Are you ready for May flowers? The April showers are on their way out, which means there’s plenty of reasons to leave the house.

FRIDAY, APRIL 27

Really, if you’re a true Chicagoan (which I’m not) you’ve already purchased your tickets to see the Naked Raygun double header at The House of Blues. The 6:45pm early show includes The Bollweevils, The Effigies, and Shot Baker. The late show (11:30pm) will include The Bollweevils, Dillinger Four, and a special guest. $21.50

SATURDAY, APRIL 28

It’s DarkLord Day in Munster, Indiana. Travelers from all over the world commence to speak one language: beer. Here’s an account from two years ago.

Functional Blackouts drummer, author, and once-controversial MRR writer Brian Costello hosts another installment of The Brian Costello Show. Guests include Max Glaesner, Guy Proud To Be, and Chris Deguire, with music by Screaming Yellow Zonkers. It’s at the Empty Bottle. 3pm / FREE

The Chicago Psychotronic Film Society, Tiger Beer, Tartan Asia Extreme, and Sonotheque are hosting a screening of “The Ghost,” a Korean film by newcomer Kim Tae-Kyeong. See it before the Dimension Films remake turns it into the next Pulse. 7:30pm / $3

Like an IROC-Z, Trans Am keep kickin’ it. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen them, but back in the the Dirty South, all sorts of rednecks would come to their shows just by their name–and loved it. Opening are the Pittsburgh prog-rock powerhouse duo, Zombi (pictured), and Psychic Paramount. 10pm / $12

Despite the ridicule third-wave ska gets from those hip kids ashamed of their Suicide Machines CDs, The Slackers were genuine quality, and their survival since the height is a testament to their stakes in the game. The Phenomenauts and The Drastics open at The Note. 9pm

The Mayor (of California Clipper Bingo Night fame) and the Kim Ambriz/Melissa Grubbs duo will be playing records over at Danny’s Tavern.

SUNDAY, APRIL 29

Strip down to your skivvies and sling that boa! Burlesque legend Satan’s Angel gives a workshop that will cover the some basics and intermediate burlesque techniques. $20 at Early to Bed (5232 N. Sheridan Rd.) Call 773-271-1219 to RSVP.

Remember the Best Documentary Short category of the Academy Awards? Of course not. So relive that moment as The Gene Siskel Film Center presents all four nominees: The Blood of Yingzhou District, Recycled Life, Rehearsing a Dream, and Two Hands. 3pm / $9, $7 students, $5 members, $4 SAIC students