FamilyFarmed EXPO @ Chicago Cultural Center

The FamilyFarmed EXPO brings local farmers and family-owned producers of food and farm products together with the public, trade buyers and leaders in the field to foster relationships that facilitate the growth of local food systems. Event is at Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E Washington St. Begins 10am, admission $15-$60. Local chefs will be on hand for Localicious!, an event that features local food made by local people.

Thanksgiving: the Great American Holiday @ Kendall College

Join the Chicago Foodways Roundtable for a discussion of the culture and history of Thanksgiving eats with cookbook expert Penelope Bingham this morning at 10am at Kendall College, 900 North Branch. Admission is $2, free for Kendall students and faculty with ID. Email to RSVP.

Parts and Labor Collective 2nd Annual Small Print Sale

Alternative art collective Parts and Labor Collective present their 2nd Annual Small Print Sale. Reception tonight from 7pm-midnight, open house tomorrow from 1-5pm. Prints, works on paper, photography, all under $100. 3144 W Carroll - 3rd Floor. For more information call 773-407-7279.

Modern Vintage Holiday Market @ Old Tower Records

Get your holiday shopping out of the way today at the Modern Vintage Holiday Market. Explore a wide array of items from many eras at 2301 N Clark St., 10am-5pm. Tickets $10 at the door, $8 in advance from their website. Students half price with ID, children under 12 free.

Neo-Futurist Christmas Carol opening @ Neo-Futurarium

The Neo-Futurists present the latest show in their 2008-09 season: A Very Neo-Futurist Christmas Carol, a new take on Charles Dickens' classic tale. Please note: the show contains adult language and themes, so it's not family-friendly. The show officially opens tonight, and runs through December 23. Showtimes for all nights are 8pm. Tickets are $15, $10 for students, and Thursday nights are pay-what-you-can. More information and tickets are available at the Neo-Futurist Website. Neo-Futurarium: 5153 N. Ashland (at Foster). 773-275-5255.

Beer School @ The Map Room

Join brewmaster Greg Browne of Mickey Finn's Brewery for the latest edition of Beer School, where you can learn all about holiday beers. Class starts at 6pm, and is limited to the first 45 people who register. $25 per person. For more information, call 773-252-7636. The Map Room is located at 1949 N. Hoyne.

Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival

The Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival runs from noon to 11pm today at the Congress Theater, 2135 N. Milwaukee Ave. Performing are: the David Grisman Quintet, The Avett Brothers, Ha Ha Tonka, Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials, Majors Junction, Dollar Store, Blue Mother Tupelo, Billy Childers, How Far to Austin, Blackdog, Mike Mangione, Cobalt & The Hired Guns, Lindsey O'Brien & Friends, Blue Room Hero, and Jessica Lee. Tickets are $31 in advance, or $50 for VIP passes. Proceeds benefit Saving Tiny Hearts.

Chicago Toy & Game Fair

The Chicago Toy & Game Fair returns to Navy Pier Saturday and Sunday, from 10am to 6pm. Explore the latest toys and games, or join a match in the Renaissance Chess Pavilion. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children.

Banner Auction @ Harry Caray's

Harry Caray's hosts Mayor Daley's Banner Auction, a fundraiser for the Sharing It Program, which provides food to needy families and holiday gifts and entertainment to disadvantaged children. Bid on streetlight banners from the major sporting teams, museums, zoos, city festivals, and more. 11am-1pm. Free.

Harry Caray's Restaurant
33 W. Kinzie
312-744-3315

2008 Turkey Trot 3.5 Tennis Tourney @ McFetridge Sports Center

A free tennis tournament featuring some of the best local tennis players. The event kicks off at 10am at the McFetridge Sports Center, 3843 N. California Ave.

Chicago Force Tryouts @ The Broadway Armory

In 2008, the Chicago Force Women's Tackle Football team made it to the championship game of the Independent Women's Football League, only to fall short. Think you can help put them over the top next season? The team will host a tryout this Saturday at the Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway, beginning at 9:45am. Tryouts will consist of strength and speed activities and football drills. Participants must be 18 and older and have a copy of their ID and insurance card. For details, check the Force website.

CTA Holiday Train: Red & Purple Lines

The CTA Holiday Train returns to share the holiday spirit. Santa will greet riders on the red and purple lines with candy canes and season's greetings. The train starts running southbound from the Howard stop at 12:31pm, running throughout the afternoon and evening until 8:19pm. Click here for a timetable. A complete list of dates and lines for the CTA holiday train is available here. Normal CTA fares apply. 888-YOUR-CTA (888-968-7282).

StoryStudio Chicago Write-a-Thon

Come to StoryStudio Chicago for a 12-hour Write-a-Thon. Come for a just a few hours or stay for the whole thing and get some of your NaNoWriMo efforts down on paper. General admission is $12 ($7 for members) and includes free wireless internet access, snacks, drinks, manuscript reviews and exercise breaks all in the studio space at 4043. N. Ravenswood, #222. 9am-9pm. Register here (registration is not required, but they'd like to know how many people to expect) or call 773-477-7710.

DIY Trunk Show VI: I See Craft People!

The 6th annual DIY Trunk Show takes over Pulaski Park Fieldhouse (1419 W. Blackhawk) today from 10am to 5pm. The Chicago Craft Mafia are showcasing the works of over 100 Chicago-area vendors, showing off a few area non-profit organizations who support their clients who craft, fueling shoppers with great foodstuffs, and even keeping shoppers relaxed with chair massages. Whether you're making a list and checking it twice, or searching for a truly original item that none of your friends will have, or just fighting the consumer-fueled megalocomplex, the DIY Trunk Show has what you need. And if you're looking for a sneak-peek of Handmade Nation, you can find that, too.

Fishbone @ Subterranean

Still at it after all these years, pioneering funk/punk/ska/metal genre-busters Fishbone hit town to headline at SubT this evening. Word has it that they've got some new projects in the works, so there's a good chance that they'll be trotting out plenty of fresh material as they play some old favorites. Heavy Mojo, Natives Of The New Dawn, 48sin, and DJ Chuck Wren fill out the opening slots. All ages show. Doors open at 6:30pm, the shows gets underway at 7pm. Admission is $13 in advance and $15 the night of. 2011 W. North Ave.