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

Thursday Nov 05, 2009.     By Centerstage Chicago Staff

Lifestyle Feed

SOFA Chicago
Through Sunday at Navy Pier; $15-$25
Celebrating its 16th year, the Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair hits Navy Pier's Festival Hall to present work from top international galleries and dealers. Check out the opening night preview gala on Thursday ($50) to get a first glimpse at the show's best work. Hors d'oeurves and wine are included. Tickets for the rest of the show are $15 a day, or $25 for a three-day pass. Get them here or at the door.
More: Check out pics from the Sun-Times.

Umbrella Music Festival
Through Sunday at various locations; $15 each night (free Thursday)
This fourth annual all-star lineup of local and international musicians takes place across the city at some of the main venues for jazz and improvised music, like Elastic (Friday), Hideout (Saturday) and Hungry Brain (Sunday). And don't miss out on Thursday's free show at the Chicago Cultural Center, featuring Dutch group Guus Janssen Trio. Another pick to click: Matthew Shipp's eclectic show is sure to highlight Friday night's set (10 p.m.).

Battle of the Bhut XXX Wing Eating Contest
6 p.m. Thursday at Jake Melnick's Corner Tap; Watch 20 brave contestants eat their way through Jake Melnick's XXX wings in order to become the wing-eating champ (and win four boz seats to a Bulls or Hawks game). Even if you're not there to compete, you can enjoy 50-cent XXX Wings and $2 Miller Lite draft specials all night. Chicago Firefighters will be on hand, and a portion of the proceeds will go to the "Fill the Boot" program.

Eccentric Soul Revue
8 p.m. Saturday at Lincoln Hall; $30
Local independent label Numero Group presents the second installment of its ESR series. This one includes The Notations, Renaldo Domino, Pastor TL Bartlett, Sharon Clark, Linda Balintine and Syl Johnson, all of whom have been featured in prior and forthcoming Numero releases. Get tickets here.

Sheffield's Chili Cook-Off
2-5 p.m. Sunday at Sheffield's; $15
Help decide who has the best pot of chili at this annual Wrigleyville event. Your $15 ticket gets you all the chili you want, plus a food buffet and a pair of drink tickets. All guests are invited to pick their favorites and the winning entry gets a $200 Sheffield's gift card.

Just missed the cut: Gavin Rossdale, Chylde, Reeling: The Chicago Lesbian & Gay International Film Festival, Outer Ear Festival, Chicago Humanities Festival,