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 27
Slowdown
BY DAY
Wednesday, July 18 2007
Kevin Davis @ Chicago Public Library
Journalist Kevin Davis will be sitting down with lawyer and author Scott Turow to talk about the current state of Chicago's criminal justice system, related to Davis' recent book Defending the Damned: Inside Chicago's Cook County Public Defender's Office. The discussion takes place at the Cindy Pritzker Auditorium at the Harold Washington Library Center (400 S. State St.). Free. 6pm. Call 312-747-4050 for more information.
Reconstruction Room @ Black Rock
Reconstruction Room, a twice-monthly reading series that features a different theme for each show and encourages audience participation, presents "Flotsam and Jetsam," a show put together using "voluntary castoffs, castaways and floating bits...an interdisciplinary variety show inspired by discarded pieces." Free at 8pm, 3614 N. Damen Ave. Email recroom[at]recroomers[dot]com for more information.
Local Author Night @ Book Cellar
The Book Cellar welcomes Naeem Murr (The Perfect Man), Debbie Sue Goodman (Still Dating), Joseph Flynn (Farewell Performance) and Donald G. Evans (Good Money After Bad) to this month's Local Author Night. Don't miss the chance to hear the authors discuss their works and answer your individual questions. Free at 7pm, 4736 N. Lincoln Ave. Call 773-293-2665 for more information.
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: Bench Warmers (PG-13) at Rainey Park (4350 W. 79th St.); Over The Hedge (PG) at Senka Park (5656 S. Saint Louis Ave.); and the 1976 version of Bad News Bears (PG) at Churchill Field Playlot Park (1825 N. Damen 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.
Lit Legends At Quimby's
Ok maybe not legends, but local stalwarts for sure. Tonight head to Quimby's at 7 to see Alicia Dorr, Kate Sandler, Aaron Cynic and Gapersblock's own Brent Kado. This is a free event and is part of the on-going Machine Fest.
Theater on the Lake: Side Show
The Chicago Park District presents Theater on the Lake, a summer-long revival of great theatrical productions from the last year or so. This week's production: Side Show by the Bohemian Theatre Ensemble. The show plays at the Theater on the Lake theater (Fullerton Avenue at Lake Michigan) Wednesday through Sunday at 7:30 PM (6:30 PM Sunday nights). Tickets are $17.50 and can be purchased through the Theater on the Lake box office: (312) 742-7994. Also see the Website for a complete schedule of shows.
Inland Empire @ Gene Siskel Film Center
The Gene Siskel Film Center presents a month-long festival of the films of David Lynch. Today's film is Lynch's recent experiment with digital video, 2006's Inland Empire. The film shows today at 6:30 PM; 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.
Chicago Sidewalk Sale @ Daley Plaza
Local shops and designers set up shop around the Picasso for the day (10 AM to 6 PM). If you stop by around lunch time, you can catch a fashion show. 50 W Washington. For more information, call 312-744-6630 or visit the website.
Emil and the Detectives @ Cultural Center
Part of the Cinema/Chicago Summer Screening Program, tonight's movie is co-presented by Goethe Institut Chicago. In the Claudia Cassidy Theater at 7:30 PM. Free, 77 E Randolph. For more information, call 312-744-6630 or visit the website.
Guru's Jazzmatazz @ House of Blues
It was slightly gimmicky when he introduced the concept back in the mid 90s, now it's actually kind of commonplace. Guru brings Jazzmatazz into Chicago for the second time this year. It's a hip-hop/jazz fusion which has its fans as well as its detractors, but the show goes on. 9pm at the House of Blues, tickets at the HOB box office or usual purveyors.
BBQ Sparerib Kickoff @ West Town Tavern
With all the blog chatter lately on BBQ, you may be hankerin for some ribs. Every Wednesday night, Chef Susan Goss is serving up a Texas-style pork spareribs special with sides of fried potato salad and black-eyed pea relish for just $18.75. If you really want to do it up, visit tonight for their official BBQ rib kickoff party. Wine fans can add a glass of Murphy Goode Liar's Dice Zinfandel 2004 for $10 and Chef will throw in a piece of her famed Lemon Chess Pie on the house. Plus, every diner that orders the Q special will get a packet of her BBQ dry rub spice blend to take home. Best make reservations just to be safe. 312-666-6175.West Town Tavern. 1329 W Chicago Ave.
Queer Fest Midwest Benefit Show
Queer Fest Midwest isn't happening till late August, but you can help support it by coming to tonight's benefit show at the Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont. Stiletto Attack and DJ Johnny Dangerous perform, and there'll be a community craft bazaar open for anyone to sell their hand-made wares. doors open at 10pm; 18 and over. Admission is $8.
B1g T1me @ Quenchers
Love those '80s cover bands? How about one that channels your favorite one-hit wonders through the body and soul of Tom Waits? Yup, that's right. Tom Waits. Chicago's own B1g T1me does just that. You might just hear that sweet sweet gravelly voice doing its best job at re-imagining Dio's "Holy Diver" or Journey's "Wheel in the Sky" (and it couldn't sound better). Read a review over in Transmission, then head out to their latest gig tonight at Quencher's bar at Fullerton and Western. It's free!
The Decemberists @ Millennium Park
The indie band performs with backup from the Grant Park Orchestra in this free gig in the Pritzker Pavilion. 6:30 PM. For more information, visit the website.
