Gapers Block has ceased publication.
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.
✶ Thank you for your readership and contributions. ✶
TODAY
Friday, April 19
Slowdown
BY DAY
Sunday, December 19 2004
Found Footage Festival @ Empty Bottle
Tonight at the Empty Bottle, a very special film festival: The Found Footage Festival, a collection of videotapes found at thrift stores and garage sales. Think a video version of FOUND magazine. The fun starts tonight at 8:00, and admission is $8. Empty Bottle: 1035 N. Western. (773) 276-3600.
Susanna Clarke at Looking Glass
Okay, so I haven't read it and I probably won't, given that I never liked the Narnia series and I only moderately enjoy Harry Potter, but for those of you have read and loved this year's doozy of a novel, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, Susanna Clarke will make a stop on her author's tour at Looking Glass Theatre. Part of WFMT's Writers on the Record program, the interview can also be heard at 12pm on 98.7. Tickets are free and can be had by calling 312-832-6788.
Too Much Light: best-of show, original prices!
The Neo-Futurists wind up their annual year-end best-of performances of Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind with a special offer. For tonight's show only, you get to pay the price of the original show, back when it started 16 years ago. The original price: $1 times the roll of a six-sided die ($1-6). A once-in-a-lifetime offer, and now that ticket prices for Too Much Light are increasing, you'll REALLY want to take advantage of this offer. Tonight's show starts at 7:00; doors open at 6:30. No reservations, sucka! Show up and stand in line in the freezing cold like the rest of us plebes! The Neo-Futurarium: 5153 N. Ashland (at Foster). (773) 275-5255.
Tahitian drum workshop @ Old Town School
The Old Town School of Folk Music presents the latest in their series of Drumming Around the Globe workshops. This afternoon, you can learn how to play the Tahitian drum known as the to'ere. The two-hour class will give you some fundamentals on how to play the drum, and if you like this introduction to drumming you can sign up for the regular drumming classes that are taught at the school. Yes, you will have to bring your own drum; if you don't have one, you can rent at the school's music store, the Different Strummer. The workshop costs $20, and spaces are limited, so sign up soon! Old Town School of Folk Music: 4544 N. Lincoln. (773) 728-6000.
Christmas Sing-A-Long @ Music Box
A grand holiday tradition at the Music Box Theatre happens again this year. It's the 21st annual Christmas Sing-A-Long and double feature of the 1954 Bing Crosby-Danny Kaye film White Christmas and the holiday classic It's A Wonderful Life. There are Christmas carol sing-a-longs before every screening, and a special appearance by Santa! Tickets are $10 for one film, $15 for both films. Tickets on sale December 1 through Ticketweb or at the theater box office. Check the Music Box Website for details. The Christmas Sing-A-Long starts today and runs through Thursday, December 23rd. Music Box Theatre: 3733 N. Southport. (773) 871-6604.
Estradanza
Estradanza performs at 5pm and 8pm at the Chernin Center for the Arts, 1001 W. Roosevelt. The performance features the premiere of artistic director Juan Estrada's "Blood Simple" (presumably not based on the movie), Dardi McGinley Gallivan's "Fete" and Shelby Kroger's "Mythical Mathematical Madness." $15 general adminission, $12 for students/seniors. Call 773/655-9165 for more info.
Drawing to an End
Drawing to an End is, erm, drawing to a close. Today marks the final day for Foundation Gallery's latest group show, which highlights work from gallery staples Jay Ryan, Nick Butcher, Dan Grzeca, Justin Fines, and Seripop. Using time as a common theme, "this exhibition allows the artists to demonstrate what a drawing means to each of them." Foundation is located at 700 North Carpenter, and is open from 1 to 5 on Sundays. Admission is free.
HotHouse Holiday Market
The HotHouse presents its annual Holiday Market today from 11:00 to 6:00. Kinda like the DIY Trunk Show, only with a holiday theme. Expect to find soaps, textiles, bags, purses, jewelry, scarves, etc. There are lots of participants, and the HotHouse is a really nice space, so this should be a good show. HotHouse: 31 E. Balbo. (312) 362-9707.
