Favela @ Sushi Samba

Shake off the lingering chill of winter by basking in the tropically-heated groove of samba, salsa, soul-jazz, and baile funk. DJ Eddie Mills, DJ Lee Farmer & DJ World take you on a musical journey into the ghettos of Brazil with live musicians, dancers, martial artists & more. At Samba Sushi, 500 N. Wells (at Grand). 10pm-2am, admission is free.

Steve Almond & Janice Erlbaum @ Abbey Pub

Writer Steve Almond (Candyfreak: A Journey Through the Chocolate Underbelly of America) and performer Janice Erlbaum (GIRLBOMB: A Halfway Homeless Memoir) come to the Abbey Pub tonight for a night of "wayward youth, freaky sex, family drama, and comic relief." Seriously...could you ask for anything more? $8 general admission; $6 for students under 25 with valid ID -- purchase them here. 7pm at 3420 W. Grace. Email mail[at]nextbook[dot]org for more information.

In One Ear @ Heartland Cafe

The "In One Ear" open-mic poetry event begins at 9pm every Wednesday night at the Heartland Cafe (7000 N. Glenwood Ave.) in Rogers Park. Be a part of one of the city's longest-running open-mic poetry series. Cover is $3. Must be 18+. Call 773-465-8005 or visit the website for more information.

"A Rock Shock to the Status Quo"

"A Rock Shock to the Status Quo," a CD launch party presented by Gen Art and The Voices and Faces Project benefiting survivors of sexual violence, at Reserve, 858 W. Lake St., from 6pm to 9pm. Tickets are just $20.

Sadie Benning Video Installation Debut

While still in her teens, Sadie Benning emerged as a key figure in video art with a series of introspective low-tech tapes that challenged the norms of gender and identity. Over the intervening years, Benning steadfastly maintained her independence, pursuing work in music (Le Tigre), drawing and animation, and in the process creating a singular body of work. Now the subject of a major monographic exhibition at the Wexner Center for the Arts, Benning returns to her adopted hometown to discuss her recent work and to screen Play Pause, her debut video installation. Co-sponsored by The School of the Art Institute Visiting Artist Program and the Video Data Bank. The Screening will take place on Wednesday, March 7, 6 p.m. at the School of the Art Institute Auditorium, 280 S. Columbus Drive
tickets $5 general public, $3 students, seniors, and SAIC alumni

Theatrical Poetical @ Black Rock

Reconstruction Room presents "Theatrical Poetical," a mix of performance, theater, visual art, poetry and all the efforts of the Rec Room performers combined into one "strange and beautiful evening." Performers include Liz Cross, Meg Barboza, Kathleen Power, Jessica Wigent and more. Free at 8pm, 3614 N. Damen Ave. Email recroom[at]recroomers[dot]com for more information.

Fathers & Daughters & Wives in Late Shakespeare

Join leading Shakespeare scholar and University of Chicago professor David Bevington for an exploration into Shakespeare's fascination with family relationships. Bevington will look at the late plays, such as Othello, King Lear, The Winter's Tale and The Tempest. The 6:15pm talk at the Newberry Library is preceded by a 5:30pm reception. $9 general admisson, $6 for Friends of the Newberry Library. Call 312-255-3700 for reservations and information. The Newberry Library is located at 60 W. Walton.

What IT Departments Need to Do About Web 2.0 in 2007 to Avoid Being Irrevocably Left Behind

Computer Hall of Famer Edward Yourdon will give this presentation for the Chicago Software Process Improvement Network. His premise: "The paradigm of Web 2.0 is that of 'content' being created by customers and the entire Internet community, as well as corporations and the 'mainstream' media. Sometimes this grass-roots content is aggregated and distributed by the traditional publishers; but often it exists as tiny, stand-alone creations on the Internet--such as the millions of blogs, photographs, and video clips that have sprung into existence in the past few years." 5 - 8 PM, AT&T Institute Atrium & Auditorium in Hoffman Estates.

Italian Wine Dinner @ Osteria Via Stato

Master sommelier Serafin Alverado will be pairing Italian wines with a four-course prix-fixe dinner at this relatively new Lettuce Entertain You restaurant in River North. The meal costs $75, and seatings start at 6 pm. Call 312-642-8450 for reservations.