Halsted @ Beat Kitchen

San Francisco-based Halsted is the brainchild of Ryan Auffenberg. His 2008 solo album Marigolds earned comparisons to Ryan Adams for its Americana sound. With Halsted, the sound is broader, with more sweeping pop moments and rollicking riffs. Halsted's Life Underwater is an olio of indie rock influences with punch. Halsted opens for Chicago's On Again Off Again at the Beat Kitchen (2100 West Belmont Avenue). Tereu Tereu and Patrick Herek also play. The show starts at 8pm, is 17+ and costs $8. For more information, visit Beat Kitchen online.

Fillet of Solo Festival @ Lifeline Theater

Lifeline Theater (6912 N. Glenwood) and Live Bait Theater (3914 N. Clark Street) continue the 14th annual Fillet of Solo festival with a 3pm performance by The Sweat Girls are A-Gaga. Tickets are $10, for more information call 773-761-4477 or visit Lifeline Theater.

Wicker Park Fest

Wicker Park Fest takes over the stretch of Milwaukee Avenue between North and Wood July 31 and today from noon till 10pm. Enjoy food, arts and crafts, and music on three stages. Here's today's lineup at each stage:

South Stage: fun., Plants & Animals, Van Ghost, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights, B.S. Brass Band, JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound and
Save the Clocktower, with DJ Lou Dooben DJing between sets.

North Stage: Baroness, Torche, Yakuza Arkestra, Gringo Star, The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, Happy Birthday, Residual Echoes and Beings.

Center Stage: Local H, The Hood Internet, The Hard Lessons, Zebo, Oh My God, Matt Roan, Shapers, John Simmons and California Wive.

$5 suggested donation. All ages.

The Great Giveback @ Mess Hall

Here's an interesting workshop for ya: Humble Pile Chicago, the soil nutrient looping project, is now in it's fourth and final stage: THE GREAT GIVE BACK. After two years of composting, the nearly 1500 gallons of human waste collected from 22 individuals for three months has now been transformed into lovely, rich, pathogen-free compost and will be given back (privately, not at this event!) to these folks so they can then return it to Mama Earth where and in a form she'd actually appreciate. Come hear Nance Klehm report back on all the dirt to soil phases, sift your fingers in the lovely stuff and find out how you too can loop your poop. This event is at Mess Hall (6932 N Glenwood) today from 11am to 1pm.

Fresh @ Film Center

Fresh is a film that brings a little sunshine to the growing food movement. Director Sofia Joanes explores the rebel industry of pesticide and hormone free farms that seek to create a food product that is good for us, the environment, and the plants and animals that provide it.
Screening starts at 3:00 pm. Tickets are $10 general admission, $7 for regular students, $4 for SAIC students, and $5 Film Center members. Tickets can be purchased through the Film Center's box office or their website.

Lolla Remix Live Finals @ Double Door

Nearly 400 artists battled it out in this year's Lolla Remix Throwdown and tonight the final four will go head to head to see who wins a slot at Lollapalooza. Also featuring Hot Pink Delorean, last years contest winner, Punky Fresh, and a live set from local band Hey Champ, with Hollywood Holt as your emcee. 9pm. 1572 N. Milwaukee Ave. FREE. 21+