American Maker @ MSI

Make: Magazine debuts its new American Maker event with a show at the Museum of Science & Industry, 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive, today from 9:30am to 3pm. Come check out the work of 20 local crafters and techologists, whose projects vie for praise from Make: editors and a $500 grand prize. It's part of LabFest and Science Chicago. Free.

Trouble the Water Screening and Q&A @ Landmark Century Cinema

Attend a screening of Trouble the Water, winner of the Sundance Grand Jury Prize 2008, followed by a Q&A with producers Tia Lesson and Carl Deal, the same people who brought you Bowling for Columbine and Fahrenheit 9-11. Sponsored by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and the Community Renewal Society, the screening is today at 5pm at Landmark Century Cinema (2828 N. Clark St.); order discounted tickets by contacting events@communityrenewalsociety.org.

Windy City Rollers vs. Kansas City

The Windy City Rollers' All-Stars travel team laces up versus Kansas City's Roller Warriors in the last bout at The Stadium in Cicero tonight. Doors open at 6pm, match starts at 7, and the party bus leaves Cobra Lounge, 235 N. Ashland, at 5:45. Tickets are $15 in advance (plus $8 for the party bus, if you're interested), $20 at the door.

Eli's Cheesecake Festival

Head out to the Eli's Cheesecake Factory (6701 W. Forest Park) for its Cheesecake Festival, benefitting the New Horizon Center for Developmentally Disabled and the Greater Chicago Food Depository! Rides, food, cooking demos, an opportunity to meet the 2008 Michigan Apple Queen, a classic cars exhibit, fun for the kids, and of course, LOADS of cheesecake. Also, if you bring a non-perishable food donation item for the Depository, you'll get a free slice of cheesecake.

Polkaholics @ Sheffield's Oktoberfest

Sheffield's, 3285 N. Sheffield, celebrates Oktoberfest with a performance by The Polkaholics from 3 to 6pm in the beer garden, rain or shine. Plus the requisite beer and sausages. 21+.

"Vuelta a Tacos" Bike-and-Dine

LTH Forum is sponsoring a "Vuelta a Tacos" bike and dine ride today through the city to celebrate Mexican Independence Day and, of course, eat some good food. RSVP required, so head over to the site for more information.

World Kitchen: What's for Dinner @ Gallery 37

Today's class (11am-2pm) is about beef! Glorious beef! "What's for Dinner" is offered as part of the World Kitchen learning series offered by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, and will be held at the Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, 66 E. Randolph Street. Admission is $30 and pre-registration is required. Please wear non-skid shoes and bring your apron!

We Are Wolves @ Subterranean

Subterranean
2011 W. North Ave

DOORS @ 9:00 PM | SHOW @ 9:30 PM | 17 & OVER
TICKETS: $10.00 ADV. / $12.00 DOS.

We Are Wolves
He Say, She Say
Dark Wave Disco DJ's

The New Up @ Reggie's Music Joint

Reggie's Music Joint
2105 South State Street
9:00 PM • Ages 21+ • $7.00

The New Up
Described as "funky and frightening, intimate and anthemic" (PopMatters), "hip modern pop with a strong psychedelic streak" (Good Times) and "trippy new wave" with songs that "move with a seething, aggressive kind of dream logic" (The Chicago Reader), The New Up combines polished studio chops, hyper-intelligent compositions and inspired musicianship in their riveting live performances. With lyrics such as "lonely machinery distracts us from our lives," there's a sense of giddy desperation in their sound that feels downright prophetic. They observe that "pollution in the sky provides an amazing sunset" while grieving for Mother Nature on the run. That they do all this while churning out the kind of rock that used to rattle the walls at CBGB is what truly impresses.

Rock Star Club
RSC has been playing music for a long time. We have been featured on Local 101, Q101 several times. Our first two cd's ("America Needs Rock Star Club" and "The Entertainer") were picked as CD of the year by Richard Milne of WXRT.

Dark Matter Halos

The Felice Brothers, AA Bondy @ Abbey Pub

The Felice Brothers bring nothing but a blast of nothing but southern fun to their live act, dancing, jamming, and drinking like they weren't, or rather, intensely are, from the woods of upstate New York. They'll make you feel like a kid again, albeit a drunken blissful one. AA Bondy put a bit more of their feelings in the song, but no less emotion.
Sat, Sept 20th @ Abbey Pub
18+, $12 adv/ $15 DOS
9 PM Doors, 10 PM Show

East Side Mural Dedication

Check out a new mural by artist Noel Morales that pays homage to the East Side's history, present and future. The mural will be unveiled at 10 a.m. at 100th Street and Ewing Avenue (where three trans-American railways cross under the Chicago Skyway and where Lake Michigan stretches to reach Calumet River). In addition to the artist, Alderman John Pope and the community volunteers that saw the project to completion, treats from Eli's Cheesecake will be on hand.

Exploring the Culinary Collections of the Newberry Library

Join the Chicago Foodways Roundtable as they discuss the Newberry Library's food-related books, from historical texts to recipes. Event takes place at Kendall College, 900 North Branch, at 10am. RSVP required.

Neko Case @ Hideout Block Party

The Hideout's massively successful Block Party enters its 12th year. The line up is huge and the outdoor jam starts early. Tickets are $25 for a Saturday Pass and $45 for 2-Day Pass. Gates open at 11am.