Charitable Chili Cook-off

Chili fanatics face off at the second annual Half Acre Charitable Chili Cook-off benefiting The Arts of Life, 2010 W. Carroll Ave., tonight at 5pm. Tickets are $10 in advance (before Oct. 29), $15 at the door.

2010 National Roller Derby Championships @ UIC Pavilion

Uproar on the Lakeshore, the 2010 WFTDA national roller derby championship, is held this year in our fair city tonight through Sunday, Nov. 7 at the UIC Pavilion (525 S Racine). Twelve teams from across the country will be contending for the title of 2010 WFTDA (Women's Flat Track Derby Association) champion.

Tickets are $31 daily or $78 for an all-weekend pass. Trackside (aka "Suicide")/VIP seating is $123 for an all-weekend pass (no daily VIP tix). Tickets may be purchased online or at the door.

Vintage Heaven: The Cat's Meow @ Heaven Gallery

Stock up on fall essentials during this popular group sale featuring vintage clothing, shoes, accessories, and other accoutrement. Heaven Gallery holds its monthly vintage sale, Vintage Heaven, today from 12pm to 6pm. Heaven Gallery is located at 1550 N Milwaukee, 2nd floor. Free.

Coffee & Art: Urban China @ MCA

Urban China: Informal Cities, a retrospective of the only magazine devoted to issues of urbanism published in China, marks Urban China's first U.S. commission. Employing diagrams, photographs, texts, and archive of artifacts and images, Urban China has become a think tank and databank recording the fastest urbanization in history. After viewing Urban China in the MCA's gallery, the group considers it within the context of a long history of exhibitions about the city, discussing what aspects of cities are represented, and which aspects tend to be left out. Led by architect, writer, and UIC professor Alexander Eisenschmidt. To register, call the MCA Box Office at (312) 397-4010. This event is today from 10am to noon. Admission is $20, $14 for students.

Talk Turkey to Me! @ Kendall College

Bring your turkey-cooking questions for the Goddess of Thanksgiving -- Renee Ferguson, who has served as Butterball's resident expert -- at 10am today at Kendall College, 900 North Branch. Free Parking; admission $3. Event sponsored by the Culinary Historians of Chicago.

Urban Folk Circuit

The Urban Folk Circuit brings more than 30 crafters to the Glenwood Bar, 6962 N. Glenwood Ave., tonight from 3pm to 8pm. Free. Details on Facebook.

Umbrella Music Festival @ Hideout

The Umbrella jazz and creative music festival continues tonight at the Hideout (1354 W Wabansia). At 9pm: Nick Broste Trio (Nick Broste - trombone, Keefe Jackson - reeds, Anton Hatwich - bass). 10pm: Fredrik Ljungkvist - reeds, Joost Buis - trombone, Nate McBride - bass and Mike Reed - drums. 11pm: Trio 3 (Oliver Lake - saxophones, Reggie Workman - bass, Andrew Cyrille - drums). DJ Sets by John Corbett and Bruno Johnson. $15 cover.

Back to the Future 25th Anniversary Screening

Yet another screening of the classic film Back to the Future happens at two Chicago area theaters this afternoon at 12:30pm: AMC South Barrington 30 and AMC River East 21. Click here for full information and to purchase tickets.

SOFA Chicago & Intuit Show

SOFA Expo and the Intuit Show of Folk and Outsider Art run together at Navy Pier 11am to 8pm Friday and Saturday, 11am to 6pm Sunday. Tickets are $15 per day, or $50 for a three-day pass.

Poetry and Prints Reading Series @ Spudnik Press Cooperative

Watch San Francisco, New York, and Chicago poets and artists -- and one musician -- perform tonight at the Spudnik Press Cooperative (1821 W Hubbard, Suite 308) from 8 - 11pm. $5 suggested donation.

Paula Treichler: History of the Condom

Prof. Paula Treichler discusses the History of the Condom at the Main Hall C of the UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Rd., today at 3pm as part of the Chicago Humanities Festival. Tickets are $5. Read our interview with Prof. Treichler.