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
Friday, April 26
Slowdown
BY DAY
Saturday, September 09 2006
Intimate and Epic, Small Acts for the City
Performance artists Mark Jeffrey and Sara Schnadt have curated a full day of site-specific performance in the Lurie Gardens at Millennium Park. From 11am to 5pm, seven performance art projects will be going on simultaneously. Docents will be on hand to field questions about the large wooden military tank, conspicuous public displays of affection, the fellow who is pacing in the fountain, and the ice cubes--shaped like hands--that are slowly melting in the flowerbeds. Presented as a part of Great Performers of Illinois, September 6-9. For more information visit the website.
Girl Talk @ the Empty Bottle
On record, Girl Talk has an amazing capacity for crossing James Taylor with 2 Live Crew before switching gears twenty seconds later to Gwen Stefani and Fleetwood Mac. How to execute this technique live? See for yourself at the Empty Bottle tonight at 10. For a preview, see our Transmission interview.
Around the Coyote Fall Arts Festival
Every year Wicker Park holds their Around the Coyote Fall Arts Festival and this fall is no exception. With hundreds of painters, photographers, sculptors, actors, poets, filmmakers, dancers and every other kind of artist you can think of inhabiting neighborhood studios and galleries, you'd be hard-pressed not to find something to interest you (artists are listed on the website). Neighborhood theaters and bars will also host performance throughout the weekend. If the weather's favorable, this makes for an excellent walking experience and exploration in Wicker Park. Friday 6-10pm, Saturday 11am-10pm, Sunday 11am-6pm. Tickets range from $5-$15 with an all-weekend pass available for $40. Most tickets are available at the door, but be sure to check out the site or call 773-342-6777 so you can get what you want.
Furniture Forward
Caro d'offay Gallery is holding a free show focusing on local furniture makers and their traditional and modern crafts. Furniture Forward goes on at 6-10pm on Friday, including an opening recpetion with the designers, and 1-6pm on Saturday. 2204 W. North Ave. Email info[at]furniturefowardchicago[dot]com for more information.
Urban Capture the Flag
Recapture your summer camp days with a game of urban Capture the Flag tonight. Meet under the Damen Blue Line stop at 6pm to join in; it's free, and everyone is welcome. (Read an article about it in Time Out Chicago.)
Handmade Market @ Empty Bottle
The Handmade Market HITS the Empty Bottle again, 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 give a little bit of your hard-earned bills to the people who are making their living on their creative wares. 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.
Opening: The Word is Art
Johnsonese Gallery's latest show, "The Word is Art" opens tonight with a gallery reception from 7-9pm. The show features artwork that incorporates text with painter Brian Graves, painter and printmaker Doug Goessman and ceramic tile muralist Jason Messinger displaying their works. Running through September 30. Johnsonese Gallery is located at 2149 W. Armitage. Call 773-252-8750 for more information.
Go-go dance workshop @ Old Town School
The Old Town School of Folk Music presents the latest in a series of one-day workshops for people who want to learn a little bit about a musical or dance technique. Today's workshop: go-go dancing, as taught by Tina Stasny. She will cover some basic go-go steps, and give the students a complete routine by the end of the class. The workshop runs from 4:15 PM to 6:05 PM today; reservations are $25 per person, and can be made through the Old Town School Website. Old Town School: 4544 N Lincoln. (773) 728 6000.
Service Fair @ Roberto Clemente Community Academy
Bringing the services of city agencies directly into the community, this fair offers tax assistance, health screenings, information about home ownership opportunities, job counseling, small business support, assistance for seniors, and more. 1147 N Western, free, 9 AM to 5 PM. For details, visit the website or call 311.
Saturday Morning Orientation @ Newberry Library
This informal orientation covers library resources available to research family and neighborhood history. Meet in the first-floor reader's lounge at 9:30 AM. Free. 60 W Walton Street. For more information, call 312-255-3700 or visit the website.
Songs and Stories @ Cultural Center
Chicago bandleader and pianist Stanley Paul performs a career retrospective, highlighting music by Gershwin, Kern, Porter, and other great songwriters. At 1 PM and 3 PM, in the Claudia Cassidy Theater. 77 E Randolph. Free, but reservations are required: call 312-742-8497.
Park West Carnivale
The Park West Community Association presents Carnivale, a two-day music festival happening on Halsted Street, between Fullerton and Lill streets. Today's musical acts are: The Redwalls; Bandoleros; Liquid Soul; The J. Davis Trio; El Guapo; Fulton County Line; and The Miles. There will also be a children's tent set up from noon to 5:00 PM, street performances with Collaboration Theater, and other events happening throughout the day. Proceeds from Carnivale benefit the Children's Memorial Hospital, the Park West Community Association, and other charities. Carnivale happens today and tomorrow from noon to 10:00 PM. Admission is a suggested donation of $10.
Hideout Block Party
Touch and Go Records and the Hideout present the 10th annual Hideout Block Party, which is also a celebration of the 25th anniversary of Touch and Go. Tonight is the second night of performances, and among the bands scheduled to perform tonight are: The Ex; Killdozer; the Didjits; Sally Timms; and a newly reformed Big Black. Please see the announcement at Touch and Go's Website for a full schedule of the three-day festival and to purchase tickets. Hideout: 1354 W. Wabansia. (773) 227-4433.
Season Extension @ Garfield Park Conservatory
Don't clear out your garden yet. This organic gardening class discusses cover crops to take you through the fall. 6 PM to 7:30 PM, requires pre-registration, and costs only $5. 300 N Central Park Avenue. For more information, call 773-638-1766 or visit the website.
Work Out @ Millennium Park
Yoga at 8 AM, Pilates at 9 AM, and Bollywood-style dance from northwest India at 10 AM, led by instructor Shamila Khererpal, on the Great Lawn. If you need more incentive than taking in the amazing skyline views while working up a sweat, consider this: it's free. For more information, visit the website.
Dance India: Choreographing Traditions
A festival and conference celebrating Indian dance traditions continues today. Programs include performances and seminars. Details are available from Natya Dance at 312-212-1240 or visit the website.
Victory Gardens: Biograph Theater Open House
Victory Gardens Theater invites you to explore the rennovated Biograph Theater (2433 N. Lincoln Ave), during a free community open house and season preview, this afternoon from 12pm-5pm. The historical movie palace has been transformed into a new 299 seat mainstage theater. The new space will also house a second 135 studio theater, and rehearsal space. For more information call 773-871-3000 or visit the website.
Windy City Wine Festival
Booze it up in Grant Park at the three-day Windy City Wine Festival. Sponsored by the good folks at Binny's, the WCWF features more than 240 domestic and international wines from more than 40 exhibitors, semiars, live music, plus top chefs such as Rick Bayless and Didier Durant. It's just $25 entry fee (including a souvenir wine glass, festival program and wine tastings). For more information please call (847) 382-1480 or visit the WCWF's site.
The Lady from Shanghai @ LaSalle Bank Cinema
This 1947 Orson Welles film starring the famed director and his estranged wife Rita Hayworth plays tonight as part of LaSalle Bank Cinema's Mustache Cinema Classic Film Series. Also playing is the 1938 serial "The Spider's Web #9: Doomed!" General admission to the 8pm show is $5 and $3 for seniors and children. 4901 W. Irving Park. Call 312-904-9442 for more information.
