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, April 24
Slowdown
BY DAY
Saturday, December 08 2007
Library of Congress films @ Siskel Film Center
The Gene Siskel Film Center presents a program of films preserved by the Library of Congress. The dates on these films range from 1928 to 1951, and will include such treasures as Stanley Kubrick's 1951 The Day of The Fight and Warner Brothers' WWII-era Rhapsody in Rivets. The program airs this evening at 8:00 PM; check the Film Center Website for showtimes. Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.
Jonathan Coulton @ Schubas
Jonathan Coulton, a singer-songwriter whom you might know from any one of a number of different projects (accompanying John Hodgman on his book tour, his Thing A Week project on his Website, or even the tune he wrote for the ending credits of a little game called Portal), plays two shows tonight at Schubas (concert times: 7:30 and 10:30). Opening act: Paul & Storm. Tickets are $15, $17 at the door, and can be purchased through Schubas' Website. The 7:30 show is 18+, the 10:30 show is 21+. Schubas: 3159 N. Southport. (773) 525-2508.
Rock for Reading & Open Books Sort-A-Thon
Join Rock for Reading and Open Books for their first ever Grand Sort-A-Thon. The two non-profit organizations will be sorting through ten thousand children's books to be distributed to local schools and reading programs and they need your help to get it all done. The event starts at 10am and runs until everything's been sorted. If you're not free to sort, but still want to help you can drop off books to donate at the Sort-A-Thon or you can donate food and drink to sustain all the hard workers. The sorting will happen at the Open Books Warehouse at 600 N. Albany Ave. Call 773-209-6878 for more information.
John Turturro's Romance & Cigarettes @ Music Box
The Music Box Theatre presents Romance & Cigarettes, a film by John Turturro starring James Gandolfini, Susan Sarandon and Kate Winslet. The movie premieres tonight, and Mr. Turturro will be in attendance at tonight's screenings. Tickets for tonight's shows are available through Ticketweb. Music Box Theatre: 3733 N. Southport. (773) 871-6604.
Green Parenting 101 @ Notebaert Nature Museum
Manda Aufochs Gillespie, new parent and author of The Green Mama Blog, guides parents through various lifestyle options and consumer choices available, with an emphasis on reducing impact on the planet and the baby's health. Free, but registration is required. Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 North Cannon Dr. 10:30 a.m. Please call 773-755-5191 ext 1 or email RSVP@naturemuseum.org.
Hideout Gets Heavy
Heavy metal at the Hideout, featuring locals Indian, Rabid Rabbit, and Den of Vipers. Show at 9:00 PM.
Chicago Gay Men's Chorus holiday show @ Athenaeum
The Chicago Gay Men's Chorus presents Fruit Cake, the latest of their annual holiday shows. We are promised in tonight's show soaring holiday anthems, light-hearted carols, and a special appearance by Sister Wendy, who will discuss the hidden meanings in a Nativity painting. Fruit Cake is performed at the Athenaeum Theatre today at 3:00 and 8:00. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or at the Athenaeum box office. Athenaeum: 2936 N. Southport. (773) 935-6860.
SantaCon 2007
If you see a lot of guys in red suits, it's only SantaCon 2007, the annual day of debauchery by Santa-suited lotharios bent on putting the "X" back in "Christmas". SantaCon starts at 2:00 PM when a bunch of Santas will meet up at the Congress Hotel bar (520 South Michigan Avenue), and then move on to wherever the Christmas spirit takes them. More information available at the SantaCon site.
Handmade Market @ Empty Bottle
Handmade Market, Chicago's monthly indie craft fair, brings its shiny goodies to the Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western, today from noon to 4:30. Shop for funky jewelry, glass pendants, knitted items, clothing, handbags and more for everyone on your list.
Make Your Own Cigar Box Violin
Got an old cigar box? Make it play sweet music Ben Frye of Frye Guitars will show you what to do in this DIY workshop from 5-7 pm at 3114 W. Carroll. The workshop is $25; BYO cigar box, and Frye will provide the rest of the supplies (except the violin lessons).
Renegade Craft Fair @ Pulaski Park
Get some shopping done today at the Renegade Craft Fair at Pulaski Park (1419 W. Blackhawk) from noon to 8pm. Crafts, food and DJs will be among the offerings.
Jane Addams Day Celebration @ History Museum
The Chicago History Museum celebrates the life of social reformer Jane Addams in this two-hour program that features a lecture and a reading of The Halsted Street Play, which was "written by a resident of Hull House." Free with museum admission. 1601 N Clark. For more information, call 312-799-2012 or visit the website.
AREA Magazine Wants and Needs Benefit Party @ Green Lantern
AREA Chicago will host its first annual Wants and Needs Benefit Party tonight! Admission includes homemade goods and one free drink, a dance party and at 10 P.M., a "wants and needs" auction of skills and resources donated by AREA friends, contributors and advisors, with bids starting as low as $5. The auction features everything from swimming lessons to qi gong sessions to a tour of Chicago's Haymarket monuments. to A full list of items to be auctioned off can be found here. December 8, 2007 at Green Lantern Gallery, 1511 N Milwaukee Ave., 2nd Floor. Please note this is not an ADA accessible venue. 8 P.M. until late; $10-$20 (sliding scale) before 10 P.M., $20 thereafter. Proceeds from AREA's Wants and Needs Party will benefit AREA's sixth issue. This issue will document local economic justice issues and create a "How to Easily Understand the last 30 years of Public Policy Toolkit for Local Activists."
For more information, visit www.areachicago.org
Bucktown Holiday Art Show @ Holstein Park
The Bucktown Holiday Art Show will take place this Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 8 and 9, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Holstein Park Fieldhouse, 2200 N. Oakley Ave. The show will feature one-of-a-kind gifts and artwork for sale from more than 100 local artists.
Comptroller Records Unveiling @ Ronny's
Brand spanking new local label, Comptroller Records, presents its first ever showcase at Ronny's, which they've decided to dub Comptrollin' On a Saturday Night. The evening will feature a pop-explosion from the Spectacles, a blast of rock in the face from the Sharks, only to close with local favorites, the Fake Fictions, here to release their latest record, Krakatoa. The label has promised mystery mini-sets, circus acts and a whole lotta rock'n'roll. Show starts at 9pm. Tickets are TBA.
