Lake Claremont Press Open House

Lake Claremont Press hosts an open house at its offices, 1026 W. Van Buren, 2nd Flr., tonight from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Policemen David Haynes and Christopher Garlington, authors of the forthcoming The Beat Cop's Guide to Chicago Eats, will pass out donuts and eatery advice, and will do a special live broadcast of their radio show. Wine and other refreshments will be served, and Lake Claremont's back catalog will be available for sale. Space is limited, so RSVP to lcp[at]lakeclaremont.com is requested. Free.

Khmer Cultural Dance Troupe @ The Old Town School of Folk Music

As part of World Music Wednesdays, the Old Town School of Folk Music, in partnership with the Cambodian Association of Illinois, presents an evening of traditional Cambodian music and dance. Join Cambodian artists who have made tremendous sacrifices to preserve these treasured traditions in the face of enormous odds. World Music Wednesdays are free, ticketed events, with a suggested $5 donation. The artists will also be at the Old Town School for a workshop on Thursday evening. For information and tickets call (773) 728-6000 or visit the Old Town School of Folk Music. This event takes place at the Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall, 4544 N Lincoln Ave.

Do No Harm @ Block Museum of Art

Chicago filmmaker Rebecca Schanberg will attend this screening of her 55-minute documentary Do No Harm as part of the Reeltime fall film series at the Block Museum of Art. The film tells the story of two reluctant whistleblowers who exposed unethical billing practices at a large non-profit hospital. Their findings led to class action lawsuits against 37 health care systems nationally.

Showtime is 7:30pm. Admission is free. More information is available on the Reeltime website.

City of Chicago Banner Auction

How can you own one of those street pole banners you see all over the city? Bid on them at the city's annual Sharing It Banner Auction. This year's edition is only one day, so today's your only chance to try to nab Bulls, Bear, Blackhawks, Broadway in Chicago, and Harry Potter banners. Proceeds benefit Mayor Daley's Sharing It program, which helps feed the city's needy. The auction takes place in the Daley Plaza East Lobby (Washington & Dearborn) from 12pm-1:30pm. Free.

"Everybody's Got Money Issues" AREA Reading Group @ Mess Hall

The spring issue of AREA and the Chicago Political Workshop's contribution to that issue has inspired for a reading group to investigate further the issues raised by that issue in a more long term, theoretical, and historical way with the goal of beginning to answer some of the questions raised in the CPW contribution. This meeting is intended to foster a discussion about potential readings and to chart the course of the group. 7-10pm. Mess Hall: 6932 N. Glenwood Ave.

The Hydroacoustic Show Opens @ Gallery 400

This is a show of film and video works devoted to the unusual sounds and sights of the sea, curated by Ben Russell. Works on display include a siren-Spongebob-song, a flicker score for the Red Sea with a whale chorus, octo-electronica, and gurgling pop tune by internationally-famous and loved video artist, Pipilotti Rist. The opening is at 7pm at UIC's Gallery 400: 400 S. Peoria. Call them at (312) 996-6114 for more information.

Beers & Baritones @ Rock Bottom Brewery

This cocktail hour is designed to be an opportunity for Chicago area young professionals to meet up after work to drink, eat, and hear a little music. The event includes a short opera performance by Chicago Opera Theater Young Artists, Leila Bowie and Martin Woods. Guests will have their choice of Rock Bottom's locally handcrafted beers, fine selection of wine, and some light appetizers. There will be a complimentary business card raffle with prizes that include a pair of Opera Underground subscriptions to Chicago Opera Theater's 2010 Spring Festival Season. 6-8pm. Rock Bottom Brewery: 1 W. Grand. Admission is $25 per person in advance and $35 at the door. Admission includes unlimited beer/wine and light appetizers. Call (312) 704-8414 for tickets and information or visit Chicago Opera Theater's website.

Rick Bayless Chef Demo @Green City

Rick Bayless, Top Chef Master Rick Bayless of Frontera Grill, Topolobampo and Xoco, will conduct a 10:30AM chef demonstration at Green City Market, currently located at the Notebart Nature Museum.

Jonathan Safran Foer @ Harold Washington Library

Jonathan Safran Foer - author of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and Everything in Illuminated - discusses his latest book on choosing a vegetarian lifestyle, Eating Animals. The event is free and begins at 6pm at the Harold Washington Library. For more information call 312.747.4300.