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
Friday, April 26
Slowdown
BY DAY
Saturday, April 17 2010
National Food Blogger Bake Sale
Local food bloggers In Good Taste and What's Gaby Cooking make their tasty contribution to Share Our Strength's Great American Bake Sale: the proceeds from their cupcakes, cookies and pies go towards Share Our Strength, an organization dedicated to ending childhood hunger. Help them do what so many other food bloggers around the country are striving towards today at Smash Cake, 2961 N. Lincoln Ave., at noon. Free!
David Sedaris @ Auditorium Theater
David Sedaris (When You Are Engulfed In Flames) reads "all-new, unpublished stories." Auditorium Theater, 50 E. Congress Pkwy., (312) 902-1500. Cost: $35-$50. April 17 at 8 p.m.
Taste of the Neighborhoods Tour
The City hosts a tour today of the eats representing selected neighborhoods around Chicago--Greek on Halsted, Italian on Taylor, South side BBQ, Middle Eastern in Albany Park--and you can join them! The Taste of the Neighborhoods tour series meets monthly; destinations are announced a few weeks before the tour, so contact the City to find out what's on the menu for today.
Rossini's Moses In Egypt @ The Harris Theater
The Chicago Opera Theater presents the opening production of their 2010 season with Moses In Egypt, an opera that was only performed once in Illinois, way back in 1863. The piece was chosen through the fundraising initiative The People's Opera, in which supporters voted with their dollars to chose an opera for the 2010 season. Andrea Concetti plays the title role, whose resume includes stints at La Scala, Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, the Berlin State Opera, and the Minnesota Opera. Playing opposite Concetti is soprano Manuela Bisceglie, who will be making her North American debut. Bisceglie has played in a number of Italian opera houses in the past two seasons, including Florence, Bologna, and Trieste. Andrew Eggert directs, Leonardo Vordoni conducts. Moses In Egypt is showing April 17, 21,23, and 25 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. For tickets and info call 312-704-8414 or visit Chicago Opera Theater or The Harris Theater for Music and Dance.
Modern Vintage Chicago @ Plumber's Hall
Modern Vintage Chicago takes over Plumber's Hall (1340 W. Washington Street) this Saturday April 17th from 10 am to 7 pm to help you get rid of your tax refund! The two day event will include plenty of vintage shopping, beauty makeovers, informal modeling, book signings, and more. Tickets cost $10 or $8 in advance online. Visit Modern Vintage Chicago's website for a complete list of events and special guests.
Two-Hour Comedy Hour @ Gallery Cabaret
The Two-Hour Comedy Hour is back after a fortnight hiatus, with host and producer Trey Mowder back helming the ship. This week's lineup includes Prescott Tolk, Jacob Williams, Chris Condren/Thunder Davis, Tia Ayers, Ever Mainard and Derek Lazarski. This free show features a fresh mix of comedians each week. There's no cover for the 21+ show -though a $5 donation is accepted - and it runs from 7-9 pm at Gallery Cabaret, 2020 N. Oakley (near Western and Milwaukee, just off the Blue Line stop). Guests are encouraged to arrive early.
Global Activism Expo @ UIC Forum
Hosted by Worldview's Jerome McDonnell, Chicago Public Radio Presents... is thrilled to again present this remarkable celebration - complete with food, music and over 100 Chicago-area Global Activists, all featured guests of Worldview's Global Activism Series. On the air for seven years now, the series continues to be inspirational, and bringing everyone together for this Expo has quickly become an annual event. This event is free and takes place from noon to 6pm. Click here for all the juicy details.
The SDS Trio @ Edgewater Beach Cafe
Local jazz influenced band The SDS Trio plays at The Edgewater Beach Cafe tonight. The band released their album This Is The SDS Trio earlier this year. $30 ($40 for couples) gets you a free copy of the CD, a copy of American Legacy, the film they scored and a free drink. The Edgewater Beach Cafe is located at 5545 North Sheridan Rd. The Music starts at 7. 773.275.4141
Windy City Burlesque Fest @ Greenhouse Theatre
Hold on to your pasties and tighten your corset, Vaudezilla and Belmont Burlesque are bringing American burlesque back where it all began with the Windy City Burlesque Fest! The three day event concludes tonight with a performance at the historic Greenhouse Theatre's Main Stage (2257 N Lincoln Avenue) at 8pm. The show includes performances from over a dozen bawdy broads, including Minneapolis' Foxy Tann, Hollywood's Penny Starr Jr., Toronto's Tanya Cheex, and several of Chicago's shimming stars. Admission is $20. Visit the Windy City Burlesque Fest's website for a complete listing of events, featured performers, and to buy tickets.
The Order of Odd-Fish Dome of Doom Art Party
Join author James Kennedy for a Dome of Doom dance party, inspired by his young adult novel The Order of Odd-Fish. Come dressed as your favorite god, goddess, warrior, ninja or other fearsome creature and fight others in a divine battle. The dance party follows the opening of Kennedy's Odd-Fish gallery show, featuring fan art focused on his book. The gallery show and the dance party are presented in partnership with Collaboration. The gallery show is free from 7pm-9pm, the dance party is $20 in advance and $25 at the door for general admission. The dance party starts at 9pm and fights begin at 10pm. Held at 437 N. Wolcott. Email domeofdoom[at]collaboraction[dot]org for questions and reservations.
Disappears @ Empty Bottle
Chicago's Disappears perform a record release show for their new album Lux at the Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western. Expect just a pinch of reverb with the rock and roll. Golden Birthday and Nervous Curtains open at 9:30pm. The show is 21+ and admission is $8. Tickets are available through Ticketweb.
OK Go @ Metro
See these music video mavens do their thing in person tonight at Metro. Oh, and they'll play some pretty great songs, too, including material from their new album, Of The Blue Colour Of The Sky. Earl Greyhound and The Booze open. Tickets are $17 in advance, $19 day of show. SOLD OUT. 6:30pm. All ages. 3730 N. Clark St.
"Community Rhythms" @ South Shore Cultural Center
The South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. South Shore Dr., presents "Community Rhythms: A Celebration of Dance in the Parks," today from 10am-3pm. For $5, you can participate in classes from a variety of dance styles including salsa, ballroom, tap, ballet and hip-hop. Guests can also enjoy performances from dance companies across Chicago as well as from the Chicago Park District's dance arts partners. Registration begins at 9am; contact the South Shore Cultural Center at (773) 256-0149 for more information.
ChicaGo Green @ Lincoln Park Zoo
ChicaGo Green educates and entertains about the small steps everyone can take to make a big, positive impact on the environment. Learn how to build an environmentally friendly house, frost organic cupcakes from Bleeding Heart Bakery, meet Breathe Easy Man from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and much more. 10am - 5pm at Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St. (312) 742-2000. Admission to the zoo is free.
Billy Lombardo @ Tamale Hut Cafe
Local author Jenny Seay has been bringing art and culture to the Near West suburbs for over three years hosting Tamale Hut Cafe Presents. Next installment of this roughly monthly reading is this Saturday, April 17. Featured reader of the night is born and raised Chicago author Billy Lombardo. He'll be reading from his new book, The Man With Two Arms, the story of ambidextrous baseball star Danny Granville, which his website calls "more than a baseball novel, it is an exploration of friendship, marriage, and philosophy; of balance, art, and love. It is a story of the ways in which we protect, betray, forgive, love, and shape each other as we attempt to find our way through life." Tamale Hut Cafe, 8300 W. Cermak Road (between 10th and 11th Ave.), North Riverside, IL, (708) 442-0948, April 17 at 7 p.m. BYOB. Reading is free, but you'll want to bring money for Jaime's tamales. There's also an open mic, so bring stories, poems, essays or songs.
Do It Your Own D*mn Self
If you've been thinking about trying your hand at a cool craft, getting back into creating art, or maybe you're a school teacher who likes cheap art and craft supplies, then this show is for you! The Chicago Craft Mafia has put together their 2nd annual craft supply show today from noon to 4pm at 2312 N. Milwaukee Avenue. It's near the California Blue Line stop at the corner of California and Milwaukee and 30+ sellers have gathered up a horde of supplies to practically give away. Admission is free and more details can be found here and here.
Record Store Day!
Head out to your neighborhood record shoppe and enjoy special limited edition releases, crates of new gems, and some possible live performances (locations vary) in celebration of Record Store Day. See more, including details on what's going on at your local store, in Transmission.
Humboldt Park Clean Up @ Paseo Boricua
Humboldt Park's Live and Help to Live Community Service and Engagement Day aims to "clean, plant and spruce up" Paseo Boricua, the public corridor marked by the neighborhood's giant Puerto Rican flags. Sponsored by the DSBDA (2459 W. Division St), neighborhood residents and outside volunteers are all invited to join together and pitch in from 9am until 3pm.
