Local Author Night @ The Book Cellar

Writers Connie Fairbanks, Jonathan Miles, Howard Johnson and Anastasia Royal are scheduled to participate in this month's installment of Local Author Night at The Book Cellar to read from and talk about their latest work. Free. 7pm. 4736-8 N. Lincoln Ave. Call 773-293-2665 for more information.

Film Noir: Night And The City @ Film Center

The Gene Siskel Film Center presents a month-long showing of film noir films from the 20th Century Fox archives. Tonight's film is Night And The City from 1950, shot by Jules Dassin while he was blacklisted and containing one of Richard Widmark's most famous performances as a small-time crook trying to take over London's wrestling market. Night And The City screens this evening at 8:00 PM. See the Film Center Website for a complete listing of the films. Tickets: $9, $7 for students, $5 for Film Center members, and $4 for SAIC students. Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.

Onion City Film Fest Kickoff Party

The 20th Onion City Experimental Film and Video Festival, a production of Chicago Filmmakers runs June 19-22 and features nine programs of the best experimental work from around the world. The festival kicks off with a party tonight at Sonotheque, 1444 W. Chicago Ave., at 9pm. At 10:30pm, Milwaukee-based film and video maker Brent Coughenour will perform The Indomitable Human Spirit, a live audio-visual performance for thumb piano, video game controller and computer. Admission is free, but $5 donation is requested. 21+. More info here, or call 773-293-1447.

Karen Abbott @ 57th Street Books

Karen Abbott will be at 57th Street Books to talk about her book Sin in the Second City: Madams, Ministers, Playboys, & the Battle for America's Soul. Free. 6pm. 1301 E. 57th St. Call 773-684-1300 for more information.

CHIRP Benefit @ Rodan

Hit Rodan, 1530 N. Milwaukee Ave., tonight between 10pm and 2am for a benefit for the Chicago Independent Radio Project. DJs Carrie Weston and Chris Widman spin some of the best electronic, and drink specials include $2 PBR and $5 ruby red yachtsmans. No cover, but 15 percent of the bar will go to CHIRP.

Chicago Beer Society-3rd Wednesday @ Map Room

Join Chicago Beer Society's for their monthly 3rd Wednesday meeting, June 18th at 6 pm. Don't know the different between a pilsen and a stout? This crew has the answer for you.

Map Room is located at 1949 N Hoyne Ave (SE corner of Armitage and Hoyne), in Chicago. It’s about a 10-minute walk from either the CTA El stop at Western (Blue Line) or the Metra Union Pacific North and Northwest station at Clybourn Junction. The CTA 73 Armitage bus stops virtually at the door and the 50 Damen bus is one block to the east, but neither runs very late. Cabs are always plentiful on Armitage Avenue.

Crystal Castles (FREE SHOW!!) @ Double Door

Double Door
1572 N. Milwaukee

Doors 8pm Show 9pm • FREE SHOW!

Crystal Castles
LMNOP
Pretty Good Dance Moves
Franki Chan
DJ Sets from Radioclit