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.
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Friday, April 19
If you have the determination to be awake at an ungodly early hour and haul your cookies to Bike the Drive, you'll be in for a treat that all Chicagoans should enjoy at least once in their lives: an opportunity to ride a bicycle down Lakeshore Drive and experience its beautiful tranquility without the billions of cars that will not be allowed to use it this morning from 5:30 to 10:30. Event benefits the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation. Registration $35-$75.
If you thought all the cool, indie craft shows were in the city, then you were wrong. Cause there are some bad-ass crafters uniting under one roof to overthrow the western suburbs today. Shop the Constructor Craft Fair at Fitzgerald's (6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn) from 12pm to 8pm. The first 50 people get an awesome free swag bag.
Mike Zapata of Make Magazine; Michael Newwirth of Fifth Wednesday Journal; Robert Baird of Chicago Review; and Simon A. Smith of Bruiser Review are scheduled to read at Charleston as part of the Sunday Salon Chicago Prose Series. Free. 2076 North Hoyne Ave. Call 773-489-4757 for more information.
Come see some acrobatic dancers create a story in the air using ... giant lampshades. And picture frames and clotheslines and boots, oh my! Aloft Aerial Dance presents The Dinner of our Discontent, in which they tell the story--which "veers from heartbreaking to hilarious"--of five estranged sisters returning home after the sudden deaths of their parents.
May 16-18 and 23-25, 8:00 p.m. at the Aloft Loft, 941 N California Ave. (down the alley, in the back). $20-$30 tickets at Brown Paper Tickets
Brain Surgeon Theater's new show will lead you through a montage of dreams and nightmares! Based on the nocturnal musings of the local kids and adults in the cast, this rock & roll musical aims to find out what goes bump in the night--and why. At 1 pm; tickets are $10. Visit Brain Surgeon's site to buy tickets. Or pick them up at Gorilla Tango Theater, 1919 N Milwaukee Ave, 773-598-4549.
For four days in May, Pilcrow Lit Fest will bring authors, writers, poets, librarians, booksellers, and publishers from around the country together in support of small presses and independent media through small workshops, panel discussions, lectures and author readings.
The third annual Chicago Urban Devils Golf Enthusiasts' League (CUDGEL) Memorial Day weekend event will take place this Sunday, May 25th. Participation is limited to 50 people and costs $5 a person. You must pre-register your team of two to brandishyourclub@gmail.com before the day of the event. Meet at Tuman's (2159 W. Chicago Ave.) at 1 pm. Participants must be over 21 years of age and should bring a golf club and money for drinks/food/tips. Costumes, bribery and creative cheating are always encouraged.
Become the next Jennie Finch, or at least play alongside her. The Chicago Bandits professional women's softball team will hold open tryouts to fill two positions on Sunday, May 25, noon to 3 p.m. at Judson University in Elgin. The team is looking for "exceptional" players 21 and over. For more information, call 877-7BANDIT or email chicagobanditsmedia@gmail.com.
Toons started their crawfish boil 9 years ago and decided to bring the boilers up from Lake Charles LA. This year they will have over 800lbs of crawfish! They'll also serve red beans and rice, muffaletta's, corn & potatoes, as well as Andouille, mushrooms etc.
The date is Sunday May 25th. The price is $25 dollars all you can eat! The festivities begin at noon and is a kid-friendly event. Abita beer specials all day as well!
Toons Bar & Grill
3857 N. Southport
773-935-1919