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
Friday, April 19
Slowdown
BY DAY
Saturday, December 02 2006
Conservation Behind the Scenes @ Harold Washington Library
If you've ever wanted to know more about book conservation, here's your chance to learn from the big guys. Today the Harold Washington Library opens their doors for a tour of their Convservation Lab. You'll get to learn the difference between conservation and preservation and you'll pick up some tips to keep your own books looking good. The 11am tour is free, but registration is required. Call 312-747-4884 to save your spot. 400 S. State St.
Lincoln Square Holiday Festival
Get your holidays started right with an all-out festival in Lincoln Square. This weekend you can listen to some stories at the Book Cellar, make some pottery at the Lincoln Square Pottery Studio, do yoga with your kids at the Bloom Yoga Studio, take pictures with Santa, listen to the Saint Matthias Choir and much more. The festival is centered around Giddings Plaza at 4731 N. Lincoln and run Friday, 5-8pm, Saturday, 10am-7pm, and Sunday, 10am-4pm. For more information contact the Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce at 773-728-3890.
Oops @ Heaven Gallery
Oops is a reading series featuring humorous memoirs, diary entries and stories of past experiences. Tonight's reading will "take you back back back again to lands of high school and beyond, where families fued and wee hearts are wooed." Live music by singer/songwriter Angie Ma will follow the reading. $7 at Heaven Gallery, 1550 N. Milwaukee Ave. 8pm. Email oopsread[at]gmail[dot]com for more information.
BoyGirlBoyGirl & Ladies Auxiliary @ Uptown Writer's Space
The theater group BoyGirlBoyGirl (Susan McLaughlin Karp, David Kodeski, Stephanie Shaw, and Edward Thomas-Herrera), along with the Ladies Auxiliary (Diana Slickman and Rachel Claff) present an evening of stories about the holidays. Their show happens tonight at the Uptown Writer's Space, 4802 N. Broadway Suite 200, at 7:30 PM. Admission is a suggested $5 donation.
Writing Chicago Childhoods @ Newberry Library
Three writers read samples of their work about growing up in Chicago, followed by a discussion, from a writerly perspective, about capturing childhood. 10 AM, free. 60 W Walton. For more information, visit the website.
Ask an Expert: Greening Your Home @ Chicago Center for Green Technology
If you've been thinking about renovating your home to make it more environmentally friendly, consider this panel, which offers the opportunity to meet with professionals who can answer detailed questions about building codes, permits, and strategies for "greening your home." 10 AM to 3 PM. Free, but reservations are required: contact Meghann Maves at 312-746-4678. 445 N Sacramento. For more information, visit the website.
Enterprising Kitchen Holiday Sale & Open House
The Enterprising Kitchen is a non-profit organization that supports "women seeking self-sufficiency and independence" and this weekend they're opening their doors for a Natural Soap and Spa Products Holiday Sale and Open House. Check out their independent line of spa products, all made on site by the women of Enterprising Kitchen. Friday, 4-8pm, and Saturday, 9am-2pm, at 4426 N. Ravenswood. All shoppers get a special gift with each purchase. Call 773-506-3880 for more information.
Oops Read @ Heaven
Listen to everyday folk read from their embarassing, ridiculous childhood journals. Saturday night only at Heaven Gallery, located at 1550 N. Milwaukee Ave. It's just $7 to get in and also BYOB. If you want to read, sign up at oopsread [at] gmail [dot] com.
Trunk Show @ Cultural Center
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.
DEPART-ment @ Open End Gallery
It's time again for one of the quarterly DEPART-ment craft fairs at Open-End gallery. This awesome idea to bring you a department store-style set up of some of the absolute best indie Chicago crafts happens just in time to get your holiday shopping done. Items will be arranged by category, with one convenient checkout station at the end. Cash only (ATM on site). Open-End is located at 2000 W. Fulton, #310 (at Damen, just south of Grand) . Give them a call for more info at (312) 560-1442. The sale runs Dec. 1 (Friday) night from 7pm-11pm, Dec. 2 (Saturday) 11am-5pm and Dec. 3 (Sunday) 11am-5pm.
Lisa Lampanelli @ Vic Theatre
Caustic comedian Lisa Lampanelli performs two shows at the Vic Theatre tonight. It's 18+ and, unlike most music events at the Vic, it's reserved seating First show: doors open at 6:30, show at 7:30. Second show: doors open at 9:30, show at 10:30. $28.50, tickets available at the Vic box office or via Ticketmaster (first show, second show).
Holiday Bazaar
Can't get enough crafting or art? Then head on over Wood Street Gallery (1239 N Wood Street) today from 10-6pm and see a great combination of handmade goods that someone on your holiday shopping list would love to have. Like most shows, admission is free but purchasing is recommended. See a list of vendors here.
