Gapers Block published from April 22, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2016. The site will remain up in archive form. Please visit Third Coast Review, a new site by several GB alumni.
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Thursday, March 28
After a month-long tour across the country, Chicago's Manishevitz and Edith Frost play a show tonight at the Empty Bottle. A good time will be had by all. Showtime is 10:00 PM. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Empty Bottle: 1035 N. Western. (773) 276-3600.
In the 1930s, so many gathering spots for gays and lesbians
flourished on Chicago’s Near North side that some dubbed the area
“Fairytown.”
Today at 11 a.m. the Newberry Library hosts David K. Johnson, history professor at the University of South Florida, for “Free Speech and the ‘Kids of Fairytown’ .” Johnson will examine how the bohemian atmosphere of places such as Bughouse Square and the Dill Pickle Club provided a space for gay male subculture to emerge. Whether looking at Chicago’s first gay organization in the 1920s or its first gay pride parade in the 1970s, the roots of today’s gay community can be traced back to this early atmosphere of tolerance and intrigue.
Admission to “Free Speech and the ‘Kids of Fairytown’” is free and open to the public at the Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton St., Chicago. For more information, call (312) 255-3691.
Robert Altman's 1978 movie A Wedding has been rewritten as an opera, and will premiere tonight at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The story concerns a wedding between two rich families, one from Lake Forest and one from Louisville, Kentucky. See this Roger Ebert essay on the rehearsal of the opera and thoughts from Altman on the original film. Tickets for tonight's premiere range between $40 and $170, depending on the seating; see the Lyric Opera Website for more details. The production runs through January 21. Lyric Opera of Chicago: corner of Madison and Wacker. (312) 332-2244.
It's 12:15 on a Saturday night. What are you doing? You're watching the Belmont Burlesque Revue at the Playground Theatre. For just $10, you'll enjoy lovely dancing, amazing magic tricks, and knee-slapping jokes. The Playground Theatre is located at 3209 N. Halsted.
Head on down to the Chicago Arts District this weekend at South Halsted and 18th Street for their gala Winter Festival of Art. More than 50 artists will have their galleries and studios open all weekend long. The monthly Second Friday gallery openings will kick-off the festival tomorrow starting at 6pm. Then the event continues Saturday from 12-7pm and Sunday from 12-5pm. Visit the website for more information.
The Neo-Futurists present "Too Much Light Kids!", a child-friendly version (for ages 8-12) of their long-running classic stage show "Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind". This show runs every Saturday afternoon at 2:00 PM through December 18. Admission is $1-6 for kids, and $6-11 for adults (depends on the roll of a six-sided die). No reservations accepted, but group rates are available. Call (773) 878-4557 for details. The Neo-Futurarium: 5153 N. Ashland. More information: (773) 275-5255.
Diatribe Media's throwing another read-a-thon at MoJoe's Cafe (2256 W Roscoe) tonight at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. Reading are:
Emerson Dameron (Wherewithall)
Alicia Dorr (Randomlifeinprogress)
Andrew Mall (Living Proof)
Aaron Cynic (Diatribe, Vices Make My Life More Interesting)
Anna Lou Weiler (Independent Author)
Jeff Disler (Time All At Once)
Kate Sandler (Brainiac)
CT Ballentine (24 Hours)
and the return of PUPPY DAVE!!! (Sebrakkaku)
hosted by Grant Schreiber (Judas Goat Quarterly)
William Aldrich will sign his new book today from 11 a.m.–12 p.m. at Grand Street Gardens located at 2200 West Grand Ave. Visit Grand Street Gardens during your holiday shopping weekend to escape the hub-bub and the cold with refreshments and a presentation by Chicagoland Gardening Magazine's very own William Aldrich. Aldrich, President of Growit Communications, Inc., publishing company, recently wrote a series of Illinois-specific gardening books for Lone Pine Publishing: Perennials for Illinois, Annuals for Illinois, Tree and Shrub Gardening for Illinois, and Month-by-Month in the Garden for Illinois. He will discuss choosing the best plants for our area and provide techniques for battling the Illinois elements in your garden. Get a jump start on planning your seed selection or Spring garden, and take home a signed copy of one of his books for yourself, or as the perfect gift for the gardener in your life. There is no charge for this event. For reservations or more information, email gail@grandstreetgardens.com or call 312-829-8200.