EAT
Bright Lights, Big Chicken
Sheffield's 3258 N. Sheffield Ave. 773-281-4989
Grab some smoked fried chicken prepped on the in-house barbecue smoker ($10) and a $4 Lagunitas draft at the Fugly Chandelier Contest, where designs for ugly yet functional lighting fixtures are judged (9 p.m.) and the winning atrocity gets hung in the Lagunitas Chicago Brew-Works tasting room, which opens on the South Side this fall. The runner-up gets installed at Sheffield's. 7 p.m.-midnight. No cover.
DRINK
People's Choice (FREE!)
A. J. Hudson's Public House 3801 N. Ashland Ave. 773-348-2767
Your vote counts at the Draft (Beer) Pick Tasting, where you sample six core beer offerings from Brooklyn-based Sixpoint Brewery-Sweet Action, Righteous Ale, Bengali Tiger, The Crisp, Resin and Brownstone-and select your favorite. The winning brew goes on tap at the bar. 7-9 p.m.
Idol Time
The Plaza at Park Grill 11 N. Michigan Ave. 312-521-7275
"American Idol" Season 10 finalist and Chicagoland native Casey Abrams headlines the final Party in the Park show in support of his new self-titled album. The event also includes raffles, giveaways, Bud Light Lime specials ($6 pints; $11 32-ounce drafts) and an opening set by Canadian country-rock duo He Said, She Said. 4-6:30 p.m. No cover.
DO
PUNK LIT
Beauty Bar 1444 W. Chicago Ave. 312-226-8828
Rock out-but definitely not with your Glock out-at the Punks Promoting Prison Literacy show, which features readings by Criminal Class Review lit journal contributors Dmitry Samarov ("Hack"), Kathryn Morrill and Luke "Diseased" Crumley interspersed with performances by four rock bands. Door proceeds benefit San Quentin Prison's Yard Time Literacy Project, taught to inmates by "Operation Family Secrets" biographers Kent and Keith Zimmerman. 8 p.m. $5.
MIX IT UP
22thirty9 2239 S. Michigan Ave. 312-328-9100
Add some glam to your Thursday at Urban Fetes' #MixandMingle first anniversary bash which features a performance by neo-soul singer Ben Official, complimentary appetizers, live canvas and body painting, music by DJ Ransom and Chris Ill and a cash bar. 7 p.m.-midnight. No cover. RSVP required: events@urbanfetes.com.
REDEYE TIP OF THE DAY
The Chicago Jazz Festival kicks off tonight: explorechicago.org.
Julia Borcherts is a RedEye special contributor.