Dead Machines, The Haunting, Bruce Lamont, Folk & Violence, Face Worker @ Mopery

The Mopery, a new space at 2734 N. Milwaukee, offers a night of experimental audio, with duos Dead Machines (John Olson of Wolf Eyes plus his wife Tovah, ex- Wooden Wand), and The Haunting (Mike Connelly of Hair Police/Wolf Eyes, and his wife Tara), with local wailers Bruce Lamont, Folk & Violence, and Face Worker. More information at Transmission.

Loopy Yarns Stitch n' Bitch

All are invited to open knitting and crocheting (including expert help!) at the fantastic Loopy Yarns, 47 W. Polk St. in the South Loop. Take a breather before your rocking weekend and hang out amongst beautiful colors and amazing fellow knitters and crocheters. Fridays from 5pm to 9pm. Free. Call 312-583-YARN (9276) or visit Loopy Yarns for more details.

Make Magazine Release Party @ Zakopane w/ DJ Peter Margasak, the Plagiarists

MAKE Literary Productions presents: MAKE: A Chicago Literary Magazine Issue 7 "Property Lines" Release Party at Historic Polish Bar Zakopane featuring a performance based on Studs Terkel's Division Street: America from The Plagiarists; DJ Peter Margasak; Busy Beaver Button Booth; and readings from Issue 7 Contributors.

Friday, January 23, 2009, 8pm at Zakopane, 1734 W. Division St, $10 donation includes copy of the issue; 21 and over w/ID

subVariant Relaunch ft. Insideout (Berlin) [Clink], Gianna Hardt, Hernan Sanchez and Liz Revision

Liz McLean Knight aka Liz Revision will relaunch her techno / idm label, subVariant with a party featuring Insideout, head of the Berlin-based minimal techno label Clink Recordings. subVariant will distribute a limited edition numbered set of artist-created buttons to the first 50 guests from DezignJK, noted local party flyer designer. They'll also debut "Loop Points," an event-based loyalty card based on the techno 4/4 time signature. Tonight @ Vision (632 N Dearborn St.) 10pm - 4am. 21+. For more information go to their subVariant website.

After Dark: Return of the Impressionists @ The Art Institute

Toast the newly renovated Impressionist galleries with live DJs and performances by theater ensemble Collaboraction at After Dark: Return of the Impressionists at the Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave. tonight from 6-10pm. An official afterparty follows. Tickets are $15 for members and students and $20 for the public. Available online or by phone at 312-575-8000, or at any Art Institute admission counter.

Post Christmas Spectacular 1976 at Trap Door Theater

This is the third and final weekend of storefront theater troupe Brain Surgeon Theater's Post Christmas Spectacular 1976. This tale, written by its cast of children and adult actors, features disco dancing, disco hair and the disco dreams of a teenage girl growing up in small-town Michigan. Playing at Trap Door Theatre, 1655 Cortland Street; Fridays and Saturdays at 8, Saturdays and Sundays at 2. Tickets are $10 for kids under 10 and $15 for adults, available online or at the door. Saturday matinee tickets are available for $5.

Girls Rock! Fundraiser @ Empty Bottle

Girls Rock! Chicago, a non-profit that empowers young girls through music education, throws down a fundraiser with Chicago bands White Mystery, Radar Eyes, and Tyler Jon Tyler. $8. Empty Bottle (1035 N. Western). Doors at 9 p.m., show at 10 p.m. More Info and Tickets.