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
Sunday, May 19
Slowdown
BY DAY
Tuesday, February 23 2010
Flamenco Festival Chicago
This year's Chicago Flamenco Festival is presented by Instituto Cervantes Chicago in celebration of the Presidencia Española of the European Union for 2010. And what a better way to celebrate the Andalusian art of Flamenco than with a month-long festival with performances, workshops, lectures and film screenings? The festival will finish off Friday, February 26 with the world wide "Dia de Andalucia," day of simultaneous performances in all 26 Instituto Cervantes centers around the world. The final demonstration will be presented by Catalina Maria Johnson at Instituto Cervantes (31 W. Ohio). Call 312-351-1996 for more information.
Vitalic @ Empty Bottle
French/Italian electronic musician Pascal Arbez a.k.a. Vitalic made a huge impact with his full-length debut OK Cowboy with a collection of heavily-synthesized techno-but-don't-call-them-techno jams drawing comparisons to a handful of current French-speaking electronic music duos. In 2009, Vitalic released another LP, Flashmob, keeping similar tones while injecting a finer disco/house influence. His gig at Smartbar in March 2006 was an aurally-pummelling affair that left jaws on the floor and legs tired. The same should be expected for his live set at the Empty Bottle. Tickets are available through Ticketweb for $12 in advance. Dark Wave Disco opens at 9:30PM. The Empty Bottle's located at 1035 N. Western.
Matthew Kerstein @ MCA
Former Scotland Yard Gospel Choir member and founder of Brighton, MA plays tonight at Puck's Cafe at the Museum of Contemporary Art (220 E. Chicago). This is part of the Magical Musical Showcase series, where different venues present chosen artists to play at the MCA (Kerstein was Schubas' choice). 6pm. Free!
threewallsSALON: Cartography 2.0
This discussion, part of threewallsSALON 2010 series, is all about maps. Today, contemporary artists across the globe employ mapping and diagramming in their creative practice to incredibly diverse ends. A spate of exhibitions in Chicago and from around 2004 on ignited a flurry of interest in the map, such as the Mapping show at Mess Hall in 2004, Mapping the Self at the MCA from 2007-8 and An Atlas at Gallery 400, 2007-8. These exhibitions and the work of invited guest respondents will figure into this conversation as participants explore the political, social, personal and ontological dimensions of the map. The discussion begins tonight at 7pm at threewalls: 119 N. Peoria #2D.
Jeff Parker @ Rodan
Guitarist Jeff Parker (Tortoise) leads improvised jazz trio The Cushicles every Tuesday at Rodan. Although the line-up will sometimes vary, the main group is rounded out by bassist Josh Abrams and fellow Tortoise member, drummer John Herndon. 10:30pm. 1530 N. Milwaukee Ave. No cover.
