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.
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TODAY

Thursday, March 28

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Indie Designer Fashion Market @ Chicago Antique Market

Browse through tomorrow’s fashion trends today as independent designers (including the twin crocheting sisters behind DoubleStitch) selected by the School of the Fine Arts Institute display their one-of-a-kind wares. The Chicago Antique Market is located on Randolph Street between Ada and Ogden, and runs from from 8 AM to 4 PM.

Chicago House music doc @ Film Center

If you missed the screening of Unusual Suspects, the documentary on Chicago House music, you've got a second chance this weekend as the film screens at the Siskel Film Center tonight at 5:15 PM. Director Chip Eberhart (aka Chip E., the "Godfather of House Music") will be in attendance tonight. If you miss tonight's screening, the film will also be shown on Thursday, November 3rd, at 8:15 PM. Tickets: $9, $7 for students, $5 for Film Center members, and $4 for SAIC students. Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.

Circuit Bending workshop @ Peter Jones Gallery

The Rubber Monkey Puppet Company presents a workshop teaching the fine art of circuit bending, or rewiring an electronic toy or other device to produce unusual and unintended sounds. Show up tonight at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave., with a cheap electronic toy from the thrift store or dumpster. And BRING BATTERIES. Instructor Patrick McCarthy will guide you in the fine art of rewiring. The class runs tonight from 5:00 to 10:00, and is followed by a performance of circuit-bent devices made by local inventors and musicians. The workshop is free and open to all. Check out the Rubber Monkey Website for full details.

SOFA Chicago

SOFA Chicago returns to Navy Pier this weekend, filling Festival Hall with sculpture, objects and functional art from around the world. The show is open Friday, Oct.28, 11am-8pm; Saturday, Oct. 29, 11am-8pm; and Sunday, Oct. 30, noon-6pm. Tickets are $15 per day or $25 for a three-day pass (students and seniors pay $10).

"Famous Chicago" Pumpkins @ Phyllis' Musical Inn

Millennium Park is hosting the best of this display today and Monday, but you can also catch all of Craig Perry's hand-carved pumpkins at Phyllis' Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St. There will be nearly 60 carved pumpkins, all featuring the faces of famous Chicagoans. Everyone -- from Harry Caray to John Dillinger to Bill (Billy Goat) Siannis -- will be there. The pumpkins will be available for viewing through Monday night. Go to Perry's website for examples from last year's show, "A to Z: Fifty Musical Pumpkins." It's pretty cool.

Murder Mystery Theater and Silent Auction

Berry Memorial United Methodist Church is holding their first Murder Mystery Theater and Silent Auction. The mystery part of the evening will be staged by the Prime Time Players and the auction part features prizes such as theater tickets, spa treatments, museum memberships and more. Hors d'oeurves and desserts will also be served, starting at 6pm, while the murder mystery will go on at 7:30pm. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door, and the proceeds will be benefit the church's Operations Fund. 4735 N. Leavitt St. Call 773-784-3273 for tickets and information or email amyellison[at]redjellyfish[dot]net.

"The Best of Famous Chicago" Pumpkin Display

I'm not the biggest fan of huge holiday displays, but Millennium Park is hosting "The Best of Famous Chicago," displaying a dozen large pumpkins carved with the faces of famous Chicagoans. Holiday-related or not, that just sounds cool. Carved by Craig Perry, the faces include Michael Jordan, John Malkovich, Saul Bellow and even "American Gothic." The pumpkins are on display in the Lurie Garden today from 4-11pm and tomorrow from 5-11pm. Free and open to all.

Girlie-Q Variety Hour

Halloween-themed sexiness at HotHouse! Check out this show, chock-a-block with super-hot straight and queer performers shaking it at this variety show. And this is a monthly event, so be sure to return for Thanksgiving and Xmas shows. Doors at at 7 p.m. and the show is at 8 p.m. Cost is only $10. HotHouse is located at 31 E. Balbo.

Eve's Parlor Burlesque

Seriously, you've got to hot-foot it down to darkroom for tonight's spectacle -- Eve's Parlor Burlesque Velvet Rope Circus. Check out performers like Cherish (she's got a snake), Wise Women Fools, Lord Mike's Dirty Calypsonians and more. Be there. $12 in advance, $15 at the door. darkroom's at 2210 W. Chicago Ave. The show runs from 9 p.m. to at least midnight.

Chicago Hauntings Black Ball Masquerade

Join Ursula Bielski, author of Chicago Haunts: Ghostlore of the Windy City, at the Willow Brook Ballroom for the 2005 Chicago Hauntings Black Ball Halloween Masquerade. The ballroom is known in local ghostlore as the spot where celebrity ghost Resurrection Mary danced for the last time. Prizes will be awarded for the best dead Chicagoan costume. Tickets are $50 per person or $90 per couple for the event, and reservations are required. Call 1-888-446-7859 for more information, or reserve your tickets online. The ball runs from 7pm to Midnight, and the Willow Brook Ballroom is located at 8900 South Archer Avenue in Willow Springs, IL.

 

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