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
Sunday, June 24 2007
Writers on the Record: Nathan Englander
Sponsored by Chicago magazine and 98.7 WFMT, Writers on the Record is a free monthly literary series hosted by Victoria Lautman that gives audiences the unique chance to be audience to interviews of renowned and notable authors. At 12pm today, Lautman welcomes Nathan Englander, author of For the Relief of Unbearable Urges and the more recent The Ministry of Special Cases. Admission is free but reservations are required; get them by calling 312-832-6789. The series is held at Lookingglass Theatre, 821 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago HER-RAH 2007
The International Centre for Women Playwrights and Around the Coyote present Chicago HER-RAH 2007: A Festival of the World's best Women Playwrights and Their New Plays. Teh festival will feature staged readnigs of new, production-ready plays written by women from all over the world. The hope is that the festival will provide a platform for these plays to reach full production by professional theatres. All-festival passes can be purchased for $15; tickets for individual performances are $5 each. Admissions is on a first-come, first-served basis and reservations are not accepted. A full schedule of events can be found on the website. Around the Coyote is located at 1935 1/2 W. North Ave. Call 773-342-6777 for more information.
Comedy by the Numbers @ Quimby's
McSweeney's is coming to Quimby's to celebrate its latest book, Comedy by the Numbers by Prof. Eric Hoffman and Dr. Gary Rudoren. The authors will read and perform pieces from the book and special guest Bob Odenkirk, of Mr. Show with Bok & David fame, will join them. Free at 1pm at 1854 W. North Ave. Call 773-342-0910 for more information.
Belmont Arts & Music Festival
The Belmont Arts & Music Festival has moved further west from its old location near Sheffield; the fest now runs west on Belmont from Damen in Roscoe Village. But the music is still good: Sunday's lineup features the Wrens;
Omega Moos (members of Umphrey's McGee & New Deal); Michael McDermott; Catfish Haven; Bumpus; Dave Tamkin Trio; Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin; Brighton, MA; Satin Peaches and Palomar on two stages. There will also be your standard assortment of vendors and food. $5 suggested donation.
Enzo Avitabile @ Millennium Park
This concert by the Italian musician and his 35-piece ensemble kicks off the the Music without Borders series at the Pritzker Pavilion. 6:30 PM. Free. For more information, visit the website.
38th Annual Pride Parade
The Pride Parade celebrates the city's LGBT community, and attendance should be mandatory for all residents (at least once). I'm always fond of the float sponsored by Altoids, as it has nothing to do with the product, and more to do with beefcakey guys (va-voom!). The parade starts 12:00 p.m. today at the corner of Halsted & Belmont, proceeding north on Halsted (to Broadway); then south on Broadway (to Diversey); then east on Diversey to Cannon Drive, in Lincoln Park. The parade's Grand Marshal is former NBA player John Amaechi. Click here for a calendar of Pride-related events this month in the city.
