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
Saturday, October 20 2007
NW NOW's Ghoulish Fundraiser
Put on your favorite or scariest costume and join Northwest Suburban NOW for its 2nd Annual Fundraiser tonight from 6:30pm to 9:30pm at Durty Nellies, 180 N. Smith St. in Palatine. The evening will honor Linda Bubon & Ann Christopherson, the owners of Women & Children First. Join in a costume contest, bid on raffle items and enjoy the night. $30 admission; $50 gets you in plus a year's membership in NW NOW.
Tour de Champagne Chicago @ Drake Hotel
A pricy evening sampling champagnes from over 20 French vineyards with local snacks to match, the $110-145 per person event's proceeds go to benefit Common Threads and Meals on Wheels Chicago. A Paris getaway and other raffle prizes sweeten the deal. At the Drake Hotel, 140 E. Walton Place, 7 to 11pm. More details online here, or call the Drake at 312-787-2200.
Bridgeport Art Walk
As part of Chicago Artists Month, take a stroll through Bridgeport galleries and artist studios, starting at the mn Gallery at 3524 S Halsted. For more information, call 773-847-0573.
Opening: Big Picture: A New View of Painting in Chicago @ Chicago History Museum
This exhibit "highlights the relationship between Chicago's landscape and its artwork"; it includes some monumental murals as well as abstract paintings. 1601 N Clark. For more information, call 312-642-4600 or visit the website.
Goodman Theatre Costume Sale
The Goodman Theatre is holding a costume sale today from 9am to 2pm in the theater lobby, 170 N. Dearborn. Costumes for sale will include pieces from Mary Zimmerman’s The Odyssey, Galileo Galilei and Mirror of the Invisible World, Stephen Sondheim’s Bounce, among many other productions. Admission is free, all items are cash and carry.
Illinois Women's Press Association Book Fair
The Illinois Women's Press Association is holding their annual book fair today in the Randolph Street Cafe at the Chicago Cultural Center. Dozens of authors are also scheduled to appear to discuss and sign their books. See the .pdf flyer for complete details. Free. 10am-4pm. 77 E. Randolph St. Call 312-744-6630 for more information.
Ken Foster and Elizabeth Crane @ Quimby's
Quimby's wants you to join Ken Foster, author of The Dogs Who Found Me, and special guest Elizabeth Crane, author of When the Messenger is Hot, for an evening of readings and dog hijinx. Free. 7pm. 1854 W. North Ave. Call 773-342-0910 for more information.
Laurie B. Green @ Chicago Public Library
Laurie B. Green will be discussing her book Battling the Plantation Mentality: Memphis and the Black Freedom Struggle at the Woodson Regional Library of the Chicago Public Library. Free. 1:30-4pm. 9525 S. Halsted St. Call 312-745-2080 for more information.
Chicago Archives Fair @ Newberry Library
The Chicago Archives Fair, sponsored by Chicago Area Archivists and the Chicago Metro History Education Center, is designed to publicize the wealth of archival collections available for research in the Chicago metropolitan area. Representatives from 30 area institutions will be on hand. Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton. 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Free. Visit CAA for more information.
Festival of Democracy @ Experimental Station
The Public Square at the Illinois Humanities Council hosts a day-long "Festival of Democracy" featuring activists, scholars, and artists. This day-long gathering includes three panel discussions, performances by young artists, and a “People’s Party” with performances by hip-hop artists to end the evening. Speakers include Rashid Khalidi (Columbia University), Laura Flanders (Air America), Bill Fletcher (Center for Labor Renewal), Bernardine Dohrn (Northwestern University), and Salim Muwakkil (In These Times). The event runs from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Experimental Station, 6100 S. Blackstone Ave. Free. For more information visit The Public Square online or call 312.422.5580.
Ladyfest Chicago Concerts
Ladyfest returns to Chicago with a four-day festival of art, music, film, spoken word, and activism. Tonight's bill: an all-ages show at AV-Aerie, 2000 W. Fulton, featuring a short puppet film by Miss Pussycat followed by the song stylings of Lady Lucille, Bunny Rabbit, High Places, and Glass Candy. $10 at the door, or buy a weekend pass for $30 to get into all the events.
Free Stuff at Ladyfest Chicago
Ladyfest returns to Chicago with a four-day festival of art, music, film, spoken word, and activism -- and a lot of it is free of charge! From 11-5 today, check out the Pack Lady Rummage and Craft Spectacular of crafts, records, and thrifty finds at AV-Aerie, 2000 W. Fulton. There's also a slate of workshops on bike repair, podcasting and independent radio, genderf*ck dress-up, and starting your own organization (with Amy Schroeder of Venus Zine and Gina Mamone of Riot Grrrl Ink), all at Heaven Gallery, 1515 W. Milwaukee. And it's all free, free, free!
Winterizing Compost Bins @ Garfield Park Conservatory
If you're one of those good folks who maintain a compost bin, then you might want to drop in to this demo session that explains how to prepare your compost for the coming cold weather. Free, 300 N Central Park, 1-3 PM. For more information, visit the website.
