CIMM Fest

The Chicago International Movies & Music Festival kicks off tonight with several events at locations across the city; see the CIMM Fest calendar for full details.

Gift Circle @ Mess Hall

How a gift circle works: people meet, share some food and introduce themselves. Then they form a circle. People go around and share what they need. All kinds of things have been asked for: bodywork, help healing a broken heart, advice on marketing a product, someone to talk to about life goals, help cleaning out files, etc. The need is spoken with no expectation of it being fulfilled. People in the circle respond if they feel it. Then people go around again and offer a gift, something they would like to share with no expectation of it being accepted. Again, a wide range of things have been offered: a dreamcatcher, a vacuum sealer, shamanic healing, handquilted potholders, research help (from a librarian), help writing a simple will (from a lawyer), etc, etc. Afterward, people check in with those who responded to the gifts/needs/wishes and schedule them (bring your calendars!).

6:30pm to 7pm: Potluck (BYOB, dish). 7pm to 8:30pm: Gift Circle. Free & open to the public. Mess Hall is located at 6932 N. Glenwood Ave.

Sound Opinions Movie Night: Fix - The Ministry Movie

The Music Box and Sound Opinions present the latest in their series of Movie Night screenings. Tonight's film is a special co-presentation with the Chicago International Moviesand Music Festival: the world premiere of Fix - The Ministry Movie, a look at the history of the mythic industrial band. In attendance at the screening, along with your Sound Opinions hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot, will be the director & producer of the film, as well as Ministry bassist Paul Barker. The screening starts at 7:30pm. Advance tickets are $15 and can be purchased online. Music Box: 3733 N. Southport. (773) 871-6604.

Live Sketch Event w/ Shawnimals @ Urban Outfitters

11 Kidrobot artists will be at Urban Outfitters stores nationwide today from 6pm to 8pm to sign and sketch Munnyworld figures in person, featuring Shawnimals at the State Street store (20 S. State) here in Chicago. Admission is free and open to the public. Kids are encouraged to attend.

Wendy McClure @ Barnes & Noble Webster Place

Author Wendy McClure reads from her latest book, The Wilder Life, tonight at 7pm at the Barnes & Noble at Webster Place, 1441 W. Webster St., Free.

Catherynne M. Valente @ Book Cellar

Catherynne M. Valente will be at the Book Cellar tonight to read from her latest novel Deathless, a retelling of the Russian folktale of Koschei the Deathless. Cory Doctorow says "romantic and blood-streaked, and infused with magic so real you can feel it on your fingertips - Deathless is beautiful." Lev Grossman says "stories, unlike people, don't stay dead forever, or not always. They can live again - but only under very special circumstances. They must be revived by the miraculous touch of a very rare class of being, a kind of multi-classed genius/scholar/saint, who can restore them to life. Catherynne Valente is such a being." The Book Cellar, 4736-38 N Lincoln Ave., 7pm