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.
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TODAY
Wednesday, September 17
Slowdown
BY DAY
Sunday, June 14 2009
This American Life with Alex Blumberg @ Victory Gardens Theater
This American Life returns to Chicago for an evening with Alex Blumberg, one of the people behind the series of shows that TAL has made on the current state of the economy. Fans of those shows will definitely not want to miss Blumberg's presentation on the very latest economy info. Ticket price includes an after-show party with food & drink. The show happens tonight at 7pm at the Victory Gardens Theater (2433 N. Lincoln). Tickets are available through the Chicago Public Radio Website.
Old Town Art Fair @ Old Town Triangle
Check out one of the oldest juried art fairs in the country this weekend as the Old Town Art Fair celebrates 60 years. This year the fair will feature 260 exhibitors, entertainment, food, children's activities and a self-guided garden tour. Suggested donation is $7 -- children 12 and under are free. The fair is located at 1763 N. North Park and is open from 10am-6pm today.
Hideout Kids' Dance Party
Bring the kids to the Hideout (1354 W. Wabansia) from noon-4pm to this dance party fundraiser to benefit the Jasper Against Batten Fund. Get your groove on to disco and dance music, or hang out and watch cartoons. Snacks provided. Adults $10, children free. Call The Hideout at (773) 227-4433 for more information.
Japanese Gourmet Fair @ Mitsuwa Marketplace
Mitsuwa Marketplace's gourmet fair is having its last day, with Japanese sweets and snacks that rarely cross the Pacific--unless you have a Japanese relative who sends out care packages. Although the Chicago store will have a smaller selection than the stores on the coasts, it'll have takoyaki (creamy dough balls with octopus and a special sauce), sweet potato & apple pies from a well-known bakery, specialty fish cakes and traditional Japanese sweets, and more. The gourmet fair goes on during the usual store hours of between 9 am and 8 pm. Mitsuwa is located at 100 E. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights.
Learn to Ride Cycling Clinic #3: Riding Skills and Bike Handling
Chicago Endurance Sports is running its final class in a series of three clinics on basic bicycling skills. It takes place this morning from 10am-12pm at the Foster Avenue Beach House, at Lake Shore Drive & Foster Ave. Today's class covers riding skills such as cornering and using gears effectively. After the class, enjoy a group ride. Bring your bike, a helmet, some water, and wear comfortable clothes. The single clinic cost is $29, and you can register for it online. For more information, e-mail info@ChicagoEnduranceSports.com or call 866-237-7861.
Crosstown Beer Pong Classic
Sox and Cubs fans can settle their rivalry once and for all at Mahoney's Pub & Grille (551 N. Ogden Ave.) in what's being billed as the city's largest Beer Pong tournament. Don your favorite team's gear, and play by trying to get a ping pong ball into a cup. If you're successful, you put a sticker on someone from the opposing team. The tourney starts at 1 PM and is free--sign up by e-mail. Walk-ins also welcome. Winners get to enjoy a free all-inclusive Crosstown Classic viewing party on Tuesday, June 16. Call 312-733-2121 for more information.
Metric @ Metro
Metric's latest album, Fantasies, could very well be one of the best of 2009. Their dreamy, sometimes mysterious electro pop takes the stage at Metro tonight with Sebastian Grainger and Smile Smile opening. For a preview, you can download the acoustic version of "Help I'm Alive" on Metric's website for free. 3730 N. Clark St. 7:30pm. All ages. Sold Out.
Errol Flynn in Captain Blood @ Music Box
The Music Box Theatre brings back its weekend classic film matinees this month with a tribute to swashbuckler Errol Flynn, in honor of this 100th birthday. This weekend's film is Captain Blood, the 1935 film that made Flynn famous. The film screens Saturday and Sunday at 11:30am. For a complete listing of films in this series, see the Music Box Website. Music Box: 3733 N. Southport. (773) 871-6604.
Q101 Block Party @ Charter One Pavilion
The annual Q101 Block Party returns at Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island with 311 and Ziggy Marley. Opening for them will be the winners of a Q101 online contest, local band The Insecurities. Show starts at 7pm. Tickets are $37.
William Iseminger @ Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
Cahokia civilization expert William Iseminger will present "Ancient Faces of Eastern North America," at the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian (3001 Central St., Evanston). Iseminger will explain how found artifacts shed light onto how ancient peoples lived, what they looked like, and what they believed. The talk takes place at 1pm and is included with regular museum admission ($5 for adults, $2.50 for seniors, students, teachers (with valid school ID), and children.) For more information call 847-475-1030.
Ribfest
Chicago street fest season is in full swing. Among the stand-out acts playing at this final day of Ribfest are the Annuals and Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. Check out the full line-up and set times in our music section, Transmission. Ribfest takes place at the intersections of Lincoln, Irving Park and Damen.
Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance Walk Through Time
This exclusive tour is the annual fundraiser for the Glessner House Museum, a walk through ten Prairie Avenue homes, seven of which will only be open on this day. Tickets are $50 per person, $40 for museum members and are available in advance by calling (312) 326-1480. They may also be purchased at the door. The tour starts at 1pm at the Glessner House Museum Coach House, 1900 South Prairie Ave., and runs until 4pm.
Harold Arts Rummage Sale @ Heaven Gallery
No more bargaining with church ladies and digging through overcrowded thrift store racks. This weekend, skip the typical second-hand scene and check out the Harold Arts Recession Resuscitation Rummage Sale at Heaven Gallery, 1550 N. Milwaukee Ave, 2nd floor, from 11am until 5pm today. They've promised to have "first-rate vintage and thrift clothing and accessories, homemade goods, and unique art," and some of the proceeds benefit the Harold Arts residency program. And hey -- you don't have to get up at 6am for it.
