Blackout Society Early Halloween Bash

It's not too early to get the Halloween spirit going. Warehouse bash with Menowah, Trancid, Zebo and Kill Memory Crash for only $7 if you RSVP. Sponsored by Blackout Society.

Day of the Dead Workshop at Sacred Art

Looking for the right accoutrements to celebrate Dia de los Muertos? Decorate your own sugar skull or ofrenda at this workshop led by Torri Thompson of ExIconoclast. The $40 workshop provides either an undecorated sugar skull and supplies to decorate with; or a painted wood drawer for your ofrenda, which you will complete with items you supply, such as pictures, food items, candles, flowers, anything that that belonged to your lost loved one. At Sacred Art, 2040 W. Roscoe. Call 773-404-8790 to reserve your spot.

Karsh Kale @ Sonotheque

Karsh Kale is set to play a DJ Electrik Tabla Set at Sonotheque (1444 W. Chicago) in support of his latest work "Breathing Under Water". The show includes special guest DJs DJ Warp and Radiohiro, and live visual projections by the Video Janitor.

9PM - 2AM
21+
$15 cover

For more about the performance check here, or call 312.226.7600.

Market Tour w/ Alice Waters @ Green City Market

Alice Waters, who (famously) spearheaded today's revived appreciation of locally produced food, will tour the Green City Market from 9 am to 10:30 am. You can expect her to chat with farmers and shoppers on the significance of farmers markets in healthy communities that delight over good food produced responsibly. Plus you'll get your grocery done. The event is followed by a farm-to-table brunch at North Pond, which costs $75 per person. For reservation for brunch, call 773-477-5845.

Chopping Block Trunk Show @ Merchandise Mart

Head down to the Chopping Block at the Merchandise Mart today between 10 am and 3 pm to partake in cookware demonstrations and tastings of gourmet food from vendors such as All Clad, Emile Henry, Rosle, Le Creuset, Global Knives, Epicurean and Totally Bamboo, Terry's Toffee, Julius Meinl, European Imports, The Cocoa Room and Urban Accents. No reservations necessary, and this is a free event.

Digital Design Tournament

So, Cut and Paste brings together local designers to flex their design chops live, in front of a crowd, for prizes! This year's tourney takes place on Saturday, October 6th at the Logan Square Auditorium. Doors open at 7 and goes until 11pm, but then the after party goes all night.

Mitch Myers @ Old Town School

Mitch Myers will be playing recordings and talking about his recent book The Boy Who Cried Freebird: Rock & Roll Fables and Sonic Storytelling. This is event is a "pre-show" event, part of the Old Town School of Folk Music's "Spin Night Series." Free. 6:30pm. 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. Call 773-728-6000 for more information.

Jonathan Eig @ Woodson Regional Library

Writer Jonathan Eig will discuss and sign his book, Opening Day: The Story of Jackie Robinson's First Season at the Woodson Regional Library of the Chicago Public Library. Free. 2pm. 9525 S. halsted St. Call 312-747-6921 for more information.

Andersonville Arts Weekend

Part of Chicago Artists Month, this neighborhood festival includes a self-guided tour of neighborhood galleries and studios, live music, workshops, and more. 11 AM till 6 PM. For more information, call 773-728-2995 or visit the website.

Keeping the Lights On @ Flatfile Galleries

Serendipity Theatre Collective and the Emergency Fund take over Flatfile Galleries from 8pm to 10pm present Keeping the Lights On: A Fundraiser to Prevent Homelessness. The $45 ticket includes beer/wine, hors d'oeuvres, dancing, a silent auction, raffle and a special presentation of 2nd Story.

Midwest Literary Festival

The Midwest Literary Festival returns this weekend in Aurora. Dozens of authors are scheduled to appear at the 2-day event, including Karen Abbott, Sean Chercover, Gina Frangello, Gail Lukasik, comedian Jackie Mason (yes, really), Bayo Ojikutu and Daniel Wallace. There also promises to be lots of vendors, booksellers, children's programs and much more. View the full schedule online. The festival is free, but Friday's writers' workshop requires paid registration. Sat. 10am-5pm; Sun. 12pm-5pm. Downtown Aurora, along the Fox River. Call 630-844-4731 or visit the website for more information.

Appetite Theatre's Bruschetta 2007 Short Play Fest @ Act One Studios

This year's Bruschetta: Comedy and controversy in bite-sized pieces, features 6 new short plays chosen from over 460 submissions. The 2007 production challenges ideas on religion, public education, political campaigns, intimacy, and celebrity through dark comedy and a little snack.

Act One Studios 640 N LaSalle St. Suite 535.
Friday and Saturday at 8pm.
Reservations: 312-787-9384. $15.

FREE bruschetta from Fox and Obel and FREE wine from H2Vino at intermission.

Fulton Arts Walk

In conjunction with Chicago Artists Month, take a walk through the Fulton Market district, visiting galleries and artist studios. 12 N to 5 PM. Visit the website for more information.

DEPART-ment @ AV-aerie

It's not your regular department store. These accessories, clothing and numerous other items are all made by hand, by actual people who put their heart and soul into the goods they sell. This season's DEPART-ment is open this Friday 7-11pm, Saturday 11am-5pm and Sunday 11am-5pm. Located at AV-aerie, 2000 W. Fulton #310, cash only (an ATM will be on site). Email info[at]depart-ment[dot]com for more information.

Todd Oldham @ MCA Store

Fashion Designer and host of Top Design stops by the Museum of Contemporary Art store to sign copies of the art book Charley Harper - An Illustrated Life and copies of his own home design book, Handmade Modern: Mid-Century Inspired Projects for Your Home. Free at 2pm, 220 E. Chicago Ave. Call 312-280-2660 for more information.

Book Discussion with Nathan Winograd

Author Nathan Winograd, director of the No Kill Advocacy Center and a leader in the No Kill movement, will be discussing the history of pet shelters and the issues of euthanizing homeless animals at 6:00 p.m. at PAWS Chicago, 1997 N. Clybourn. His new book is Redemption: The Myth of Pet Overpopulation and the No Kill Revolution in America. Book signing to follow. Click here for more information.