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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Wednesday, April 17
Put on your most craptastic sweater and head to Sheffield's (3258 N. Sheffield) for the chance to win some great prizes, including Cubs tickets and memorabilia, Sheffield's gift cards, and more. The Ugly Sweater Contest is in conjunction with Sheffield's coat and canned food drive, so the price of admission is a coat or some canned food. It all kicks off when the Bears game starts at noon. For more information call (773) 281-4989.
The Factory Theater spoofs George Orwell's classic 1984 with a distinctly mid-decade Chicago Bears twist. Eric Roach directs. Located at 3504 N. Elston, between Albany and Kedzie. Showtimes: Friday and Saturday nights at 8pm and Sundays at 7 through December 19th. Tickets are $20. For information and tickets call: 312-409-3247 or visit The Factory Theater.
The Gene Siskel Film Center presents Make No Little Plans: Daniel Burnham and the American City, an hour-long documentary on the career of the architect whose "Plan For Chicago" was a model for urban design of the 20th century. The film screens today at 3pm and again tomorrow evening at 6pm. The director, Judith Paine McBrien, will be present at both screenings. Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.
Chicago vocalist and producer Jamie O'Reilly and actor/musician Paul Amandes will perform The Gift of the Magi as well as sing solstice and Yuletide favorite songs with folk singer Anne Hills tonight at SPACE (1245 Chicago, Evanston, IL). Tickets are $20 in advance and $20 at the door. The doors will open at 6:30pm. Proceeds benefit the Cambodia Girl Project by artist and activist Anne Elizabeth Moore.
Choreographer Kenneth Von Heidecke brings this holiday classic to Francis W. Parker School for a matinee performance. Additional performances the following week at the McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, featuring the New Philharmonic and Music Director and Conductor Kirk Muspratt. Performance at 2pm, tickets start at $25. For info and tickets to today's performance call (800) 838-3006 or visit Brown Paper Tickets. For info and tickets to Glen Ellyn performances call (630) 942-4000 or visit the McAninch Arts Center.
The Ripettes are taking over Christmas this year with a burlesque and comedy revue that will definitely make the naughty list! A Nightmare Before XXX-Mas invades Mary's Attic (above Hamburger Mary's at 5400 N Clark Street) tonight, 7:30pm. The show is hosted by Mickey LaRue and features the beautiful Trixie Darling, Miss Jeezloueez, Dixie More, Sushi Martinez, and Horhay Sexteban (good luck under the mistletoe). Tickets are $15 at the door but discounted to $12 if you bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Chicago Anti-Hunger Federation. Visit The Ripettes website for more details.