The Chicago Reader's at it again with it's strangely placed but well intentioned Book Swap. The swqap will be held tomorrow at Cobra Lounge, you can bring all your winter books to trade in for some summer reads. The Janes, who tout themselves as "Chicago's Premiere 60's Go Go Troupe," will perform. The first 300 participants get free tote bags. While Cobra isn't exactly our ideal location for a book swap, we can't argue with......

The listed events were chosen by the editors of Chicagoist and brought to you by the 2009 Toyota Corolla. Free Rock Evil Beaver's still around, you ask? Shocked us, as well when we saw that they were playing a free show at Cobra Lounge tonight. Evie Evil is still on bass with what appears to be a rotating succession of drummers every 9-12 months (all except for original drummer Laura Ann Beaver have bios......

This week we look east to Burlington, Vermont. Vermont is home to Ben & Jerry's (yeah!), Phish (ugh!) and the Magic Hat Brewing Company. We've been fans of Magic Hat for quite a while, owing to their inventive brews and off-beat sense of humor, both reminiscent of Three Floyds. A few weeks back we received an e-mail from Magic Hat's Dave Obenour, who pointed us in the right direction (to Morgan's on Maxwell, specifically) to......

The listed events were chosen by the editors of Chicagoist and brought to you by the 2009 Toyota Corolla. Music The Riverboat Gamblers fucking slay, there's no debate there. Lead singer Mike Wiebe channels Iggy Pop's figuratively red-headed step-child as he thrashes and throws himself across the stage belting out hook-filled punk rawk anthems. No song breaks the 3-minute mark because there's no point in pushing the riffs any further than they need to......

Chicagoist admits to being intrigued by the All Women's Roller Derby Leagues here in Chicago. We have written about both the Windy City Rollers and the Chi*Town Sirens. What Chicagoist really likes is when you pair the action of Roller Derby with a visit to your local pub. That is what the Chi*Town Sirens are doing this season. On Thursday night from 6:30 to 9:30 roller-derby fans can meet the women of the Killopatras and......

Well, we’re halfway through Rocktober, and things show no sign of slowing down. Tonight’s much-hyped appearance by Lily Allen at Double Door is sold out, so if you don’t have tickets there’s no way you’re going to be able to weigh in with all the other bloggers tomorrow morning. Don’t worry, we’ll be there, and we’ll let you know how it went. If you didn’t get tickets for that, though, stop by Liar’s Club for......

The outdoor music space formerly known as the Tweeter Center (giggle) has changed its name to something even more ridiculous. The Tinley Park “shed” is now known as the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre. You might also think the space has changed ownership, too. What was once clearly marketed as a Clear Channel property is now billed as a Live Nation venue. But a few clickthroughs at the Live Nation website will soon lead you to......