AROUND TOWN /BOOKS - Chicago Moth StorySLAM
Notes, scripts and cheat sheets aren’t allowed at this yarn-spinning open mike. Sponsored by WBEZ and the Moth nonprofit literary agency, StorySLAM features ten authors each telling true stories all surrounding this month’s “Blunders” theme. Winners are chosen by a panel of audience members and win the chance to go on to the Chicago GrandSLAM tournament later in the year. Doors open at 7:30pm. Martyrs’, 3855 N Lincoln Ave (themoth.org). 8pm, $7.

THEATER - Mise en Place: Snap Shots
Get yer fancy Whistler cocktails with a side of drama: Pavement Group makes an evening of four short plays by the company’s former and future collaborators Mallery Avidon, Joshua Conkel, Gregory S. Moss and David Perez. The Whistler, 8pm, FREE!

FILM - Stop Making Sense
As concert films go, with all due respect to The Last Waltz and Woodstock, we freakin’ love Stop Making Sense, which captures the feel of a Talking Heads concert from their eponymous tour, complete with big suit. Doc Films, University of Chicago, 1212 E 59th St between Kimbark and Woodlawn Aves (773-702-8574). Metra: Elec Main to 59th St. Bus: 4 (24hrs), X4, 14, 28, 59, 171. Tue 24 at 7pm. $5.

ART & DESIGN - Taryn Mead
Mead cites examples such as the Singapore Art Center’s polar bear fur–inspired ventilation system in discussing “The Role of Biomimicry in Design.” Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S Michigan Ave. 6pm. FREE.

MUSIC - Cage
Depart from Me, the third disc from Chris Palko, a.k.a. sci-fi MC Cage, is rife with synths and guitars, creating a neo-industrial foundation for Palko’s twisty rhymes. Catch him now, before Transformers star Shia LaBeouf gives the New York rapper the 8 Mile treatment, as he’s been threatening for some time. Reggie’s Rock Club, 8pm, $15, 17 and older.