The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

FILM
Star Wars Holiday Special

Happy Life Day! Don't know what we're talkin' about? Just ask Chewbacca. Tonight's special screening will feature the notorious Star Wars Holiday Special, a two hour made-for-TV movie aired only once, in 1978. The extreme cheesiness of this show has long been heralded as one of the worst things to happen to the Star Wars brand. Chewbacca and Hans Solo visit Chewy's home world, just in time for "Life Day," the Wookiee version of Christmas. You'll be introduced to his furry family and enjoy cameos by just about every Star Wars character you hold dear. Ironically hilarious in its terribleness, this is simply one holiday special you won't want to miss. The screening is free, but IFP requests you to bring an unwrapped gift to donate to Toys For Tots.

9 p.m., Bryant Lake Bowl, 810 West Lake Street, Uptown Minneapolis, Free (bring an unwrapped children's gift for Toys for Tots)

Extra: Show up at 7 p.m. and be treated to the 2nd edition of Cinema Lounge Sells Out, a collection of locally-made commercial spots, spoofs, and PSAs.

MUSIC
James Buckley Trio

By now, we hope you've figured out that The Red Stag Supper Club is not only an amazing place to eat, but it's also a great little place to take in live music on a chilly autumn eve. With the semi-recent addition of their late night happy hour series, the Stag has become one of the hottest spots in Northeast to kick it, late-night style. It might be the cozy, Minnesota-esque design of the place, or perhaps the organic Midwestern comfort food (meatloaf sandwiches, Wisconsin cheese curds, and Smelt fries, just to name a few), or maybe it's the fantastic drinks (on special of course) poured by uber-cute and friendly bartenders; all we know is that we dig it. So much so, we are giving away a few $25 bar tabs each week on our Deals page and emails! Tonight's musical entertainment comes to you from the talented James Buckley Trio, whose rich and sexy brand of jazz seems perfectly at home in the intimate environment of The Red Stag.

10 p.m., Red Stag Supper Club, 509 1st Avenue NE, Northeast Minneapolis, Free

Extra: Can't make it tonight? Thursday evening at The Stag features the soulful sounds of Black Audience at 10 p.m.

FILM
Women's Human Rights Film Series: Iron Ladies of Liberia

Tonight's free screening comes to you from The Advocates for Human Rights and The Friends of the St. Paul Public Library as part of the Women's Human Rights Film Series. Head to the St. Anthony Park Branch Library to see Iron Ladies of Liberia, a documentary that follows the inspiring story of Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, aka The Iron Lady, the first freely elected female head of state in Africa. As Sirleaf faces the difficult task of liberating war-ravaged Liberia from years of debt and devastation, you'll learn about how she came to power, her dedication to her country, and the amazing team of women she appointed to positions such as police chief, finance minister, minister of justice, commerce minister and minister of gender. A spirited story about women's leadership and diplomacy in an unlikely pocket of the world. Stick around after the screening for a discussion with Laura Young, Staff Attorney with Special Projects at The Advocates and Harriette Badio, attorney and leader in the Liberian Diaspora community.

7 p.m., St. Anthony Branch Library, 2245 Como Avenue, St. Paul, Free