Joumana Haddad @ DePaul Loop Bookstore

Lebanese journalist Joumana Haddad reads from and signs her book, I Killed Scheherazade: Confessions of an Angry Arab Woman, at 6pm today at the DePaul University Loop Campus Bookstore, 1 E. Jackson Blvd. Free. UPDATE: This event has been canceled.

Festival of New Spanish Cinema @ Film Center

The Gene Siskel Film Center presents their fourth annual Festival of New Spanish Cinema, which starts tonight and runs through November 23. Tonight is opening night, and the featured film is the 2010 film With Or Without Love. The director and one of the stars of the film will be in attendance for tonight's screening, and attendees are invited to a 7:00pm opening night reception. For a full list of the films playing in the festival and to purchase tickets in advance please see the schedule at the Film Center's Website. Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.

The Literary Life, a conversation with two women writers @ Maxim's

Meghan O'Rourke, author of The Long Goodbye, a memoir of loss, and Rachel DeWoskin, who has most recently published a novel, Big Girl Small (2011), speak about their work at Maxim's: The Nancy Goldberg International Center (24 E. Goethe St.). The event is free, but RSVP to info@chicagopublishes.com. A cocktail reception starts at 6pm; the program runs from 6:45 to 8pm.

Urban Gateways' "Cut a Rug" Fundraiser @ Vecco

Join the New Arts Forum and Vecco Design Studio for this Urban Gateways benefit featuring complimentary appetizers, cocktails, and beer by Goose Island, a special dance performance by the nationally recognized dance crew FootworKINGz, DJ /dancing and the opportunity to bid on an original Chicago-inspired auction item created by Urban Gateways artists. This event begins at 6pm tonight at Vecco (912 W. Armitage). Admission is $10 in advance or $20 at the door. More info here.

Q & A with Tariq Ali @ Biograph Theater

Tonight, political thinker, novelist and filmmaker (and, co-author of the recent On History: Tariq Ali and Oliver Stone in Conversation) Tariq Ali will be giving a free talk at the Biograph Theater (2433 N. Lincoln). The discussion, "Revolution in the Air: The Arab Spring and a World in Motion" will have a look at the revolts in the Middle East as well as the Occupy Wall Street/Chicago movements across the globe. His talk on this "new resistance to the status quo, its challenge to empire and the dictates of capital, and radical notions of democracy and liberation born anew" will be followed by a Q & A, as well as book signing.

Doors open at 7pm, the event starts at 7:30pm.

Cut A Rug Fundraiser @ Vecco

Vecco Design Studio, 912 W. Armitage Ave., hosts "Cut A Rug," a fundraiser for the Urban Gateways Center for Arts Education featuring DJs, dancing, cocktails, food and live entertainment, from 6pm to 9pm tonight. The evening will showcase the talents of dance crew FootworKINGz, as well as a silent auction for a Chicago-inspired rug.Tickets are $10 in advance, $20 at the door; proceeeds benefit Urban Gateways.

Miss Wicker Park Finals

The Miss Wicker Park beauty contest is at the Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee Ave., tonight at 7pm. Hosted by comedian Justin Kaufmann, watch contestants vie for your affection, with tunes by DJ Intel and free pizza and pasta courtesy of Via Carducci. Admission is $10. 21+

Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Gauntlet Hair, YAWN @ The Empty Bottle

Unknown Mortal Orchestra's self-titled debut is a snowball of subtle pop hooks that worms its way into unavoidable replay value. Their first single, "Ffunny Ffriends," fits barely audible vocals over a hook as fuzzy as a puppy. And while their borderline twee aesthetic attracts a myriad of unfortunate comparisons, rest easy knowing their brand of adorable pop is the kind that stands well on its own. Catch Unknown Mortal Orchestra tonight at the Empty Bottle at 9:30pm. The terrific Gauntlet Hair and Yawn open. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased here. The Empty Bottle is located at 1035 N. Western Ave.