Handmade Market @ Empty Bottle

The Handmade Market starts up a new season at the Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave., today from 11am to 4pm. Shop more than 30 vendors selling jewelry, knitted items, clothing, paper crafts, beauty products and more. Admission is free. 21 and over; kids allowed if accompanied by a parent.

Filmspotting 2013 Wrap Party @ Mayne Stage

Filmspotting, the Chicago-based film discussion radio show, wraps up 2013 today with a live discussion at Mayne Stage (1328 W. Morse) featuring Filmspotting co-hosts Adam Kempenaar and Josh Larsen, along with the Tribune's film critic Michael Phillips. The show starts at noon, doors open at 11:00, and tickets are available in advance through the Mayne Stage Website.

Schubas Gear Swap

Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave., hosts its first annual gear swap for musicians today at noon. Buy, sell or swap used instruments, amps, cords and other gear, and check out stuff from vendors as well. Free, all ages.

Pamela Bannos @ MCA

Artist and Northwestern professor Pamela Bannos explores the history of the land the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., continues her series of four gallery talks in connection with the exhibition The Way of the Shovel: Art as Archaeology, today at 3pm with one on the museum's Armory years. Free with museum admission.

Artists & Ales @ Co-Prosperity Sphere

Artists & Ales, a celebration of craft beer and the label art that surrounds it, is at Co-Prosperity Sphere, 3219-21 S. Morgan St., from 3 to 7pm today. Check out the art and enjoy samples of beers from For 4 Hands, Half Acre, Pipeworks, Solemn Oath, 3 Floyds and more, paired with apps. Attendees also receive a copy of Mash Tun Journal. Tickets are $25 in advance. Proceeds of the event benefit the Public Media Institute. 21+

Ralph Stanley @ Old Town School

Bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys come to the Old Town School of Folk Music for two shows today, at 4pm and 8pm. Tickets to each are $42.

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 5pm.

Sketchfest

The 13th annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, aka Sketchfest, runs Jan. 9-19 at Stage773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Tonight's schedule includes more than two dozen shows on four stages, beginning at 5pm. 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
5pm - Tellin' Tales Theatre/Tekki Lomnicki
7pm - Story Sessions
9pm - Sweat Girls

Heartland Studio Theatre
6pm - Jamie Black
8pm - You're Being Ridiculous
10pm - Lifeline Storytelling Project

Tales from the Quaded Zone @ Lincoln Hall

Fans of trash-horror should head to Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., tonight at 6pm for a special screening of Tales from the Quadead Zone by director Chester Turner -- followed by a Q&A with Turner as well as a release party for Bleeding Skull! A 1980s Trash-Horror Odyssey from BleedingSkull.com. Tickets are $10 online or at the door. 21+

Acoustics Anonymous @ Tonic Room

Acoustics Anonymous perform at the Tonic Room, 2447 N. Halsted St., tonight with Clusterpluck and The Howlin' Brothers tonight at 8pm. Tickets are $10 in advance or at the door. 21+ The show is part of the Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival, running Jan. 10-Feb. 1.