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
Friday, October 20 2006
Chicago Art Open Benefit
The Chicago Art Open is an eight year event where local artists are given the opportunity to show their works in a "non-juried professional setting." Tonight's benefit features music by Sam Saunders, Chicago Udu Calls and Graymail. The Special Achievement Award for Service to the Visual Arts in Chicago will also be given, post-humously, to Michael Piazza. Food and drink included. Admission to the 6-11pm event is $20 per person. 1029 W. 35th St. at the Zhou B. Art Center. Call 312-781-0040 for reservations and information.
David Sedaris @ Paramount Arts Centre
Chicago Public Radio presents an evening with David Sedaris, author of a lot of funny, funny stories. Peter Sagal of "Wait, Wait.. Don't Tell Me" will emcee the evening. The event starts tonight at 8:00 PM at the Paramount Arts Centre (23 E. Galena Boulevard, Aurora); tickets are $65 and can be purchased through the Chicago Public Radio site.
Westworld @ Film Center
The Gene Siskel Film Center is running a series of science fiction films through December. This week's film is Westworld from 1973, the story of an amusement park of out-of-control robots (according to the Film Center's schedule, the story was inspired by the "Pirates of the Carribean" ride at Disneyland; take that, Johnny Depp!). The film screens this evening at 6:00, and again on Tuesday, October 24th. The October 24 screening will also include a lecture by SAIC professor Jim Trainor. Tickets: $9, $7 for students, $4 for Film Center members. Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.
Jan Svankmajer's Lunacy @ Music Box
The latest film from Czech filmmaker Jan Svankmajer, one of the most unique and purely Surrealist film directors, premieres at the Music Box Theatre tonight. Called Lunacy, the film takes as its inspiration the work of Edgar Allen Poe and the Marquis de Sade (with a heaping helping of the bizarre animation that Svankmajer is known for). This will probably be the most surreal film you will see all year, and that's a good thing. Highly recommended. The film runs through November 2; see the Music Box Website for details. Music Box: 3733 N. Southport. (773) 871-6604.
Schadenfreude Rent Party
Schadenfreude, Chicago's indie comedy ensemble, hosts a comedy variety show to help pay the month's rent. This month? Comedians Robert Buscemi, Peter Grosz and musical act Mike and Duane. Show starts @ 8pm-ish at the Gallery Cabaret, 2020 N. Oakley. $10, free food.
Changes @ Double Door
Chicago's favorite band, indie pop sensation The Changes, celebrate the debut of their new album, "Today is Tonight" at the Double Door (1572 N. Milwaukee Ave, 773.489.3160). Tickets are $10 in advance / $12 at the door. Tickets can be ordered directly from Ticketmaster. For more information, check the venue website.
Fall Tree ID Walk @ Garfield Park Conservatory
If you can't tell a maple tree from a purple ash, or an oak from a walnut tree, meet Treekeeper Jim DeHorn of the Openlands Project in the Conservatory lobby at 10 AM and learn something. Free. 300 N Central Park Avenue. For more information, call 773-638-1766 or visit the website.
"You're the One That I Want" Casting Call
Try out for NBC's new talent show, "You're the One That I Want," is holding a casting call at the Portage Theater, 4050 N. Milwaukee Ave., today starting at 8am. Winners of the show go on to play Danny and Sandy in the Broadway production of Grease next summer. Candidates should come prepared to perform two songs: one from a selected list of "Grease" songs and one non-"Grease" song of your choice. Please visit www.NBC.com/Casting for further details, a complete list of approved "Grease" songs and a list of recommended non-"Grease" songs for the song of your choice. First come, first auditioned.
