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
Sunday, September 8
Slowdown
BY DAY
Saturday, May 20 2006
Avner the Eccentric performance workshop
Broadway actor and celebrated clown artist Avner the Eccentric offers a workshop Freeze, Fight or Flight, which takes a physical approach to acting and comedy. Avner studied with Jacques LeCoq, has taught Commedia Dell'Arte, and "was once arrested in Paris for buffoonery in public." This afternoon from 12-5pm at The Theatre School, DePaul University (2135 N. Kenmore Ave). Tuition for the workshop is $100. For more information, call 312-804-1895 or visit the website.
826CHI Prom
826CHI is holding their first prom and you're invited! "One Night of Magic" will be held at the Catherine Cook School Gymnasium, 240 W. Schiller, from 8pm-12am. No dates are required and dress is second-hand formal - with raffles and photos, it's already so much better than your regular prom. $20 in advance and $30 at the door with proceeds going toward this wonderful youth literacy organization. Purchase them online or call 773-772-8108 for more information.
Taste of Voices Exchange
Voices Exchanges is a program helping Chicagoland residents find the "social, political, cultural and economic information they need to become active participants in the civic life of their community and country." They do this by offering a online database through which speakers, performers, academics, religious leaders and others can connect and interact. Today the group is holding a "taste" of what they can provide with speakers and performers giving 5-10 minute presentations to potential host groups. The "taste" takes place at the Oak Park Main Library Veteran's Room, 834 Lake Street. 2-4:30pm with the presentations starting at 2:30pm. Call 708-386-1371 for information and to rsvp.
National Tap Dance Day Performances
The Chicago Human Rhythm Project celebrates National Tap Dance Day with four performances at Vittum Theater, 1012 N. Noble. The performances will include live music by the Jeremy Kahn Trio and a celebration, complete with birthday cake, for Bill "Bojangle" Robinson at each intermission. Tonight's 8pm performance features Jimmy Payne Jr.'s Rhythm of Life and new work by Perfect Timing and the Time Steppers. Admission is $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and students and $15 for children under 12. Call 773-281-1825 for more information.
DEPART-ment
You know how we do. "All things handcrafted. No brand-names. No foreign assembly. No questionable ethics." That's DEPART-ment's motto and with more than a hundred vendors selling jewelry, clothing, toys and so many wonderful things you don't yet know you need, you can get with the independent crafters crew. Open Saturday, 11am-8pm, and Sunday, 9am-5pm, at Mercury Cafe, 1505 W. Chicago Ave. Call 312-560-1442 for more information.
Dill Pickle Food Co-op Brunch & Membership Drive
The Dill Pickle Food Co-op is holding a community brunch and membership drive. The open meeting will feature a discussion about the co-op, a kids craft table, tasty food and, yes, margaritas. Memberships will be available for $50 and all funds raised at the drive will support the opening of this new co-op that offers healthy food with the benefits of a co-op practice to the community. It takes place at El Cid at 2645 N. Kedzie from 11am-2pm (if it rains, the brunch will take place on May 21). 10% of everyone's bill will be donated to Dill Pickle. Call 773-395-0505 for more information.
Handmade Market @ Empty Bottle
The Handmade Market comes back around to the Empty Bottle, providing a unique place to introduce all manner of local crafts to the people. Come look at jewelry, clothing, bags, greeting cards and more and when you spend your money you'll have that little extra special feeling knowing it'll go straight to the artist and not say, Target. 12-4:30pm at 1035 N. Western Ave. 21+ and parents with children are welcome with no charge. Call 773-276-3600 for more information.
Sustainable Urban Development in Sao Paulo @ Chicago Center for Green Technology
This seminar discusses Sao Paulo as a case study in holistic sustainable thinking. Free, but advance registration is required. 10 AM to 12 N, 445 N. Sacramento Blvd. For more information, and to pre-register, call 312-746-9642, email greentech [at] cityofchicago [dot] org, or visit the website.
TulipMania @ Garfield Park Conservatory
Ever wonder what happens to all the bulbs from all the tulips planted in Chicago public areas? At the end of tulip season, they're dug out and hauled to Garfield Park, where they're distributed, free, to whoever wants them. So if you'd like tulips in your own garden next year, start lining up at 9 AM for your share. For more information, visit the website or email Mike Tomas: mtomas [at] garfieldpark [dot] org.
Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Drop-Off Day
Thanks to the City of Chicago, Illinois EPA, and Best Buy, today you can head over to 1150 N North Branch and drop off any chemicals, electronics, paints, solvents, and leftover medicine you don't need anymore. As a bonus, if you turn in an old gas can, you can pick up a new, environmentally-friendly one; and if you turn in your gas mower, you can pick up a $100 rebate for a new electric or manual mower (if you have a small lawn, cordless electric mowers ROCK!). No matter what you drop off, you can pick up a year's supply of blue bags, while they last. From 8 AM to 3 PM today; for more information, call 311 or visit the website.
Wright Plus Housewalk
The Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust holds its annual Wright Plus housewalk in Oak Park and River Forest today, featuring homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and other notable architects. Tickets are $70 for members of the FLWPT, $85 for non-members and are available online.
The Last Picture Show @ Damen Studio
While they may be closing, Damen Studio is going out with a bang. Their last show will be appropriately titled, "The Last Picture Show" and features the work of 8 photographers and 5 painters including Rearview contributors, Bill Vaccaro and Sarah Hadley, GB button designer Anthony Lewellen and GB co-founder Naz Hamid. The final show goes down today, May 20th from 6-9PM at Damen Studio, 4528 1/2, Damen Ave.
How Do We Build Healthy Places? @ Garfield Park Conservatory
As part of this month's Public Health Forum, the Public Square of the Illinois Humanities Council and the Neighborhood Writing Alliance present this panel on geography, food, and transportation. 2 PM. 300 N Central Park Ave. Free, but reservations are required: call 312-422-5580 or email info [at] prairie [dot] org. For more information, visit the website.
The Newberry Library, Inside and Out
As part of Great Chicago Places and Spaces, art historian Diane Dillon leads 45-minute tours of the Newberry Library building. Free, but tickets are required. Tickets are available--on a first-come, first-served basis--from the Chicago Architecture Foundation at 224 S. Michigan Ave., starting at 7:30 PM this morning. 60 W. Walton Street. For more information, call 312-255-3700 or visit the website.
Great Chicago Places and Spaces
All day today and tomorrow, this celebration of Chicago architecture and design offers free guided tours of notable buildings and neighborhoods. Check the website for details; click here for (free!) tickets for "Great Excursions" (includes river cruises); for other tours you need to head down to the Chicago Architecture Foundation at 224 S. Michigan this morning (opens 7:30 AM) and line up for tickets.
Zines, Comics, and Other Hip Lit @ MCA
In conjunction with the Chris Ware exhibit, MCA and Quimby’s host this celebration of the alternative press, which runs from 12 N to 4 PM. The afternoon features readings, signings, and “serious book shopping.” As you browse, look for emerging and established authors and artists. 220 E Chicago Avenue. For more information call 312-397-4010 or visit the website.
Midnight Movies: HOT SKIN and Monty Python/Holy Grail
Take your pick of either Disco Dolls in HOT SKIN IN 3D (XXX!) or Monty Python and the Holy Grail at midnight at the venerable Music Box Theatre, 3733 North Southport Ave. $9.25. Call (773) 871-6604.
Alt Q @ Old Town School
The Old Town School's annual Queer Is Folk night of LGBT performers has a new name: Alt Q. Still produced and hosted by Scott Free, this year's evening includes both indiequeer heavy hitters such as folkie Erin McKeown and R&B-tinged Toshi Reagon, and up-and-comers like singer-songwriter Brady Earnhart and cabaret diva MeKole Wells. A portion of the proceeds benefits Equality Illinois. 7pm. Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N Lincoln Ave. Tickets $21-25, available at TicketWeb or the Old Town School box office, 773-728-6000.
