Spesh: Nerd Nite 5 will take place tonight, at 7 p.m., at Veritas Wine Bar (217 Alexander St.), featuring presentations on "The Imagined Physiology of Typography" by Derek Crowe and "Scientific Explorations of the Human Specimen in Photography" by Luke Shaw. The cost of admission is $5, which will benefit Generation 2 (g2isgenerationtwo.org.) For more information, call 262-2336 or visit facebook.com/NerdNiteRochester.
Music: Pop-punkers from Buffalo Hal Jordan will be at the Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave., bugjar.com) tonight, music starting at 7:30 p.m., cover running $6-$8. Doses, Scholar, and The Setbacks will be kicking the night off, and the TeenSet 45 Dance Party will go on after the bands at mignight.
Art: Black Radish Studio (274 N. Goodman St.) is hosting a photo show, "Being Close to Far Away," new work by Misha Tulek, through January 31. Check it out today, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 413-1278, or visit blackradishstudio.com.
Music: Halfway through the week, and I’m sure all you need is a little jazz to get you through the back nine. You are in luck as well, my friend, as the Vince Ercolamento & Joe Chiappone Jazz Quartet will be playing tonight at Murph's Irondequoit Pub (705 Titus Ave.), for free at 8 p.m.
Workshop: The Facing Race, Embracing Equality Initiative will host a workshop today, 8:30 a.m.-noon, at Asbury United Methodist Church (1050 East Ave.). The workshop is free, but registration is required. For more information, call 341-4346, email itorres@racf.org, or visit faceraceroc.org.
Comedy: The Rochester Comedy Festival, featuring Sheryl Underwood, Arnez J, Tony Rock, Don D.C. Curry, and Tommy Davidson will take place tonight, 7 p.m., at Blue Cross Arena (One War Memorial Square). Tickets are $55-$70, call 800-745-3000 or visit ticketmaster.com. More info: bluecrossarena.com.
Literature: The Record Archive (33 1/3 Rockwood St.) will host a book signing with John Densmore of The Doors today at 5 p.m. Admission is free. Learn more at recordarchive.com.
Special Event: Solera and Cheshire (647 South Ave., lower and upper levels, respectively focusing on wine and cocktails) will hold a Roaring 20s party on tonight, 5-11 p.m.
Film: New movies opening in wide release today include "After Earth" and "Now You See Me." This week, the Dryden Theatre will screen "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid," "Gregory Crewdson: Brief Encounters," "Magnificent Obsession," "The Rules of the Game," and "The Tree of Life." The Little will present "Kon-Tiki." For more information on film times, head here.
Special Event: Love Hate Tattoo will present the 5th Annual Roc City Tattoo Expo this weekend at Rochester Riverside Radisson Hotel (120 E. Main St.). The event takes place Saturday, 12-11 p.m.; and Sunday, 12-6 p.m. Admission is $10 per day, or $25 for a weekend pass. For more information, call 546-6400 or visitroccitytattooexpo.com.