HEART ON: Believe it or not, Monday nights is starting to make a play as one of the best party nights of the week. The Boom Boom Room has been doing its thing for ages, the Porn and Chicken dance party has become legendary in a short amount of time, and tonight, a new player, Hearts, enters the nightlife fray with the I Heart Mondays party. Tonight's launch party includes music from resident DJ Skyler Mendoza and popular house music DJ Swank, plus a hosted bar from 11 p.m. till midnight. We trust you'll be taking Tuesday off. 11 p.m.-4 a.m., 1115 N. North Branch St., RSVP here
HOLIDAY CHUCKLES: Gorilla Tango Theatre takes on the holidays tonight with it's annual show for charity, "Hanuchristmakwanzika." The performers in this sketch show -- with dashes of standup and magic -- take on the time-honored traditions of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa with hilarious results. 8 p.m., 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., Tickets $20
ENTER STAGE LEFT: The Black Ensemble Theater kicks off it's 6th annual Black Playwrights Festival tonight, which runs through Dec. 13. The week-long event features readings of five new plays and a number of special events. Tonight's opening ceremonies include a wine and cheese reception, excerpts from the works of three playwrights, and a tribute to Chicago Eric Monte who created the legacy for black TV shows that premiered in the '70s. Good times. 7:30 p.m., 4520 North Beacon, $15
