Menowah and More At South Union Arts

Menowah plays early on Friday and with so much going on it's a good thing.  The band has recently released a new EP, After Everything.  Don't miss them in this cool venue, South Union Arts.  With Voxbox, Modal and a poster gallery.

York Radio Club

Admit it: you always wanted your own radio station. The York Radio Club holds its monthly meeting tonight at 8pm at the Elmhurst Fire Department Training Facility, 910 N. Addison Ave. in Elmhurst, two blocks south of Grand Avenue and one block west of York Road. The club offers testing for all amateur licenses before the meeting at 7pm. Free.

Brand Upon The Brain @ Music Box

The Music Box Theatre presents a live accompaniment of Guy Maddin's latest film Brand Upon The Brain! Performing the soundtrack for the silent film will be an 11-piece orchestra, a team of foley artists for sound effects, a castrato (!), and narration by Crispin Glover (!!). Brand Upon The Brain! screens tonight at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased through Ticketweb. If you can't make it tonight, there will also be performances tomorrow at 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM, and on Sunday, May 20 at 2:30 PM. Music Box: 3733 N. Southport. (773) 871-6604.

Jonathan Coulton @ Schubas

Schubas presents an evening with the wonderful Jonathan Coulton, the musician who recorded that one funny version of "Baby Got Back" that you may have heard. Paul & Storm is the opening act tonight. The concert starts at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $15, and can be purchased through the Schubas Website. Schubas: 3159 N. Southport (at Bemont). (773) 525-2508.

Steve Goodman Weekend at the Old Town

Tonight kicks off the celebratory Steve Goodman Weekend at the Old Town School of Folk Music, up at 4544 Lincoln Avenue, otherwise known as Honorary Steve Goodman way. The weekend's centered around the release of a new biography of Goodman called Facing the Music, by Clay Eals (as mentioned in our Transmission blog). Tonight's concert, at 6:30, is a two-hour sing-a-long of Steve's music, led by music teachers at Old Town teachers and some of their musical friends. Other weekend events include the Eals book signing on Saturday at 1:00, and a panel discussion with the author and Old Town staff on Sunday at 2:00. You'll be able to buy the book at any of the three events.

Petroleum: Prospects & Politics

Petroleum: Prospects & Politics is a Two-Day Conference at the University of Chicago that aims to look at the issues of:

* Global petroleum and energy markets
* Alternative energy sources
* International diplomacy and natural resources
* United States domestic energy policy
* The science and engineering of oil production
* Democracy, governance, and war in oil exporting countries

Conference Dates: Friday, May 18, 2007–Saturday, May 19, 2007

Location: International House at the University of Chicago, 1414 East 59th Street

For more information please see the website.

The Legend of Annie Oakley @ Gorilla Tango

This Kids 4 Kids production retells the legend of how Annie Moses became Annie Oakley, the legendary sharpshooter and cowgirl. The hour-long performance at the intimate Gorilla Tango Theater features both kids and adults, and a handful of snappy, familiar tunes. Performances Fridays at 6 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m.; tickets are $10. Through May 27.

Schadenfreude Rent Party

Join Schadenfreude for the final Rent Party of the spring. Schadenfreude is taking off for the summer and have put together one last show. They have put together the ultimate "your mama" slam tournament between the local alternative media. Chicagoist, TimeOut Chicago, the Chicago Reader and of course, Gapers Block. It's a winner-take-all put-down contest. The show also features comic Andy Ross, Mike & Duane and IO's Jet and Holly. At the Gallery Cabaret, 2020 N. Oakley, 10 bucks, 8:30pm. Free wings and beef.

Great Conversations: Innovation in Social Housing: Art, Design and Community @ Chase Auditorium

This panel, about effective community creation and change, kicks off this weekend's Great Chicago Places and Spaces festival. Featured speakers include leading architects and designers who will discuss their experiences building affordable housing, improving neighborhood services, and designing public facilities. Free, 6 PM, 10 S Dearborn. For more information visit the website.

Bloomingdale Trail Reception

The recently proposed conversion of miles of unused elevated freight train lines into a path for cyclists and pedestrians dubbed The Bloomingdale Trail celebrates it's progress tonight with an opening entitled Envisioning the Bloomingdale. Join the free kick-off reception and be the first to check out the latest plans for Chicago's newest miles of path! 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Acme Art Works, 1st floor, on 1741 N Western Ave.

Thee More Shallows @ Empty Bottle

San Francisco boys Thee More Shallows hit the Bottle tonight in support of their sophmore effort Book of Bad Breaks, featuring angular pop with fuzzy edges. Multi-instrumentalist David McDonnell plays second under the solo project name of The Diminsher, and local quirky pop upstarts We Will Eat Rats to Survive open. Show is at 10 PM and tickets are $8. Empty Bottle #: 773-276-3600.

Barbara Kingsolver & Steven L. Hopp @ Swedish American Museum

Women & Children First presents Barbara Kinsolver and her husband Steven L. Hopp as they discuss their new book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life. The book chronicles their one-year experiment during which they consumed only locally produced food. The discussion will be at the Swedish American Museum, 5211 N. Clark St., at 7pm; tickets are free with the purhase of a book and companion tickets are available for $5.00. A portion of the proceeds will go to Angelic Organics Community Supported Agriculture. Call 773-769-9299 for more information.

Women Chefs and Restaurateurs Dinner

Women Chefs and Restaurateurs will host a reception, dinner and silent auction featuring renowned local women chefs on Friday, May 18, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at The Union League Club, located at 65 West Jackson Boulevard in Chicago. Participating chefs include Ina Pinkney - Ina's; Deann Bayless - Border Grill and Topolobampo; Elvia Granados - Francesca's; and Michelle Garcia - Bleeding Heart Bakery. Tickets can be purchased online here for $150.00 per ticket or $1,300.00 per table of 10, and proceeds go to fund scholarship and internship opportunities for both beginning and experienced culinary professionals.

Ayres, Tittsworth & Zebo @ Smart Bar

East Coast mixmaster deejays Ayres and Tittsworth bring the Balmer Loosies to Smart Bar tonight. Ayres is one-half of the NYC deejay duo The Rub, and Tittsworth is one the current kings of the Baltimore Club-style remix. The two have been collaborating a lot the past few years, releasing a number of EPs of their own label. Local Chicago DJ Zebo is also on the bill, and makes for a perfect fit. Using the same sped-up breakbeats, he's bridged the gap between his former jungle/drum'n'bass mix sets and the Bmore Club sound. What does all of this add up to? Very likely the most intense night of dancing this season. 3730 N. Clark St. Tickets are $10, but amission is free before 11pm. Doors open at 10pm.