Wing Eating Contest @ Cans

It's too late to register as a competitor, but spectators are welcome at Cans Bar and Canteen. Teams of four will be vying for the title of wing-eating champion of Chicago, not to mention $500 and an X-Box 360, among other prizes. The contest kicks off at 8 pm, and it's free for those who come to watch the madness.

The Ponys @ Logan Square Auditorium

Local favorites THE PONYS will play the Logan Square Auditorium (2539 N Kedzie) in support of their new album "Turn the Lights Out". Black Lips and Mannequin Men will open. $12. 8:30 p.m. For more information call: 773.252.6179.

Public Forum about shutting down Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center

Critical Resistance Chicago is organizing "No Child Left Behind Bars", a Public Forum at The Jacob Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies (Northeastern University), 700 East Oakwood Blvd. The event will take place on Saturday, March 31, 2007 From 2:00 to 5:00pm
CR is known for their "abolitionist" stance towards prisons and are proposing this event with three primary goals:
- to provide a space for youth and their families to share their experiences with the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC)
- to build membership in the No Child Left Behind Bars coalition
- to build momentum for the coalition's next meeting, focusing on alternatives to the detention center.

Get in touch with Yusufu L. Mosley, Project Coordinator, for more information at (312) 281-1463 or Yusufu@criticalresistance.org or Cell: 1-773-443-4077

Prurient, Burning Star Core, Carlos Giffoni, Bloodyminded @ Flowershop

Busker presents an evening of sonic mayhem, featuring Cincinnati's Burning Star Core, Prurient, Carlos Giffoni (both New York), and locals Bloodyminded. 9 p.m., $6 donation. The Flower Shop, 2159 W. 21st Place (at Leavitt).

SAIC Undergraduate Thesis Exhibition

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago presents their annual Undergraduate Thesis Exhibition. It opens tonight March 31 7:00-10:00pm and runs April 1-13. The show is at 847 West Jackson Boulevard, 2nd and 3rd Floors and Exhibition Hours are Monday-Friday, 100:00am-5:00pm; Saturday-Sunday,
12:00-5:00pm with Extended Viewing April 4th and 13th, 11:00am-9:00pm.

Lightning Bolt @ U of C

Drum and bass (not Drum & Bass) powerhouses Lightning Bolt will be performing at the Cobb Coffee House (5811 S. Ellis Avenue) at 8 p.m. KK Rampage and Bug Sized Mind will open. Space is limited: call (773) 702-8289 or email whpk@uchicago.edu for details.

The Pussy Pirates @ Reversible Eye

The Chicago/Ann Arbor all-gal post-punk quintet The Pussy Pirates will be playing at Reversible Eye tonight as part of a release party for their debut album. Also on the bill are local punk outfit Mommy Can Wait, Melting Moments, and Western Civ. 1103 N. California Ave. The whole thing gets underway at 9 pm, and the cover is $6. (773) 862-1232 for info. Keep an eye on our Transmission page for more info.

Circuit Bending workshop @ Old Town School

The Old Town School of Folk Music presents the latest in a series of workshops designed to give students a brief introduction to a musical style or dance method. This afternoon, it's a look into the do-it-yourself electronics world of circuit bending, or modifying electronic toys and instruments to produce unusual or unintended sounds. No prior electronics experience necessary, but you must be able to use basic tools, such as a screwdriver, drill, etc. This sounds like a LOT of fun, and there are a limited number of slots available for this class, so you should go register now. The class runs this afternoon from 1:00 PM to 4:50 PM, and costs $40 (price includes materials). Old Town School of Folk Music: 4544 N. Lincoln. (773) 728-6000.

Chicago Hot Glass Turns 6!

Chicago Hot Glass will be celebrating their sixth anniversary this Saturday March 31st, From 7:00pm to 12:00 with a BBQ dinner, live music, and glassblowing demonstrations. Bands include Stone Free, Strength For Everything, Nightfox, and The Flashbulb. $20 gets you a food, entertainment and a hand blown drinking glass at the door. It all goes down at CHG headquarters, 1250 N. Central Park Ave.

Remodeling the Tower of Babel

The Caxton Club and the Newberry Library come together for their Symposium on the Book, Remodeling the Tower of Babel: The Translator's Role in a Shrinking World. The symposium discusses the historical challenges of translation and will "demonstrate how understanding the translator's role in the past is fundamental to understanding its importance in public debate on many issues in diplomacy, journalism, economics, art and pop culture." Free and open to the public, however seating is limited to advance registration is required. 9am-4pm. Call 312-255-3700 for information and reservations.

Know Your Rights

What should you do when you're being hassled by The Man? Julia Asherman will tell you! She covers street rights, warrants, detention/arrest, and other basics of the legal system for protesters or anyone else who might get snagged by the long arm of the law in today's hypervigilant environment. Knowledge is power! At A+D Gallery, 619 S. Wabash, from 3:30-5; call 312-344-8687 for details. Part of the Pass It On: Connecting Contemporary Do-It-Yourself Culture exhibit.

Make Plastic Bag Signage

Got idle hands and a pantry full of plastic bags? Learn how to recycle those bags into usable objects! In this free workshop, Julia Asherman teaches techniques for making rope and twine, flat sheets, collage, and solid objects. Materials will be provided, but if you've got extra bags, bring 'em along! At A+D Gallery, 619 S. Wabash, from 1-2:30; call 312-344-8687 for details. Part of the Pass It On: Connecting Contemporary Do-It-Yourself Culture exhibit.

Self-publishing Books, Zines, and Journals

Become your own publishing empire by taking some tips from Brad Freeman, the studio coordinator of Columbia College's Center for Book and Paper Arts and founder of The Journal of Artists' Books. Freeman will share his work and offer a Q&A session for anyone interested in creating books, zines, and journals. At A+D Gallery, 619 S. Wabash, from 11-1; call 312-344-8687 for details. Part of the Pass It On: Connecting Contemporary Do-It-Yourself Culture exhibit.