Dirty Needles @ Hideout

Join crafters and the craft-curious at this monthly meetup. Bring a project to work on, or just a willingness to learn: this month, local artist Vera Videnovich will demonstrate how to spin yarn. More information is available on Facebook.

The Man and the Dream @ ICE Theaters

British director John Akomfrah's film, Martin Luther King, Jr.: The Man and the Dream, takes a look at the life and work of the slain civil rights leader. The film will be screened tonight at 7pm at the ICE Theaters-Chatham, 210 W. 87th St. Admission is free. Contact the theater's box office at 773.892.3204 for more information.

The General Washingtons @ The Greenhouse Theater

The General Washingtons, "Chicago's first and only all white, all male comedy group," will be performing Thursdays @ 10:30pm through January 28 at the Greenhouse Theater (2257 N Lincoln Avenue). Tonight they'll be joined by local improv group Ayn Rand Soup Kitchen. $6 at the door. $5 with one of their postcards. (Hint: They bear the image of one of our Founding Fathers. I'll let you guess which one.)

Tragedy of a Ridiculous Man @ MCA Theater

In conjunction with the Museum of Contemporary Art's exhibit Italics: Italian Art between Tradition and Revolution 1968-2008, the MCA Theater is screening classic Italian films throughout January.
Tragedy of a Ridiculous Man follows the dynamic events of a cheese factory owner whose son is suddenly kidnapped by leftist terrorists. Instead of giving the money to his son's kidnappers, he opts to keep the ransom to save his near-bankrupt company.
Tickets are $8, $6 for MCA members. Screening starts at 6 pm.

Vaudezilla's 'Out with the Clothes, in with the Nudes' @ the Blue Bayou

Though (Baby) its cold outside, the broads of Vaudezilla are heating up the Blue Bayou (3734 N Southport Avenue) with their 'Out with the Clothes, in with the Nudes' Bar top Burlesque Revue. Dig yourself out of a snow drift this Thursday January 7th and visit the bevy of beauties including Red Hot Annie, Wham Bam Pam, Natasha Minsk, the Flaming Dames, and more! The show is free and starts at 10:00 pm sharp. Visit Vaudezilla's website for more details and a complete list of performers.

SketchFest

Today's SketchFest Picks:
Just crossing the finish line on a project to write a comedy sketch a
day for a full year, Second City alum Joe Janes plucked 10 of the good'ens to put on stage. Check it out at 8pm in the North Theater. Follow that with Hey You Millionaires at in the South Theater. They've got a bunch of credentials that could be trotted out here, but there's no need; it's a comedy lock. At 9:30pm, the gentlemen of Long Pork represent the best of sophisticated low-brow humor that Chicago has to offer. Hit the North Theater to get a taste. Finally, you don't know it, but Buffet Shark's been killing it all over town lately. Get in on the Jon Barinholtz/Chris Witaske extravaganza while you can in the West Theater. (Or check out Sad on Vacation.)

SketchFest, the world's largest sketch comedy festival, covers two long weekends with 100 sketch groups and 125 shows. Tickets are $12.50 for each timeslot and a limited number of festival passes are available. Buy tickets and see the entire schedule here. SketchFest runs through Jan. 17 at the Theater Building, 1225 West Belmont. HOT TIP: Call the box office at 773-327-5252 for tickets and you'll a) be treated like a real person; b) get a solid recommendation on what shows will suit you best; and c) avoid a fistfull of Ticketmaster fees.

At the Bar with Nick & Charles @ The Drawing Room

The Drawing Room's Executive Chef Nick Lacasse and Chief Mixologist Charles Joly are partnering for this dinner and cocktail event. Enjoy a three-course dinner paired with specialty cocktails. Dinner starts at 6:30pm at The Drawing Room (937 N. Rush St.). $45/person. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 312-266-2694.

Vampire Weekend Listening Party

Vampire Weekend's Contra doesn't come out until Jan. 12, but you can hear it at a listening party tonight at The Four Treys, 3333 N. Damen Ave., from 8:30 to 9:30pm. Free, 21+.