Anika @ Empty Bottle

British-German singer-songwriter Anika, formerly a political journalist, comes to the Empty Bottle tonight with stark, melodious songs channeling (and sometimes covering) Bob Dylan, Yoko Ono, and Peggy Lee, by way of Portishead. 9:30pm, 1035 N Western Ave. Get tickets ($12) here.

The Last Nerve, A High Tea Poetry Brawl

The Last Nerve, a High Tea Poetry Brawl, on Monday October 10th pits two veteran female poets Rachel McKibbens (Pink Elephant) t VS, Mindy Nettifee (Rise Of The Trust Fall).

Opening performances by Kristiana Colon, Krista Franklin, Emily Rose, and Marty McConnell. The event is the up-and-coming DIY art space West Side School For The Desperate, 3608 W Wrightwood. The poetic fisticuffs begin at 8pm, $5, 18 and over.

Help A Sister Out Silent Auction @ DePaul University

Wandering through Lincoln Park on Columbus Day, just wishing you had an opportunity to buy art, jewelry, gourmet food and coffee, AND support a good cause, AND not pay any sales tax? Maybe you should drop by a silent auction organized by DePaul students to raise funds to support a colleague (who's a nun -- a Sister, get it?) in her fight against breast cancer. Almost $1,000 worth of items have been donated, including photography prints, records and iTunes cards, cookbooks, and much more. 4pm-7:30pm, DePaul Lincoln Park Student Center, 2250 N. Sheffield, Room 105a (near the Kenmore entrance), free. Call (773) 220-7371 with questions, and check out the online giving portal to learn more about the fundraiser's beneficiary (and maybe even make a donation!).