Ravenswood Art Walk & Detour

The Ravenswood Art Walk runs today and Sunday along the Ravenswood Avenue corridor from Irving Park to Lawrence. Tour artists' studios, galleries, shops and industrial businesses along the route, and enjoy live music on the main stage at Ravenswood and Wilson. The festival is open from 11am to 7pm today. Free.

In addition to the Art Walk, there's also Detour, a craft beer garden and food truck court, open from noon to 9pm today at Ravenswood and Berteau.

West Town Art Walk

The West Town Art Walk runs Friday through Sunday. Check out works by local artists in shops and galleries along Chicago Avenue from Milwaukee to Western -- PDF map here. The walk runs from 11am to 10pm today. Free.

Drinking & Writing Festival

The ninth annual Drinking & Writing Festival is today from noon to 6pm in the Drinking & Writing Theater at Haymarket Pub & Brewery, 737 W. Randolph St. This year's festival is devoted to the honored drunk poet Jim Morrison, who once wrote "Oh show me the way to the next whiskey bar." Festivities include a presentation on Morrison and his writing by Northwestern professor Bill Savage, a talk by Steve Krakow from Secret History of Chicago Music and Paul Durica form Pocket Guide to Hell, and the "2 Drink Minimum Writing Contest," in which participants are given a theme related to Jim Morrison/The Doors and have five minutes to write about it. There will also be beers from several area breweries on tap. Tickets are $30. 21+

Vendy Awards @ Kendall College

The first annual Chicago Vendy Awards, honoring the city's best food trucks and street vendors, take place in the parking lot at Kendall College, 900 N. Branch St., from 1 to 5pm. Sample the wares of finalists Babycakes, Bombay Wraps, Chicago Schnitzel King, Mississippi Delta Hot Tamales, Olga's Snacks, Pascuala's Specialties, Pleasant House Bakery/Royal Pies and Toasty Cheese Mobile Eatery and vote on your favorite to win the Vendy crown. Tickets are $45 early bird/$55 general admission and $35 for kids; proceeds benefit Slow Food Chicago and Asociación de Vendedores Ambulantes.

The Paper Machete

The Paper Machete this week features readings by Brian Costello, The History Girls, Scott Smith, Jill Summers, Ernest Wilkins and Maria Wojciechowski, plus Chad the Bird and music by the Claudettes and Warm Ones. Christopher Piatt hosts. The show starts at 3pm at the Green Mill, 4802 N. Broadway. Free, 21+

Blue Buddha Boutique Grand Opening

Blue Buddha Boutique holds an grand opening party for its new location at 1127 W. Granville Ave., tonight from 5 to 8pm. Enjoy wine, coffee, cake pops and veggies while touring the new space. Free.

Parkington Sisters @ Schubas

The Parkington Sisters, out of Wellfleet MA, play Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave., tonight with Tall Tall Trees opening. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door. 21+

Quintron & Miss Pussycat @ Empty Bottle

Former Chicagoans Quintron & Miss Pussycat bring their Spellcaster Lodge show back to the Empty Bottle tonight, with opening act zZz. Show starts at 9:00pm, admission is $14 at the door. Empty Bottle: 1035 N. Western Avenue. (773) 276-3600.

Found Footage Festival @ Music Box

The Music Box Theatre presents The Found Footage Festival, masters of the found videotape, with a "best of the Midwest" special program tonight at 9:30pm. Full details and advance tickets available at the Music Box Website. Music Box: 3733 North Southport. (773) 871-6604.