Chicago Zine Fest Pre-fest Events

Friday March 9th kicks off the third annual Chicago Zine Fest. Events begin Friday afternoon with a reading and panel presented by Columbia College's Silver Tongue reading series. Gender, Race and Sexuality: A Discussion with Women in Self-Publishing: A panel discussion to feature Cristy Road, Anne Elizabeth Moore and Mimi Thi Nguyen. Drop by from 1-3pm at the Conaway Center Columbia College, 1104 S. Wabash Ave.

Next there are a double feature of zinester readings with a Youth Zine Reading from 6 - 7pm and an Exhibitor Zine Reading from 7- 9pm at 826CHI, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.

The night finishes off with the Spring 2012 Zine Olympics from 9:30- 11pm at Quimby's Bookstore, 1854 W. North Ave.

Company of Thieves @ Metro

Company of Thieves headlines at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., with Bailiff and Sidewalk Chalk opening. Tickets are $15. Doors open at 6pm, show's at 7pm. All ages.

Meals on Wheels Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament/Benefit

Meals on Wheels holds a Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament and benefit tonight at the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 W Washington. Cocktails and buffet. Event runs 6:30pm-midnight. Tickets $80-320.

Stars! Wars! The Musical! @ Mercury Theater

Chicago-based improv group Octavarius is performing a one-night showing of Stars! Wars! The Musical! tonight at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N Southport Ave. The musical will be followed by a bonus improv set. Show starts at 8pm. Tickets are $10. Discounted tickets of $7 are offered to attendees who dress in Star Wars attire or bring a light saber.

Terrible Spaceship's "Zontar, the Thing from Venus" @ Martyrs

What do you get when you combine footage from campy 1960s scifi horror flicks and a funky, orchestral dance party? If you're Chicago-based band Terrible Spaceship, then the answer is "Zontar, the Thing from Venus"--the group's new multimedia show that hits Martyrs tonight. The band's homage to these wonderfully horrible black and white b-movies puts them on stage playing against a background montage of clips from films like the title movie itself. The show starts at 9pm and Bombi Raptor, RON. and Longital open. Tickets are $8 and are limited to the 21+ crowd. Martyrs is located at 3855 N. Lincoln Ave. Call 773-404-9494 for more info about the venue.

Deep Rooted & Growing @ Galleria Marchetti

Umoja celebrates 15 years of student achievement tonight at Galleria Marchetti (825 W Erie). The Spring Fling features an auction, raffle and buffet dinner. Tickets range from $60 to $120. 6-10pm.