Palookafest 2012

Filmmaker, chili-palace owner, and official “Mayor of Palookaville,” Ian P.E. is celebrating the one-year anniversary of his Lorain Avenue eatery tonight, and we’re all invited. “I thought it would be fun to have a chili cook-off. Plus, I always like to get music and art involved in whatever I do.” That explains the setting (the newly opened BuckBuck Gallery) and the lineup of bands (the New Lou Reeds, Batt Lion, and Filmstrip). As for the food part, you can dig into samples of chili from 15-or-so of Palookaville’s customers competing for what P.E. calls “weird” prizes. The evening is aimed at raising funds for the Oho City Writers, a nonprofit creative writing center that helps youth hone their writing chops. Your $5 donation gets you chili, the music, and a chance to view works from artists like Jim Karpinski, Scott Pickering, and Bob Peck. It all happens from 7 p.m. to midnight at the gallery, 3910 Lorain Ave.