FILM - Afghan Star
It’s one thing to know that reality television is a worldwide phenomenon, and that competition shows are hot everywhere. It’s quite another to see a doc like Afghan Star, which follows contestants in Afghanistan’s version of American Idol. It’s an eye-opener. Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N State St at Randolph St (312-846-2600). El: Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple (rush hrs) to State/Lake; Red to Lake; Blue to Clark/Lake. Fri 6 at 8pm; Sat 7 at 5:15pm; Sun 8 at 2pm. $9, students $7, members $5

DANCE - Dance Chicago: Dance Romance
Tonight’s lineup of lovely lovey-dovey dances is brought to you by artists and ensembles Glenn Leslie, NoMi LaMad, Paul Christiano, Visceral Dance Center, Inaside Chicago Dance, Amanda Farrar, Corpo Dance Company, Elements Contemporary Ballet and Omaha Theater Ballet. A Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W Belmont Ave (773-327-5252). El: Red, Brown, Purple (rush hrs) to Belmont. Bus: 9, 77. 1pm, $25.

ART & DESIGN - “Artists Run Chicago” Digest release party
ThreeWalls and Green Lantern Press publish a compendium of local artist-run spaces that features several juicy essays. Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S Cornell Ave. 2–5pm. FREE!

Ken Vandermark plays the Umbrella Music Festival at Hungry Brain.

MUSIC - Umbrella Music Festival
The most ambitious and anticipated lineup of the four-day Umbrella Fest appears tonight, beginning with Chikamorachi, the mind-bending trio of Sakata, former Dazzling Killmen bassist Darin Gray and drummer Chris Corsano, who’s lent his considerable skills to Björk and members of Sonic Youth. The improv proceedings peak with Topology, a nine-piece big band playing tunes by Joe McPhee arranged by Ken Vandermark, both of whom blow hard in this fierce face-off. Hungry Brain, 9pm, donation $15.

GAY & LESBIAN - True Faith
Groove like a Reagan-era yuppies in this night of 80s tunes. Berlin, 954 W Belmont Ave (773-348-4975). El: Red, Brown, Purple (rush hrs) to Belmont. Bus: 22, 77. 10pm. FREE!