The Ettes @ Ronny's

The Ettes bring their power garage rock to Ronny's, 2205 N. California, tonight at 9pm. Pyrite opens. 21 and over.

Rakim and KRS-One hosted by Doug E. Fresh @ The Vic

As part of a series of concerts sponsored by Miller, legends of hip-hop descend on The Vic.
Ticketmaster has tickets available as of this writing, and there may be any number of alternative ways to get in, although ten bucks here would be well spent. The Craft, a group of musicians with considerable chops, backs them up. 21 and over show, 8:15 is showtime.

"Chinese Bono" @ U of C

Chinese rock star Wu Tong performs at U of C's International House Assembly Hall. He's billed as being as popular in China as U2 frontman Bono is in the U.S.
Wu Tong (not Wu Tang) elicits comparisons to heavy metal rockers "The Scorpions." (Rock You Like a Typhoon!). More info, click here.

Shortbus @ Film Center

The Gene Siskel Film Center presents a return engagement for the John Cameron Mitchell film Shortbus, a surprisingly upbeat film about hardcore sex in post-9/11 New York City. The film screens for one week, through Thursday, March 1; see the Film Center Website for details. Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.

Beer & Chocolate @ Provenance

Provenance Food and Wine is celebrating its first birthday with a beer and chocolate tasting. And when it's your birthday, you splurge: Unibroue and Vosges are on the menu. The tasting takes place on Feb. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Fangoria Weekend of Horror

Horror film magazine Fangoria holds its annual Weekend of Horror this weekend at the Wyndham Chicago O'Hare, 6810 N. Mannheim Rd. in Rosemont. Meet dozens of the actors from famous frightfests, check out panels discussing movies past and future, watch preview screenings of upcoming releases, listen to horror-influenced bands Dead by Day and Fashion Bomb, and much more. Tickets and more information here.

Richard Buckner @ Schubas

Folk-rocker Richard Buckner makes his return to Chicago to promote his new album, Meadow, which is a return to the rock bluster of 1998's Since.
Richard Buckner, Friday Feb. 23rd at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport. $12, 10pm. 21+. With Six Parts Seven.

Today's Chicago Blues @ Buddy Guy's

Lake Claremont Press is celebrating the release of its latest book, Today's Chicago Blues by Karen Hanson, with a special party at Buddy Guy's Legends. Come listen to an acoustic blues set and meet the author starting at 5pm. Admission is free, but for $20 you can pick up a drink and a copy of the book. Buddy Guy's Legends is located at 754 S. Wabash Ave. RSVP to 773-728-1600 or by emailing lcp[at]lakeclaremont.com. Visit the website for more information.

Liquid Soul @ House of Blues

Grammy-nominated Chicago-based "electronic jazz" ensemble Liquid Soul brings their hip-hop and soul-influenced act to the House of Blues. 312.923.2000 for tix, or order them from the HOB online. Liquid Soul, February 23, 9:30pm at the House of Blues, 329 N Dearborn St. $15, 21+

Micromentalism Art Show

First show of local artist Patrick W. Welch's new Micromentalism art movement (small and challenging art at small and unchallenging prices) takes place at Fifty50 Gallery, Friday February 23, 2007, 6 to 10 p.m., 1017 W. Lake St., Chicago 60607 Show runs through March 31, 2007

Joan Collins @ Borders

Actress Joan Collins appears at the Michigan Avenue Borders this afternoon to promote her new book Joan's Way: Looking Good, Feeling Great. The event begins at 12:30 PM, and is free and open to the public. Borders: 830 N. Michigan. (312) 573-0564.

"Baby Chicago" Opens @ Green Lantern

See a fair the likes of which you have never seen before! Twenty artists create a tableau recreating some real or imagined element of the city on a smaller scale, with summertime and hot dogs in mind. Among other attractions, Stephen Eichorn presents the Band Shell, Max Scoppettone installs Lake Michigan, Lilli Carre and Alexander Stewart curate a tiny movie theatre, and Chresten Sorensen provides Wrigley Field and beer. The Beers Tower, a scale model of the Sears Tower made out of Hamm's beer cans, built by Lauren Anderson resides at the center of the miniature city. A ribbon-cutting ceremony starts the festivities tonight at 7:30pm, and festivities continue throughout the weekend.

Friday, Feb. 23: Dance me DJ party with Fenchel and E, 7:30pm-9pm
Saturday Feb. 24: Live music performance by Bird Names, doors open at 8pm
Sunday Feb. 25: Bike-In Cinema presents selected films by Tom Palazzolo and Adventures In Babysitting, starting at 6:30pm

$3 suggested donation each night, BYOB. The show closes on Saturday, March 4.

Panic! at the Darkroom

Everyone's favorite brit-pop dance party is happening this Friday at Darkroom. This week, there's a triple-helping of fun: 1) the best indie, brit-pop and new wave; 2) the solo album by that dude in the Strokes with the fro; 3) POGUES TICKETS! That's right, Panic! is giving away a few tickets to the Pogues' March 5 and 6 shows at the Congress. Darkroom is located at 2210 W. Chicago and Panic! starts at 9 pm and ends at 2 am. No cover!

Mucca Pazza and Velcro Lewis @ Double Door

The rowdy boys and girls from Mucca Pazza, everyone's favorite circus punk act, continue their "world tour" with a night at the Double Door. With Velcro Lewis and Reds and Blue.
9PM at Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee. $10

Zingerman's Guide to Good Eating Book Signing

Ari Weinzweig, founder and CEO of Zingerman's, the legendary Ann Arbor deli turned food empire, will be at Pastoral, 2945 N. Broadway, from 6pm to 8pm tonight to sign his new book, Zingerman’s Guide to Good Eating. Free. Call 773-472-4781 for more information.

GB Get-Together @ Black Rock

Yes, it's time once again for the staff and readers of Gapers Block to meet at Black Rock, 3614 N. Damen (just north of Addison), for drinks and good fun. With all the new staff we've brought on in the past month, this should be a really good time -- and you should be there! We'll be in the back room, whoopin' it up by the fire and possibly busting out some boardgames. 9pm to midnight.