Janet Jackson @ Allstate

Miss Jackson (if you're nasty) didn't get this far by being undanceable or putting ona weak live show. See her at what is most likely going to be a packed house out in Rosemont. Tickets range from $50-$130. Doors at 7:30.

FIXX Reading Series @ Book Cellar

FIXX Reading Series comes to the Book Cellar for a night of readings and wine. Tonight's guests are Jill Alexander Essbaum (Harlot), Gina Frangello (My Sister's Continent) and Reb Livingston(Your Ten Favorite Words). Free at 7:30pm at 4736-38 N. Lincoln Ave. Call 773-293-2665 for more information.

Bonnie & Clyde's Fashion Show w/Jeffrey Sebelia

"Project Runway" winner Jeffrey Sebelia will be the guest host for Bonnie & Clyde Boutique's fall fashion show tonight at Lumen, 839 W. Fulton Market. Junior Sanchez and Darkwave Disco DJ, with a guest appearance by Troy This. Doors open at 9pm, show starts at 10pm. RSVP to info@lumen-chicago.com for reduced cover before 10pm. 21+

World Kitchen: Magic of Morocco @ Gallery 37

Tonight's class (6-8:30pm) explores the spices and textures of Moroccan eats. "Magic of Morocco" 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!

Noah & The Whale @ Av-Aerie

Av-Aerie
2000 W. Fulton St.

8:00PM ALL AGES $5

Noah & The Whale

Charlie Fink started playing the guitar when he was a young man. He started writing songs when he was a little older. He discovered the concepts of love, death and time shortly after this and soon could think about little else. The remainder of his formative years Charlie spent with his ears inside headphones recording his own songs or listening to musicians with similar preoccupations.

The words and sounds of Dylan, Young and Wilson changed Charlie's frame of reference. Charlie obsessed about their sense of narrative and their scale, and their ability to combine wit and seriousness. With the proliferation of computer systems, Charlie discovered closer contemporaries. He soon felt empowered by the honesty, immediacy and authenticity of Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Neutral Milk Hotel, Daniel Johnston and Jeffrey Lewis.

Eventually it occurred to Charlie that his compulsion to expel in song his deep-set morbid anxieties might serve some public purpose. Initially he ventured forth beyond his gravel drive on his own. Soon however, Charlie decided that he better have his brother Doug on board otherwise he might get lonely and people might not listen properly. Doug plays the drums which can be quite loud, so Charlie took away his cymbals and forged them into a triangle and tambourine. The searing strings of classical violin prodigy Tom Fiddle had long impressed Charlie. Tom liked Charlie's songs and 'Noah and the Whale' was conceived. They played their first gig in late 2006 to the sound engineer, Doug's housemate and Tom Hatred. They all loved it. So began months of gigging in corners, on tables and inside cupboards.

At length it was decided that more instruments would be needed. It just so happened that an age-old child actor friend of theirs, the dapper chameleon and instrumentally dextrous Urby Whale, who had sunned with the Fink family in seaside Wales throughout the early nineties, was available having recently departed other projects. With his patented wardrobe, cultured dance moves and the ability to play bass guitar and glockenspiel simultaneously, Urby Whale represented the realisation of the famed and famous 'Noah and the Whale' stage show which continues to tour to this day.

Calexico @ Pritzker Pavilion (FREE)

Touch & Go artists Calexico play tonight at the Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park as a part of the Chicago World Music Festival. Zazhil opens with traditional Mexican music at 6pm. The concert is free and runs until 8pm. More, including an interview, in Transmission.

Damien Jurado @ Schubas

Even more languid than fellow Seattle downers Pedro the Lion, Damien Jurado will wash over your ears with beautiful depression. Joined by Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson's electric psych-folk, the two play Schubas (3159 N. Southport) tonight at 9 pm. Tickets are $14 in advance. 21+