For an evening of assertive despondency, you need not look further than the Orphan Schlitz Reading Series, which continuously finds new ways to make your life seem great by comparison. (All with good humor, of course.) Tonight features readings of short stories and poetry with appearances by local author Dan Gleason, author Ted McClelland (“Horseplayers: Life at the Track”) and tonight’s host, series founder Marc Arcuri, who I personally know pretty well and of whom I can say is completely authentic in his verbose misery. Self-doubt, misanthropy, addiction, self-deprecation, rage: put it all in the pint, shake it up and take it down. Look for lots of indifference and references to hypothetical dates with Winona Ryder. (Tom Lynch)
Orphan Schlitz III takes place August 22 at Quimby’s, 1854 West North, (773)342-0910, at 8pm. Free
