Italian Cultural Institute Open House/Celebration

The Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago offer Chicagoans the chance to join in the celebration by learning to speak Italian through their new official language school, ItalCultura, 500 N. Michigan Ave., Ste. 1405. A free open house tonight from 5:30 to 8pm includes the opportunity for attendees to take an Italian language skills evaluation test; mix and mingle with others interested in Italian language and culture; enjoy Italian delicacies, wine and music; meet the staff and professional teachers for a trial class; and register for the upcoming class series.

Walter Mosley @ Harold Washington Library

The Harold Washington Library, 400 S. State St., in conjunction with Congo Square Theatre, presents bestselling author Walter Mosley, today at 6pm. Mosley, noted for his crime novels including Devil In A Blue Dress and The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, will be interviewed by Chicago journalist Sylvia Ewing about his latest book, The Tempest Tales; Q&A and book signing follow. Free; seating is first come, first served. For more information, call 773-296-1108.

Chicago Nerd Social Club @ Adler Planetarium

The Chicago Nerd Social Club invades Adler After Dark at the Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. Lake Shore Dr., tonight from 6pm to 10pm. Check out the exhibits, view the stars though the Doane Observatory telescope and enjoy cocktails. Tickets are $12 through Adler, $15 via CNSC. 21+

Chicago Reporter 40th Anniversary Party

The Chicago Reporter celebrates the release of its 40th anniversary with a release party for its January/February special issue. Join the staff at M Lounge, 1520 S. Wabash Ave., from 6 to 8pm tonight, and enjoy $5 cocktails, free appetizers and complimentary copies of the magazine. RSVP here.

The Business of Freelancing

AIGA Chicago presents a roundtable discussion on the Business of Freelancing tonight from 6:30 to 8:30pm at The Coop, 230 W. Superior St., 2nd floor. Panelists include Martin Kamenski of Rockstar CPA, Chris Johnson of Johnsonese Brokerage and Michael Komessar of Komessa & Associates entertainment attorneys. Registration is $5 for members, $15 for non-members.

Fillet of Solo Festival

The 16th annual Fillet of Solo Festival runs Jan. 3-20 at the Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave., and the Heartland Studio Theatre, 7016 N. Glenwood Ave. Tonight's performances are You're Being Ridiculous at 7pm and Write Club at 8:30pm at Lifeline, and enSOLO at 7pm and Kim Morris at 8:30pm at Heartland Studio. Tickets for each show are $10, or buy a festival pass for $30.

Cask Night @ SmallBar Division

Head over to SmallBar Divison, 2049 W. Division St., at 7pm for a cask tapping tasting from Three Floyds, Solemn Oath, Jolly Pumpkin, Half Acre and Oskar Blues.They also are making available 30 VIP tickets whereby the tastings will come with food pairings and a chance to mingle with the brewers from Three Floyds, Half Acre and Solemn Oath. That portion will run from 5 to 7pm and you can get those tickets here.

Tomorrow Never Knows

The Tomorrow Never Knows music festival runs Jan. 16-20 at several venues around town. Tonight's shows are listed below. Shows are ticketed individually, but you can also purchase a five-day pass for $100. 18-and-over unless otherwise noted.

The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave.
The Low Times Podcast w/
Tom Sharpling
Maggie Serota
Daniel Ralston
8pm; $15

Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave.
Merchandise
Dusted
Sundress
Sybris
9pm doors; $15

Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave.
Wild Belle
High Highs
Black Light Dinner Party
Winston Wolf
9pm doors; $15

Waka Winter Classic @ Double Door

Arkansas' Wakarusa Music Festival brings its Waka Winter Classic to the Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee Ave., tonight. The lineup features Genome, Herbert Wiser Band, Chester Brown, Fletcher and the Joe Marcinek Band. Tickets are $7. Doors open at 8pm. 21+