Chicago Contemporary Circus Festival

The first annual Chicago Contemporary Circus Festival runs Jan. 9-12 at Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., and Links Hall at Constellation, 3111 N. Western Ave. (workshops and master classes begin Jan. 7). The festival features shows by seven local and international circus troupes; see the schedule for details and tickets. Tonight's first performance is at 4pm.

Snowday Portraits: Chicagoans Found in the Polar Vortex @ The Defibrillator Gallery

The Defibrillator Gallery, 1136 N. Milwaukee, presents Saverio Truglia's Snowday Portraits: Chicagoans Found in the Polar Vortex, tonight from 6pm-11:30pm. Curated by Scott Thompson, the exhibit, part of "A Personal Project Show," features 16 diverse artists, including Thompson, Flint Chaney, and others, all "baring their souls" via photography and visual art. Free. For more information, visit Facebook.

Bill Rauhauser Opening @ Carl Hammer

Carl Hammer Gallery, 740 N. Wells St., celebrates the opening of Street Beat, an exhibition of urban street photography from mid-20th century Detroit by Bill Rauhauser, tonight from 6 to 8pm. Free.

Breastmilk. The Movie. @ Belle Up

Belle Up Maternity, 3440 W. 111th St., hosts a private screening of Breastmilk. The Movie, tonight at 7pm, with a shop-and-mingle beginning at 6:30pm. Tickets are $10.

Zoë Keating @ Old Town School of Folk Music

The Old Town School of Folk Music presents a concert by cellist Zoë Keating, previously heard collaborating with the WNYC show Radiolab and many other artists. The concert happens this evening at 7:00pm in the school's main concert hall at 4544 North Lincoln Avenue. Full details and advance tickets at the school's Website, or call the school's front desk at (773) 728-6000.

The Poisoner @ Lincoln Hall

The Poisoner, a new film by Chris Hefner, makes its debut at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., tonight at 7pm with live overture by Daniel Knox. Tickets are $15. 18+

Eddie "The Chief" Clearwater @ Space Sold Out

Eddie "The Chief" Clearwater celebrates his 79th birthday with a live album recording with special guests Ronnie Baker Brooks and Johnny Iguana atSpace, 1245 Chicago Ave. in Evanston, tonight. Opening set by Will Jacobs Band. Tickets are $15-27. Doors open at 7pm, show is at 8. The show is part of the Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival, running Jan. 10-Feb. 1. UPDATE: This show is sold out.

Sketchfest

The 13th annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, aka Sketchfest, runs Jan. 9-19 at Stage773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Tonight's schedule includes 20 shows on four stages, beginning at 7pm. Tickets are $14 per show (or $150 for an all-festival pass) and are available online, at the box office or by calling 773-327-5252.

Fillet of Solo Festival

Lifeline Theatre's 17th annual Fillet of Solo Festival of solo performances and storytelling runs Jan. 3-19. Performances are held at the Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave., and the Heartland Studio Theatre, 7016 N. Glenwood Ave. Tickets are $10 per show, or $30 for a festival pass, and are available online or at the Lifeline box office.

Lifeline Theatre
7pm - Write Club
9pm - Stir-Friday Night!

Heartland Studio Theatre
8pm - Eric Warner
10pm - enSOLO

Leagues & The Autumn Defense @ Concord Music Hall

Leagues and The Autumn Defense top the bill at Concord Music Hall, 2047 N. Milwaukee Ave., tonight, with the Giving Tree Band and Dick Prall opening. The show is part of the Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival, running Jan. 10-Feb. 1. Tickets are $17 or four for $48. Doors open at 8pm. 17+

Original Tease @ Lincoln Tap

Original Tease burlesque does a special show tonight at the Lincoln Tap, 3010 N. Lincoln Ave., benefiting the nonprofit Butchers Union. Admission is free; buy a $40 wristband to get unlimited beer and cocktails from 8:30pm to 12:30am.