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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Friday, March 29
It's all about sustainability. Seven Generations Ahead, an organization that promotes ecologically sound communities, presents this benefit dinner that features organic food, Mo Ni' Ijo', a Chicago dance troupe, a silent auction, and more. Tickets are $100. 6 PM to 10 PM, 77 E Washington. For more information, visit the website.
The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, plays host to "They Shoot Shorts, Don't They?," a benefit dance derby and silent auction to benefit the Chicago Short Film Brigade. Come dance your heart out for fabulous prizes, or just watch the dancers while you bid on other fabulous prizes and listen to music by Occidental Brothers Dance Band International and Pearly Sweets. DJs Treetop Lover (Mike Bulington) and Reminder (Josh Abrams) fill in the gaps. All this for just $12! Doors open at 9pm, but dancers should arrive at 8pm. Far more info than we could possibly list here.
Johnsonese Gallery is hosting an opening party for their latest collection, "I Love the 80s!" The pieces in the collection include works by LeRoy Neiman, Kurt Sala, Gil Gorski, Rudolf Svehla, Valgerdur Hauksdottir and more. Free and open to the public from 7-9pm at 2149 W. Armitage Ave. The show will run through December 2. Call 773-252-8750 for more information.
Blindfaith Theatre presents Gorey Stories, a musical adaptation of various stories written by Chicago-born artist Edward Gorey. The play opens tonight at the Viaduct Theatre (3111 N. Western) and runs Thursdays through Saturdays until December 17. Tickets are $20, or $18 for students and seniors. For more information, visit the blindfaith Website or call (773) 250-7130.
The Chicago Humanities Festival and the Third Coast Festival present The Sounds of Conflict, a program of war-related sounds and stories. The event happens from 3:30 to 4:30 PM at the Chicago Cultural Center (77 E. Randolph). Tickets are $5, and can be purchased by contacting the Chicago Humanities Festival at (312) 494-9509.
Oh yeah, doin' the happy dance. Mucca Pazza (your one and only number one favorite circus punk marching band) are celebrating the release of their very first EP tonight with all of their favorite people (i.e. you) at Martyrs'. Tickets are $10 and music starts at 10pm (21 and over only) with solo Thin Man and The Pussy Pirates. Come on out and see them before they take over the world!
This new market, a couple of blocks south of Roosevelt Road, features arts and crafts for sale, live music, and baked goods. 12 N to 5 PM. $3 suggested donation, 1352 S. Union. For more information, visit the website.
Support the Young Women's Empowerment Project, which helps girls impacted by the sex trade and life on the street, by attending this benefit variety show that features Staceyann Chinn, Amy Kasio, Nikki Patin, and others. $25, or $50 for admission to a pre-show reception with the performers as well as the variety show. 2000 W Fulton, 8 PM (doors open at 7 PM). For more information, call 773-728-0127.
The Old Town School of Folk Music present an afternoon concert by Wee Hairy Beasties, a children's music group that features two musician you may have heard of before: Jon Langford and Sally Timms of the legendary punk band The Mekons. This should be a children's concert that the grown-ups in the crowd will enjoy just as much. The show starts at 2:00 PM in the concert hall in the Old Town School; full details available at the Old Town School Website. Old Town School: 4544 N. Lincoln. (773) 728-6000.
SOFA Chicago -- the Sculptural Objects and Functional Art Expo -- runs Friday through Sunday in the Festival Hall on Navy Pier this weekend. Wear out your eyes and your feet viewing selections from 99 galleries and countless artists. Tickets are $15 general admission, $12 students/seniors, or $25 for all three days. Hours are:
Fri 11/10 - 11am - 8pm
Sat. 11/11 - 11am - 8pm
Sun. 11/12 - 12pm - 6pm
Don't Spit the Water celebrates two years of improv tonight at the Playground Theater, 3209 N. Halsted, at 10:30pm. Come see the show, then stick around for a party and live jug band performance by The Hump Night Thumpers. Tickets are $12 at dontspitthewater.com -- but use the promo code "mrpickles" to score one of 20 $2 tickets!
If you're a big fan of sculpture, furniture, and other artifacts made of wood, check out this tour sponsored by the Aesthetic Eye gallery. Designed for wood art collectors, stops include visits to two galleries as well as a private collector's home, and the $60 price includes lunch, refreshments, and bus transportation. For more information, call 312-243-1520 or visit the website.
The Chicago History Museum (1601 N. Clark St) opens its "Chicago Roots Music" exhibit today, with performances by the Walter Payton High School jazz band and a gallery talk by the exhibit's curators. "Chicago Roots Music" documents the city's ties to the jazz, blues and gospel styles that immigrated here from the South, as well as the "insurgent country" and folk scenes that Chicago has more recently fostered. 12-2 p.m. Free, with cost of museum admission.
WNLO's Mahogany Blue Show presents this review of the African American contribution to entertainment through live music and storytelling, highlighting North Lawndale's role. 1 PM. Free, but reservations are requested: call 773-250-7500 or email wnloradio [at] yahoo [dot] com. 224 S Michigan. For more information, visit the website.
To help you prepare for the holidays, the Shop at the Cultural Center is hosting trunk shows by local artisans and designers every Saturday in November and December before Christmas. Nibble on snacks as you browse.11 AM to 3 PM, 78 E Washington. For more information, call 312-744-6630 or visit the website.
Don't just toss your old bike in a dumpster! Chicago's Working Bikes Cooperative rehabs used bikes and provides them to people who need them, in Chicago as well as overseas. From 10 AM to 2 PM today, you can bring your used bike to the Centennial Forum Student Union, 1125 W Loyola, and learn more about the organization. Refreshments provided. For more information, visit the website or email bikedrive [dot] wbc [at] gmail [dot] com.
The Third Coast International Audio Festival presents "The Sounds of Conflict," a radio documentary listening session. The program is part of the 17th Annual Chicago Humanities Festival, which this year explores the theme "PEACE and WAR: Facing Human Conflict." Hosted by TCIAF's executive director Johanna Zorn and managing director Julie Shapiro, the event will take place in the Claudia Cassidy Theater at the Chicago Cultural Center, 3:30-4:30 pm. 77 E. Randolph Street. Tickets are $5. For tickets and information, see the Festival's website.