Pitchfork

Hey New Yorkers, we Chicagoans can stay up pretty late, too. From 7:00 pm on Tuesday, December 12 through the same time on Wednesday December 13, the Second City theatre company will host its fifth annual benefit event, "The Second City That Never Sleeps: Letters to Santa", at its e.t.c. Theater.

For 24 hours straight, Second City improvisers (current and alumni) will bring the lols, and Windy City musicians-- like, say, Jeff Tweedy, Shellac, the Blisters (featuring Tweedy's son, Spencer), Sally Timms, Robbie Fulks, Jon Langford, and more-- will bring the rock. There will also be an auction and raffle.

Proceeds will benefit needy Chicagoland children and families during the holiday season. Big-ticket auction items include a private Tweedy concert in the winner's living room, a day of studio time with Steve Albini, Iggy Pop-autographed hand-written lyrics to the upcoming Stooges album, and more. Because nothing says "Christmas cheer" like cranky old punk guys.