EAT
Mixed Roots
Fat Rice 2957 W. Diversey Ave. 773-661-9170
Logan Square, you've got a new neighbor serving up Portuguese-Asian plates such as chili-laced whitefish ($15); linguica sausage ($8); and casseroles such as the signature Arroz Gordo ("fat rice") made with roast pork, cured duck, chicken, Portuguese and Chinese sausages, prawns, clams and tea egg ($45). 6-10 p.m.
Market Day
Daley Plaza 50 W. Washington St. 312-494-2175
Let's not kid ourselves here. Sure, you can shop for holiday gifts at Christkindlmarket, which kicks off Tuesday, but the bigger draw is the promise of German pastries, baked apples, traditional and spicy sausages, potato pancakes and pretzels, plus German beers and hot spiced wine. 2-8 p.m. No cover; prices vary.
DRINK
Whole Latte Stories
Big Chicks 5024 N. Sheridan Road 773-728-5511
Popular LGBT variety series Homolatte-now in its 12th year-hosts writer-performers Deb R. Lewis, Lott Hill, Sara Kerastas and J. Adams Oaks, who read their contributions from local storytelling collective 2nd Story's new anthology, "Briefly Knocked Unconscious by a Low-Flying Duck." Toast the authors with $2.50 Coronas and $4 Absolut raspberry vodka cocktails. 7:30 p.m. No cover.
DO
Fly Away
United Center 1901 W. Madison St. 312-455-4500
You can run away to the circus and still make it home in time for a nightcap with "Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Dragons," in which the greatest show on earth gets the Year of the Dragon treatment with mystical lore, acrobatic feats and performers from around the globe. 7 p.m. $13-$90. Tickets: ticketmaster.com.
Battle of the Essays
The Hideout 1354 W. Wabansia Ave. 773-227-4433
Six local writer-performers put up their dukes for charity-and the chance to win the Loving Cup of Deathless [Bleep]ing Glory-at the Angstgiving edition of Write Club, which features three bouts of seven-minute essays featuring opposing viewpoints-Hateful vs. Grateful, Native vs. Foreign and Hungry vs. Full. The audience picks the victor and partial proceeds benefit the winner's chosen charity. 7 p.m. $10.
REDEYE TIP OF THE DAY
Get $10 advance tickets for the Dec. 24 Matzo Bash at Enclave: matzobash.com.
Julia Borcherts is a RedEye special contributor.