Sufjan Stevens
8 p.m. Friday at Chicago Theatre; $45
Finally admitting that his 50-state, 50-album project was bogus – hey, at least he went out on Illinois – the Soofster is back, ditching his epic folk wisps for the assaulting digital landscapes of recent release The Age of Adz. The ear to the ground is saying it's all an allegory about the state of the media engine these days. But as always, many a biblical and Christian theme weaves about -- and things should be angelic as ever in the confines of the Chicago Theatre.

St. Pauli Girl Costume Contest
7-8 p.m. Friday at Tilted Kilt; free
Oktoberfest may be over in Germany, but St. Pauli Girl beer is keeping the party going in Chicago. Official spokesmodel Katarina Van Derham hosts a St. Pauli Girl costume contest at the Tilted Kilt. Ladies are encouraged to dress in their best barmaid costume and the top lookalike wins $250. The Sun-Times' own Elliott Harris is graciously helping judge. Specials include $4 St. Pauli Girl Lager.

Raekwon
8 p.m. Saturday at Logan Square Auditorium; $20
Of the seemingly endless brigade of Wu-Tang members and affiliates, Raekwon is one of the select few who tours on a regular basis. In the past couple years the master chef has made appearances at Paid Dues, Rock The Bells and Pitchfork, with a few smaller gigs on the side. His busy schedule has all been in celebration of his long awaited sequel, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Pt. 2 (2009), which took nearly 15 years to complete. Opening for Rae will be a bevy of artists, including Chicago's own Mikkey Halstead.

Long Grove Oktoberfest
All day Saturday-Sunday at Old McHenry Rd. and Robert Parker Coffin Road
Come for the old-fashioned fun of a family carriage ride, German dancing, pumpkin decorating and children's activities. Stay for beer and brats and traditional German entertainment. The party starts at 10:30 a.m. Saturday with a parade. That's followed by family friendly events all day, culminating in a haunted walk and bonfire starting at 6:30 p.m.

Lullaby
Friday-Sunday at Greenhouse Theater Center; $12-$25
From Greek myths to urban legends, this show -- opening this weekend -- explores every messed-up thing that captured the human imagination without ever walking the earth. Teatro Luna, an all-Latina group that specializes in wickedly funny, soulful writer/performer shows should present a fast-paced and engaging night: something supernatural, without all the Halloween cliches.

X Japan
7:30 p.m. at Riviera Theater; $29
The biggest band in Japan made their debut stateside with a show at Lollapalooza over the summer. Now they’re back for a national tour. It’s hard to describe their sound, other than heavy metal mixed with piano solos. You’ll just have to see for yourself.

Candide
7:30 p.m. at Goodman Theatre; $19-$58
Renowned director Mary Zimmerman breathes new life into this play about the title character, a cockeyed optimist who travels the world and gets . Voltaire-inspired philosophizing ensues.

Riot Fest
8 p.m. at Double Door; $25
The five-day punk fest kicks off tonight with performances by Naked Raygun, The Effigies, The Subverts, Steve Bjorklund, Silver Abuse, Toothpaste and Rottenfinko and The Convicts.

History Pub Crawl
6:45 p.m. at Chicago History Museum; $20-$45
The monthly historic tour hits up the Gold Coast. Learn about the role the Chicago River and Lake Michigan have played in Chicago’s history, all while throwing back some cheap beers.

Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure
8 p.m. at the side project; $10-$20
A Sherlock Holmes musical might seem illogical, but critics say it's a stroke of deductive genius. Stephen Dietz's snappy adaptation shows the famous sleuth falling in love and getting high, not to mention emotional enough to sing. Strong performances and smooth-as-clockwork staging make this caper an obvious (not to say elementary) choice for summer entertainment.

Soulja Boy
7 p.m. at Congress Theater; $25
Soulja headlines the Youngest N Charge tour, which features a gaggle of young hip-hop artists including JaBar and Sammie Young

Seu Jorge, Almaz
8 p.m. at Logan Square Auditorium; $25
Multi-talented musician and actor Seu Jorge has been touring to promote his self-titled album, taking a three-week North American tour.

Wine 102
7:30 p.m. at Webster's Wine Bar; $40
Take your oenophilia up a notch with this course and tasting on the basics of wine structures.

Dance in the Park
6:30 p.m. at Douglas Park Cultural & Community Center; free
Learn moves from the Douglas Park Dance Program students at this quarterly dance event.

Pierogi Fest
Friday-Sunday in Whiting, Ind.; free
Yes, we know Whiting, Ind. (where?) is a haul, but it's worth it just to see Mr. Pierogi, along with his friends The Pieroguettes and Miss Paczki. They perform a number of musical spoofs, including the ingenious "We're Off to Eat Pierogis" ("We're Off to See the Wizard"). There will also be plenty of family fun, a pierogi toss contest, a beer garden and an art show at this Eastern European festival.

Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival
Friday-Sunday; $5
Three days of gallery exhibitions, live music and art events at multiple venues along a two-mile stretch of Milwaukee Avenue in Logan Square. The long list of curated gallery shows includes names like "The Gutter Exhibition," where the only submission requirement is that work "embodies the physical or mental gutter." While you're there, you can also check out the Logan Square Farmers Market.

Taste of Lincoln Avenue
All day Saturday-Sunday in Lincoln Park; $7-$10
Five stages will host more than 40 music acts, including the Freddy Jones Band, Soul Asylum, Trippin' Billies and 7th Heaven. Also visit the Kids Carnival, which includes a giant slide, petting zoo, face painting and more. There is also a "Virgin" Wine Garden, sponsored by the Virgin family of wines.

Maseo
9 p.m. Friday at darkroom; $10-$15
Although he may be a little less visible than his counterparts, longtime DJ and music connoisseur Maseo has always been known as a DJ's DJ. His technical skills obviously hold weight, otherwise he wouldn't have been De La Soul's DJ for more than 20 years, but it's his song selection that has always made Maseo a must see for hip-hop lovers and beatheads alike. He plays an intimate show at darkroom sans De La.

I Still Love H.E.R. (atributetohiphop)
8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at New Regal Theater; $15-$25
See director/star Wendell Tucker's tale of Love 1 is a respected Chicago broadcast personality who is retiring from the biz after becoming disillusioned. The long-running Chicago play makes an encore of sorts this weekend before heading to New York for a November run at Apollo Theater and later on Broadway.

Chicago Blues Festival
Friday-Sunday at Grant Park; free
Despite the absence of marquee names like Keith Richards and Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings - both of whom have graced its stages in years past - and budget cuts that have slimmed the event down from four days to three, the fest is still the largest of its kind in the world. And it's still absolutely free. Centerstage's Blues Fest picks include Big George Brock & The House Rockers, Rev. K.M. Williams and Guitar Shorty.

Here are some recent Chicago restaurant (and bar) openings and closings.

OPEN:
Pour Drinks & Eats -- Joe Parra, the general manager of this Lakeview spot, took the garden concept up a notch with moody lighting, cozy seating, flat screens and a thought-out menu of affordable fare.
FreshBerry -- Yet another frozen-yogurt chain has set up shop in Chicago, this time in Streeterville.
Donatella Mediterranean Bistro -- Donatella Majore, owner of the now-closed La Cucina di Donatella, is back for more, opening this Mediterranean-inspired spot in Evanston.
Jimmy Green's Bar & Grill -- This self-described "all-American sports bar" serves up everything from pizza to hummus in the South Loop.
City Provisions Deli -- Gourmet catering company City Provisions (headquartered just up the street) offers up gourmet sandwiches, sides and a small selection of groceries at this shop.
Ojo de Agua Taqueria -- Get tacos, burritos and quesadillas on handmade tortillas at this taqueria on the border of Bucktown and Logan Square.
Kim & Scott's Cafe Twist -- The folks behind frozen-food brand Kim and Scott's Gourmet Pretzels now have a storefront restaurant to call their own.

CLOSING:
Marche -- Got a steak frites craving? Better get there fast. The French West Loop spot plans to close its doors on June 13.

CLOSED:
Martini Park -- No more adults will be playing at this River North lounge.
Sugar Syndicate -- One third of Lincoln Square's "Sweet Collective" has come down from its sugar high.
Purple Haze – The Northwestern-themed bar didn't last long in what seems to be a cursed space in Lakeview. The new inhabitant: Beer.
Shallots Bistro -- Apparently, gourmet kosher fare wasn't for everyone.
Shrimp Walk -- The Highwood Thai spot remains open for private parties.
Viet Bistro -- The Rogers Park restaurant stayed classy 'til the end.
En*Thai*Ce -- Andersonville just lost a favorite pad see eiw purveyor.

Check back here every week for more openings and closings, and be sure to check out Centerstage Chicago's lists of new restaurants and bars.

A couple updates to last week's report that the popular "Five Buck Club" would be discontinued at the newly acquired AMC/Regal Cinemas (Webster Place and City North 14):

1. The club will actually continue until Friday, June 18. Current eligible titles include "MacGruber," "Robin Hood" and "How to Train Your Dragon."
2. Starting June 18, the normal price for all movies, all day, any time Monday through Thursday will be $5 – no club or cards necessary. There will be an upcharge for IMAX and 3D films, and for weekday openings and holiday periods.

Ah, the good old days.

Aspiring Playboy Bunnies (and the oglers who love them), make sure to clear your schedule for the next couple of weeks.

On June 10, The Venue at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana will host the 50th Anniversary celebration of the original Playboy Clubs. Among the festivities will be the selection of a single girl to feature on www.playboyclub50.com (and have her photos submitted to Hef for consideration for Playboy magazine). Where will those girls be found? All over Chicago, of course. Here's the schedule for upcoming Bunny search events over the next two weeks (find full details here):

Friday, May 28, 9:30 p.m.: Red Ivy (call 773-472-9000 to register)
Saturday, May 29, midnight: Heat Nightclub (register at facebook.com/heatnightclub or email heatvenue@gmail.com)
Sunday, May 30, 10 p.m.: Bull & Bear (register at playboy@bullbearbar.com)
Wednesday, June 2, 8 p.m.: Meyer's Castle (1370 Joliet, Dyer, IN)
Thursday, June 3, 9 p.m.: Martini Park (register at playboybunny@martinipark.com)
Friday, June 4, 8 p.m.: Tilted Kilt, Elgin
Saturday, June 5, 10 p.m.: VLive
Saturday, June 5: Stage 151@Harrah's, 151 N. Joliet, Joliet

The era of the five-buck movie is over, at least at Chicago's remaining Kerasotes...er, AMC...er, Regal Cinemas.

See, back in January, Kerasotes announced that it would be selling most of its theaters to AMC. Some wondered how this would change the experience at the theaters -- most importantly, what would become of the popular Five Buck Club, which allowed registered users to attend select movies for just a Lincoln. Well, now we know.

AMC subsequently sold two Chicago locations -- City North 14 (2600 N. Western) and Webster Place (1471 W. Webster) -- to Regal Cinemas, which will not be continuing the promotion, according to an email from Tony Kerasotes to current Club members. Regal assumes operation of these cinemas tomorrow, May 25, so you may be able to sneak in one more cheap viewing if you're desperate.

Senhorita Bella Sue Devianti is sure to make your Cinco de Mayo memorable.

Cinco de Mondo
7 p.m. at Congress Theater; $15
The Congress goes all out for Cinco de Mayo tonight with Lucha Libre wrestling, burlesque performances from Lola Van Ella, Bella Sue Devianti and Gravity Plays Favorites, live music from the Del Moroccos and The Suspirios and more. Comedian Dash Bravado hosts.Find more Cinco de Mayo events on Centerstage.

Chapterhouse
9 p.m. at Vic Theatre; $16
Billing themselves as "five rail-thin longhairs from Reading, England," Chapterhouse slipped through the cracks during the early '90s, as bands like My Bloody Valentine and Jesus & Mary Chain had long cornered the shoegaze niche - and Nirvana went and silenced the fuzz with the grating angst of "Nevermind," anyway. The group's 1991 debut, "Whirlpool," would've had a
much bigger impact if it had been released just a year or two later when youth culture was ready to chill out again. The boys have reunited after a two-decade split, with their sets dripping with numbing distortion and tinny drums that cut right through it with glee.

Reading Under the Influence Fifth Anniversary
7-9 p.m. at Sheffield's; $3
The reading (and drinking) series celebrates its fifth year on Cinco de Mayo, with readings of short original works from regulars Robert Duffer, Jesse Jordan, Julia Borcherts and Amy Guth. There will also be readings of recognizable published work and trivia related to the appropriate theme of "Five."

Highlights from Centerstage Chicago's latest Crumb newsletter:

Just Opened: Accanto
Italian fine dining in Logan Square.

Off the Beaten Path: Petra Inn
Middle Eastern eatery in Lincoln Square serves up more than just hummus.

Weekly Treat: Cheap beer night at Tilli’s
Bud Light bottles are just two bucks tonight.

Man We're Crazy About: Cuna
Quality food and swanky drinks that don’t break the bank in Lakeview.

For more Chicago bar and restaurant news, sign up for the Crumb newsletter.

As we reported in February, Humboldt Park gallery and performance space Quennect4 was shut down by the city earlier this year for operating without a license. The ensuing Kickstarter campaign has raised (as of today) $1,480 toward the $3,600 goal.

With just 9 days remaining, the Q4 Tribe is making a final push for funds, releasing a digital compilation with tracks from musicians who have been a part of their community. The collection will be released on Friday, May 7, with a party at Elastic Arts in Logan Square featuring the Chicago Gypsy Experiment, Rambos and Wake Up Siouxsie. The all-ages event begins at 9 p.m., with an $8 suggested donation at the door. Pay that, or make at least a $10 donation to Kickstarter, and you'll be hooked up with the compilation download code.

The full list of artists on the comp: DJ Limbs & Butter, BBU, Eyes Manouche, Curtis Evans & Our Friends Electric, Agents of Change, The Embraceables, Kenny Keys, Chandler London, Phillip Morris, Jeremy Miller, Natalie Grace, Drunken Monkee, Pugs Atomz & 6th Sense, IL Subliminal f/ Idris Goodwin, Charles Williams, Matthew Merryweather, Radius, Kore One, Shannon Vs. The Stranger, Wake Up Siouxsie, The Minneapolis Henrys, and Big Splashes. Download a complimentary track ("Djelem Djelem" by Eyes Manouche) here.

ARTropolis
11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Merchandise Mart; $20
Today's the last day to experience this three-for-one art event, featuring Art Chicago, NEXT and the Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair.

Polish Constitution Day Hash
6:30 p.m. at Czerwone Jabluszko (Red Apple); $13
Join the Chicago Hash House Harriers for this celebration that includes a four-mile run, a buffet and a keg of beer courtesy of Stanley Stawski Distributing Co. Make sure to wear something Polish!

The Pigeons
8 p.m. at Swim Cafe; $10-$15
Set in the rapidly gentrifying West Town neighborhood, this farce from Walkabout Theatre follows Martin, a man who lives in a tiny condo with dozens of dirty birds, and features run-ins with all the diverse characters of the 'hood, from starving artists to boisterous frat boys and everyone in between. Warning: This may hit too close to home for some.

A Hip-Hop Aesop: Jazzed, Bopped and Beat-Boxed
10 a.m. and noon at eta Creative Arts Foundation; $5-$6
Turn off the Lil' Wayne and turn to this new spin on ten classic Aesop fables, which offers morality plays with a hip-hop beat. Fables include "The Boy Who Cried Wolf", "The Tortoise and The Hare", "The Bee and Jupiter" and many more. Recommended for grades K-8.

Jakob Dylan and Three Legs
7:30 p.m. at Park West; $25
We'd hesitate to recommend going to see the former Wallflowers' frontman (and Bob Dylan's son), if not for two reasons: his backup singers, Neko Case and Kelly Hogan. These semi-local alt-country luminaries add some major cred to the proceedings. Don't expect to hear "One Headlight," but do expect lots of cuts from Dylan's new album, appropriately titled "Women and Country."

Rock 'n' Bowl Comedy Showl
9:30 p.m. at Diversey River Bowl; $5
Bowl a few frames and enjoy sets from local comedians Irving Typs, Jeff Hansen and Marty DeRosa at this Logan Square alley. Dave Odd hosts, and 25-cent wings and $2 bottles of PBR are available to make the laughs come a little easier.

Here are some recent Chicago restaurant (and bar) openings and closings.

OPEN:
Accanto - Logan Square gets another upscale Italian spot, in the space adjacent to Lucky Vito's.

Al Primo Canto - The Brazilian all-you-can-eat palace opens a second Chicago location in River North.

Ciao Napoli Pizzeria - Expect fine Italian dining in the former Abril spot in Logan Square.

Clarke's Diner (Wicker Park) - Another location of the popular diner opens on Damen.

Vintage 338 - This quaint Lincoln Park cafe offers a variety of southern European street food, including items from Green City Market. But the real star is the wine list, which focuses on Spanish, Italian and French offerings.

Sports Corner - The previously torn-down Sports Corner gets new life on Addison and Sheffield, just steps from Wrigley Field. The three-story homage to all things baseball (and Cubs) will clear out after the games are over for a huge dance party.

The Temple Bar - Sip a pint and wallow in the Irish-ness of this Lakeview spot (the former Fearon's), which got its name from an area in Dublin.

Dos Gringos Trailer Park - The party scene in Wrigleyville gets a Mexican flavor at this colorful new bar in the old Houndstooth Saloon spot. Expect the shots of tequila to flow before and after Cubs games, as the motto here is "Where Wrigleyville meets Cancun."

Got Spaghetti? - A husband-and-wife duo asks the age-old pasta question in Gladstone Park.

Aripos - This Oak Park restaurant specializing in arepas (homemade bread split open and filled with meats and veggies - is set to open this week.

CLOSED:
Green Dolphin Street/Orvieto - The venerable on-the-river club/restaurant abruptly closed its doors this week, just months after reconcepting. -- We were half-right on this one. The restaurant and jazz club is closed, but the club life lives on, including the popular Boom Boom Room Mondays.

Cafe Avanti - The Lakeview cafe closes to make way for a French wine bar.

El Gato Negro - The popular transexual hangout has closed due in part to a "neverending onslaught of abuse and economic hardship," according to its website.

Check back here every week for more openings and closings, and be sure to check out Centerstage Chicago's lists of new restaurants and bars.

Cubs Home Opener
1:20 p.m. at Wrigley Field
Now, we're not saying you should try to get tickets to the game this soon before the first pitch (to do so you'd probably have to pay a good portion of Alfonso Soriano's salary), but there are other ways to get in the spirit. You can check out live radio broadcasts at Yak-Zies (WXRT) and the new Sports Corner (WSCR) like $4.50 Blue Cubs on the Rocks and $3 Bud Light bottles at Stretch Run and $3 True Blue Cubbyritas at Trader Todd's (plus ticket giveaways all day long, including a pair for today's game). And if you do already have tickets, head to Ann Sather on Belmont to fuel up; all breakfast entrees are just $6.50 'til game time for ticket-holders only. Find all Wrigleyville specials on Centerstage.

Boom Boom Room
10 p.m. at Green Dolphin Street; $20
Green Dolphin may have changed over the years (have you noticed the Big Ten flags out front?) but this weekly house-music event will remind you that some things have stayed the same. Enjoy spinning from DJs Michael Serafini, Uncle Milty, Just Joey and Diz.

Chekhov Kegstand
7:30 p.m. at Gorilla Tango Theatre; $12
While the differences are many, there are some profound similarities between the characters in Anton Chekhov's plays and college students: fear of the future, an inability to act, and a love for drinking vodka. Lots and lots of vodka. This is the idea for Bryan Cohen's flawed but promising new play, "Chekhov Kegstand," and for all the things that don't work, it's still better than a play called "Chekhov Kegstand" has any right to be.

It's supposed to be 70 degrees on Saturday. What better way to celebrate than with a pastry party?

Logan Square Kitchen, which hosts fledgling bakers as well as private events, hosts a Spring Pastry Market tomorrow from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Several of the city's sweets purveyors will be on hand with goodies for purchase, including City Provisions, FIG Catering, Fritz Pastry, Rich Chocolates & Candies and others. See the full list and RSVP here.

If you haven't already registered for this week's Craft Brewers Conference (April 7-10 at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers), you're pretty much out of luck, although a few events do remain open according to the website.

But who needs to sit through a bunch of boring meetings when you can enjoy the craft where it counts -- in a bar! Several of the city's favorite brewpubs and restaurants are offering special deals this week in honor of so many beer enthusiasts being in town. Here's what we've found so far:

Avec will be taking reservations for Tuesday's five-course beer dinner including selections from Brasserie Dubuisson and Vanberg & Dewulf (dining begins at 3:30 p.m.; $50 for food, $25 for pairings).

Longman & Eagle hosts a five-course dinner with pairings from Stone Brewing Co. on Tuesday, with brewery CEO Greg Koch on hand from 5-6:30 p.m. to answer questions. The $55 pairing menu will be available alongside the regular menu all night long.

The Publican celebrates with a week full of events, including a four-course Two Brothers beer dinner (5:30-10:30 p.m. tonight); late-night (10:30 p.m.-1 a.m.) beer specials on Wednesday (Dogfish Head, Stone, Three Floyds) and Thursday (Allagash, Avery, The Lost Abbey); and a beer dinner with pairings from New Holland and New Belgium from 5:30-10:30 p.m. on Friday.

Quenchers Saloon will offer brews from Shelton Brothers (6 p.m. Tuesday), Urthel (7 p.m. Wednesday) and Lion, Plank, Belgoo and Cucapa (4-7 p.m. Friday).

The Map Room has a full week of tasting events featuring Duvel (tonight, 5 p.m.), New Belgium (Tuesday, 9:30 p.m.), Capital Brewery (Wednesday, 5 p.m.), Flossmoor Station (Thursday, 5 p.m.) and Great Lakes Brewing Co. (Friday, 5 p.m.). Brewmasters will be attending many of the events.

Jake Melnick’s offers Lagunitas' Chicago Fusion brew from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, and all Metropolitan beers on Friday from 6-9 p.m.

Small Bar's Division Street location will host a rare beer tasting event beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday; brews include Boulder Oak Aged Mojo IPA, Bear Republic Porter, Great Divide Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti and more. Or head to the newer Fullerton location for a similar event including Moylan's Old Blarney Barleywine, Two Brothers Oak Aged Bare Tree and more. Lagunitas Fusion Ale will also be available during the conference.

Deleece Grill Pub hosts a four-course dinner ($50) with beer pairings from Hoppin' Frog Brewery on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Brasserie Jo's four-course menu (4-9 p.m. Thursday; $49) includes beers from Ommegang and Duvel.

Rodan pairs with Surly Brewing Co. for a four-course dinner on Thursday (7 p.m.; $50).

Hopleaf hosts Fritz Maytag from Anchor Brewing Co. on Friday at 6 p.m. The free event includes tastings of beer, cheese, spirits and wine.

That Sordid Little Story
7:30 p.m. at Studio Theater; $5 suggested donation
New Colony's beguiling "11:11" maybe have just closed, but the company isn't resting on its rave reviews, not when there's new work to be done. This developmental staged reading (with original music) tells the tale of a man who comes to believe that his life story is contained in a 1963 concept album. It's at the city-owned Studio Theater (at the Chicago Cultural Center) for today only.

Puerto Rican Dinner
7 p.m. at La Cocina de Galarza; $20
I Wish Lessons' world food tour continues with a stop at this Logan Square family-owned favorite, where you'll start with a discussion of food and cultural traditions, then follow up with a prix-fixe dinner. Prepare for large portions...and don't forget that it's BYOB.