The Pleasure of Pasta @ Quartino

The Culinary Historians of Chicago present a morning lecture on the history, love and preparation of pasta with Quartino executive chef John Coletta and food writer Nancy Ryan. A few pasta treats and a book signing of the two's new book, 250 True Italian Pasta Dishes: Easy and Authentic Recipes follows. Event runs 10am-noon at Quartino, 626 N. State. Admission $3-5. To reserve, please call Barbara Olson at (708) 788-0338 or email .

SketchFest

Today's lineup is the best SketchFest has to offer. Killer shows include Bri-Ko, which is like watching a live cartoon: silly and unsullied, but genuinely entertaining. (And safe for kids, if you've got 'em.) It plays early in the day, at 2 pm in the South Theater. Another winner, "It's Only Rock & Roll, But I Like It," marries music, multimedia presentations and bizarre takes on rock history to explore the ways music shapes popular culture. The pH Productions show goes up at 7 pm in the North Theater. Or recharge your positive mental attitude at the same time in the South Theater with The Backrow, inviting you to explore the importance of kindness, altruism and victory. The Cupid Players, the sketch group upon which all of SketchFest was founded, will always be worth your money, whether you see them here or anywhere else. They go up at 8 pm in the West Theater. From 9 pm on, you can't miss. But what you really, really can't miss is Team Submarine, who signed on at the last minute to everyone's benefit. They're up at 10 pm in the West Theater. And Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher's BriTANick at 11 pm in the South Theater will set your night right.

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.

Tomorrow Never Knows Festival @ Schubas, Lincoln Hall

The annual winter long-weekend festival known as Tomorrow Never Knows hits two venues this year, both Schubas and Lincoln Hall. Today's entertainment includes Paul Green's School Of Rock: Women Who Rock at Schubas [See Slowdown entry below for details] in the afternoon and Final Fantasy, Sharon Van Etten, Peter Wolf Crier at Schubas in the evening with Bowerbirds, The Rural Alberta Advantage, and Julie Doiron at Lincoln Hall in the evening. The evening shows start at 10pm and are 18+ (School of Rock performs at 2pm and is All Ages) . Tickets are $10-$15 (or purchase a 5-day TNK festival pass for $75). Schubas is located at 3159 N Southport Ave (at Belmont). Lincoln Hall is located at 2424 N. Lincoln Ave.

Cedric the Entertainer @ Arie Crown Theater

Laugh away the winter blues with one of the "Original Kings of Comedy," Cedric the Entertainer, tonight at 8pm at the Arie Crown Theater, 2301 S. Lake Shore Dr. Tickets are $45-$75; contact the theater box office for more information.

Proximity Release Party @ Co-Prosperity Sphere

Tonight Proximity Magazine celebrates the release of their sixth issue. There will be an evening of performances by Proximity friends and family as well as an exhibition of works by artists featured in past magazines. There will be performances by Implodes, Aleks and the Drummer, Maxwell Citron and Members Only. With DJ J+J+J. For this issue they invited friends and friends of friends to contribute to their annual geographically and territorially-based examinations of some other art worlds. This not so random survey of under-represented art scenes, movers and shakers, artist run initiatives, groups, spaces and theoretical constructs helps us imagine and remake the worlds we want to live and work in. It features reports from not only Chicago but around the world. For $10 you get admitted into the party as well as a copy of the new issue. The party is from 9pm-1am at Co-Prosperity Sphere (3219 S Morgan St.)

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' finishes its run tonight, 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.

Kombucha Class @ Dream About Tea

Learn everything you need to know about making the popular fermented tea at home during this two-hour lesson. The class starts at 11:30am and costs $50, which includes the kombucha starter. Dream About Tea is located at 1011 Davis St., Evanston. Call (847) 864-7464 to RSVP.

Paul Green's School of Rock @ Schubas

As part of Schubas' five-day Tomorrow Never Knows festival, The Paul Green School of Rock will showcase student musicians playing cover songs at the Women Who Rock show. The school, founded in 1998 in Philadelphia and now in 49 locations around the country, is grounded in the belief that the best way to learn is by doing. Catch the Women Who Rock show today and tomorrow at 2pm. For tickets and information call (773) 525-2508 or visit Schubas Tavern.

Five Star Bar/Half Acre Brewery Bus Tour

Just $10 gets you a seat on the bus taking off from Five Star Bar (1424 W Chicago Ave) traveling to Half Acre Brewery in Lincoln Square (and back) for a special brewery tour and tasting today. Bus leaves at 1:30pm from Five Star and returns at 5pm. Details online. RSVP to info@fivestarbar.com or buy tickets at the bar. 21+

Pepe le Moko @ Musicbox Theatre

Before there was Bogart, the French had Jean Gabin. And before American noir came Julien Duvivier and a slew of French filmmakers setting up the atmosphere for it. Duvivier and Gabin's greatest collaboration Pépé le Moko (1937) screens at the Musicbox Theatre today and tomorrow as part of their weekend matinee. Pépé le Moko follows crook on the run Gabin through the casbah of Algiers. As is typical in noir films, Pépé can run from the coppers day and night but he can't run from love.
Screening starts at 11:30am. Tickets are $9.25 and can be purchased at the Musicbox box office.

Winter Bike Swap @ Harper College

The 2010 Chicago Winter Bike Swap takes place at Harper College in Palatine from 9:30 to 3:30 today. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children under 12. Check out the link above or call 847-877-1189 for further information.

CHIRP Launch Party with The Yolks @ The Empty Bottle

The Chicago Independent Radio Project is launching a new radio station online this month and they celebrate said launch tonight at The Empty Bottle. Committed to local, independent programming and focusing on Chicago's diverse music, arts, and cultural scenes, CHIRP's local dedication is reflected in the party-starting Chicago-based bands they have invited to play tonight. Soul-rock band The Yolks headline and Rabble Rabble and Hollows open. The show starts at 10pm, admission is $8. The Empty Bottle is located at 1035 N. Western Ave. 21+.

Greg Kot @ Revolution Books

Music critic Greg Kot talks about and signs copies of his book Ripped today at Revolution Books, 1103 N. Ashland, at 2pm.