GB Get-Together & Gallery Visit

It's time for the monthly Gapers Block Get-Together, and this month we've got more than usual in store!

First, artist Mike Genovese is opening his studio in the pedway underneath the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., to GB readers from 5pm to 7pm tonight. To get there, take the elevator down one floor from the lobby where the cafe is, or by entering from the street via the stairwell on the corner of Michigan and Randolph. We'll check out his works in progress and you'll be able to get involved in his current project, which involves etching thoughts onto metal plates.

Later, join us for the GB Get-Together at Phaiz Gallery, 673 N. Milwaukee Ave., from 8pm to 11pm, where we'll be checking out "It's Pop It's Art," a show that features art by Genovese as well as Hit+Run, Retna, Ethos, Garrett Morin and Cody Hoyt. There will be complimentary wine from Black Swan Wines of Australia, DJ Lapple Pietunes spinning, limited edition prints from the show and a raffle benefiting Rock the Vote. It's all free, but you need to RSVP here to get in!

Tabu, The Sadistic Art of Pleasure @ Ageless Arts Tattoo

A look at erotic art and sadistic art, including an anime-style Red Light District series: portraits of people after they've been in car accidents. The show features over eight artists with varying styles. Beverages and a DJ to get in the mood! Hosted by Cecilia Vasquez and Charles Lopez. Through July 31. 7-11 p.m. 2410 S. Kedzie. For more info, visit the Website.

Short Film Brigade

The Chicago Short Film Brigade brings its program of short films to Experimental Station, 6100 S. Blackstone Ave., at 7:30pm. Tickets are $5 at the door.

The Ways Things Drag Their Futures Around Reception@ ThreeWalls

Known for their practice of material reuse and re-design, Material Exchange has developed a practice recognized for its innovation and mentorship. For ThreeWallsSOLO, the collaborative creates within the gallery a fallen tree/tree-house that operates as both shelter-within-a-shelter and source of new growth. The exhibit is both uncanny and hopeful, and suggests the countless ways a thing can mature, whether re-purposed, augmented or lending itself to expansion. 6-9 p.m. 119 N. Peoria, 2A/2D. For more info, visit the Website.

Film Noir: Laura @ Film Center

The Gene Siskel Film Center presents a month-long showing of film noir films from the 20th Century Fox archives. Tonight's film is Otto Preminger's Laura from 1944, a famous thriller/love story starring Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney. Laura screens tonight at 6:00 PM, and will also be shown tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 PM. See the Film Center Website for a complete listing of the films. Tickets: $9, $7 for students, $5 for Film Center members, and $4 for SAIC students. Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.

Shawnimals Plushform Launch @ Rotofugi

Rotofugi Gallery, 1953 W. Chicago Ave., hosts the launch of Shawnimals' new Plushform plush toys from 6pm to 9pm tonight. On sale will be the new DIY blank plush, and more than 60 custom Plushform by artists from around the world will be on display. There will also be prizes, goodie bags for the first 50 people through the door, and demos throughout the night. Free.

Wizard World

Wizard World takes over the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont this Friday through Sunday. There's too much going on to list here, so check out today's schedule on the Wizard World site. Get tickets here.

Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Convention

The annual Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Convention features nightly flicks played at an outdoor inflatable drive-in theater, Q&A sessions with film stars and directors (including the 40th reunion of the cast of Night of the Living Dead and director George Romero), a bustling Dealers' Room where you can find memorabilia, and much more. June 27-29, 2008 at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare in Rosemont. Call 847-478-0119 for more information.

Tattoo Expo @ Navy Pier

The "world's largest piercing, body art and tattoo expo". Thousands of tourists from Iowa. Think of the photographic possibilities. The culture clash will take place at Navy Pier beginning tomorrow, 2 p.m. at the Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave. and last until Sunday.

Schadenfreude @ Theater on the Lake

In honor of its 10th anniversary, Schadenfreude is performing its original sketch comedy show from 1998 at Theater on the Lake, Fullerton & Lake Shore Drive in Lincoln Park, tonight at 7:30pm. The show runs June 25-29. Tickets are $17.50, call 312-742-PLAY for reservations.

Cubs vs. White Sox @ U.S. Cellular

Crosstown Showdown, Part Deux. White Sox fans are looking for revenge in the form of a three-game sweep. Cubs fans are looking to rub more dirt in their faces. Should be a fun weekend. Game 1 is today at 3:05 at U.S. Cellular, 333 W. 35th St.

Taste of Chicago

The Taste of Chicago gets going today and runs thru 7/6, bringing its sea of gastronomic tidbits to Grant Park once again. This year, plan your route with an interactive map. Admission is free, but food and drink tickets are sold in strips of 12 for $8 at the festival. Get all the lowdown on the music, food, cooking demos, and family activities online.

Music today includes:
Chaka Khan and Angie Stone @ Petrillo Music Shell at 5:30 p.m.

and at the Taste Stage:
10:45 am - Taste Opening Ceremony featuring Kooza from Cirque du Soleil
12-12:45 pm - Ac Rock (Ac apella)
1:30-2:15 pm - Instant Karma (John Lennon/Beatles Tribute)
3-3:45 pm - Liz Mandeville (Blues)
4:30-5:15 pm - Shauwn Knight (Jazz/Neo Soul)
6-6:45 pm - Lisa René Band (Pop/Rock/Funk)
7:30-8:30 pm - KCR Ensemble (All Ladies Ensemble)

Culinary Crosstown Classic @ Four Seasons

Summer is here, bringing with it baseball, brats, beer, and ever-intensifying tension between the North and South sides' on the topic of their favorite team. If you'd like to participate in defending your neighborhood honor even if you don't know what ERA stands for, consider the Crosstown Culinary Classic, where nascent James Bear awardee Carrie Nahabedian of Naha and Kevin Hickey of Seasons throw down for the Cubs, the Sox, fine dining and (the real kicker) a great cause, as the Iron-chef style showdown will benefit Common Threads. For $250, participants will enjoy a cocktail reception, view of the cook-off and enjoyment of the resulting four-course meal (possible dishes are rumored to include cheese fries with truffles, soft shell crab mini-sandwiches, and tobacco leaf-smoked Carolina pulled pork sandwiches), as well as a silent auction. For tickets, visit the Common Threads site. The event will be June 27, 6:00 PM at the Four Seasons Hotel, 120 East Delaware Place.