Music

Show: Kobuku Senju On its brand-new debut album, Selektiv Hogst (Sofa), Japanese-Norwegian quintet Koboku Senju follows a calm through-line across turbulent free improvisation, finding austere and meditative beauty in a profusion of sonic details and textures that easily could've been dizzying.

9:30 PM, Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, 773-227-4433 or 866-468-3401, hideoutchicago.com, $10.

Dinner: Club Lucky A fun restaurant with a retro atmosphere and a mean martini.

1824 W. Wabansia Ave., 773-227-2300, clubluckychicago.com

Movies

Show: The Secret In Their Eyes In 1974 a jaded court investigator is shocked out of his bureaucratic stupor by the grisly rape and murder of a lovely young bride in Buenos Aires. Director Juan José Campanella weaves together two love stories—between the victim and her husband, and the investigator and his former boss (Soledad Villamil)—and creates some masterful set pieces; his breathless chase through a packed soccer stadium is a marvel of choreography and top-notch CGI.

4:05 pm, 7:10 pm, 10:05 pm, Landmark's Century Centre, 2828 N. Clark St., 773-509-4949, landmarktheatres.com/Market/Chicago/Landmark%27sCenturyCentreCinema.htm

Dinner: Chilam Balam Twenty-three-year-old Chuy Valencia is only the latest—and possibly the youngest—graduate of the School of Bayless to come out of the Frontera/Topolobampo kitchens and stake his own claim. After a pit stop as chef de cuisine at Adobo Grill, in late August he opened Chilam Balam, a cramped but not claustrophobic subterranean spot offering a small-plates menu along with a list of monthly seasonal specials—mostly more antojitos plus a few larger plates. One of the best new Chicago restaurants of 2009.

3023 N. Broadway, 773-296-6901, chilambalamchicago.com

Lit & Lectures

Show: Media and Politics Discussion with Atlantic correspondent James Fallows, author Rick Perlstein (Nixonland: The Rise of a President and the Fracturing of America), and labor attorney and author Thomas Geoghegan.

7pm, University of Chicago, Social Science Research Building, 1126 E. 59th St., free

Dinner: Snail Thai Hyde Park favorite for fresh, consistent Thai standards and more unusual offerings.

1649 E. 55th St., 773-667-5423, snailthai.com

Show: Allison Amend, Gina Frangello Release party for Amend's and Frangello's new novels, Stations West and Slut Lullabies.

7pm, Katerina's, 1920 W. Irving Park Rd., 773-348-7592, katerinas.com

Dinner: Browntrout Evironmentally friendly contemporary American restaurant from Sean Sanders (Bin 36, the Hotel Sax). "Silky sliced Amish chicken thigh with smoked pistachio mousse on polenta was among the most memorable poultry dishes I've tried recently, and grilled lamb sirloin sat atop an unforgettable celery root risotto, a saucy mound of starch also available as a $5 side," writes Mike Sula. One of the best new Chicago restaurants of 2009.

4111 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-472-4111, browntroutchicago.com