Can't Stop The Music @ Music Box

The Music Box Theatre presents an exercise in cinematic endurance for the reckless film-goer: the 1980 Village People vehicle Can't Stop The Music. Directed by actress Nancy Walker and co-starring Steve Guttenberg (in terrifyingly short shorts), Valerie Perrine, Bruce Jenner (also in terrifyingly short shorts) and Tammy Grimes, Can't Stop The Music purports to tell the story of the founding of the disco supergroup. No need to attend, unless you like bad films or are very very gay. Can't Stop The Music shows tonight and tomorrow night at midnight. Music Box: 3733 N. Southport. (773) 871-6604.

Harry Potter release party @ Women & Children First

Women & Children First, the long-lived feminist bookstore in Andersonville, throws a release party tonight for the final Harry Potter book. The party goes from 10:00 PM to midnight, so there will be plenty of activities to keep the kids up till the end: games, crafts, a costume contest, trivia questions, etc. Copies of the book will be handed out at midnight. You can pre-order your copy through the store's Website. Women & Children First: 5233 N. Clark. (773) 769-9299.

Lost Highway @ Gene Siskel Film Center

The Gene Siskel Film Center presents a month-long festival of the films of David Lynch. Today's film is Lost Highway from 1997, featuring an amazingly creepy performance by Robert Blake. The film shows today at 8:30 PM, and will also be screened on Monday and Thursday; see the Film Center's Website for a complete schedule. Tickets: $9, $7 for students, $5 for Film Center members, and $4 for SAIC students. Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.

Movies in the Park

The Chicago Park District presents Movies in the Park, a summer-long screening of classic and contemporary films in Chicago parks. Tonight's screenings: Akeelah and the Bee (PG) at Trumbull Park (2400 E. 105th St.); Charlotte's Web (G) at Roberts Square Playlot Park (5200 W. Argyle St.); Happy Feet (PG) at Peterson Park (5801 N. Pulaski Rd.); and Monster House (PG) at Fosco Park (1312 S. Racine St.). The screenings start tonight at dusk, and are free and open to the public. For a complete schedule of movies check out the Chicago Park District Website.

Lights in the Dusk @ Film Center

The Gene Siskel Film Center presents the latest film by Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki, Lights in the Dusk. This film completes the director's "loser trilogy," which also includes the fantastic 2002 film Man Without A Past. Definitely recommended for film fans. The film plays through July 26; see the Film Center Website for a complete schedule. Tickets: $9, $7 for students, $5 for Film Center members, and $4 for SAIC students. Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.

5th Annual Jazz Under the Stars @ Garfield Park Conservatory

This event, which features music by local jazz great Orbert Davis, as well as food, cocktails, dancing, and door prizes, benefits the Conservatory. 6 PM to 10:30 PM, 300 N Central Park. For more information call Kelly Kolb at 773-638-1766, x26, or visit the website.

Composer Alive: Eastern Expressions @ Cultural Center

Contemporary music fans, take note: this documentary traces the relationship between Chicago's Accessible Contemporary Music and Chinese composer Xiaogang Ye and includes the music he composed for a world premiere in Chicago. Xiaogang Ye, the filmmaker, and ACM members will participate in a panel discussion after the movie. In the Claudia Cassidy Theater, 8 PM. 77 E Randolph. For more information, call 312-744-6630 or visit the website.

The Printers' Ball

The Printers' Ball is an all-ages party "celebration of print literature" thrown by dozens of Chicago's independent media. Come pick up free sample publications, listen to music by Magic Lantern, Blue Ribbon Glee Club and The 1900s, check out an installation by the Chicago Underground Library http://www.underground-library.org/, posters by Delicious Design League, get special offer subscriptions and more. The first hundred attendees will get a free t-shirt from featherproof press. Admission is free, and it's all tonight starting at 8pm at Zhou B. Art Center, 1029 W. 35th St. More info and a list of participants here.

Chicago TV Pilot Competition

The first-ever Chicago TV Pilot Competition debuts at the Music Box, 3733 N. Southport, today and tomorrow. There are two shows today and two tomorrow, at 8:45pm and 10:30pm; each costs $10 (or $25 for three shows).

At 8:45, hear Chicago comedian/TV host Ben Hollis discuss his opinions of comedy and the state of Chicago television, then watch the pilots "Things Happen in Beemis," "Cop Show" and "Fang."

At 10:30, see "Pitch Man," "Marry Me Tony D" and "Bowl of Cherries."

Bernstein's Broadway

Tonight's free concert celebrates the musical accomplishments of Leonard Bernstein. In the Pritzker Pavilion, 6:30 PM. For more information, visit the website.

A Harry Potter Event -- for Grownups

Want to avoid the shrieking throngs of be-scarved pre-teens on the eve of the final Harry Potter book release? Head to the Neo-Futurarium (5153 N. Ashland) for an adult-style celebration/pondering of the cultural phenomenon featuring writer-performers Ian Belknap, Brennan Buhl, Rachel Claff, Bilal Dardai, Sharon Greene, Matt Miller, Megan Stielstra and Shiow-Jiau Yung. For fans and haters alike. Show starts at 8 pm; $5 suggested donation at the door. Part of the Women and Children First/Andersonville Potter-a-thon.