By Gregg Shapiro

Contributing writer

Nov. 5, Thurs.

Center on Halsted/Hoover-Leppen Theater, 3656 N. Halsted, presents a night of comedy with Jessica Halem, Cameron Esposito and Bill Cruz, at 8 p.m. Call (773) 472-6469.

At 7 p.m., Maureen Seaton, author of “Cave of the Yellow Volkswagen” and “Sex Talks to Girls” Terese Svoboda, author of “Weapons Grade” and “Trailer Girl and Other Stories” and Gina Frangello, author of “My Sister’s Continent” read from their work at Women & Children First, 5233 N. Clark. Call (773) 769-9299.

Final Fantasy and The Mountain Goats share the bill at 9 p.m. at Metro, 3730 N. Clark. Call (773) 549-4140.

In celebration of the Mercer centennial, Lee Lessack performs tonight through Sunday at Davenport’s, 1383 N. Milwaukee. Call (773) 278-1830.

Svedka Vodka, Paper Magazine and Outdanced’s Stardust @ Berlin, 954 W. Belmont, present Mr. Black 2033 with DJs Sammy Jo (Scissor Sisters) and Nita, hosted by Ladyfag, One-Half Nelson, Drew, Macky, and Nicky B, at 10 p.m. Call (773) 525-2460.

“The House on Mango Street” by Tanya Saracho, based on the novel by Sandra Cisneros, runs through Nov. 8 at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted. Call (312) 335-1650.

The Mel Brooks musical “Young Frankenstein” runs through Dec. 13 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph, Call (312) 902-1400.

Nov. 6, Fri.

Check out “1, 2, 3, Fag!” featuring out comedians Seth Dodson, John Hartman and Kellen Alexander, 8 p.m. at iO (upstairs in the Del Close Theatre), 3541 N. Clark. Call (773) 880-0199.

The Wanton Looks, The Van Buren Boys and Modern Day Rippers play The Flesh Hungry Dog Show at 9 p.m. at Jackhammer, 6406 N. Clark. Call (773) 743-5772.

Uncommon Ground Devon, 1401 W. Devon, welcomes Ingrid Graudins & Korby Lenker at 10 p.m. Call (773) 465-9801.

Basement Jaxx headline the Congress Theater, 2135 N. Milwaukee, at 7 p.m. Call (312) 458-9668.

Comedy Central veteran Dave Attell performs four shows, tonight and tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., at the Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N. Broadway. Call (773) 472-3492.

Check your makeup—Kiss invades the United Center, 1901 W. Madison, with Buckcherry at 7:30 p.m. Call (312) 455-4500.

“Fake,” a new play written and directed by ensemble member Eric Simonson, featuring ensemble members Kate Arrington, Francis Guinan and Alan Wilder, runs through Nov. 8 at Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted. Call (312) 335-1650.

Nov. 7, Sat.

The Sounds, Semi Precious Weapons and Foxy Shazam are at The Vic, 3145 N. Sheffield, at 7:30 p.m. Call (773) 472-0449.

Schuba’s, 3159 N. Southport, has OFFICE and Zoos Of Berlin at 10 p.m. Call (773) 525-2508.

Charlene Brooks sings Barbra Streisand at 8 p.m. at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln in Skokie. Call (847) 677-7761.

Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln, presents Tim Hort with Jordan Macarus and Nathan Britsch, and others at 9 p.m. Call (773) 549-5549.

River North Chicago Dance Company performs 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.

Featured performers at Ska Is Dead IV include Mustard Plug, The Toasters, Deals Gone Bad, Voodoo Glow Skulls and others at 5:30 p.m. at Metro, 3730 N. Clark. Call (773) 549-4140.

Steven Robman directs the world premiere of Alan Gross’ comedic drama “High Holidays,” opening tonight and running through Nov. 29 at Goodman Theatre, 170 N Dearborn. Call (312) 443-3800.

The Grammy Award-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet appears at 7:30 p.m. in Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Circle Dr. on Northwestern University’s Evanston campus. Call (847) 491-5441.

The Old Town School of Folk Music - Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall, 4544 N. Lincoln, presents Earl Scruggs Band with special guests Henhouse Prowlers at 7 & 10 p.m. Call (773) 728-6000.

Acorn Theater, 107 Generations Dr. in nearby Three Oaks, Mich., welcomes Jenna Mammina, at 8 p.m. (ET). Call (269) 756-3879.

Robin Lore and Doc’s Kids perform at 10 p.m. at Uncommon Ground Clark, 3800 N. Clark. Call (773) 929-3680.

African-American improv troupe, BLACKOUT presents “White People,” Saturdays through Dec. 12 at midnight at iO Cabaret, 3541 N. Clark. Call (773) 880-0199.

Artistic Director Barbara Gaines’ staging of “Richard III,” one of Shakespeare’s most enduring successes, runs through Nov. 22 at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, 800 E. Grand. Call (312) 595-5600.

Nov. 8, Sun.

Jill Sobule and Erin McKeown perform at 7 p.m. at The Old Town School of Folk Music - Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall, 4544 N. Lincoln. Call (773) 728-6000.

GayCo’s subversive sketch comedy revue “The Audacity of Nope or How I Fell for a Pansy Scheme” opens tonight and runs through Dec. 5 at Strawdog Theatre’s Hugen Hall, 3829 N Broadway. Visit gayco.com for tickets and information.

Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N Broadway, presents out singer/songwriter Tara Jane O’Neil, with Mt. Eerie and No Kids at TIME? Call (773) 472-3492.

Center on Halsted’s LGBT literary program OUTwrite, in partnership with B.BLYSS! Productions present a reading and book-signing with “You Make Me Wanna” author Nikki Rashan at 5 p.m. in the Hoover-Leppen Theater, 3656 N. Halsted. Call (773) 472-6469.

Clock Hands Strangle’s frontman Todd Portnowitz plays his first Chicago solo show at 9 p.m., followed by Sons of Susan, at Quenchers, 2401 N. Western. Call (773) 276-9730.

At 9 p.m., Short Punks in Love, Robin Lore and Kelly Capri are at The Red Line Tap, 7006 N. Glenwood. Call (773) 274-5463.

Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, has Jeremy Jay, Heaven and Black Umbrella at 9 p.m. Call (773) 227-4433.

Baroque Band performs a program of early music from Latin America at 3 p.m. in Preston Bradley Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Call (312) 744-6630.

Stacy Clark plays Uncommon Ground Devon, 1401 W. Devon, at 10 p.m. Call (773) 465-9801.

Canadian Folk Music Award winner Enoch Kent performs at 8 p.m. at Heartland Café, 7000 N. Glenwood. Call (773) 465-8005.

Nov. 9, Mon.

People*s Theater of Chicago presents a staged reading of “Tea and Sympathy” by William Anderson, directed by Chelsea Mercantel, as part of the Legacy Project, followed by a Q&A session with the director and cast, at 7 p.m. in the Center on Halsted/Hoover-Leppen Theater, 3656 N. Halsted. Call (773) 472-6469.

Petterino’s Monday Night Live, an open mic cabaret showcase hosted by Denise McGowan and Beckie Menzie, welcomes cast members from “Young Frankenstein” at 7:30 p.m. at Petterino’s, 151 N. Dearborn. Call (312) 422-0150.

The boy of summer himself, Don Henley of The Eagles, performs at 8 p.m. at the Rosemont Theater, 5400 N. River in Rosemont. Call (847) 671-5100.

Nov. 10, Tues.

Beloved Mvskoke/Creek poet, writer, and musician Joy Harjo is at Women & Children First, 5233 N. Clark, at 7 p.m. Call (773) 769-9299.

If you missed them last night at Hideout, catch Jeremy Jay, Heaven and Black Umbrella at 9:30 p.m. at the Empty Bottle, 1045 N. Western. Call (773) 276-3600.

The Band of Heathens performs at 8:30 p.m. at Joe’s Bar, 940 W. Weed. Call (312) 337-8588.

Quickies, a monthly reading series of very short prose in which each reader has five minutes to read a complete work of prose, presents Rory Jobst, Simon A. Smith, Tim Racine, Tim Hall and Kathryn Regina at 7:30 p.m. sharp at The Inner Town Pub, 1935 W. Thomas. Call (773) 235-9795.

Nov. 11, Wed.

Women & Children First, 5233 N. Clark, presents Terry Galloway, author of “Mean Little deaf Queer,” at 7:30 p.m. Call (773) 769-9299.

Amy & Freddy play Pops For Champagne, 601 N. State, at 9 p.m. Call (312) 266-7677.

Vice Magazine, Colt45 and Outdanced’s Stardust @ Berlin, 954 W. Belmont, Presents Juiceboxxx and Pooper & Pizza Dog, at 10 p.m.