Chicago Comic Con

Wizard World's Chicago Comic Con runs Aug. 9-11 at the Donald E. Stevens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Rd. in Rosemont. The show features appearances by such fan favorites as Stan Lee, Bruce Campbell, Sean Young, James Hong, Amber Benson, Scott Bakula and William Shatner -- plus a bustling trade show floor, booths for all your favorite comic imprints, collectibles and more. Single day tickets are $35 in advance, $45 at the door; four day passes are $75 in advance, $85 at the door. The show is open from noon to 8pm today.

Flashback Weekend

The 10th annual Flashback Weekend horror convention is at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare, 5440 N. River Rd. in Rosemont, this weekend, Aug. 10-12. Celebrity guests include legendary director John Carpenter, Exorcist's Linda Blair, and a reunion of Friday the 13th franchise actors. Attend panels and Q&As, meet celebrities and peruse the tradeshow floor during the day and enjoy film screenings at Muvico, 9701 Bryn Mawr Ave., in the evening -- see a complete schedule here. Tickets are $30 each day, or $65 for a weekend pass; some events are ticketed separately. The convention opens at 3pm today, with film screenings continuing past midnight.

Southside Polish Fest

The Southside Polish Fest is at Toyota Park, 7000 S. Harlem Ave. in Bridgeview, Aug. 10-12. Enjoy Polish food and beer, dance to polka and rock'n'roll cover bands, and a pierogi eating contest. Admission is $10, free for children under 12 and active military. Free parking. The festival runs from 5pm to 11pm today.

Chicago Arts District 2nd Fridays

It's the second Friday of the month, which means galleries and studios in the Chicago Arts District (aka East Pilsen, centered on Halsted & 18th streets) are open from 6pm to 10pm tonight. Free. Details here.

Chicago's Greatest Dive Bars Tour

The Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St., hosts an evening of exploring those dusty, dark bars alight with neon beer ad signs, perhaps a pool table, and a lot of sad bastards nursing their 20th cheap beer of the day. You'll learn about their histories and the evolution of bootleg liquor, moonshine and all those classy beverages of Prohibition. Sound awesome? Tour runs 6-9pm, cost $25-30.

Poetry Reading @ Women & Children First

Women & Children First bookstore, 5233 N. Clark St., hosts a poetry reading tonight at 7:30pm, featuring Chicago poets Daniela Olszewska, Stephanie Anderson and Melissa Severin. Free.

The Silent Film Society of Chicago Presents: The Gaucho

The 2012 Silent Summer Film Festival presents a special event tonight: a screening of the 1927 film The Gaucho, starring Douglas Fairbanks and Lupe Velez, accompanied by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra. You've never seen anything like an orchestra playing live music alongside a silent film, it's pretty amazing. Directed by Richard Jones. Film starts at 8pm. Tickets are $9.50 in advance, $17 at the door. The Portage Theater is located at 4050 N. Milwaukee Avenue. For more info call 773-205-SFSC or visit The Silent Film Society of Chicago.

Bob Riesman & Billy Bob Arnold @ SPACE

Author Bob Riesmand and Chicago blues man Billy Bob Arnold will be presenting a tribute to blues & folk man Big Bill Broonzy in I Feel So Good: The Life and Times of Big Bill Broonzy.

Join Bob Riesmand & Billy Bob Arnold tonight at Evanston SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave, Evanston @8pm. Tickets can be purchased on the SPACE website for $15-27.

The New Cult Canon presents: Joe Dante double feature @ Music Box

The Music Box Theatre and The AV Club present an evening with director Joe Dante. Tonight's double feature: a 9:30 screening of Dante's 2009 film The Hole, followed by a midnight screening of Gremlins 2: The Next Batch. Joe Dante will be present at the screenings, and will participate in a Q&A session in between the films. Tickets are $15; see the Music Box Website for full details and to purchase advance tickets. Music Box: 3733 North Southport. (773) 871-6604.

Battle Royale @ Music Box

The Music Box Theatre presents midnight screenings of the infamous Japanese film Battle Royale tonight and tomorrow night. For a primer of the film please see the AV Club's New Cult Canon essay. Music Box: 3733 North Southport. (773) 871-6604.