CORE's Educational Summit on School Violence and Renaissance 2010 @ Malcom X College

Last Winter, target="_blank">The Caucus of Rank-and-File Educators (CORE) asked Chicagoans to attend a community forum and voice their grievances against Renaissance 2010. There was a blizzard and over 500 people still showed up. This year, CORE will be hosting another community forum, where they will unveil their slate of officers who will run against Marilyn Stewart and the UPC Machine in the May 2010 Chicago Teachers Union elections. CORE will also be hosting workshops where they will teach you how to fight and win! 10 AM-1 PM. Malcom X College 1900 W. Van Buren 60612. Parking Available off Jackson. Refreshments and childcare will be provided. $10 suggested donation. For more information, contact Mechanics own, Kenzo Shibata .

"Winter Warmup with Hearty Soups" Cooking Class @ WAVE

At WAVE's monthly cooking class, Executive Chef Kristine Subido shows you how to prepare seasonal foods. This month, soup's on the docket. Learn how to prepare soups as Chef Subido demonstrates. The two-hour class takes place at the restaurant (644 N. Lake Shore Dr.) and kicks off at 2:30pm with a cocktail, followed by the lesson and lunch with wine. Cost is $60 for one person, $110 for two, or $210 for four, and the fee includes tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and can be made online. For more information, call (312) 255-4460.

The Decameron @ the 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.
Based on the novellas of Giovanni Boccaccio, The Decameron brings fourteenth century Italy to life - debauchery and all. Characteristic of director Pier Paolo Pasolini, The Decameron satirizes the church and state while exposing Italy's fascination with all things love.
Tickets are $8, $6 for MCA members. Screening starts at 1pm.

Hot & Heavy Burlesque: Pink Floyd's The Wall @ the Viaduct Theater

Hot & Heavy Burlesque presents a spectacular tribute to the iconic Pink Floyd album, The Wall. The classic album will be performed, in its entirety, by a bevy of burlesque beauties including Viva La Muerte, Red Hot Annie, and Donna Touch. 'The Wall' continues tonight at 10 pm and runs Friday January 15th and Saturday January 16th at the Viaduct Theater (3111 N. Western Avenue). Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Visit Vaudezilla's website for more details and to purchase tickets.

Holiday Hangover Sale @ Greenheart Shop

Greenheart Shop (1911 W. Division), Chicago's only nonprofit, eco-friendly, fair trade store, begins its Holiday Hangover Sale today. There will be complimentary wine and fair trade merchandise on sale for up to 60% off from 11am to 6pm. Visit their website or call (312) 264-1625 for more information.

SketchFest

Today's lineup starts with the second annual Sketch Days for Kids, but the real fun starts at night. Don't miss Robot vs. Dinosaur at 7pm in the North Theater doing selected pieces from Mrs. Gruber's DingDong School, which went up to solid reviews late last year. You can't lose at 8pm when all the slots are heavy-hitters: The Reckoning, Kerpatty and The Cupid Players, the group that inspired SketchFest in the first place. Same goes for 9pm, when you can choose from Heavyweight, The Cool Table and Kanellis & Armstrong. At 10pm, check out Toronto duo Haircut in the South Theater, or, if you missed them Friday, Pangea 3000 in the West Theater.

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.

Handmade Market

About 30 of the city's greatest makers of handmade goods will be gathering today at Empty Bottle (1035 N. Western Avenue) from noon to 4pm for another Handmade Market Chicago. The sellers will help you you pick out a few gifts for others, or yourself. You can see who is selling at the show here. And one of the best parts of this show is that you get to sip a tall frosty something while you peruse fantastic products. If you don't leave with full shopping bags, you may leave inspired, or at least a little tipsy.