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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Thursday, March 28
Travel towards the Wisconsin/Illinois border for the Bristol Renaissance Faire. Saturday marks the first weekend of the summer festival. Tickets for kids 5-12 are free. Adult tickets cost $15.
Mexican indie act Los Dynamite makes its Chicago premiere tonight at Metro. Bespeaking the cultural effects of globalization, this band sings in English and interweaves the influences of Daft Punk, the Clash, and the White Stripes into their tunes. Oh, and they idolize Interpol, too. DJ sets by CEDENO, NANDO, DIRTY DAVE and VICTOR LUA open the set. Tickets: $20 in advance and $25 day of show. 18 & over. Doors open at 7pm; show starts at 8pm.
The first-ever Mini Film Festival to showcase a broad selection of original film and video works five minutes and under. Festivities to take place after dark under the stars in the backyard. Works include pieces by Kenny Reed, Clayton Flynn, Rebecca Schoenecker, Justin Meredith, Damian Bishop, John Kannenberg, Chris Heffner and Annette Sonnewend. Curated by Liz Hood and Lucia Fabio. Suggested donation of $2. 9p.m.-midnight. 3111 W. Diversey, first floor. For more info, visit the Website.
Members of the Windy City Cycling Club conduct an early morning ride from Lincoln Park to Hyde Park, beginning at the Totem Pole near Lake Shore Drive (3600 N. Recreation Drive). The ride kicks off at 9 a.m. and includes a stop for brunch at Medici’s in Hyde Park.
Tonight, London DJ, producer, and dubstep innovator Kode9 hits town to spin a top-of-the-bill headlining set at Sonotheque. DJs Chris Widman and Phaded get the evening started. See our Transmission page for further details. 1444 W. Chicago Ave. 9 PM - 3 AM. Admission is $15.
The White Sox West Coast nemesis arrives at The Cell. Game time is 6:05 at the ballpark, 333 W. 35th St.
The 2008 Chicago Street Soccer Cup, um, kicks off today at 9am and runs till 7pm, with 128 of the city's informal and semiformal soccer teams competing for the cup. The action is at Chicago Indoor Sports, 3900 S. Ashland Ave., on their outdoor courts. Freestyle competitions, DJs, giveaways and a free raffle are also part of the fun today and Sunday. Free, all ages.
The Taste of Chicago 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 includes:
Bonnie Raitt and Dave Barnes at the Petrillo Music Shell at 5:30 p.m.
also, on the Taste Stage:
12-12:45 pm - La Zafra (Steele Drum)
1:30-2:15 pm - Diana Rein (Pop/Rock)
3-3:45 pm - Shannon Raye (Country)
4:30-5:15 pm - Caozz (Rock/Funk)
6-6:45 pm - Chicago Groove Collective (R&B)
7:30-8:30 pm - Bumpus (Funk)