Wizard World Comic Con

Wizard World Chicago runs Aug. 20-23 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Rd. in Rosemont. Meet such celebrities as Jeremy Renner, Norman Reedus, Summer Glau, Nathan Fillion, Kristy Swanson, Burt Reynolds, Bruce Campbell, the Undertaker, Michael Rooker, Caroll Spinney (voice of Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch), Arthur Darvill and Barry Bostwick; check out the artists' alley, buy stuff and take photos (respectfully) of cosplayers. Tickets are $40 in advance, $50 at the door; up to two children 10 or under are free with each paying adult. Tickets for VIP experiences, autographs, photo opps, etc. are extra. The convention runs 10am to 7pm today.

Fried Chicken and Champagne Fest @ Kendall College

The bird is the word today at Kendall College (900 N Branch), 11:30am-3:00pm. A crew of local chefs (Parson's, Honey Butter, Leghorn, Yusho, etc.) make the chicken; you eat and vote for the best. Pops for Champagne provides the bubbly. Tickets start at $85; event helps fund scholarships at Kendall.

Bruce Campbell's Horror Film Festival

Bruce Campbell's Horror Film Festival, held at MoviCo, 9701 Bryn Mawr Ave. in Rosemont, right around the corner from Wizard World Comic Con, runs Aug. 20-23. Tonight's screenings are Synapse at noon, Some Kind or Hate at 3pm, Body at 5pm, Bubba Ho-Tep at 7pm, Contraction: Phase 2 at 9:30pm, and Bunny the Killer Thing at midnight. Festival passes cost $66.06, or see individual films for $12.

Pilsen Fest

The fifth annual Pilsen Fest (formerly known as Unísono) is today from noon to 10pm at 18th Street and Blue Island Avenue. Enjoy live music -- featuring headliners Hello Seahorse!, Gaby Moreno and Jenny and the MexiCats -- browse art and craft vendors, check out workshops and demos, and sample great food. Tickets are $25, with proceeds benefiting El Beisman.

Open Books Sidewalk Sale

Open Books, 651 W. Lake St., is holding a sidewalk sale Aug. 20-23, from noon to 6pm each day. Children's books are $2, paperbacks are $3 and hardcovers are $4.

Marc Fischer Presentation @ The Franklin

The Franklin will be hosting an event with Marc Fischer of Public Collectors today from 2-5pm in conjunction with his exhibition Hardcore Architecture. Fischer will be playing 1980s 7" hardcore records from bands that are included in his project. The Franklin is located at 3522 W. Franklin Blvd.

Street Pub Chicago

Deschutes Brewery takes it to the street all day today (2-10pm) at 2291 N. Milwaukee, with samplings of their beer, food and entertainment. Event benefits Alliance for the Great Lakes. Free.

George Eastman Photography talk @ Comfort Station

As part of The Vernacular Photo Festival
Comfort Station Presents:

Talk by Joe Gioia:
"You press the button and we do the rest"; George Eastman's great invention, and the triumph of snapshot photography. The talk and presentation will focus on the snapshot and it's place in history. A visual presentation will accompany.

Comfort Station 2579 N Milwaukee 5:00 pm Free

"Awkward Dimensions" Opening Reception @ LVL3

LVL3, the apartment gallery located at 1542 N. Milwaukee Avenue, will be presenting "Awkward Dimensions" a two-person show tonight from 6-10pm. The opening reception is free and open to the public.

Lost And Found: The Search For Harry And Edna @ Comfort Station

As part of The Vernacular Photo Festival, Comfort Station Presents:

A Visual Presentation by Jeff Phillips: Lost and Found: The Search for Harry and Edna. Phillips is the creator of Lost and Found: The Search for Harry and Edna ((harryandedna.com), a viral social media and photography experiment that became a traveling exhibition and subsequently received national media attention for its content and production.

7:00pm at Comfort Station 2579 N. Milwaukee - Free

Al Burian @ Quimby's

Quimby's hosts zine maker and musician Al Burian, who will appear to discuss his career and read selections from his various publications. The event starts tonight at 7:00pm, and is free. Quimby's: 1854 W. North Avenue. (773) 342-0910.

Madhuri Shukla: Dog Days Opening Reception @ Roman Susan Annex

Madhuri Shukla will be exhibited drawings, sculptures, animations, and murals at the Roman Susan Annex tonight from 7-10pm. The Annex is located at West Birchwood Avenue and North Sheridan Road.

Digging for Fire Premiere @ Music Box

The Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Clark St., presents two screenings of writer-director Joe Swanberg's new film, Digging for Fire, tonight at 7pm and 9:30pm. Swanberg and star Jake Johnson will do Q&As after both showings. Gapers Block film critic Steve Prokopy will moderate the 7pm Q&A. Tickets are $10.

You're Being Ridiculous @ Mary's Attic

You're Being Ridiculous, the sassy, funny and fun storytelling show created by Jeremy Owens, returns to Mary's Attic. With three shows this month, there's sure to be a date that matches your calendar. Come out tonight to hear funny & touching stories on the theme "Rites of Passage" from DeeAnn Duli, Jo Gilbride, Adrianne Gunn, Brenna Kearney, Arlene Malinowski, Jeremy Owens, Jennifer Peepas, and Parker Stockman . Doors open at 7:00pm and stories start at 7:30pm at Mary's Attic, 5400 North Clark. Tickets are $15 online.

It Came From The Neo-Futurarium: Cocktail

After a long hiatus The Neo-Futurists are reviving their long-running series of stage readings of bad film scripts for two nights only! It Came From The Neo-Futurarium presents a reading of the script for the Tom Cruise boozy epic Cocktail, tonight at the Neo-Futurarium (5153 N. Ashland, at Foster). Full details at the Facebook event page, and advance tickets available through Eventbrite.