $4 for SAIC students. Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.

Writer's Roundtable @ Chicago Athletic Club

The Independent Writers of Chicago present this roundtable discussion about how to make a living as a freelancer. Admission is $15; IWOC members attend free. 6 PM (doors open for networking at 5 PM), 7th Floor Lakeshore Room, 12 S Michigan. For more information, call 847-855-6670 or or visit the website.

U.S. Passport Changes, Free Coffee @ Union Station

The Jamaica Tourist Board and the U.S. Postal Service want to make sure you're prepared this winter when you need a valid passport to travel to your favorite sandy beaches. Starting January 8, 2007, you'll need a passport to travel to the Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada and Mexico. Today, from 6am-10am, the Jamaica Tourist Board and the U.S. Postal Service are coming to the Great Hall in Union Station (210 S. Canal Street) to give commuters Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, inform morning commuters of the new passport regulations that go into effect January 8, 2007, and actually process their passport applications right there at the station.

At the event you can get:
-A sample of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee;
-Passport applications which can be processed on-site by the United States Postal Service*;
-An opportunity to have your passport photo taken;
-Listings of local passport application acceptance offices, a small passport card detailing the new regulations, and information on Jamaica;
-And a chance to enter to win a trip to Jamaica from the Jamaica Tourist Board

*Proof of U.S. citizenship, and a valid form of photo identification such as a driver's license must be provided as well as two checks ($97 for adults and $82 for minors under 16), one for the U.S. State Department and the other for the U.S. Postal Service for processing fee.

Philosophy of "The Matrix"

Seriously. If you're all into the Wachowski trilogy, The Matrix, then you need to check out this talk "From Plato to Neo: The Philosophy of the Matrix" at the Bucktown-Wicker Park Branch of the Chicago Public Library. You'll learn how the movies are inspired by Plato's Myth of the Cave and contain many cultural and philosophical references. Lecture with clips presented. Free at 7 pm.