World Kitchen: Stress-Free Party Appetizers @ Gallery 37

Tonight's class (6pm) will help you make some quick, good food for your next party. "Stress-Free Party Appetizers" is 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 preregistration is required. Please wear non-skid shoes and bring your apron!

Venetian Snares @ Reggies

What's this? Reggies Rock Club in the south loop takes an evening off from its usual fare of traditional punk-rockness to deliver a swoll-package offering of its electronic music equivalent -- featuring Venetian Snares and Otto Von Schirach, plus a fat billing of other "digital hardcore" misfits. Cyrusrex, DJ Naha, Surachai, and Flashbulb round out the billing. 8 PM. 17 & over show. Tickets are $20, $25 the day of. 2109 S. State Street. See our Transmission page for more details.

Holiday Party @ Pivot

Local favorite eco-friendly boutique Pivot (1101 W Fulton Market) is throwing their annual holiday bash tonight, Thursday December 4th from 5:30 until 9 p.m. They will be featuring eight local designers for your shopping pleasure including Leaves of Glass, Lee Tracy, and Five Accessories. There will be store wide discounts, a drawing for a Pivot gift certificate, and refreshments. Visit their website for a full list of featured designers and more details or call at 312-243-4754.

It's A Wonderful Life: The Radio Play Preview @ American Theater Company

The American Theater Company presents their sixth annual production of Frank Capra's It's A Wonderful Life as a radio play. The ATC ensemble present the story as an old-time radio show, complete with commercial breaks and live sound effects. The show is in previews this week, and officially opens on December 11. The previews are pay-what-you-can at the door, and tickets for the regular run are $35-$40. 8pm. Please see the ATC Website for more information, including times by day. American Theater Company: 1909 W. Byron. (773) 409-4125.

"The Changing Global Economy: Challenges for the Developing World" Lecture

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs brings Time columnist and Slate founder Michael Kinsley to Chicago to talk about the global economy and the challenges facing the Obama administration as they try to solve America's economic crisis.

Young Professional Members $10
Members $20
Nonmembers $30
President's Circle, Corporate Members, and Student Members complimentary

Hilton Chicago
720 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605

5:30 p.m. Cash bar reception
6:00 p.m. Interview and discussion
7:15 p.m. Book signing and cash bar reception

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings @ The Vic

Sink deep into some throwback soul jawns tonight as Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings play the Vic tonight, hitting the road to tour again in the wake of the breakthrough success of superb third album, 100 Days, 100 Nights. 3145 N. Sheffield Avenue. 8pm, tickets are $21. See the venue's website for info.

CTA Holiday Train: Green and Purple Lines

The CTA Holiday Train will be operating today on the Green and Purple lines. Click here for a timetable with the included stations -- Purple line run starts southbound from Howard at 2:20pm, and on the Green southbound from Clark/Lake at 2:57pm. A schedule for the 2008 season is posted here -- check it for future updates. Normal CTA fares apply. 888-YOUR-CTA (888-968-7282).

Awesome @ Bottom Lounge

They call themselves Awesome, which of course makes every music critic want to prove them wrong. But "Hero" has a nice ironic alt-country sound to it. Let's see what else they have to throw down. . .
They open for Automatic Stinging Machines during Action Party's Thursday night throwdown.
Bottom Lounge: The Volcano Room Tiki Bar, 1375 W. Lake
Doors at 8pm Tickets $5 - day of show only