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
Thursday, April 18
Slowdown
BY DAY
Sunday, April 19 2009
Bicycle Songcycle @ Heaven Gallery
Today marks the 66th anniversary of Professor Albert Hoffman's serendipitous discovery of LSD and his unforgettable bike ride home. It is also Sewing Pattern's first live performance. Celebrate both the legal option at Heaven Gallery, where Sewing Pattern (aka local songstress Angie Ma) will present her debut album, The Bicycle Songcycle, an auditory celebration of love, loss, and dandy horses. Doors open at 7:30pm. Heaven Gallery is located at 1550 N Milwaukee Avenue. A $5 donation is suggested.
This American Life @ Chicago Theatre
This American Life returns to Chicago for a one-night-only extravaganza, featuring Ira Glass, Dan Savage, David Rakoff, Starlee Kine, Mike Birbiglia and Dave Hill. The show happens tonight at the Chicago Theatre (175 N. State Street) at 7pm. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.
The Spring Show: Architectural Artifacts
There are two things I like shopping for: local handmade items and interesting and eclectic antiques. Thanks to Maria Mariottini I'll be able to shop for both today at Architectural Artifacts (4325 N Ravenswood) from 10am to 5pm. They'll have more than 60 vendors selling wonderful items that may inspire Mother's Day shopping. Besides some of the coolest antiques in the city you'll also be able to find jewelry, paintings, ceramics, textiles, paper products, and so many other great items. And since you'll likely work up an appetite, Vella Cafe will be on hand to serve up tasty sandwiches and delicious snacks.
Holocaust Remembrance Day Film Screening & Lecture
The Spertus Museum (610 S. Michigan Ave.) commemorates Holocaust Remembrance Day with a film screening and lecture. Dr. Patrick Henry discusses rescuers of the Holocaust, featuring the French town of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, whose residents hid over 5,000 Jews from the Nazis. The film "Weapons of the Spirit," about this town will also be shown. The event starts at 2pm and is free, but reservations are recommended. Call 312-322-1773 for more information.
Sell & Swill Yard Sale @ Fizz
On the first and third Sundays of the month, Fizz Bar & Grill (3220 N. Lincoln Ave.) hosts a "Sell & Swill Yard Sale" in their tented beer garden. Booths feature arts & crafts, jewelry, vintage clothes and cool collectibles. Doors open at noon. Free, but if you'd like to rent a booth, it's $10. Call 773-348-6000 for more information.
Soupline Cinema Sunday @ Rodan
On Sundays, Rodan (1530 N. Milwaukee Ave.) features Asian soup and cult cinema. From 6-9 PM (or until they run out of soup), Asian noodle soup bowls are $3. They also offer a Three Floyds draft beer for $3. Tonight's movies are 1982's "Duel to the Death" by Siu-Tung Ching and 1958's "The Hidden Fortress" by Akira Kurosawa. For more information call 773-276-7036.
Elie Wiesel, Bill Clinton @ Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center
The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center in Skokie will officially open its doors today with a public grand opening ceremony featuring a keynote address by former President Bill Clinton. Special remarks will also be given by Nobel Laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen, foreign dignitaries, Holocaust survivors, Museum leadership and more. The ceremony begins at noon, and will be held in a tent outside of the Museum at 9603 Woods Drive in Skokie; thousands of guests are expected, so plan ahead for parking and seating.
CHIRP Record Fair @ Plumber's Hall
Do yourself (and other vinyl lovers) a favor and coordinate your spring cleaning with the CHIRP Record Fair. Donate your cast off records or CDs by contacting CHIRP's music director Michael Ardiaolo at mpardiaolo@gmail.com. CHIRP will arrange for the pick up of all donations. The Record Fair and Other Delights will be held today and tomorrow at Plumber's Hall (1340 W Washington Blvd) from 10am to 5pm. Admission is $7 or $5 with any CHIRP RF ad. Visit their website for the latest information, a full list of performers and dealers, and to sign up to sell your cast-offs. Visit Gapers Block: Transmission's table there on Sunday while you shop!
Greek Easter Menu @ Taxim
Celebrate Greek Easter (or just Greek cuisine) at the newest and most contemporary addition to the city's Hellenic dining establishment -- Taxim in Wicker Park. A traditional roasted lamb with fried eggplant, potatoes and pita takes center stage, and other courses include "rocket" (arugula) salad with seared haloumi cheese, ramps with goat feta and house-made phyllo, and kokoretsi (i.e. the nasty, but delicious bits of the afore-mentioned lamb). Each course comes with a suggested wine pairing -- dinner runs $45 per person for five courses without the booze, $69 per person with wine. Kalo pascha indeed. Call (773) 252-1558 for more information and reservations. Taxim is located at 1558 N. Milwaukee Avenue.
