Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls @ Women & Children First

Women and Children First welcome zinester Nicole Georges, musician Katy Davidson, and sts from Portland's Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls as they promote the book Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls. In addition to readings from the book there will be visual art, music, a free drum lesson and a performance by local band MACE. The event starts at 7 PM tonight and is free and open to the public. Women and Children First: 5233 N. Clark. (773) 769-9299.

Umbrella Music Festival @ The Chicago Cultural Center

Umbrella Music Festival of Jazz and Improvisation kicks off tonight with European Jazz Meets Chicago at The Chicago Cultural Center. Performances from six different groups beginning at 6pm. Read more about Umbrella Music Festival in Transmission. 78 E. Washington St. 312-744-6630. chicagoculturalcenter.org. Free.

6pm: Christian Weber Quartet (Switzerland)
6:45pm: Elisabeth Harnik Group (Austria)
7:30pm: Mikolaj Traska Trio (Poland)
8:15pm: Schlippenbach/Lovens Duo (Germany)
9:00pm: Zu (Italy)
10pm: Braam-De Joode-Vatcher (The Netherlands)

RUI: Reading Under the Influence

This month's theme for Reading Under the Influence is Red States, Blue States. Featured readers include Bill Hillman (Windy City Story Slam) and Ben Tanzer (author of Most Likely You Go Your Way and I'll Go Mine. Other guests will include Cynthia Vargas and Simon Smith, along with RUI regulars Jesse Jordan and Amanda Snyder. Both well-known and original works will be read with trivia questions being asked, and prizes being awarded throughout the evening. $3 at the door at Sheffield's, 3258 N. Sheffield Ave. 7-10pm. Email info[at]readingundertheinfluence[dot]com for more information.

Reconstruction Room @ Black Rock

Depending on your political inclinations, you're going to wake up today with a big smile on your face or a big headache, or likely a combination of the two (liquor so often the lubricant of both ebullition and depression will likely flow well into the late hours of Tuesday night). Black Rock (3614 N. Damen Ave.) tonight hosts the Reconstruction Room party with readings and performances by Meg Barboza, Eric Elshtain, Idris Goodwin, among others. The night's theme is a celebration of life's big losers - from the tragedies of an ill-fated run for entry for student government, to PUSA. Things start at about 8:00 P.M. and the cost is free. E-mail recroom[at]recroomers.com for more information.

Green City @ Nature Museum

Green City Market is at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum for the winter. The market goes Wednesdays and Saturdays in November and December from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. New this year, Green City will continue through the winter, from January through April on the first and third Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 2430 N. Cannon Drive. Bus: 151 Sheridan, 156 LaSalle (weekdays only), 76 Diversey.