Sherrill Bodine All I Want is You Book Release

The new year bring us a new release from prolific romance author Sherrill Bodine. To coincide with the release of her newest novel, All I Want is You, on January 5th Bodine comes to Chicago for a night of reading and discussion along with champagne and hors d'oeuvres. The event will be in the Palm Court at the Drake Hotel 140 East Walton Place, 6pm.

Story Club @ Uncommon Ground on Clark

The holidays have come and gone, and New Year's Eve is but a drunken memory slipping quickly into the past, it's time to join Story Club, Chicago's best open mic storytelling series, to REBOOT for 2012!

Writer and performer Jen Bosworth joins comedian/writer/producer/blogger Adam Guerino as tonight's featured readers. In addition, Story Club provides a safe space for open mic readers who may not have the opportunity to read their work elsewhere. Past open mic readers have included: Moth GrandSLAM winner Shannon Cason; humorist and New York Times essayist Johanna Stein; and writer Tom Wolferman. There are five open mic slots available, if more than five people sign up names are drawn. Open mic signup begins at 8; show begins at 8:30 at Uncommon Ground (3800 N. Clark). For more information visit Uncommon Ground or Story Club.

Book Promotion: What's Your Problem?

Tribune columnist Jon Yates (the "Problem Solver") has heard a lot of people's problems. Enough to fill a thrice-weekly column for the past six years.

If you've missed out on those 900-odd advice columns and could use a helpful synopsis, then you may want to check out Yates' new book -- titled, appropriately enough, What's Your Problem? Cut Through Red Tape, Challenge the System and Get Your Money Back.

Tonight at 6pm, Yates will be promoting his new advice compendium at the Billy Goat Tavern (430 N. Michigan Avenue). Go for the tips, stay for a burger.

Free Scrappers Screening and Q & A @ Hyde Park Art Center

The Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Avenue, is hosting a free screening of Scrappers followed by a question and answer session with the co-directors at 6pm tonight. The locally made film was included on Roger Ebert's list of the best documentaries of 2010. Additional information about the film is available in this interview with GB; additional screening details are available on the HPAC website.

Sara Levine @ Women and Children First

Tonight, Sara Levine reads from her novel Treasure Island!!! at Women and Children First. Treasure Island!!! tells the tale of a disillusioned college grad who uses the Robert Louis Stevenson novel as a map for how to live her life. Library Journal says "this highly original, farcical novel will keep you entertained in spite of (or more accurately, because of) its toxic narrator." Levine is the chair of the writing program at the School of the Art Institute Chicago. Women and Children First, 5233 N. Clark, 7:30pm.

Panda Riot @ Hideout

Panda Riot, Kodacrome, Magic Key and J+J+J perform at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave., tonight at 9pm. Tickets at $8. 21+

Big C Jamboree @ Martyrs'

Martyrs', 3855 N. Lincoln Ave., hosts the monthly Big C Jamboree rockabilly open mic. Tonight's show features Matt Hill and the Special 20s. The fun kicks off at 9:30pm; no cover. 21+

Freakers Ball: A Tribute To Shel Silverstein

Jon Langford leads the festivities at the "Freakers Ball: A Tribute To Shel Silverstein" tonight at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave., at 8pm. The evening of poetry and song will focus on Silverstein's more adult material from the pages of Playboy and elsewhere. Tickets are $20. 21+

Sketchfest

The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, aka Sketchfest, runs from Jan. 5 to Jan. 15 this year at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. At least a dozen shows run every night; see the schedule for tonight's performances. Tickets are $12-13 each, available online or through the box office at 773-327-5252.

A Hard Day's Night @ Doc Films

Doc Films, Max Palevsky Cinema in Ida Noyes Hall at The University of Chicago, 1212 E. 59th St., kicks off a WHPK-sponsored series titled "Roxploitation" with a screening of The Beatles' A Hard Day's Night tonight at 9:15pm. Tickets are $5.

Midwest Hype EP Release @ Schubas

Fend off the winter blues with some summery sounds tonight when local reggae group Midwest Hype celebrate the release of their latest EP Dayglow. The group stays true to their reggae roots on this new jam, but continue to mix in their signature blend of hip hop, pop and jazz. Catch them at Schubas (3159 N. Southport) at 9pm. Tickets are $10, but you can tack on a CD purchase for just $5 extra. Warning, this show is 18+, kiddos.