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 26
Slowdown
BY DAY
Sunday, July 31 2005
Taste of Lincoln Ave.
Food! Music! Crafts! Carnival-like entertainment! This, and more, can be found at the 22nd Annual Taste of Lincoln Avenue, Wrightwood's yearly fundraising event. Located from Fullerton to Wrightwood Ave., this Taste benefits evreyone from Friends of the Lincoln Park Library to Lookingglass Theatre. If you're interested in becoming more involved in the event, volunteers are always need to keep it going hitch free. Taste it all from 12-10pm. Call 773-944-7755 for more information.
Newberry Library Book Fair
This weekend marks the Newberry Library's 21st Annual Book Fair, featuring more than 100,000 donated books sorted into 50 categories. Many of the books are priced under $2, so come with a backpack, suitcase or extra pair of arms if you're the bona fide bibliophile I think you are. Also, come early because, trust me, it's slim pickin's by the end of the day. This book fair is free and open to the public at 60 W. Walton, 10am-6pm. Call 312-255-3510 for more information.
Chicago SummerDance
The ninth annual Chicago SummerDance festival of public dancing continues tonight in the Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park (601 S. Michigan, between Harrison and Balbo). This evening's entertainment: Kris & Ela Kasperowicz (, teaching English waltz; and the Mike Whelan Big Band, playing ballroom music. SummerDance features one hour of dance lessons, followed by two hours of live music and dancing. Tonight's show runs from 4:00 to 7:00, and SummerDance runs at the park Wednesday-Sunday nights (weather permitting) through August 28. See the SummerDance site for a complete schedule.
Gutters
Chicago Comics presents "Gutters", a free zine and mini-comics workshop held the last Sunday of every month from 3-6pm. Both social and informative, Gutters aims to help struggling artists put out the best work possible. The next meeting is today at Chicago Comics, 3244 N. Clark. For more info call (773) 528-1983 and ask for Hatuey or contact chicagocomics{at}yahoo.com.
Bustle in Your Hedgerow: The Led Zepplin Experience @ Subterranean
If you're ready to party straight into Monday morning, then head out from the Wicker Park Summer Fest to Subterranean for a really cool set titled Bustle In Your Hedgerow: "The Led Zeppelin Experience". Fest band the Benevento/Russo Duo will play, along with WEEN bassist Dave Dreiwitz and Rana's Scott Metzger. The Duo who've been through town before, to rave reviews (myself included), will kick out the jams, starting around 11pm. C'mon, it's summer, and you're young! Subterranean is located at 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago, (773) 278-6600. Doors open at 10pm, 21+, tickets are $15 ($20 day of show) and are available through Music Today.
Wicker Park Summer Fest
I think this description says it best: "Just before dawn on a July morning, in the middle of Chicago's trendiest neighborhood, the main drag will be barricaded, a big main stage will appear, tents will be erected and prepared for food and beer service, local merchants and art galleries will prepare for an onslaught of visitors. Musicians will tune their instruments, and, finally, at 12 noon one of the best 2-day parties of the summer begins. It's Wicker Park Summer Fest, a celebration of Chicago's cutting edge music and art scene." Click on the date to view the information and schedule of performances. 12-10pm Saturday and Sunday on Damen between Milwaukee and Schiller.
Flashback Weekend Convention
Well, it's July, which means it's time for Chicago to become a horror show, literally, as the annual Flashback Weekend horror/sci-fi/fantasy convention rolls into town July 29-31 at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare in Rosemont. Dignitaries appearing this year include the guest of honor, Bruce Campbell, who will be promoting his new book, Make Love the Bruce Campbell Way, and his new film, The Man with the Screaming Brain. Actor Ted Raimi will also be at the show, along with the lovely Adrienne Barbeau (as part of a cast reunion for The Fog), Bill Moseley and Sid Haig from the new film The Devil's Rejects, and Camille Keaton, the star of the controversial film I Spit on Your Grave (which Mr. Ebert and Mr. Siskel effectively got tossed out of theatres in 1978, making it an immediate cult hit). Gapers Block staff member Steve Prokopy is one of the co-hosts of the event, along with Daily Herald film critic Dann Gire and WGN Radio's Nick Digilio. For complete information about the convention, visit the Flashback Weekend website.
