An Evening with Jay Ryan

Join Chicago-area concert poster maker Jay Ryan as he discusses his computer-free design work, hands-on printing process and some of his favorite prints made during the last 13 years. As this discussion takes place on the first of April, Jay may simply show slides of rabbits and/or fish which he has seen in various public parks. 6:30pm, The Parthenon Restaurant, 314 South Halsted Street. Sponsored by The Society of Typographic Arts. Tickets $25 for STA members, $10 for students, $35 for non-members. To register go here or e-mail jw@jackweissassociates.com.

Cheesemaker Dinner @ Marion Street Cheese Market

Want to eat dinner with cheesemaker (and founder of the American Cheese Society) Allison Hooper tonight at Marion Street Cheese Market? You have your chance tonight @ 7pm. A special menu and brief talk by Ms. H. about the love o' fromage follows. Must RSVP to MSCM ASAP. Enough acronyms for you? 100 S. Marion Street, Oak Park.

Edible Books Show & Tea @ Columbia College

Want to make good on your desire to literally eat a book? The 10th annual Edible Books Show & Tea @ Columbia College's Library (624 South Michigan, Flr 3N) tonight from 6-8pm will give you an opportunity to eat food fashioned into books (or book-related subjects). Admission $5-10.

The Mountain Goats @ Epiphany Portage Theater

The Empy Bottle presents an all-ages show starring The Mountain Goats and John Vanderslice at Epiphany Portage Theater, 4050 N. Milwaukee Ave. The show starts at 8pm; tickets are $16 and are available through Ticketweb.

Scrabble Night @ The Coffee Studio

Andersonville's The Coffee Studio hosts its monthly Scrabble Night tonight between 6:30 and 8:30pm. Boards and dictionaries will be provided -- just show up and you'll be matched with someone of similar skill level. All levels are welcome, from beginner to certified Word Freak. Prizes will be awarded for high scores. The Coffee Studio is located at 5628 N Clark St.

"Scanning and Planning" @ The Art Institute

Susan E. Alcock, Professor of Classics and the Director for the Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World at Brown University will deliver a lecture entitled "Scanning and Planning: Modern Modes of Watching the Ancient World" in Fullerton Hall, Art Institute of Chicago, 111 South Michigan Avenue. A champagne reception begins at 6pm and will be followed by the lecture at 6:30pm. Free. For more information, visit the U of C's Humanities Division calendar.

Ingebrigt Haaker Flaten @ The Hideout

Norwegian bassist Ingebrigt Haaker Flaten returns to chicago to reunite with some old improvised jazz friends. Tonight he plays with Jeb Bishop, Jacob Wick and Frank Rosaly at The Hideout for their Immediate Sound Series. 1354 W. Wabansia. 9:30pm. $7.

Chandeliers @ Empty Bottle

Local electro/fusion rockers Chandeliers play at the Bottle this evening in what will be a record release party. The Shape Shoppe affiliated group's newest album is Dirty Moves, a richly varied "mixtape" affair put together from their archive of rehearsal recordings. The Brazilian pop outfit Garotas Sueces, who are currently touring the U.S., play the supporting slot for the evening.Heruleneum opens. The show gets underway at 9:30 PM and admission is $8. 1035 N. Western.

Stimulus Social Club Kick Off @ Rockit

Stimulus Social Club is a network of socially conscious professionals in the Chicago area who choose to give back while having a few drinks with friends. This month's beneficiary will be Step Up Women's Network. Stimulus Social Club will take place at a different hip venue with a different charitable beneficiary each time. The events will be from 6:30pm-9pm on the first Wednesday of every month. A $10 donation at the door (cash only) will get you complimentary appetizers and one drink. You must RSVP in order to attend.

Rockit Bar & Grill (upstairs)
22 W. Hubbard St.

Soup and Bread @ The Hideout

The Hideout (1354 W. Wabansia) holds its FINAL Soup and Bread weekly fundraiser tonight for the Greater Chicago Food Depository where local chefs and foodies prepare a selection of soups for your casual slurping from the bar's crock pots. Donations encouraged. Event runs 5-8pm.

Grant Achatz @ Now We're Cookin'

This sounds like too good to be true, especially given the date, but we're going to run with it: Now We're Cookin' is hosting a cooking demonstration by Grant Achatz at their Evanston store today. For a mere $65, you'll get wine and appetizers made by the staff at NWC, and Achatz will demonstrate his kitchen magic. For an additional $50, you can buy the slip-covered edition of his newest book and get it autographed. Event begins at 6:30pm at 1601 Payne Street, Unit C. Reservation required.

9th Annual WhiskeyFest

Malt Advocate's 9th annual celebration of whiskey comes to town today. Taste over 200 whiskeys from all over the world, enjoy a gourmet buffet, and attend seminars by some of the top names in the industry. The drinking gets underway at the Hyatt Regency (151 E. Wacker Dr.) from 6:30-9:30pm. The $95 ticket price includes a commemorative tasting glass and a one-year subscription to Malt Advocate magazine. Order tickets online.