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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Monday, October 7
Local southern rock and blues band, The 12 Minute Saints, will be playing a show at the Gin Mill (2462 N Lincoln Ave) @ 10pm. If you need more convincing that you should be there, check out their stuff.
April is Poetry Month, and the Harold Washington Library Center is hosting a daylong festival with readings, workshops, and small press exhibitors. Free, 400 S. State Street. For more information, call 312-747-4700 or visit the website.
Theater Oobleck's Dave Buchen and Argentinean puppeteer/musician Sebastian Paz team up for Natural History in which they "compress 37 volumes of Pliny the Elder's manuscripts on the working of the universe into a box of interactive scrolls and songs." Featuring eleven original songs in bolero, flamenco and other styles. 8pm at Links Hall, 3435 N. Sheffield; $12 if you can pay it, free if you can't. Call 773-347-1041 for more information.
Debuting original work this weekend, the Urban Design Group show features the work of local artists Susan Fong, Cindy Germata, Kristi Jones and Drema Widener. With jewelry, watercolor, quilting and paper art between them, a portion of the proceeds will go to the non-profit group Women Everywhere. The show will run through the weekend, starting with a 6-10pm wine and cheese reception on Friday; Saturday hours are 11am-5pm and Sunday hours are 12pm-3pm. Come to Studio 207 at 2418 W. Bloomingdale, 2nd floor.
The new Hyde Park Art Center opens today with a 36-hour celebration featuring demonstrations from the Center's teachers, the opportunity to make your own art and the chance to learn more about what the Center has to offer. Attendees will also be the first to view Takeover, the premiere exhibition in the new space. Go here for a full schedule of events. And guess what? None of it costs even a dime. Starts Saturday, 9am, and runs through Sunday, 9pm, at 5020 S. Cornell Ave. Call Colleen Coyne at 773-324-5520 for more information.
The Nova Art Fair focuses on new and emerging art in all media, including prints, installation, film, fashion design and much more. The goal of the fair is to provide an international showcase to established and emerging artists alike. The fair is organized by Bridge NFP, a non-profit organization that includes the publication of Bridge Magazine and provides cost-effective gallery space to new artists.
Today's hours are 12-8pm; tickets are $10 and can be bought online. 933 W. Belmont. Call 312-421-2227 for more information. From 12-4pm, Landmark Century Cinemas at 2828 N. Clark will show film and video screenings, selections of which have yet to be decided. Later on $5 gets you into the 8pm-4am after party at Berlin Nightclub, 954 W. Belmont.
If you’re interested in the Chicago urban gardening scene, check out this festival, which features workshops, hands-on activities, exhibits, and seed vendors. Free, 10 AM to 4 PM. 300 N Central Park Avenue. For more information, call 773-638-1766 or visit the website.
Part of Bodies of Work: The Chicago Festival of Disability Arts and Culture, which runs from 20 through 30 April, this event features a panel of artists who discuss how their works represent people with disabilities. In the First Floor Garland Room at 2:30 PM. Free, 78 E Washington St. For more information, call 312-744-6630 or visit the website.
The Heartbeat SWAP at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago will be holding a silent auction of artwork to benefit 826CHI tutoring center at The Mercury Café, 1505 Chicago Avenue, tonight from 8pm until midnight. There will be food, drinks, music and performances, and all proceeds from the sale of art will go entirely to 826CHI.
TimeLine Theatre hosts Sheldon Harnick, Tony Award winning lyricist of Fiorello!, Fiddler on the Roof, and other Broadway musicials, in conversation with retired Trib theater critic Richard Christiansen. Presented in conjunction with TimeLine's new production of Fiorello!, directed by Nick Bowling, who will also be on hand. This free event takes place this afternoon, from 11am to 1pm, at the Three Arts Club (1300 N. Dearborn). For more information, call 773-281-8463 or visit the website.
Come celebrate the release of Love, Chicago's 4th issue at 8pm tonight at Delilah's (2771 N Lincoln Ave.). The new issue, stickers and buttons will be available and enjoy your first beer on the zine. Norah Utley and DJs from Shit Sandwich Records, Punk Planet and WLUW's Hump Day Dance Party spin throughout the evening. No cover, but 21 and over. For more information, visit lovechicago.org.
Version is an annual festival focusing on emerging art, technology and social activism, running through May 7. Admission to events is accepted at the door, but you can also purchase a $25 event pass that covers entry fees to all screening and events or a $50 Version pass that allows you entrances to all events and programs, as well as food and various goodies. Call 773-837-0145 for more information.
In a series of talks, presentation and workshops, the Version Conference explores ideas and projects that inspire further actions for the festival's cause. The two-day conference is part of Version's Free University program and takes place in the Urban Gardening Lounge, 4th floor, or the Kunsthalle Dock, 1st floor, of 3636 S. Iron St. Schedule subject to change.
This exhibit, organized by the University of California, Berkeley, Art Museum, showcases the photography, video, and sculpture of internationally prominent, Chicago-based artist Jeanne Dunning. In the Exhibit Hall, through 2 July. Free. 78 E Washington Street. For more information, call 312-744-6630 or visit the website.
Version is an annual festival focusing on emerging art, technology and social activism, running through May 7. Admission to events is accepted at the door, but you can also purchase a $25 event pass that covers entry fees to all screening and events or a $50 Version pass that allows you entrances to all events and programs, as well as food and various goodies. Call 773-837-0145 for more information.
Curated by Greg Stimac and Brian Ulrich, New Trends in Chicago Photography features the work of Terry Evans, Marta Sasinowska, Nate Larson, Colleen Plumb and many more. The show opens at 6pm with a panel discussion dunk tank. 3636 S. Iron St. 4th floor.
. . . or at least shop to look like one. Billion Dollar Babes is holding its several times a year sample sale today from 8am to 6pm. There will be tons of designers represented, real dressing rooms, and even a bar in case the decisions become too stressful and you need a glass of wine before deciding "Missoni? or no Missoni?" Based on the desires mentioned by many readers in this Fuel, I bet at least some of the 14,000 square feet of space will be covered with spring skirts, sandals, dresses, and other frilly girly things.
As part of Bodies of Work: The Chicago Festival of Disability Arts and Culture, the Chicago Cultural Center hosts a free series of programs of films about or created by deaf and disabled people. All films screen in the Claudia Cassidy Theater. Today's screenings run from 10 AM to 2 PM and are captioned and audio described. 78 E. Washington St. For more information, call 312-744-6630 or visit the website.
You know spring is here when the vendors at the Market Place at Garfield Park set up shop. Browse through items for the garden, gifts, and edible treats, from 9 AM to 5 PM today. Open weekends through 29 October. 300 N. Central Park Ave. For more information, call 773-638-1766 or visit the website.