The Hot Karl's Santa Claus Conquers the Nazis

World War II is going poorly for Hitler and the Nazi party. So the Fueher decides the best way to turn the tide in the war is to kidnap Santa Claus and take control of Christmas and all of Santa's magical secrets. The only thing standing in the way of their evil plot is a misunderstood elf, a misfit toy and a couple of hit men reindeer. Will that be enough to save Christmas? Find out when The Hot Karl presents, "Santa Claus Conquers the Nazis: The Musical." Read more here.

The show starts at 11:59pm at Comedy Sportz, 929 West Belmont. Tickets are $10, and you can get 'em here or call (312) 559-1212.

Chicago Animal Care & Control Volunteer Orientation

If you love animals and are looking for a volunteer opportunity, why not go to where they need you the most-- Chicago Animal Care & Control. Today's volunteer orientation session, which runs from 11am-2pm at CACC (2741 S. Western), will get you familiar with the place and how to help care for their lovable, adoptable animals that are available for new homes. Email to RSVP.

Open Books Grand Opening

Non-profit literacy organization Open Books is celebrating the grand opening of their used bookstore and literacy center. Come browse the store's shelves, take home some reads and learn all about the programs Open Books has to fight illiteracy. Today's schedule of events includes a children's storytime; a fairy tale puppet show; a discussion with Underground Railroad Historian Glenette Tilley Turner; a young adult authors panel with local authors James Kennedy, Daniel Kraus, Adam Selzer and Claire Zulkey; bookmaking and crafts for children; and a mystery/crime authors panel with local authors Kevin Guilfoile, Libby Fischer Hellmann and Marcus Sakey. The full schedule of times is listed here. Open Books is located at 213 W. Institute Pl. Email info[at]open-books[dot]org for questions and information.

Modern Vintage Holiday Market @ Beaux Arts Plumbers Hall

Get all your Christmas shopping done early by visiting the third annual Modern Vintage Holiday Market today (10am until 7pm) and tomorrow (10am until 5pm). The fair features vintage and indie fashion, jewelry, art, and house wares for everyone on your "nice" list. This year, the fun takes pass at the Beaux Arts Plumbers Hall at 1340 W Washington Street (free parking available in the Plumbers Hall parking lot). Admission is $10 ($8 in advance online) and includes a $10 shopping voucher if you spend $50 or more with any vendor. Student admission with an ID is $5 and children under 12 are free. There will be plenty of elves available to gift wrap your purchases for free. To purchase tickets and for more details, visit the Randolph Street Market website or call (312) 666-1200.

Open House @ Old Town School

The Old Town School of Folk Music opens its doors this evening from 5pm to 10pm and invites everybody to come and sample the music and dance classes available at the school. Every hour will feature a new set of classes happening somewhere in the school building, while free music performances happen in the school's concert hall starting at 8:15. See the OTS Website for a schedule of classes. The evening is free and open to the public. Old Town School: 4544 N. Lincoln. (773) 728-6000.

AlphaBeer

Get to know beer as well as you know the alphabet. This event sponsored by TheLocalTourist.com takes you on a world beer tour from A to Z--literally. Sample 1-3 oz. pours from every letter of the alphabet, with Eric Hobbs of Goose Island leading you through them. It takes place at The Globe Pub (1934 W. Irving Park Rd.) tonight from 6-9pm. Cost is $40, participants must be 21 and over, and you must reserve your spot in advance. For more information call (312) 282-7466.

School of the Art Institute Holiday Art Sale

Today you'll be able to pick up some great art, jewelry, fashion accessories and paper designs at the School of the Art Institute's annual Holiday Art Sale. Look for one-of-a-kind gifts or discover the next great art superstar. The sale also gives the artists a little pocket money--they earn 85% of the proceeds from each piece they sell, with the SAIC getting a 15% commission. Today's sale runs from 10am to 5pm at the MacLean Center Ballroom (112 S. Michigan Ave). For more information, e-mail Campus Activities at student_life@saic.edu or call (312) 629-6880. Free.

Party Crashers Opens @ Concertina Gallery

Party Crashers, a group exhibition featuring photography, performance, drawing, and mixed media by Dick Blau, Micah Lexier, Dutes Miller & Stan Shellabarger, Davida Nemeroff, Annie Pootoogook and Carrie Schneider opens tonight and runs through Dec. 13. The reception is from 7-10pm at Concertina Gallery: 2351 N. Milwaukee. Visit the gallery's website or email them at concertinagallery@gmail.com for more information.

The Knock Knock Hot Spot @ EP Theater

Come see some Vaudevillian tease, queer burlesque, old-fashioned kink, informative sex talk from the folks at Early 2 Bed, belly dance and more, directed by Mae Phillips.

8:30pm and 10:30pm at the EP Theater in Pilsen,1820 S Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60608. Tickets are $15 at the door. For more info: maethebellydancer@gmail.com

Elaina Vazquez Chef Demo @ Green City Market

Elaina Vazquez of Boutique Bites will conduct a 10:30am demonstration at Green City Market, which is currently located at the Notebart Nature Museum (Lake Shore Drive at Fullerton).

Teaching for Justice Curriculum Fair

Chicago's Teachers for Social Justice are hosting their 9th Annual "Teaching for Justice Curriculum Fair" today at Orozco Elementary School (1940 W. 19th Street) from 10am to 5pm. For more information, see the website, then register online. A $5 donation is requested.

DIY Trunk Show @ Pulaski Park Auditorium

Check out this GIGANTIC trunk show and buy some handmade stuff by local creative people. 10am-5pm. Pulaski Park Auditorium: 1419 W. Blackhawk. Free.

Yarn Crawl!

Forget beer! Forget zombies! This is the CRAWL to tell all your friends about. The Sweatshop of Love has organized a Yarn Crawl that starts at the DIY Trunk Show (Pulaski Park Field House, 1419 W Blackhawk) at 10am and ends with coffee and a delectable pastry. What a great idea, and one that we hope to see replicated. Yarn may eat your closet space, but it won't eat your brains.