Facets Night School: The Gate

Facets Cinematheque presents Facets Night School, a weekly series of midnight screenings paired up with lectures, discussions, and much more. Tonight's screening: the gateway-to-Hell 1980s film The Gate. Facets Night School starts tonight at midnight, and tickets are $5 (advance tickets available through Ticketweb). See the Facets Website for a complete schedule. Facets: 1517 W. Fullerton. (773) 281-4114.

J. Davis Trio @ Double Door

The J. Davis Trio hit the Double Door tonight to play songs from their upcoming CD. Doors open at 8pm, show starts at 9pm. Tickets available through the Double Door Website. Double Door: 1572 N. Milwaukee Avenue. (773) 489-3160.

The League of Awesome @ Factory Theater

The Factory Theater's latest production, The League of Awesome, is an original work written by Factory ensemble members Corri Feuerstein and Sara Sevigny. Prepare for 90 minutes of nonstop action as the cast perform a piece that's two parts comic book story, one part farce, and completely entertaining. Show starts at 8pm, tickets are $15-$20 with group discounts available. Show runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 7pm through August 21. The Factory Theater is located at 3502 N. Elston. For more info call 312-409-3247 or visit The Factory Theater.

Free Preview of Luxury Ice Cream Festival @ Kenmore Studios

Head to the Kenmore Live Studio (678 N. Wells) tonight from 7-9pm for a free preview of the Chicago Luxury Ice Cream Festival, which features samples from Bleeding Heart Bakery and music from Liquid Soul. Yes, that Liquid Soul.

Tesco Vee @ Quimby's & The Abbey Pub

Tesco Vee, front man of The Meatmen and Tesco Vee's Hate Police will be at Quimby's (1854 W. North Avenue) today at 7pm to promote Touch and Go - The Complete Hardcore Punk Fanzine 1979-83, a compilation that includes all 22 issues of the zine. Tesco Vee will be performing later at The Abbey Pub (3420 W. Grace) with the Hate Police, White Flag and Fester. Doors open at 8pm, show starts at 9pm, the first 50 in the door will receive a free copy of the DVD Meatmen - Devils in Detail. Tickets are $12 in advance, $14 at the door. For more info call 773-478-4408 or visit The Abbey Pub.

Bitchpork Fest @ Mortville

This underground alternative to Pitchfork Fest is guaranteed to be entertaining. There are a TON of bands playing Friday through Sunday (mostly local!) so click here for the details. Bitchpork will be at Mortville in Little Villiage (2106 S. Kedzie) this year. The first band goes on at 5pm all three days and God knows how late it'll go.

Cupcake Eating Contest @ Bleeding Heart Bakery

Organic cupcakes rock your world: Bleeding Heart Bakery is opening a new Lakeview location today. To celebrate, they're holding a cupcake eating contest complete with prizes. $25 registration; e-mail to register. Bleeding Heart Bakery, 2961 N. Lincoln Ave., 2pm.

Pitchfork Music Festival @ Union Park

The Pitchfork Music Festival once again brings booming sound to Chicago on a steamy 3-day weekend of fun. Gates open at noon today and music runs till 10pm. Also on site are food and beverage vendors, Flatstock poster show, Coterie craft fair, CHIRP record fair (look for our Gapers Block table!), record labels, non-profits, Rock for Kids auction items and much more. Keep an eye on Transmission for more previews and day-of-show recaps as the festival goes on.

Tarantino Double Feature @ Film Center

The Gene Siskel Film Center is running a retrospective of Quentin Tarantino movies and some of the films that inspired the director. This afternoon's films are True Romance from 1993, screening at 3pm; and the John Wayne/Dean Martin film Rio Bravo, screening at 5:15pm. You can buy separate tickets to each film, or you can buy discount tickets for both films. See the Film Center Website for full information and a complete schedule. Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.

Cap'n Jazz Reunion Show @ Bottom Lounge

Influential Chicago emo band, Cap'n Jazz, headed by Tim and Mike Kinsella (Joan of Arc), are reuniting to play at the Bottom Lounge (1375 West Lake Street) at 9pm. They will be selling the vinyl re-release of Analphabetapolothology on Jade Tree Records.

Sappho's Salon @ Women & Children First

Women and Children First, 5233 N. Clark, hosts Sappho's Salon: A Provocative Night of Lesbian Diversions tonight at 7:30pm, featuring ragtime artist Sabrina Chap and writer Megan Milks with music by DJ SpinNikki. Admission is $7-10 (sliding scale) and includes food & wine. Proceeds will benefit the artists and the Women's Voices Fund. For more details on the event, click here.

Grant Park Orchestra @ Millennium Park

Tonight the Grant Park Music Festival continues with this family oriented concert including Respighi's La Boutique Fantasque, with its depiction of the joyful dances of dolls in a toy shop come to life, as well as Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, a perfect introduction to the orchestral instruments. 7:30pm. Pritzker Pavilion. Free.

Raiders of the Lost Ark @ Jonquil Park

Do you remember the first time you saw preeminent archaeologist Indiana Jones outrun a giant boulder, uncover the Ark of the Covenant, and just generally kick a whole lotta Nazi ass? If you answered "on VHS cassette tape" -- and unless you're over the age of 35, chances are you did -- then you're in luck! See Raiders of the Lost Ark on the big screen under the stars at Jonquil Park tonight. Admission is free, but get there early to stake out a good spot. Movie starts at dusk (around 8:30pm). Jonquil Playlot Park: 1023 W. Wrightwood Ave. Chicago, 60614

The Mo Show Invades the Two-Hour Comedy Hour

The Mo Show is taking over this week's Two-Hour Comedy Hour, with guests hand-selected by Mo Welch, with hosts Larry Bird and John Stockton*. The lineup includes Ever Mainard, a Puterbaugh Sister, Cecily and Dana, Brian Dailey, Amanda Crockett, Candy Lawrence and special birthday guest set from Kevin Lee. This free show features a fresh mix of comedians each week. There's no cover for the 21+ show -though a $5 donation is accepted - and it runs from 7-9 pm at Gallery Cabaret, 2020 N. Oakley (near Western and Milwaukee, just off the Blue Line stop). Guests are encouraged to arrive early.

*We don't really need a disclaimer on this, do we?

BBQ History @ Chicago History Museum

Smoque's Barry Sorkin (and journalist Craig Goldwyn) will talk about the history of 'cue today at the Chicago History Museum, Broadway and North Avenues, today at 10am. Event sponsored by Culinary Historians of Chicago. Admission $3-5.