Friday, April 14

There’s no reason to trek out to the overpriced thrift stores on the North Side when you’ve got the chance to buy other U of C students’ unwanted crap right here, at the second quarterly Cobb Coffee Shop Flea Market. (2–4:30 p.m., free plus price of junk, Cobb basement)

Go see lots of talented dancers at UC Dancers’ “Leaps and Boundless” performance. (4 p.m. and 8 p.m., $5, $3 with student ID, Ida Noyes Third Floor Theater)

Saturday, April 15

Listen up, U of C students—here’s your chance at 15 minutes of fame. The fleeting reality-TV-show kind, I mean, not the Nobel-Laureate sort: Beauty and the Geek is casting at the Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery this afternoon. Although we seem to have luck contributing geeks (two Chicago grads have been on the show already), they’re looking for beauties, too. (12–5 p.m., 1 West Grand)

SAMSU (the Singaporean and Malaysian Students’ Union) and Singapore Technologies Telemedia presents Citylights Chicago 2006: Return to Beauty World tonight. Beauty World, a landmark Singaporean musical set in the ’60s, tells the story of an orphaned Malaysian girl who travels to Singapore to find her parents. This marks the first time the play will be staged outside Asia. A ton of work and funding has gone into this show, and it’s going to be quite an extravaganza. (8 p.m., $15, $10 with UCID, Mandel Hall. For tickets, visit www.citylightschicago.com/tickets.html)

Sunday, April 16

In connection with Beauty World, award-winning Singaporean composer Dick Lee gives a short recital and a lecture entitled “The Adventures of the Mad Chinaman: In Search of a New Asian Identity through Pop Culture.” (12:30–2 p.m., free, Fulton Recital Hall)

Monday, April 17

With the discovery of one of Leonardo Da Vinci’s lost journals in 1967, the world learned the amazing scope of his mechanical inventions—paddleboats, movable bridges, tanks, even robots. The Museum of Science and Industry pored through Da Vinci’s notes and built models of over 60 machines from his designs, which are now on display in “Leonardo da Vinci: Man, Inventor, Genius.” (9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., $10 plus $11 museum admission, 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive)

Tuesday, April 18

While some of us appreciate the kind of social awkwardness students at this University take strange pride in, there are others who secretly long to break out of their geeky personas and get it on. Rebecca Steinmentz from Early to Bed will be leading a “Flirting for Nerds” workshop this evening. She’ll cover everything from reading body language to non-sleazy pick-up lines. (7–8:30 p.m., free, Stuart Hall Cox Lounge)

If midterms haven’t struck just yet, and if you don’t have classes too early tomorrow, Filter Magazine’s Music Appreciation Night might be just what you need to try out your newfound flirting skills. Featuring live performances by the Redwalls and Assassins as well as live DJs, and set in the Landmark Art Gallery Loft, it should be both classy and fun. And the best part is, it’s free! You do need to RSVP, though; just send an e-mail to rsvpchicago@filtermmm.com (8 p.m.–1 a.m., free, 21+, 841 Randolph Street)

Local favorites Kill Hannah make an appearance at the House of Blues tonight with Shiny Toy Guns, Clear Static, and 8mm. (6:30 p.m., $17, 329 North Dearborn)

Wednesday, April 19

She Wants Revenge play at the Metro tonight with Nightmare of You and Astra Heights. My friend Jules has been telling me about this band for weeks, so you know they must be amazing. (6 p.m., $14 in advance, $16 at the door, 3730 North Clark)

Thursday, April 20

As someone who’s been known to say that “I like beer that I can put fruit into” (sadly enough, an actual quote), this columnist is especially excited about Culinary Club’s “Belgian Beverage Tasting” tonight. (8–9:30 p.m., free, 21+, Bartlett Lounge)

If you’ve ever visited the trendy shops and restaurants along North Avenue, you might or might not have noticed the remnants of Cabrini Green—at one point one of America’s most notorious housing projects—looming in the background. The neighborhood has undergone vast changes in the past few years, but few realize the effects this has had on Cabrini Green’s displaced residents. The documentary Voices of Cabrini seeks to raise awareness about issues of urban redevelopment. It’s being screened tonight, followed by a discussion with Beauty Turner of Residents’ Journal and Willie “J.R.” Fleming of the Coalition to Protect Public Housing. (7–9 p.m., free, Stuart 102)

Have an event you’d like to see in STD? Send an e-mail to steffers@uchicago.edu.