By Gregg Shapiro

Contributing writer

Wed., March 5

Jessica Halem presents “The Stand Up Vagina Show” featuring some of the best female comics in the Midwest, including Dana Austin, Cameron Esposito, Marlene Moore, Tamale and Ashley Thornton, beginning with a 6-7 p.m. pre-reception cash bar followed by a 7 p.m. show time at the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted. Call (773) 472-6469.

A poetry reading by a diverse group of emerging poets—painter and poet Kate Greenstreet, English professor Aimee Nezhukumatathil and Columbia College Chicago adjunct professor Michael Robins—begins at 5:30 p.m. at Columbia College Chicago’s Concert Hall, 1014 S. Michigan.

The Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace, welcomes Hallelujah The Hills and Hushdrops at 9 p.m. Call (773) 478-4408.

New Leaf Theatre presents “Girl in the Goldfish Bowl” opening tonight and running through April 5 at the Lincoln Park Cultural Center, 2045 N. Lincoln Park West.

Legendary Irish punk act The Pogues stay for two nights, tonight and tomorrow night, at the Riviera, 4746 N. Racine, at 7 p.m., with special guest Ike Reilly. Call (773) 275-6800.

Working For A Nuclear Free City, Coltrane Motion and Unique Chique play Schuba’s, 3159 N. Southport, at 9 p.m. Call (773) 525-2508.

Empty Bottle, 1045 N. Western, presents Tenniscourts and The Assembly at 9 p.m. Call (773) 276-3600.

Chris Burrell plays Dick’s Last Resort, 435 E. Illinois in the River East Plaza, at 8 p.m.

Martyrs’, 3855 N. Lincoln, welcomes Adrian Belew and Saul Zonana at 8 p.m. Call (773) 404-9494.

Thurs., March 6

Out singer/songwriter Missy Higgins performs at 7:30 p.m. at Park West, 322 W. Armitage. Call (773) 929-5959.

At 9 p.m. The Jealous Girlfriends, The Most Serene Republic and My Were They play Schuba’s, 3159 N. Southport. Call (773) 525-2508.

Mary Hutchings Reed reads from and signs “Courting Kathleen Hannigan” at 7:30 p.m. at Women & Children First, 5233 N. Clark. Call (773) 769-9299.

Five Foot Nine and Gidget’s Ga Ga perform at 9 p.m. at the Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace. Call (773) 478-4408.

Som Brasil plays Brazilian and world music and jazz at 9 p.m. at Uncommon Ground Devon, 1401 W. Devon. Call (773) 465-9801.

The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, 1306 S. Michigan, presents the Midwest premiere of Urban Bush Women/Compagnie JANT-BI tonight through Saturday at 8 p.m. Call (312) 344-8300.

Hare plays Dick’s Last Resort, 435 E. Illinois in the River East Plaza, at 8 p.m.

Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, hosts Iraq Veterans Against War: IVAW Benefit Dance Party, featuring Zebo, Trew, Gutter Butter DJs, CAPCOM, SR-71 and LA*Jesus, at 10 p.m. Call (773) 227-4433.

Fri., March 7

The Flesh Hungry Dog Show presents a record release show by Scott Free and His Closest Friends, with Condenada and Plaid on Plaid, at 9 p.m. at Jackhammer, 6406 N. Clark. Call (773) 743-5772.

Bob Mould and his band play Metro, 3730 N. Clark, at 7 p.m. Call (773) 549-4140.

Links Hall, 3435 N. Sheffield, welcomes Gesel Mason performing “No Less Black,” Darrell Jones performing “third Swan from the end” and David Roussève performing “Jumping the Broom” tonight through Sunday. Call (773) 281-0824.

Steve Earle plays a solo acoustic show, with guest Allison Moorer, at 8:30 p.m. at The Vic, 3145 N. Sheffield.

Graveface Records presents Kid Dakota, Chris Connelly and Dreamend at 9 p.m. at the Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace. Call (773) 478-4408.

Greasy Joan & Co. presents “The Misanthrope” By Molière, tonight through Apr. 5 at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport.

Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, presents American Catastrophe at 10 p.m. Call (773) 227-4433.

Debonair Social Club, 1575 N. Milwaukee, welcomes Mark Gertz & Trancid (Dark Wave Disco), Heather Doble and Ryan Paradise. Call (773) 227-7990.

Uncommon Ground Devon, 1401 W. Devon, presents Al Rose Band, with Julia Klee Band opening, at 10 p.m. Call (773) 465-9801.

Randall Williams, a singer/songwriter/guitarist, plays Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss in Downers Grove, at 8:15 p.m. Call (630) 969-9720.

Headlights play a record release show, with Evangelicals and Audrye Sessions, at 10 p.m. at Schuba’s, 3159 N. Southport. Call (773) 525-2508.

The New Affair plays a CD release show, with The Uptons and The Lillies, at 9 p.m. at The Red Line Tap, 7006 N. Glenwood. Call (773) 274-5463.

The Project performs at 8 p.m. at Dick’s Last Resort, 435 E. Illinois in the River East Plaza.

Mittens on Strings, Hearts of Darknesses and Birthmark play the Empty Bottle, 1045 N. Western, at 10 p.m. Call (773) 276-3600.

FitzGerald’s, 6615 W. Roosevelt in Berwyn, presents an evening with Tom Russell at 9 p.m. Call (708) 788-2118.

DVQ and Lamajamal play the Heartland Café, 7000 N. Glenwood, at 10 p.m. Call (773) 465- 8005.

Tributosaurus becomes XTC at 9:30 p.m. at Martyrs’, 3855 N. Lincoln. Call (773) 404-9494.

Park West, 322 W. Armitage, hosts an evening with The Black Crowes, including a full performance of their new album “Warpaint,” at 8 p.m. Call (773) 929-5959.

Switchback performs original Americana and traditional Celtic music at 8 p.m. in the Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th. Call (773) 445-3838.

At 10 p.m., Mittens on Strings, Hearts of Darknesses and Birthmark play the Empty Bottle, 1045 N. Western. Call (773) 276-3600.

Reggie’s Rock Club, 2105 S. State, welcomes Spare Parts and Ben Sity at 10 p.m. Call (312) 949-0120.

Sat., March 8

Shelley Miller and Laura Tsaggaris perform at 9 p.m. at the Heartland Café, 7000 N. Glenwood. Call (773) 465-8005.

At 9 p.m. Great Lakes Myth Society, The Buddyrevelles, Bicycle Tricycle and Lost Armada play The Note, 1565 N. Milwaukee. Call (773) 489-0011.

Shawn Phillips’ 65th Birthday Tour stops by FitzGerald’s, 6615 W. Roosevelt in Berwyn, for a CD release show at 6:30 p.m. Call (708) 788-2118.

St. Charles Singers look heavenward through works ranging from sacred music of the Spanish Renaissance to African-American spirituals in “Faire Is the Heaven: Songs of Serenity and Light” at 7:30 p.m. at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar in St. Charles.

Davenport’s, 1383 N. Milwaukee, welcomes Charlene Brooks. Call (773) 278-1830.

Down The Line perform a CD release show for “Home Alive” at 7:30 p.m. at Park West, 322 W. Armitage. Call (773) 929-5959.

The Werks perform at 10 p.m. at The Store, 2002 N. Halsted.

Uncommon Ground Grace, 3800 N. Clark, presents Corey Howe, La Chute, and Chris and Vince, at 9 p.m. Call (773) 929-3680.

The Vic, 3145 N. Sheffield, welcomes West Ireland-based rock band The Saw Doctors tonight.

Kick off the St. Patrick’s holiday in Chicago a little bit early with “If You’re Irish…,” an all new concert led by renowned conductor and producer Frank McNamara, featuring Irish tenor Derek Moloney, stunning Irish soprano Deirdre Shannon and dynamic Irish fiddler Cora Smyth, at 8 p.m. at the Chicago Theater, 175 N. State. Call (312) 462-6300.

Cobalt, Double Barrel Darrel and The Good Name Band play The Red Line Tap, 7006 N. Glenwood, at 9 p.m. Call (773) 274-5463.

Martyrs’, 3855 N. Lincoln, presents The Johns, My My My, The Interiors and Multivitamins at 9 p.m. Call (773) 404-9494.

Uncommon Ground Devon, 1401 W. Devon, hosts a James Curley CD release event at 10 p.m. Call (773) 465-9801.

David Grisman Quintet with special guest Yang Wei plays two shows, at 7 & 9:30 p.m. in The Old Town School of Folk Music—Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall, 4544 N. Lincoln. Call (773) 728-6000.

The Derailers play a 10 p.m., show at FitzGerald’s, 6615 W. Roosevelt in Berwyn. Call (708) 788-2118.

Empty Bottle, 1045 N. Western, presents the Sian Alice Group and Growing at 10 p.m. Call (773) 276-3600.

The Midwest Hackers, Cole Pezley, and Liz Young perform at 8 p.m. at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln in Skokie. Call (847) 677-7761.

Dick’s Last Resort, 435 E. Illinois in the River East Plaza, presents Planet Groove at 8 p.m.

Sun., March 9

The Pogues tribute band The Boys from County Hell and Doug McKean & The Stuntmen play The Note, 1565 N. Milwaukee, at 9 p.m. Call (773) 489-0011.

At 4:30 p.m., Anne Calcagno reads from and signs “Travelers’ Tales: Italy” at Women & Children First, 5233 N. Clark. Call (773) 769-9299.

By A Thread presents Madina Lake, Aiden, My American Heart and Farewell to Freeway, at the Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N Kedzie, at 7 p.m. Call (773) 252-6179.

Cabaret Parisien hosted by Claudia Hommel and featuring singer-pianist Elizabeth Doyle with Jim Rollins, begins at 7:30 p.m. at Uncommon Ground Devon, 1401 W. Devon. Call (773) 465-9801.

The Old Town School of Folk Music—Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall, 4544 N. Lincoln, welcomes Carrie Newcomer with special guest The Spares at 7 p.m. Call (773) 728-6000.

Kelly Joe Phelps performs at 7:30 p.m. in the SideBar at FitzGerald’s, 6615 W. Roosevelt in Berwyn. Call (708) 788- 2118.

Moonglow plays the Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln in Skokie, at 2 p.m. Call (847) 677-7761.

Dick’s Last Resort, 435 E. Illinois in the River East Plaza, presents Reed Pauley at 8 p.m.

Reggie’s Rock Club, 2105 S. State, welcomes Number Nine, Cenobites, Alleyway Sex and Mutual Divorce at 9 p.m. Call (312) 949-0120.


Mon., March 10

Grammy Award-winning composer, arranger and big-band leader Maria Schneider performs with her orchestra at 8 p.m. in the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago’s Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph Dr. Call (312) 334-7777.

Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave. in Evanston, presents An Evening of Romantic Cello Music: A Tribute to David Popper and Janos Starker at 7:30 p.m. Call (847) 905-1500.

JACK Quartet performs contemporary classical at 8 p.m. at Uncommon Ground Devon, 1401 W. Devon. Call (773) 465-9801.

At 9 p.m. Weedeater and Black Tusk perform at the Empty Bottle, 1045 N. Western. Call (773) 276-3600.

Dick’s Last Resort, 435 E. Illinois in the River East Plaza, presents Darrin Wiggins at 8 p.m.

Tues., March 11

At Women & Children First, 5233 N. Clark, Paula Giddings reads from and signs “Ida: A Sword Among Lions” at 7:30 p.m. Call (773) 769-9299.

The Lincoln Jr. High Jazz Band performs at 7 p.m. at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln in Skokie. Call (847) 677-7761.

Dick’s Last Resort, 435 E. Illinois in the River East Plaza, presents Mike Baltazar at 8 p.m.

Wed., March 12

Performance Artist E. Patrick Johnson presents "Pouring Tea: Black Gay Men of the South Tell their Tales," a one-man show, from 7-9 p.m., with a reception to follow, at the DePaul Concert Hall, 800 W. Belden.

The JACK Quartet performs works by Northwestern School of Music faculty composers Jay Alan Yim and Hans Thomalla at 7:30 p.m. in Lutkin Hall, 700 University Place on Northwestern’s Evanston campus. Call (847) 491-5441.

Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace, welcomes the one and only Jonathan Richman at 9 p.m. Call (773) 478-4408.

Berlin-based female recorder collective Quartet New Generation returns for its first Chicago performance since 2006 at 7 p.m. at the Claudia Cassidy Theater in the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph.

Columbia College Chicago presents “My Secret Language of Wishes,” winner of the Theodore Ward African-American Play Contest, tonight through March 22 in Columbia College Chicago’s New Studio Theater, 72 E. 11th. Call (312) 344-6126.

Big D and the Kids Table and Dropkick Murphys perform at 8 p.m. at the Congress Theater, 2135 N. Milwaukee. Call (312) 458-9668.

A cappella choir My Damn Butterfly performs at 9 p.m. at Uncommon Ground Devon, 1401 W. Devon. Call (773) 465-9801.

The Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln in Skokie, presents a tribute to the Armed Forces at 1:30 p.m. Call (847) 677-7761.

Dick’s Last Resort, 435 E. Illinois in the River East Plaza, presents My Two Sons at 8 p.m.

Reggie’s Rock Club, 2105 S. State, welcomes Kindle, The New Messengers, They Found Me They Names Me and others at 8 p.m. Call (312) 949-0120.

Thurs., March 13

Ben Allison & Man Size Safe perform at 7 p.m. at the Claudia Cassidy Theater in the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph.

“Milestones” features nine companies and artists, each bringing a unique take on Full Circle Danztheatre Festival’s theme, including seven world première works, tonight and tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. at the Hamlin Park Studio Theatre, 3035 N. Hoyne. Call (773) 486-8261.

Tim Menard and the Flying Nowakowski Brothers, For Pilots and Deep Cricket Night, perform at 9 p.m. at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia. Call (773) 227-4433.

At 10 p.m., James Sanders & Conjunto, perform Latin jazz at Uncommon Ground Devon, 1401 W. Devon. Call (773) 465-9801.

Fri., March 14

The Old Town School of Folk Music—Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall, 4544 N. Lincoln, presents The Magnetic Fields tonight and tomorrow night for shows at 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. and two shows on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Call (773) 728-6000.

Michelle Malone opens for CJ Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band at 9 p.m. at FitzGerald’s, 6615 W. Roosevelt in Berwyn. Call (708) 788- 2118.

Women & Children First, 5233 N. Clark, welcomes Kathleen McInerney & Mary Ann Ryan, at 7:30 p.m., reading from and signing “Too Smart to Be Sentimental: Contemporary Irish American Women Writers.” Call (773) 769-9299

The Charlie Sizemore Band performs at 8 p.m. at the American Legion Music Hall, 1030 Central in Evanston. Call (847) 573-0443.

Chicago’s famed performance group, Beast Women, perform at 7:30 p.m. tonight and at 8 p.m. tomorrow night at Bailiwick Repertory, 1229 W. Belmont. Call (773) 883-1090.

Debonair Social Club, 1575 N. Milwaukee, presents Jason Tyler, Heather Doble and Ryan Paradise. Call (773) 227-7990.

Amp Fiddler performs at the Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee. Call (773) 489-3160.

Celtic rock legends The Elders perform at 7:30 p.m. at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive in Elgin. Call (847) 622-0300.

Green Mill, 4802 N. Broadway, presents Ben Allison tonight and tomorrow night. Call (773) 878-5552.

The Vandals perform at 7 p.m. at Reggie’s Rock Club, 2105 S. State. Call (312) 949-0120.

Award-winning New Orleans singer/songwriter, violinist and guitarist Gina Forsyth performs at 8:15 p.m. at the Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss in Downers Grove. Call (630) 969-9720.

Metro, 3730 N. Clark, welcomes The Tossers at 9 p.m. Call (773) 549-4140.

Glasko, The Sham and Don Russian perform at 9 p.m. at The Red Line Tap, 7006 N. Glenwood. Call (773) 274-5463

Edgar Gabriel’s Stringfusion plays the Heartland Café, 7000 N. Glenwood, at 9 p.m. Call (773) 465-8005.

The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, presents Dylan Posa and Three Cheers For One Dead Man, Chris Connelly, and Began By Gathering Supplies. Call (773) 227-4433.

Martyrs’, 3855 N. Lincoln, welcomes Robbie Fulks and Robbie Gjersoe at 7 p.m. Call (773) 404-9494.

Rhythm Futur plays gypsy jazz at 10 p.m. at Uncommon Ground Devon, 1401 W. Devon. Call (773) 465-9801.

The Chicago Jazz Ensemble, with Artistic Director Jon Faddis, celebrates the music of four of the world’s most renowned jazz masters—Nat King Cole, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald and Thelonious Monk—at “Happy Birthday Nat, Diz, Ella & Monk,” when the CJE’s Ninth American Jazz Series continues on at 8 p.m. at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago’s Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph Dr. Call (312) 334-7777.