Facets Night School: Django

Facets Cinematheque presents Facets Night School, a weekly series of midnight screenings paired up with lectures, discussions, and much more. Tonight's screening: the 1966 spaghetti Western Django, a film about a mysterious gunslinger that drags a coffin around wherever he goes. Facets Night School starts tonight at midnight, and tickets are $5 (advance tickets available through Ticketweb). See the Facets Website for a complete schedule. Facets: 1517 W. Fullerton. (773) 281-4114.

Drinking & Writing Festival

The 6th Annual Drinking & Writing Festival celebrates the life and work of noted drinker and writer Mike Royko. Speakers include Northwestern University's Bill Savage, urban social scientist Denese Neu, Haymarket Pub & Brewery founder and brewer Pete Crowley, and Drinking & Writing's Sean Benjamin and Steve Mosqueda. Special guest David Royko will read from his upcoming book Royko in Love: Mike’s Letters to Carol. Beer from Illinois Craft Brewers Guild members including Rock Bottom, Goose Island, Metropolitan, Three Floyds and Half Acre will be served, along with a few beers from Portland, OR. You can also compete in the 2 Drink Minimum Writing Contest. Today from noon to 5pm at Hopleaf, 5148 N. Clark St. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door and include 10 drink sample tickets. 21+

Chicago Blues Festival

The Chicago Blues Fest returns again to Grant Park for a long weekend of music that is just so Sweet Home Chicago. See a full schedule of Saturday's performances at Explore Chicago. As always, the Blues Festival is FREE. Music runs from 11:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

International Summer Screenings @ Chicago Cultural Center

The Chicago Cultural Center (in conjunction with Cinema/Chicago) continues its International Summer Screenings Program with Scandal Makers, a comedy about fame and family. Catch the film at 2pm at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. Free.

Nerdologues Night @ Joone Studios

The Chicago Nerds Social Club invite you to The Nerdologues, an evening of stories written by nerds for nerds. After the stories, you are invited to "hang out, play videogames and drink until midnight." Nerdologues happens tonight at 9pm at Joone Studios (1327 N. Ashland). Tickets are $10 and are available through Brown Paper Tickets. For more information see the Chicago Nerds Website.

Matmos and So Percussion @ MCA

Matmos and So Percussion are playing a one-night-only concert for the release of their new collaborative LP, Treasure State. Show starts at 7:30pm at the Museum of Contemporary Art (220 East Chicago Avenue). Tickets are $20 and $16 for MCA members or students.

The Like @ Lincoln Hall

Los Angeles' The Like are poised to explode. Their girl-pop rock'n'roll is perfect for summer. They'll be celebrating this one with a new album, Release Me, produced by Mark Ronson. But you'll have a chance to hear them before then when they open for the Futureheads at Lincoln Hall. The Like open at 10PM. The show's 21+ and $15. For more information, visit Lincoln Hall online. LH is located at 2424 N Lincoln.

For The Love Of Hops Festival 2010

Two Brothers Brewing Company is at it again. Hosting this year's For The Love of Hops Festival 2010 today at their brewery in Warrenville, they're celebrating that delicious bittering agent during the second annual release of their Hop Juice Double IPA!

There will be guest beers from around the country. Four bands (TBA) will be playing during the day, admission is free, and 50 percent of sponsorship funds will go to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. All this will take place at their brewery, 30W315 Calumet Ave. Warrenville, Illinois 60555. You can find out more at the event website here!

Strange Beauty Show Gallery Event Featuring Eric Lower

Strange Beauty Show's (1118 N. Ashland Ave) June Gallery Event will feature paintings and prints by Eric Lower and DJ sets by Whoa-B. There will be music and refreshments.

World Kitchen Learning Series: Garden Variety

Learn how to make awesome meals from garden-sourced ingredients at this class, which is part of the World Kitchen learning series offered by the City of Chicago. Class runs 6-8:30pm at Gallery 37 for the Arts, 55 East Randolph. Pre-registration required; admission is $30.

Humboldt Park Art Fair

The 4th annual Humboldt Park Art Fair, organized by nonprofit arts organization Graffiti Zone, runs from noon to 9pm today in the Humboldt Park Boat House, 1400 N. Sacramento Ave. Check out art by dozens of area artists, and listen to music by local acts. Free, but donations encouraged.

Daniel Clowes @ Quimby's

Former Chicagoan and author of Ghost World and Eightball Daniel Clowes makes a rare appearance in his native city to promote his new graphic novel Wilson. 1854 W. North Ave, 7pm.

Two-Hour Comedy Hour @ Gallery Cabaret

This week's Two-Hour Comedy Hour will be hosted by Mike Lebovitz and features comedians Michael Palascak, Christopher Schlichting, Trey Mowder, Jacob Williams and Mo Welch. This free show features a fresh mix of comedians each week. There's no cover for the 21+ show -though a $5 donation is accepted - and it runs from 7-9 pm at Gallery Cabaret, 2020 N. Oakley (near Western and Milwaukee, just off the Blue Line stop). Guests are encouraged to arrive early.

Intonation Music Workshop's Stars Of Tomorrow Summer Spectacular @ Fosco Park

In the shadow of some of Chicago's most dangerous neighborhoods, bands comprised exclusively of kids ages 5-18 will take the stage in front of their families, friends and a big crowd of curious music fans to prove that there is more than one story being told on the South and West sides of Chicago. This free outdoor concert - by kids and for kids - is presented by Chicago's Intonation Music Workshop and the Chicago Park District. Fosco Park is located at 1312 S. Racine. Noon.

Influence @ Betty Dare Gallery

Come out tonight from 7pm to 11pm to Betty Dare Gallery, 1319 W. Chicago Ave. off of Chicago Blue Line. This exhibition features Martin Bernstein sculptures, Aaron Straus's installation, Rory Coyne and Tristan Hummel's paintings. Influence inspires the audience to reassess their personal myth of life and examine the role of external forces through animism, worship of our mementos and shifting spectral externality. All media is invited to attend. More information can be found here.

Northcenter Ribfest

Northcenter's annual Ribfest runs from noon to 10pm at the intersection of Lincoln, Damen and Irving Park. Enjoy barbecue and other food from more than two dozen vendors. Furious Frank, Unicycle Loves You, The Generationals, Deep Cricket Night, John Henry & The Engine, Those Darlins, Bottle Rockets and Califone perform. Free.

Printers Row Lit Fest

Today and tomorrow, one of the Midwest's largest literary festivals will once again take place in Printers Row in the South Loop. You'll find tons of books for sale (old, new, rare -- you name it, they got it), author readings, panel discussions, and much much more. They even have special events just for kids. Admission is free, but some events may require pre-registration. Check out the daily schedule of events and all that Printers Row Lit Fest has to offer here.

Midsommarfest

Andersonville's annual outdoor festival brings it: music, food, shopping, dancing--everything you need for one of the summer's first parties. Admission $5. Foster and Clark, all day through late evening.

Skooda Chose @ The Bassment

Chicago's Skooda Chose celebrates the release of his new mixtape Too Five Material 2 at The Bassment (1415 N. Ashland Ave) today. The Westside emcee will be performing and signing mixtapes. $5 cover. Party goes from 6-10pm.