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
Saturday, April 20
Slowdown
BY DAY
Friday, April 20 2007
One More Night Of Giants
If you missed the Abstract Giants last night at Funky Buddha, tonight is your chance at redemption. Abbey Pub is the place with other acts Glue, Agents of Change and Heiruspecs joining in. 18 and over with a show time of 8 p.m. $12 at the door. Abbey Pub is at 3420 W. Grace.
Free Conference About South State Street Transformation
In recent years the blog The View From The Ground has published news and analysis about the crisis of Chicago, public housing, police abuse, and economic abandonment through the intimate lens of the Stateway Gardens CHA development while it was being torn down during the CHA's Plan for Transformation. The blog is co-sponsoring a conference at the Edwin F. Mandel Legal Aid Clinic of the University of Chicago Law School to explore the issues brought up in their work around Stateway Gardens. The purpose of "The View From The Ground" 8 Blocks Conference conference is to "explore issues, themes, and lines of inquiry that have emerged from our immersion in the eight square blocks of inner city Chicago that were Stateway Gardens. It is designed to enrich public conversations about fundamental issues--race, class, gender, institutional denial and impunity--by grounding them in the realities of life in an inner city community at a time of transformation." Conference participants include Studs Terkel, Jamie Kalven, Beth Richie, Cliff Kelley, Alex Kotlowitz, Sudhir Venkatesh, and many more. The free conference takes place on April 21-20 and space is limited so get in touch and register through the website.
Mono @ Empty Bottle
Fearsome Japanese foursome Mono challenge your ears and blow your mind at The Empty Bottle's late show tonight. Last year's You Are There combines powerful intensity and quiet beauty in epic instrumentals. Tonight's show starts at 9:30. Mono friends world's end girlfriend go on second and The Drift open. Tickets are $12 and earplugs are a $1 so bring $13 if you don't have any. You're going to need them.
Chicago Gay Men's Chorus @ Athenaeum
The Chicago Gay Men's Chorus presents Sidetracked V: Sidetrack With A Twist, a musical tribute to the Boystown video bar Sidetrack. The show happens at the Athenaeum Theater tonight at 8:00 PM, and tomorrow at 5:00 PM and 8:30 PM. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster or through the Athenaeum box office at (773) 935-6860.
The Strangerer @ Links Hall
Theater Oobleck presents a remounting of its recent production The Strangerer at Links Hall (3435 N. Sheffield). The Strangerer was inspired by President Bush's 2006 vacation reading list, which included Albert Camus' The Stranger. The Theater Oobleck production combines the plot of Camus' tale of senseless murder with the 2004 presidential election, into what the theater calls "a murder mystery with the murderers in plain view". The Strangerer starts tonight, and runs Friday and Saturday nights through May 12. Shows are at 8:00 PM, tickets are $10 ("more if you've got it, free if you're broke"), and reservations can be made by calling (773) 281-0824.
Poker Night at the White House preview @ Neo-Futurarium
The Neo-Futurists present their latest prime time show, Poker Night at the White House, an examination of the Warren G. Harding presidency. The play, written by Neo-Futurist Sean Benjamin (author of the previous Neo-Futurist hit 43 Plays for 43 Presidents), has a preview show tonight, and opens on Saturday, April 21. Shows are at Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 PM; tickets are $15, $10 for students/seniors with ID, and Thursday nights are pay-what-you-can. See the Neo-Futurist Website for full show details and to make reservations. Neo-Futurarium: 5153 N. Ashland (at Foster). (773) 275-5255.
Bamboozled @ Film Center
The Gene Siskel Film Center presents a retrospective of the work of director Spike Lee throughout the month. Tonight the Film Center will screen Lee's Bamboozled from 2000. The film will also be screened on Tuesday, April 24, where it will be accompanied by a lecture and discussion from teacher and author Jacqueline Stewart. The film screens tonight at 6:00 PM. Tickets: $9, $7 for students, $5 for Film Center members, and $4 for SAIC students. Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.
Nas @ Congress Theater
Nas is bringing his New York state of mind to town to show us that, despite what the title of his latest album clearly states, hip hop is not dead. All he needs is one mic to do so, and chances are there will be several at the Congress Theater tonight. 2135 N. Milwaukee. Show starts at 8 pm, doors open at 6:30. Ages 18 and up. Tickets cost $31. You can buy them here, or you can call 312-559-1212.
We're Rollin' They're Hatin' Show Opening
"We're Rollin' They're Hatin'" is a large-scale contemporary art show that examines the role of Dungeons and Dragons, Escapism and Fantasy in contemporary art and culture. The exhibition is an art show and interactive platform to explore how artists are influenced by fantasy and roll-playing games. Opening night includes video screenings, performances, music and, of course, art at Co-Prosperity Sphere, 3219 S. Morgan, beginning at 7pm.
Joseph Coulson @ 57th St. Books
Author Joseph Coulson comes to 57th St. Books to read from his latest novel, Of Song and Water. The book is set in the Great Lakes area and follows a jazz guitarist past his prime, reminiscing on music, love and family. Free at 7pm, 1301 E. 57th St. Call 773-684-1300 for more information.
Gidget @ Book Cellar
City Lit Theatre comes to the Book Cellar to read from their new play, Gidget. The play is based on the 1957 diary of Katherine Kohner Zuckerman, who will also take part in the reading. If you stop by you can also have the chance to win a raffle for City Lit's 2007-08 season. Free at 6pm at 4736 N. Lincoln Ave. Call 773-293-2665 for more information.
Battleship Potemkin @ Cultural Center
Graham Reynolds and his Golden Arm Trio perform his score for the classic Russian silent film about a naval revolt. In the Claudia Cassidy Theater, 8 PM. Free. For more information, call 312-744-6630 or visit the website.
