Jazz Fest

The Chicago Jazz Festival kicks off its 34th year tonight with performances at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., and at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. The festival runs Thursday, Aug. 30 through Sunday, Sept. 2. Free. Here's today's schedule:

Chicago Cultural Center - Randolph Café:
noon - Chris Madsen Bix Quartet
1:30pm - Hyde Park Jazz Society Presents "A Tribute to Jodie Christian" featuring the Ken Chaney

Chicago Cultural Center - Claudia Cassidy Theater:
12:15pm - Damon Short Quintet
1:45pm - Japonesque with special guest Dee Alexander

Chicago Cultural Center - Preston Bradley Hall:
12:30 - Stu Katz / Willie Pickens Duo
2pm - Jim Gailloreto’s String Quintet

Jay Pritzker Pavilion:
6:30pm - Chicago Jazz Orchestra performs "Exquisitely for Ella," a songbook tribute to Ella Fitzgerald

Criminal Class Press Benefit

Criminal Class Press is hosting Punks Promoting Prison Literacy: A Yardtime Prison Literacy Benefit Show tonight at 7pm at Beauty Bar, 1444 W. Chicago Ave.to raise money for the literacy program at San Quintin. The show will feature readings by Dmitry Samarov ( Hack), Luke Crumley (The Last Time I Died) and Kathryn Morrill, (Godisnowhere). There will also be live music by Rufis Roberts & The Smoking Rabbits, The Hamburglars and Island of Misfit Toys. $5 cover. 21+

Dark of the Male, Light of the Female: Women Writing About Horrible Things

A new female centric reading series Dark of the Male, Light of the Female: Women Writing About Horrible Things hits the lit scene with their first event featuring readers Jac Jemc (My Own Wife), Hillary Stone, Amanda Marbais, and Cassandra Troyan. Drop into Logan Square's Uncharted Books 2630 N. Milwaukee Ave. at 7pm. The series will continue on the last Thursday of each month.

Chicago Fringe Festival

The third annual Chicago Fringe Festival brings 50 performance groups to Pilsen for shows Aug. 30 through Sept. 9. More than a dozen pieces of experimental theatre are staged tonight in five venues beginning at 7pm; see schedule for more details. Tickets for individual performances are $10, or buy a five- or 10-pack or full festival pass.

Full Moon Jam

Full Moon Jam, an evening of music and fire dancing held under the full moon, happens tonight from sundown to 10:15pm (weather permitting) in the fields south of Foster Beach in Lincoln Park, at roughly 5000 N. Lake Shore Drive. Full schedule and details here. Free.

Mo' Betta Hip Hop @ Darkroom

Mo' Betta Hip Hop tonight at Darkroom, 2210 W. Chicago Ave., features local artists Walter J. Liveharder, Hank McCoy & M.U.T.T, Sanction Language and DJ Alo. Show starts at 9pm. $7 at the door. 21+