Transmission, the Gapers Block music site, hosts its weekly night at the Five Star Bar. DJ Brad Owen spins punk, new wave and other indie faves, Transmission staffers run around with cameras, and the bar offers a $3 beer special. Photos from previous Thursdays here. 21+, 930pm - 2am weekly, the Five Star is located at 1424 W. Chicago, just east of Chicago and Ashland. (312) 850-2555.
The Chicago Park District presents Movies in the Park, a summer-long screening of classic and contemporary films in Chicago parks. Tonight's screenings: Are We There Yet? (PG) at Moran Playground Park (5727 S. Racine Ave.); Happy Feet (PG) at Athletic Field Park (3546 W. Addison St.); School of Rock (PG-13) at Rogers Park (7345 N. Washtenaw Ave.); and Stomp The Yard (PG-13) at West Pullman Park (401 W. 123rd 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.
As part of Chicago's "Art of Play" summer celebration of toys and games (through 30 September), Cornelia's is hosting a free session of Name That Tune featuring pianist Sami Scott. 7-10 PM, 750 W Cornelia. For more information, call 773-248-8333 or visit the website.
Pack a picnic and head down to the historic Clarke House Museum for this free outdoor screening of an Oscar-winning 1979 movie about bicycle racing in a small town. Part of the Art of Play, Chicago's "citywide summer celebration of toys, games, and the spirit of play." 1827 S. Indiana, 8:30 PM. For more information, call 1-877-244-2246 or visit the website.
As part of the Made in Chicago: Home Cooked Jazz series, Nicole Mitchell's Black Earth Orchestra performs a tribute to Alice Coltrane. 6:30 PM, in the Pritzker Pavilion, free. For more information, visit the website.
The farmers market at Daley Plaza is held every Thursday until October 4 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the corner of Washington and Dearborn.