The Stranger

A famous and useful law of scriptwriting: no animals, no water, and no children. Why? Because all three are notoriously hard and expensive for a director to shoot. The Canadian writer/director Philippe Falardeau either knows nothing about this law or likes a good challenge, because his new film, Monsieur Lazhar, has lots and lots of children. Indeed, much of the film is set in a classroom that’s packed with easily excitable boys and girls. But what at first looks like a recipe for disaster (children everywhere) turns out to be a lovely and skillfully narrated film about an Algerian teacher’s relationship with a bright and sensitive girl. (See Movie Times) by Charles Mudede

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Admit it: More than anything, Mondays make you crave a drink. You can embrace this cliché by chugging a $7 bottle of wine while crying in tune to a Fiona Apple mixtape, or head to Sound Spirits and sample free, locally produced booze with friends. Tours and tastings start at 4 p.m. on Mondays. Call ahead or just drop by—owner Steven Stone is a knowledgeable guy who loves showing off his products, especially his Ebb + Flow Gin. One sip and you’ll understand why gin is my new toothbrush. (Sound Spirits, 1630 15th Ave W, www.drinksoundspirits.com, 4–8 pm, free, 21+) by Cienna Madrid

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Like the Doctor, the folks at GeekGirlCon know that traveling the wibbly-wobbly expanse of time and space is more fun with like-minded companions, which is why they’re hosting a night celebrating the Gallifreyan himself. Grab your scarf, your sonic screwdriver, and a few friends, and join your fellow geeks at Central Cinema for two episodes of the Doctor Who TV show on the big screen--specifically, "Blink" (starring the tenth Doctor) and "The Doctor's Wife" (starring the eleventh). Bonus: Intermission brings Doctor Who-inspired burlesque. (Central Cinema, 1411 21st Ave, www.central-cinema.com, 7 pm, $5 food voucher reserves a seat, all ages) by Mary Traverse

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In an earlier era, Kristin Chenoweth would’ve been a pan-genre superstar. She’s a powerhouse singer, an expert comedian and actor, and, seemingly, a totally delightful person in real life. (Have you ever seen her on a talk show?) In the middle of the last century, such a concentration of talents in a beautiful woman would’ve drawn the worship of the world. In the reality-TV era, it’s made her a small-screen star best known for work that uses but a fraction of her Tony-winning talents. Watch her bloom in full at the Paramount. (Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, www.stgpresents.org, 7:30 pm, $31.25–$121.25, all ages) by David Schmader

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For its first outside-curated show, the new artist-run gallery devoted to identity selected as its organizer sharp-minded artist/performer/writer C. Davida Ingram. She chose works by 11 artists, creating a photo-heavy show that also includes video, painting, and collage, mostly by local—and entirely by emerging—artists. Kat Larson, covered in mud, performs for the camera; Frederic Moffett’s staged slide show revisits the oldest gay club in Chicago; Mihai Coman portrays Sovietized architectures; the team of Adrain Chesser and Timothy White Eagle capture what Ingram calls “cultural outlaws.” (Idea Odyssey, 666 S Jackson St, www.ideaodysseygallery.com, 2–8 pm, free) by Jen Graves

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