Kriti Festival

Kriti is a four-day event using panel discussions, readings, music, storytelling and more to celebrate South Asian and diaspora literature. This year's guest of honor is Anita Desai, author of Fasting, Feasting, Clear Light of Day and more, and thrice short-listed for the Booker Prize. Workshops and discussions are spread throughout the weekend, so be sure to check out the schedule to find exactly what you want to see. Visit the website for current admission prices and email info[at]desilit[dot]org for more information.

Oscar-nominated docs @ Film Center

The Gene Siskel Film Center presents a program of the four films nominated in the Best Documentary Short category of this year's Oscars: The Blood of Yingzhou District (the winning film); Recycled Life; Rehearsing the Dream; and Two Hands. The films will be screened tonight at 8:15 PM; the films will also be shown on Sunday, April 29 and Wednesday, May 2. Tickets: $9, $7 for students, $5 for Film Center Members, and $4 for SAIC students. Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.

Naked Raygun @ House of Blues

Chicago punk rock legends, Naked Raygun, continue to assert that they've reunited "for good" (minus iconic guitarist John Haggerty, however). They proved they meant it by playing several live shows over the past year. This Friday, they up the ante by headlining a double-header at the House of Blues. (Insert "House of Vanilla Blues" joke here.)

The 6:45 PM early show is sold out. But keep an eye on Ebay and Craigslist if you've got your heart set on seeing them with openers The Bollweevils, The Effigies, and Shot Baker.

The 11:30 PM late show still has tickets available as of this writing for $21.50 - $23. Opening acts include The Dillinger Four, The Bollweevils, and a special surprise guest.

GB Get-Together @ Black Rock

Hopefully the weather is nice enough that you get to take a nice, warm walk to this month's GB Get-Together at the Black Rock, 3614 N. Damen Ave. As usual, we'll be in the back room from 9pm till around midnight, drinking with readers and maybe pulling out a boardgame. There's also a Ms. Pacman arcade game we keep meaning to bring quarters for.

Justice @ Smart Bar

The French duo Justice, reigning kings of the current "dirty" electro craze, will hit town and get the club jumping with a DJ set at Smart Bar this evening. They're touring the U.S. to support the pending release of their debut LP on Ed Banger Records. Chicago's Dark Wave Disco deejays Transcid and Mark Gertz will also be there to get the crowd into a sweaty warm-up mode. Keep your eye on our Transmission page for further details. 3730 N. Clark. Doors open at 10pm, and tickets are $15.

7th Annual Collaboraction Sketchbook Festival Kickoff

Collaboraction launches their 7th Annual Sketchbook Festival tonight with a party at Rednofive, 440 N. Halsted. Admission is free, but donations are accepted and encouraged. Sounds will be provided by Peach Fuzz and Jeff from the Champagne Brothers. 9pm-12am. The festival will run May 31-July 1 at the Steppenwolf Garage Theatre, 1624 N. Halsted, and will feature two programs with eight pieces nightly. Call 312-26-9633.

Anarchist History Walking Tours

Join The Folks from the Finding Our Roots anarchist theory conference for a bit of local history from 3:30pm and 6:30pm on their Anarchy 101 walking tour of Chicago. At 3:30 Meet at The Old Cook County Courthouse where the Haymarket trial took place (Dearborn and Hubbard). This tour ends at Bughouse Square (across from the Newberry Library) with a soccer match. Then at 6:30 Meet at Haymarket Square at Randolph and Desplaines for more walking and talking. In addition to the walks there will be soapb.ox speaking actions with speeches by Lucy Parsons, Buenaventura Durruti, Emma Goldman, August Spies and Bartolomeo Vanzetti.

Big Band/Big Dance--the Chicago Jazz Ensemble with Jon Faddis @ Hamilton Park

This big band concert is part of JazzCity, a collaboration between the Jazz Institute of Chicago and the Chicago Park District. Free, 7:30 PM, 513 W 72nd. For more information, visit the website.

"Middle East by Middle East" Film Screening

Students from the Department of Film, Video and New Media of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago are holding a free screening of works by filmmakers from the Middle East tonight at 8pm at Busker-Chicago, 2159 W. 21st Pl. "Middle East by Middle East: Interpretation, Conflict, Culture" is a compilation of works made by Iraqi, Iranian and Palestinian film and video makers who share a geopolitical reality but who come from diverse backgrounds and artistic approaches and experience.

Antibalas @ Park West

The Brooklyn-based Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra pulls into town to play a set of hot, rollicking, true-to-the-roots afro-funk. They're touring to support their new album Security, which was released in early March. On the opening bill is the Cuban female hip-hop trio Las Krudas. The show also promotes OxFam America's "Fairness in the Fields" campaign. 322 W Armitage Ave. Doors open at 6pm, and tickets are $17 through Ticketmaster. Check with our Transmission page for further details.