Poultrygeist @ Music Box

Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead (known as "cinema's first chicken-zombie horror-comedy...with musical numbers") plays tonight at the Music Box (Southport and Grace) at midnight. Director Lloyd Kaufman will attend both screenings. Tickets $10.

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.

Holiday Pet Boutique @ Chicago Animal Care and Control

Want your pet to look fly this holiday season? Or get a nifty stocking-stuffer for the animal in your life? Friends of Chicago Animal Care and Control will be holding a benefit holiday pet boutique in the CACC auditorium today and tomorrow from noon to 5pm at 2741 S. Western Avenue.

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 loveable, adoptable animals that are available for new homes. Email to RSVP.

1985 @ The Factory Theater

The Factory Theater spoofs George Orwell's classic 1984 with a distinctly mid-decade Chicago Bears twist. Eric Roach directs. Located at 3504 N. Elston, between Albany and Kedzie. Showtimes: Friday and Saturday nights at 8pm and Sundays at 7 through December 19th. Tickets are $20. For information and tickets call: 312-409-3247 or visit The Factory Theater.

Handmade Market @ Empty Bottle

Check out the latest crafty designs from Chicago handmade sellers at the Handmade Market, today from noon to 4pm at Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western. Admission is free.

Vaudezilla's Absolut Holidaze @ The Exit

The broads of Vaudezilla have better presents for you than anything you'll find in Santa's sleigh! They take over The Exit (1315 W North Avenue) tonight, December 12th, with The Absolut Holidaze show featuring two different programs full of holiday-inspired burlesque acts at 11 pm and 2 am. Hosted by Wham Bam Pam and Maria May I, there will be $3 Absolut drink specials and feature acts from The Flaming Dames, Viva La Muerte, and Red Hot Annie. There's no cover charge and, therefore, no reason not to show up. Visit Vaudezilla's website for more details and a full list of performers.

Holiday of Horrors Film Festival @ Portage Theater

For those of you who are pissed that Halloween is over and want to celebrate Christmas in a less conventional/more bloody way, check this out-- Portage Theater is hosting a Christmas-themed horror film festival tonight. Films include Christmas Evil, Silent Night, Deadly Night, New Years Evil, and Black Santa's Revenge. Lewis Jackson, the director of Christmas Evil, will be there in the flesh. There will also be vendors, free stuff, and booze. Portage Theater is located at 4050 N. Milwaukee. Doors open at 5pm, movies start at 7. Tickets are $12 at the door. Click on this link for details.

Ronny's Art & Music Jam

Live music and art. And snacks. Bands include Michael Michael Motorcycle, Amen & The Hell Yeahs, Pretty Boy Thorson & the Falling Angels, and Altar Eagle. There are too many artists participating to list. Sorry. Art viewing time is from 6-8pm with DJ Stylings of Geppettoboner.org (Mr. Ian Floetl with Mr. Vito Nusret.) Bands start at 8pm. Ronny's is located at 2101 N. California. 21+.

One Night Only Magazine Release Party @ Reversible Eye Gallery

The One Night Only Magazine is a new quarterly journal where each issue is structured around a theme, dictating the design and content, so that each full issue may stand alone as a complete multimedia art object of its own. For $10 at the door you will get a copy of the CD magazine, free drinks, and performances by One Night Only contributors in between the following bands: Glittermouse, Ragged Claws, and Jordan E. Ramsier. Pre-orders of the magazine are available through One Night Only's website for $7.50. A pre-order gets you free admission to the party-- which, by the way, starts at 8pm. Reversible Eye Gallery is located at 1103 N. California. Call them at 773-862-1232 for more information.

Angel Otero Solo Show Opens @ Kavi Gupta

Chicago's own painting darling, Angel Otero, has a solo show opening today. The reception is from 4-7pm at Kavi Gupta Gallery: 835 W. Washington. The show will be up through January 30 (by then, he'll have a solo show up at the Cultural Center.)

Debutante Ball @ threewalls

The Debutante Ball is threewalls' annual winter fundraiser. This year they're doing a formal, southern-style thing, complete with a hat contest, mint juleps and red velvet cake. Tickets are $30.00 each with annual holiday glass and unlimited refreshments. Couples can purchase a special couples ticket for $50.00. The ball starts at 7:30pm at threewalls' new location: 119 N Peoria #2C. Click here for tickets and information.

Gingerbread House Decorating Competition @ Old Orchard

If you're headed to Old Orchard (4999 Old Orchard Center, Skokie) today to buy gifts and visit Orange Julius, make a stop by the mall-sponsored Gingerbread House Decorating Competition (you can enter, too, you know) after 11am to see green-friendly gingerbread houses (my recommendation is to make rooftop solar panels from bananas). Winners will be announced at 1pm.

Universal Sole Trail Challenge @ Schiller Woods

The Universal Sole Trail Challenge is a 5.25 mile trail race in Schiller Woods, Irving Park Rd. and Cumberland Ave in Chicago. The race winds through the wooded area along the DesPlaines River. After the run enjoy some U-Sole Trail Oatmeal and other post race foods from our sponsors. Organizers advise participants to bring extra shoes and socks for after the races due to wet conditions.

Squasht by Les Trunk Show @ Wolfbait & B-Girls

Squasht by Les, by independent Chicago based designer, Lesley Timpe, is having a shopping event at Wolfbait & B-Girls in Logan Square today. This trunk sale features reversible hats, ready-to-wear garments, rusched handbags and 1940s-style petal headbands. Today-only discounts include $10 off a purchase of $100 or more, and $30 off a $200 purchase. 11am-6pm. Wolfbait & B-Girls is located at 3131 W. Logan Blvd.

Facets Video Clearance Sale

Facets Multimedia holds another of its regular video clearance sales today and tomorrow. They'll be selling all-new DVDs for prices up to 95% off. The sale happens from 10am to 4pm in the lobby of their building at 1517 W. Fullerton. See the Facets Website for full details.

Dill Pickle Food Co-op Grand Opening

The much-anticipated Logan Square food cooperative will be celebrating the opening of its store today with a line-up of special guests and events. Details can be found on their website. The Dill Pickle Food Co-op is located at 3039 W. Fullerton and is open 7 days a week, 12-8pm.

Alexander Cheswick @ Green City Market

Alexander Cheswick of May Street Market will conduct a 10:30am chef demonstration at the Green City Market, which is currently located indoors at the Notebaert Nature Museum (Fullerton and Cannon).

Justin Roberts @ Martyrs

Justin Roberts has been wooing kids and parents with songs that both rock and keep parents entertained for some time. He plays today with his band, The Not Ready For Naptime Players at Martyrs. Be prepared for some of the wittiest, most clever music to come out this genre. The show starts at 3. $12. Martyrs is located at 3855 N. Lincoln Ave. (773) 404-9494.