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. ✶
Friday, March 29
Bucktown favorite Gem (1710 N Damen) will kick off their five year anniversary five day sale with a cocktail party this evening. The celebration begins at 5pm. and will feature wine, appetizers, and live music provided by Nick Kitsos, husband and partner to boutique owner Laura. All attendees will be offered 20% off Gem's treasures through Sunday, October 18th. For more information, please visit their website or call (773) 384-7700.
Chicago Cares will be holding a free panel discussion tonight from 6-7:30pm about the state of homelessness and hunger in the city at the Hostelling International building at 24 E. Congress Pkwy. Please RSVP by 10/12 with Margaret Kushiner at (312) 780-0800, ext 146 or via email.
The ever-lovely Jolie Holland sings neo-Americana songs about William Burroughs and the Civil War in a syrupy, vowel-loopy, almost-boozy voice. Catch her tonight at Schubas (3159 N. Southport) at 9 p.m. Opening the show is singer and banjo-player Matt Bauer. Tickets are $15.
Billy Lombardo comes to Barbara's Bookstore to read from and discuss his book How to Hold a Woman, a collection of stories that chronicle a family's struggles. Free at 7:30pm at 1218 S. Halsted St. Call 312-413-2665 for more information.
If you liked the wildly successful Soup and Bread series at the Hideout from earlier this year, then you'll love Veggie Bingo, which brings together bingo and food--a weekly event where participants play the venerable old-school game and win locally made or grown prizes such as a jar of honey, a bar of soap...and the grand prize, a box of produce from Irv and Shelley's. The event is tonight from 6-8pm at the Hideout, 1354 West Wabansia; cards are $1 each (six for $5) and can be purchased on-site. Hot dogs and tofu pups will be served, so all your early evening needs will be met. All proceeds benefit NeighborSpace.
Patrick Somerville comes to Literary Chicago to read from and discuss his new novel, The Cradle, with the organization's student and members of the community. Free at 1pm at 17 N. State St., Suite 1010. Call (312) 870-1100 or email info[at]literacychicago[dot]com for more information.
It may be bleak, but join Cook County Inspector General Patrick Blanchard for his lecture, "The Future of Corruption in Cook County," today from noon-1pm at UIC's Behavioral Science Building (1007 West Harrison Street), Room 140. Former Alderman and UIC Political Science Professor Dick Simpson will moderate. Lecture is part of UIC's "Future of Chicago" series. Free and open to the public.
Dance for the Camera - Making Dance for the Stage and for Film. This free film screening features Arch of Repose (preview). Hedwig Dances premieres Jan Bartoszek's Arch of Repose, a poetic, image-rich dance created for the camera. The film is a re-imagining of Bartoszek's 2007 dance theater work, Night Blooming Jasmine. This is the second night of screenings for "Dance for the Camera" (more on Wednesday night's short films here). FREE. 6pm, 78 E. Washington St, Claudia Cassidy Theater. More details.