24-Hour Party People
What’s harder than crafting a scene out of nothing in front of a crowd of rowdy strangers? Doing it for 24 hours straight. The Second City (1608 N. Wells St.; 312-337-3992) presents its seventh annual 24-hour improv benefit The Second City That Never Sleeps: Letters to Santa, stocked with enough ensemble members, alumni, and guest artists to guarantee the hilarity will increase as sleep deprivation sets in. The show kicks off 9 p.m. Tuesday the 9th and finishes up 9 p.m. Wednesday the 10th with the added bonus of live-music sets from the local alt-country hero Robbie Fulks (noon Wednesday) and pop icons The Breeders…

Black Wednesday brought more parties than we could shake a turkey leg at, but smart barflies started off the long weekend at Sheffield’s, where Thanksgiving Eve festivities included a raffle (Opening day Cubs tickets! Fancy beer!) and enough shots to steel patrons for four days of family togetherness.