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
Tuesday, April 23
Slowdown
BY DAY
Saturday, June 16 2007
Movies in the Park
The Chicago Park District presents Movies in the Park, a summer-long screening of classic and contemporary films in Chicago parks. Tonight there are movies screening at two different parks: Monster House at Roosevelt Park (62 W. Roosevelt Road), and Shrek 2 at Jonquil Playlot Park (1023 W. Wrightwood). The screenings start tonight at dusk, and are free and open to the public. For a complete schedule of movies check out the Chicago Park District Website.
Michael Chiarello at Custer's Last Stand Festival
Finally, a cooking demonstration that doesn't end with "...and that's how you pour milk." Noted chef and Food Network celebrity Michael Chiarello will be appearing today at Evanston's Custer's Last Stand Festival to conduct potentially life-changing cooking demonstrations of his signature California-Italian fare.
Scrabble Workshop @ Chicago Tourism Center
As part of Chicago's "Art of Play" summer celebration of toys and games (through 30 September), Chicago's Scrabble Club # 340 hosts this session that includes open play as well as the opportunity to pick up tips (and winning words) from the experts. 11 AM - 4 PM, 72 E Randolph. Free. For more information, call 312-744-2400 or visit the website.
Arts of Life Annual Summer Exhibit
Arts of Life opens it doors for its annual summer art exhibition featuring the work of thirteen Arts of Life studio artists. Exhibited media range from oil pastels to collages to acrylics to photography and more. Arts of Life is an artist community that "provides adults with developmental disability an environment to experience personal growth." Admission to the 6pm event is $25 and includes beer, wine and hors d'oeurvres. A silent auction will be held starting at 7pm and offers prizes suchs as massages, manicures, baseball memorabilia and, of course, art. Arts of Life is located at 2110 W. Grand Ave. Call 312-829-2787 for more information.
Slow Food Chicago 26th St. Adventure Tour
Join Slow Food Chicago on an "adventure tour" of 26th Street in Little Village. The tour starts at 9:30am at Panaderia La Baguette, 3117 W. 26th, and runs till about noon. Tickets are $15 for SFC members, $20 non-members, and there's only room for 20; reserve your spot here.
Taste of Randolph Street
Taste of Randolph Street continues today, starting at 2pm. Come enjoy food from more than a dozen restaurants, watch cooking demonstrations by chefs from de cero, Sushi Wabi, La Sardine, Whole Foods and Vivo, and enjoy performances by Adam Fitz, the Live and Times, the Changes, The Walkmen and Smoking Popes. On Randolph Street west of Halsted. More info and full schedule here.
Rubik's Cube National Open: Registration and Preliminary Rounds @ Cultural Center
Remember Rubik's Cube? The winner of this weekend's national contest gets a free trip to the World Championship bout in Budapest. Contestants can register between 10 and 11 AM; preliminary rounds go from 10 AM to 6 PM. Part of the Art of Play series of events. Free, in the Randolph Cafe. 77 E Washington. Call 312-744-6630 for more information or visit the website.
Neighborhood Revitalization for Whom? @ West Englewood Library
As part of the Know More series of the Public Square of the Illinois Humanities Council, Professor Mary Patillo of Northwestern University discusses the politics of black-on-black gentrification in this event moderated by Natalie Moore of Chicago Public Radio. Patillo's most recent book, Black on the Block, "documents the historic rise, alarming fall, and equally dramatic "renewal" of the North Kenwood–Oakland neighborhood on Chicago's South Side." 2:30 PM, 1745 W 63rd. Free. For more information, visit the website.
Work Out @ Millennium Park
Yoga at 8 AM, Pilates at 9 AM, and Indian folk dance at 10 AM, led by instructor Shamila Khetarpal, on the Great Lawn. If you need more incentive than taking in the amazing skyline views while working up a sweat, consider this: it's free. For more information, visit the website.
Mendelssohn's Elijah @ Millennium Park
The Grant Park Music Festival season at the Pritzker Pavilion continues with tonight's performance of Mendelssohn's Elijah. 7:30 PM. Free. For more information, visit the website.
Chicago Lions and Typers Festival at the Uptown Writer's Space
The Uptown Writer's Space hosts a three-day festival of readings by Uptown Writers Space members and special guests: the first annual Chicago Lions and Typers Festival. Doors open tonight at 6pm. At 6:30pm, enjoy readings by Joe Janes, Bob Pullman, Cara Jepsen, Eden Robins, Marianna Swallow. At 8pm, readings by John Berger, Lisa Buscani, Lee Peters, Ivan Rodden, John Weagly. At 9:15pm, readings by Hugh Musik, Kristin McCartney, Amy Krause Rosenthal, Steve Sacks, Greg Sklar. And at 10:30pm, screen the film "Niagra" produced in 1953. The Uptown Writer's Space is at 4802 N. Broadway, Suite 200 - 773-275-1000.
Little City Used Book Sale (Formerly Brandeis Book Sale) - Bargain Weekend!
For those of us who used to trek to Skokie every summer for the Brandeis Book Sale, mourn not the loss of those jaunty book-slingin' ladies...the sale's been taken over by Little City. The Little City Book Sale promises to be one of the best used book events in the Chicago area, so don't miss out - especially today and tomorrow, which is Bargain Weekend! The sale is on today from 6 to 10pm at Old Orchard Westfield Mall, and runs until tomorrow, Sunday, June 17th (times vary). More info by calling 847.221.7856.
