1. May the Fourth be with you—to many space-opera fans, today is Star Wars Day, and several local businesses are celebrating with Mos Eisley–style pop-ups, themed eats and drinks, film screenings and Star Wars dance parties. Check our online guide for where to find like-minded Jedi near you.
2. The Chicago Critics Film Festival kicks off today at the Music Box Theatre, for a full week of screenings of mostly yet-to-be-released movies chosen by members of the Chicago Film Critics Association. The fest opens tonight with the supernatural drama Fast Color, with star Gugu Mbatha-Raw in attendance for a post-show discussion. Tickets for that 7pm show are $18, but most screenings during the festival are cheaper; check the full schedule at the festival’s website.
3. Cinco de Mayo is Saturday, but the Laugh Factory celebrates early tonight with Chistosos en Chicago, a Spanish-language stand-up show with a lineup including Jaime de Leon, Sonal Aggarwal and others. The show starts at 10pm, and tickets are $17–$27 online or $20–$30 at the door plus a two-drink minimum.
For more events, check in with Time Out throughout the day.