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
Wednesday, May 8
Slowdown
BY DAY
Thursday, June 07 2007
Pipettes, Smoosh @ Empty Bottle
England's greatest living Phil Spector cover band...er, The Pipettes play the Bottle this Thursday night! The girls, while clearly standing in the shadows of great girl bands before them, have a spunky, non-snarky, and sexy approach to the genre that has only been fed further by their limited availability and continual absence of a North American release of their first album (it's finally coming this summer). To sweeten the sugary deal, adorably rockin' teenagers Smoosh further break expectations and deliver excellent indie tunes(and I did not add a caveat "for two kids who can't even drive yet").
Wakarusa Music Festival
While Lawrence, KS is a considerable distance from Chicago many locals bands are making the trek to be part of the annual Wakarusa Music Festival. Spare Parts, Cornmeal, Groovatron, Backyard Tire Fire, The Fuz and The Super American Happy Fun Good-Time Jamband are area groups playing the fest. They will join the likes of Ben Harper, Son Volt, Lotus, Widespread Panic, Les Claypool, The Night Watchmen and many more for this major weekend festival. And while music is the focus, there will also be camping, yoga, disc golf and lots of good beer. The festival runs through Sunday.
Meeting of Chicago Tenants Congress
Chicago Tenants need to talk and coordinate to support one another. Come out to the monthly meeting of the Community Congress of Tenants. At Metropolitan Tenants Organization's offices - 1180 N. Milwaukee Avenue. 6pm-8pm.
Name That Tune @ Whitehall Hotel
As part of Chicago's "Art of Play" summer celebration of toys and games (through 30 September), the swanky Whitehall Hotel's Club Room is hosting a free session of Name That Tune featuring singer/pianist Audrey Morris. 7-10 PM, 105 E Delaware. For more information, call 312-573-6300 or visit the website.
Movieside Film Festival Anniversary @ Music Box
The Movieside Film Festival celebrates its sixth anniversary with a special screening tonight at The Music Box. Music video director Chuck Statler will be discussing the videos that he shot for Devo, Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, Graham Parker, Madness, and many others before MTV came along. He will also be screening examples of his work from the pre-MTV period. The Chuck Statler program is at 9:00 PM, and will be preceded by a program of short films by other directors at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $8 for both programs. Music Box: 3733 N. Southport. (773) 871-6604.
Chicago Blues Fest: Billy Branch & the Sons of Blues 30th Anniversary
30th birthday party for one of Chicago's longest-running bands, which has spawned many solo acts. See feature:
http://www.gapersblock.com/transmission/archives/2007/06/07/2007_chicago_blues_festival_preview_reunions_guitar_gods_and_living_history/.
Chicago Blues Fest: Hoochie-Coochie Boys
An aggregation of former Muddy Waters sidemen. See feature:
http://www.gapersblock.com/transmission/archives/2007/06/07/2007_chicago_blues_festival_preview_reunions_guitar_gods_and_living_history/.
In the K/Now: It's Easy Being Green! @ Chicago History Museum
In this event co-sponsored by The Public Square of the Illinois Humanities Council, Laura Washington, an architect of the new Center on Halsted, discusses environmentally friendly practices. 1601 N Clark, 6:30 PM. Free: click here to make a reservation. For more information, call 312-642-4600 or visit the website.
Festival Prague: Chicago Concert @ Cultural Center
This free concert by Czech violinist Silvie Hessova and pianist Daneil Wiesner is part of Prague Days, a one-month celebration of Czech culture. In the Claudia Cassidy Theater, 7:30 PM. 77 E Washington. For more information, visit the website.
MatchDotBomb @ W&CF
In this book about internet dating, local author Francine Pappadis Friedman puts a usually tired subject in a new light. Widowed after 31 years of marriage, Friedman is persuaded by friends to trying dating online and the book chronicles the men she meets as well as how they help her to come to terms with her newfound status as a single woman and her pursuit of happiness. Free at 7:30pm at Women & Children First, 5233 N. Clark St. Call 773-769-9299 for more information.
Lip @ The Spot
The Poetry Center continues its reading series tonight at 8 PM. Host Emily Rose emcees an open mic followed by two featured readings. Tonight, Idris Goodwin and Krista Franklin perform. $5. 4437 N Broadway. For more information, call 312-899-7483 or visit the website.
The National @ Metro
Brooklynites The National headline at The Metro tonight. Expect many gems from the this year's exquisite Boxer LP, as well as rich dark-pop favorites from Alligator and Dirty Songs for Dirty Lovers. Talk Demonic and Shapes & Sizes open. Doors at 8, show at 9. Metro: 773-549-0203
