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Five things to do in Chicago, from the obvious to the absurd.

Thursday May 28, 2009.     By Centerstage Chicago Staff

Lifestyle Feed

"Hottest Pepper in the World" eating contest
9 p.m. Thursday at Lion Head Pub and Finn McCool's
Got a friend who's always boasting about his tolerance for spicy food? Now's your chance to put him to the test (and maybe watch him cry). At two locations tonight, brave contestants will make their way through a variety of peppers, from the mild bell variety up to ancho, cayenne and habanero peppers. At the end comes the big boy, the Naga Jolokia (aka "Ghost Pepper"), which has a heat index close to 1,000,000 (a bell pepper is 100-500, for comparison). The whole thing keeps going 'til there's one person left, and that person wins a 32-inch plasma TV. Contestants must be 21 or older. No word on whether they will play Mims in the background.

Broadzilla!
10 p.m. & 1 a.m. Friday at Exit; free
Local production company Vaudezilla hosts this night of free burlesque, with two different shows featuring the likes of Red Hot Annie, Donna Touch, Wham Bam Pam, Coo D'Twat, The Flaming Dames and more. Guests will get tons of complimentary gifts (pens, candy, t-shirts) plus cheap beer ($2 PBR tallboys). If that's not enough to get you out on a Friday night, we don't know what is.

Mayfest Chicago
Thursday-Sunday; free
Gemutlichkeit ("quality time spent in a cozy place") is the watchword at this German event, which features a traditional keg tapping (8 p.m. Friday) and tons of party music. 2009 marks the fest's 10th year, which should make things all the more celebratory.

The Kates
7 p.m. Saturday at Book Cellar; $10
If someone tells you that women aren't funny, march that person right over to the Book Cellar for an evening of cupcakes and comedy. On second thought, don't. More cupcakes for the rest of us. This informal evening of sharp stand-up features a rotating cast of Chicago's best female jokers. Critics praise the cozy, sugar-fueled feel and the hosting skills of ringleader Kelsie Huff.

Do Division Street Fest
Saturday-Sunday; $5
This Wicker Park fest's got a built-in advantage: It takes place on a street chock-full of hip boutiques and restaurants, so you know the vendors will be good. The Empty Bottle-booked music's a draw, too; make sure to catch Centerstage fave J.C. Brooks and the Uptown Sound on Saturday (headliners include Flosstradamus and Menomena). While you're there, also check out the Around the Coyote Spring Arts Festival.