Friday, January 14

Designer toy store Rotofugi is hosting a traveling art exhibition of customized skateboard decks made by nationally—and internationally—acclaimed artists. Three Inches From the Street continues until February 19, but tonight DJ Clayton Counts will spin at an open reception, where you can drink for free and meet skateboard artist and exhibition curator Joshua Brown. (7- to 11 p.m., free, 1953 West Chicago)

As part of MLK Week, Roots and Rhymes: Spoken Word/Open Mic Evening invites students for coffee, dessert, and an evening of cross-cultural artistry. To sign up, e-mail tamdenre@uchicago.edu. (7 to 9:30 p.m., Uncle Joe’s Coffee Shop)

Knock ‘Em Dead Theater Productions presents The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). (8 p.m., $5, The Blue Gargoyle Theater)

If the sight of the Valentine’s Day candy displays at Walgreens is agitating your recently broken heart, go check out Neko Case. She’ll be singing about heartbreak—and so much more!—at the Metro. (9 p.m., $18.50, 18+, 3730 North Clark)

The Hive presents Hyde Park hip-hop with Ghetto Blastaz. Antimatter Bonecrusher, DJ Shaky Hands, Storm Before the Calm, DJ Aquil of Play Cousins, and Holga perform for Ghetto Blastaz’s CD release. (9:30 p.m., free, Ida Noyes Third Floor Theater)

Saturday, January 15

Celebrate the Chinese New Year with Big Swords, Big Guns. The food will no doubt be plentiful and tasty. The show will no doubt be elaborate and eye-catching. CUSA knows its New Years’ celebrations. (Dinner: 5 to 7 p.m., Ida Noyes, show: 8 to 10 p.m., Mandel Hall, $10 in advance, $12 at the door)

That little hole in the wall that we call—well, that everyone calls—the Hideout will be showing the documentary The Last Slide Projector. This unfinished film tracks the journey of the last discontinued Kodak Carousel slide projector and explores the ramifications of the turn towards digitizing film and video. The Fancy Lads, P1xel and the Chronic Network, and DJ Major Taylor will be playing as part of this benefit to raise the money needed to complete the film. (9 p.m., donations accepted, 21+, 1354 West Wabansia)

The Constantines play the Empty Bottle. (10 p.m., $10, 21+, 1035 North Western)

Sunday, January 16

It may have brought a tear to your eye to hear that Jen and Brad are separating, but seriously, it’s time to cheer on a new Hollywood couple. What better way to find one than to watch the 62nd Annual Golden Globe Awards? Robin Williams is hosting television and film’s never-ending awards show. This year will be a change of pace now that LOTR is out of the running. We’re cheering for Sideways. (7 p.m., NBC)

Gospel choirs from the University and the surrounding community come together for Gospel Fest as part of MLK Week. (3:30 to 5 p.m., Rockefeller Chapel)

Support Off-Off Campus in the Chicago Sketchfest. (4:30 p.m., $12 for 90 minutes of comedy, $75 for the whole festival, 1225 West Belmont)

Monday, January 17

Take a deep, cold, early-morning breath. Kuviasugnerk/Kangeiko starts today with traditional karate and ultimate Frisbee. We’ll see you nancies there. (6 a.m., Henry Crown Field House)

You’ve already gotten a million e-mails, but Kweisi Mfume will give the keynote address of MLK Week. A reception will follow. (Noon, Rockefeller Chapel)

Nebraskan cutie Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes returns to Chicago, this time playing an even larger venue—the Riviera—and bringing along friends Tilly and the Wall and Cocorosie. Bright Eyes is touring in support of the January 25th release of not one, but two CDs: Digital Ash in a Digital Urn and I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning. (6:30 p.m., $22, 4746 North Racine)

Hey, seniors! Come see Old School on the University’s tab, which will soon become your tab, as this event is meant to get you to donate to the Senior Class Gift. (9:30 p.m., free, Max Palevsky Cinema)

Tuesday, January 18

COUP, the ever-relevant Hot Chocolate Club, and the Alumni Association team up to give you free hot chocolate and cookies, with free class mugs for the Class of 2005. (5 p.m., Alumni House)

Tune in to the two-night premiere of American Idol on FOX. Last season’s AI blessed us with Fantasia, as well as Jenn’s very own neighbor and childhood friend, contestant Elizabeth Letendre. (7 p.m.)

Wednesday, January 19

Celebs David Hyde Pierce, Hank Azaria, and Tim Curry star in Monty Python’s Spamalot, directed by U of C alum Mike Nichols. It’s playing at the Shubert Theatre through the end of January. (2 p.m., 7 p.m., $25-87, 22 West Monroe)

Occam’s Razor brings you some improv. We’re excited, but we can’t really describe it because they apparently make it up on the spot. (10 p.m., free, Bartlett Arts Rehearsal Space)

Thursday, January 20

Second-generation Iranian director Samira Makhmalbaf’s At Five in the Afternoon, one of the first films produced in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s fall, won the Grand Jury Prize at Cannes in 2003. ‘Nuff said. (7 p.m., Max Palevsky Cinema)

Christopher O’Riley plays Radiohead on the piano, and critics love him for it. (7:30 p.m., Mandell Hall)

Heavenly bodies await at Ryerson Thursdays. Meet on the roof of Ryerson for a little stargazing. (7:30 – 9:30 p.m., Ryerson)