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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Friday, December 13
The 2004 documentary Unusual Suspects: One Upon A Time In Chicago House Music screens this evening at the Siskel Film Center. Unusual Suspects was directed by Chip Eberhardt (aka Chip E, "the Godfather of House Music") and gives a look into the origins of House, the role of the city of Chicago in that music scene, and some thoughts about the future of House. The film screens tonight 8:30 PM. Tickets: $9, $7 students, $5 Film Center members, and $4 SAIC students. Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.
Wicker Park/Ukranian Village pop band The Fake Fictions stops tonight at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia. Presented by the Wisconsin Pop Explosion, the show starts at 9:30pm and also features Madison bands The Super-Eights and Charlemagne.
Tonight, from 5-8pm, you can listen to some jazz, enjoy the outdoor setting at Cafe Society and learn about Working Bike Cooperative Volunteer Danny Danger's Tanzanian efforts to help train Africans to build cargo bikes. Furthermore, the meeting will focus on how the bicycles help in developing countries. The fundraiser is free -- just buy some food or drink and enjoy Volunteer Stephan's whip cream desserts. Cafe Society is located at 1801 S. Indiana. Email workingbikes[at]yahoo[dot]com for more information.
Stromkern sounds like an interesting band: "fusing hip-hop vocals and ryhthms with classical compositions and post-industrial rock." They're playing upstairs at Bottom Lounge, 3206 N. Wilton, with PTI and DJ $#@&!. Doors open at 8pm, tickets are $10. 18 and over.
Improv troupe International Stinger presents Open Court at The Playground Theater tonight at 10:30pm. Improvisers can come to the show and sign up to play on a brand-new, one-night-only team coached by veteran Chicago improvisers from The Playground, IO, and Second City. Those that don't want to play can watch as these improv pick-up teams put on their first and only show. $5 gets you in to watch or play. The Playground is located at 3209 N. Halsted.
Part of Stirring Things Up in Chicago, the Food and Film on the Rooftop series features a different film every Thursday, through September 1, shown on the rooftop of the Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, 66 E. Randolph. The $15 admission covers the family-style picnic dinner catered by Fox & Obel. Each dinner will relate to the movie in some way. Reservations are required for the 7pm screenings; call 312-744-9350 to save your spot. Tonight's film is Pieces of April.