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, October 10
Slowdown
BY DAY
Tuesday, July 10 2007
It Was a Dark & Stormy Night: A Game of First Lines
Are you the kind of person who always wins at Scrabble and beats the pants off everyone at Trivial Pursuit? It's because you read, right? Well, put your literary prowress to the test tonight at the Newberry Library as you battle other booklovers in "It Was a Dark & Stormy Night: A Game of First Lines." It's as simple, and as difficult, as identifying the author or title of a book with only the book's first line as a clue. Game developr Catherine Braendel will join the games and discuss how she and her husband came up with the idea. Free at 6pm, though reservations are required. Call 312-255-3700 to save your spot. The Newberry Library is located at 60 W. Walton St.
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's screenings: Happy Feet at Piotrowski Park (4247 W. 31st St.); and Talladega Nights at Smith (Joseph Higgins) Park (2526 W. Grand Ave.). 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.
Blue Velvet @ Gene Siskel Film Center
The Gene Siskel Film Center presents a month-long festival of the films of David Lynch. Today's film is the 1986 breakthrough Blue Velvet. The film shows today at 8:00 PM, and will also be screened this Thursday; see the Film Center's Website for a complete schedule. Tickets: $9, $7 for students, $5 for Film Center members, and $4 for SAIC students. Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.
Bookslut reading @ Hopleaf
Bookslut presents the latest in its series of monthly readings. Tonight's reading starts at 7:30 PM at the Hopleaf in Andersonville (doors open at 6:00), and features authors Peter Ho Davies (The Welsh Girl), Jana Martin (Russian Lover and Other Stories) and Aaron Belz (The Bird Hoverer). The event is free and open to the public. See the Bookslut site for full details. Hopleaf: 5148 N. Clark Street.
Democracy Burlesque: Pilgrim's Progress
Democracy Burlesque -- "where only the politics are naked" -- is a monthly variety show/revue/cabaret/ happening aimed at liberal and progressive artists, fans, and sympathizers. Tonight's show is called "Pilgrim's Progress: The Immigration Show." The show starts at 8 pm at the No Exit Cafe, 6970 N. Glenwood. Tickets are $10.
Robbers On High Street @ Schubas
New York's Robbers on High Street have been busy lately. Between working with rising Italian composer Daniele Luppi, releasing an EP (The Fatalist and Friends), working on a new album (Grand Animals due on July 24), and just plain touring a lot, the band has kept their name in the spotlight. Since their debut, Tree City, earned accolades from supporters and "They're just a Spoon cover band" from critics in 2005, the band has matured their sound and added more piano. Tonight they'll return to Chicago for the second time in two months for a performance at Schubas. For more information, visit their website.
Tuesdays on the Terrace @ MCA
Kick back at the Museum of Contemporary Art after work. Check out the farmer's market out front (it closes by 6 PM), wander through the exhibits (MCA admission is free Tuesdays), and conclude your evening lounging on the terrace, listening to jazz (the concert starts at 5:30 PM) and enjoying one of the best views in Chicago. For more information, call MCA at 312-280-2660 or visit the website.
