Lunatic(a)s Returns to Chicago Dramatists

Teatro Luna's big hit, Lunatic(a)s returns for another round of laughs and a lot more stories and musical numbers. Performances are Thursday thru Sunday and will continue through December 20, 2009. Chicago Dramatists is located at 1105 W. Chicago Avenue. Tickets are $15-$20; to purchase tickets call 773-878-5862 or visit Teatro Luna's website

Vaudezilla Bartop Burlesque @ The Blue Bayou

The broads of Vaudezilla are back on the Blue Bayou's bartop for a night of free burlesque! Stop by 3734 N. Southport Avenue Thursday December 3rd for their weekly 10 p.m. show. Hosted by Dick Dijon, the show features a bevy of beauties including Red Hot Annie, Maria May I, Wham Bam Pam, and Jolie Roberson. Visit Vaudezilla's website for more details and a complete list of performers.

Holiday Tree Lighting and Sing-a-Long @ Mid-North Park

Join Lincoln Park neighbors for festive beverages and caroling with local choirs, sponsored by the Clark Street SSA. Following the 6 pm tree lighting, free photos with Santa will be available in "Santa's Workshop" at 2338 N. Clark until 8 pm. Further info is available on the event page.

Glitter: A Holiday Shopping Event @ Chicago Cultural Center

Check off everybody on your 'nice' list early today at Glitter: A Holiday Shopping Event. Stop by the Chicago Cultural Center (78 East Washington Street; Preston Bradley Hall, 3rd Floor) and browse wares from over 35 local designers and boutiques. The event runs from 11am until 8pm. For a complete list of participating designers and more details, visit their website.

Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago @ Gary Comer Youth Center

If you've never seen a live performance of West African Dance, you're missing out; if you've never seen the Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago, you're missing out on one of life's greatest joys. This week Muntu brings The Sankofa Project to the Gary Comer Youth Center, 7200 S Ingleside Avenue. The performance features key works from Muntu's history as well as new work showcasing the choreography of Amansu Eason, feature dancer for Muntu Dance Theatre and principal artist for Indiana's South Shore Dance Alliance, and Abdel Salaam, Executive Director of Forces of Nature. 7:30pm, $15.

Additional showtimes and ticket prices: December 5 @ 8pm, $27.50; and December 6 @ 3pm, $27.50. Additionally, there will be a gala reception and silent auction on December 4 @ 6pm, tickets are $75. Discounts for groups, children and seniors available. For tickets and information call (773) 241-6083 or visit Muntu.

Sound Opinions Movie Night: Jesus Christ Superstar

Sound Opinions presents a screening of the 1973 film adaptation of the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar at the Music Box Theater (3733 N. Southport). Showtime is 7:30pm, doors open at 6:30pm. Tickets are $9 ($8 for Chicago Public Radio members) and can be purchased online in advance.

Holiday Film Shorts @ The Claudia Cassidy Theater

Chicago Film Archives presents a free screening of short holiday films at the Cultural Center, including:
Home Movies from Chicago Film Archives' Collections, excerpts;
The Big Downtown Christmas (Sharp collection, 1962, 9 minutes);
Craftmaster Toy Commercial, excerpt (Goldsholl collection, 4 minutes);
Glove Love, excerpt (Goldsholl collection, 4 minutes);
The Little King (Conneely collection, 8 minutes);
Intergalactic Zoo #5 (Goldsholl collection, 4 minutes);
The Night Before Christmas (Conneely collection, 8 minutes);
Christmas Time - A Happy Time (Chicago Public Library collection, 9.5 minutes);
Screenings begin at 7pm, for more information visit the Chicago Cultural Center.

Black as Ink: Three Tattoo Films @ Intuit

Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art presents an evening of short films on the subject of tattoo history and culture: Stoney Knows How; Tattooed Lady of Riverview; and Fullsuit: A Portrait of Blu-Bak. Filmmakers Tom Palazzolo (Tattooed Lady) and Kapra Fleming (Blu-Bak) will be on hand for a Q&A session after the screenings, and Kapra will present an additional film on Blu-Bak. Amelia Klem Osterud will be signing copies of her book The Tattooed Lady: A History.

Screenings start at 6pm at 756 N. Milwaukee Avenue; $10 non-members, $5 members. For more information call (312) 243-9088 or visit Intuit.

Object Design League Worth Your Salt Reception @ Pavilion Antiques

Enjoy food and drinks while checking out the Object Design League's December pop-up shop, Worth Your Salt, in residence at Pavilion Antiques, 2055 N. Damen, from 5-9pm as part of the larger December on Damen Bucktown retail event. Worth Your Salt runs through December 11 and showcases the work of independent object designers from Chicago and beyond -- and you can buy the stuff, too! More information is on the Object Design League website.

All Things Lucid @ Darkroom

HEAVEmedia, Kilo Inc, and VPK Solutions are coming together to put on one amazing show with All Things Lucid, Son of the Son, and The Brian Miller Band. The 21-and-up show starts at 8pm tonight at Darkroom (2210 W Chicago Ave). The show will be hosted by Max Bremmer, with Matty Ryan throwing in some extra comedy. Tickets are $8 at the door, and $7 if you get them in advance. And we're trying to get into the holiday spirit, so a portion of the proceeds from the night will go to Urban Gateways. The event is sponsored by Magic Hat Beer, who will be providing discounted drinks throughout the night.

Guy Fieri Road Show (w/Hot Doug) @ Rosemont Theater

The Food Network's Guy Fieri comes to the Rosemont Theater tonight @ 7pm for what his website says is "food, rock n' roll, and everything they won't let me do on TV! " I don't know what that means but am too polite to make a suggestion. Doug Sohn of Hot Doug's will join him. Tickets start at $45. 5400 N River Rd, Rosemont, IL.

The One of a Kind Show and Sale @ The Merchandise Mart

The One of a Kind Show and Sale opens today Thursday December 3rd from noon until 9 pm at the Merchandise Mart (222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, 8th Floor; 312-527-4141). Today only, your shopping will benefit the Children's Memorial Hospital. The event features handmade furniture, art, clothing, and accessories from over 500 artists. Tickets are $12 for all 4 days attendance and available at the show's website along with a complete listing of participating artists.

Cameron Esposito Records Grab Them Aghast

The hilarious and engaging standup comic Cameron Esposito lays down tracks for her first comedy album Grab Them Aghast, produced by Rooftop Comedy Records. The live recording happens tonight and tomorrow at the Lincoln Lodge and comes packaged with Dizzy Lizzy Delicious, a delightful young woman who jumps around on a pile of razor-sharp broken glass. Adam Burke hosts the 9pm, $10 show at the Lincoln Lodge, 4008 N. Lincoln. Call (773) 251-1539 or click here for more.

World Kitchen Learning Series: Pantry/Holiday Party

Whip up a holiday party using common pantry items at the "Pantry/Holiday Party" class, part of the city's World Kitchen learning series, will get you cooking like the professionals. Class runs 6-8:30pm at the Gallery 37 Center for Arts at 66 East Randolph, admission is $30, and registration is required.