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
Tuesday, April 16
Slowdown
BY DAY
Saturday, May 01 2010
Talk (Kentucky) Derby To Me
Faith & Whiskey, 1365 W. Fullerton Ave., hosts "Talk Derby To Me," a Kentucky Derby viewing party, from noon until close today. The bar will show all the day's races, offer bourbon-based drink specials all day, and is holding a contest for the best female derby hat and the best male derby suit at the conclusion of the main race; winners each get a 15-person private party at the bar.
Crisis! A Musical Game Show @ Neo-Futurarium
The Neo-Futurists present their latest prime-time show, Crisis! A Musical Game Show. Inspired by classic game shows of the past, Crisis! invites the audience to take a Scantron multiple-choice exam at the start of the evening; the highest scores are that evening's contestants, with actual cash prizes on the line (contestants can win a percentage of the evening's door sales, so the more people in the audience the more cash to win). The show opens tonight and runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm through June 5. Championship rounds are on June 11 and June 12! See the Neo-Futurist Website for full details and to purchase tickets. Neo-Futurarium: 5153 N. Ashland (at Foster). (773) 275-5255.
Journey to the End of the Night: Chicago 2010
Journey to the End of the Night: Chicago 2010 is a free street game where players try to make it to a series of checkpoints throughout the city, all without getting caught by chasers. Chasers are those who have fallen, and upon rising begin pursuit of the remaining players. The rules state: "No skates, no bikes, no cars, no buses, just your feet and the good old Elevated Train." Location and information TBA. This entry will be updated appropriately.
James Brown's B-Day Party @ The Bottom Lounge
James Brown would have been 77 on May 3. The closest party day is Saturday May 1. The Get Up With the Get Downs and Afro Zep (African-styled Zeppelin tunes featuring members of Chicago Afrobeat Project and some guests percussionists from Africa) are gonna celebrate his music and legacy and influence by playing the most epic sets ever. It's gonna a rhythmically charged, dance-filled Saturday night. $8 in advance. $10 at the door. Party starts at 9pm. The Bottom Lounge is at 1375 W. Lake St.
Roots & Culture Gallery's 4th Annual Fundraiser Party
Featuring a full bar, Chicago style street food, funky DJ's (DJ Ryon (Healing of the Nation Sound System), Rock Hard Gym (NIGHT SCHOOL), and Ross Kelly (Chicago Workgroup, Kokorokoko) spinning the funky business, and a world class art auction featuring the generosity and talents of just about every talented young artist in this beautiful city. $10 Admission from 8pm to midnight. Roots & Culture is located at 1034 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Two-Hour Comedy Hour @ Gallery Cabaret
This week's Two-Hour Comedy Hour, with host and producer Trey Mowder, features Ken Barnard, Bill Cruz, Rudy Ascott, Simmons McDavid and Ken Witzgall. 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.
Kurosawa double feature @ Film Center
The Gene Siskel Film Center is running an Akira Kurosawa series through June, and this afternoon you can see two of his films: The Hidden Fortress (1958) at 3pm and Drunken Angel (1948) at 5:45pm. You can purchase tickets to each film individually, or purchase a discount ticket for both films. See the Film Center Website for full details and a schedule of the series. Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.
A.R.T. Celebrates Art & Hispanic Culture @ the National Museum of Mexican Art
Chicagoans can celebrate Cinco de Mayo early with the entire family at the National Museum of Mexican Art (1852 West 19th St) today from 5 to 8pm. A.R.T. is Chicago's oldest and largest educational organization dedicated to providing vibrant visual arts programs to elementary school children, teachers and parents in underserved neighborhoods and schools. This event-- designed to raise awareness and funds for the organization-- will feature art making, live music, activities for children and open museum galleries to celebrate Hispanic culture. It will highlight Mexican and Latin American artwork and will include a silent auction, dinner and drinks.
World Kitchen Learning Series: Mexico's Year in Chicago
Celebrate "The Year of the Mexico" at this class, which is part of the World Kitchen learning series offered by the City of Chicago. Class runs 11am-2pm at Gallery 37 for the Arts, 55 East Randolph. Pre-registration required; admission is $30.
KFAR Lag B'onfire
KFAR Jewish Arts Center holds its fourth annual Lag B'onfire at Phyllis' Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division St., tonight from 9:30pm to 2am. Enjoy a kosher barbecue, live music and a bonfire in celebration of Lag B'Omer. $17 in advance, $20 at the door; admission includes one free drink. 21+
Two-Craft Minimum @ Cole's
Crafts and beer? Where do you sign up? The Chicago Style Crafters are holding a craft fair at Cole's (2338 N. Milwaukee) tonight from 4:30-9pm. Admission is free but the handmade stuff isn't.
Metal Haven Farewell Show @ Reggie's
Reggie's Rock Club, 2105 S. State St., hosts a farewell show for Metal Haven, Chicago's only heavy metal record store, which is closing its doors. Local bands High Spirits, Kommandant and Slauter Xstroyes and Mexican death metal group The Chasm perform. Tickets are $15 online or at the door. Doors open at 7pm. 18+
Art Chicago, Artropolis, and NEXT Art Fairs @ Merchandise Mart
The biggest art fair in the city is this weekend at the Merchandise Mart. Kazillions of local and not-so-local artists will be on display, both established and emerging, and just about every Chicago gallery has a booth set up this weekend at the Mart to showcase their artist's work. The show is from 11-7 today, 11-6 Sunday, and 11-4 on Monday. Tickets range from $15 to $25. Click here for details.
ChicaGo Green @ Brookfield Zoo
ChicaGo Green educates and entertains about the small steps everyone can take to make a big positive impact on the environment. Explore a 40-foot CTA hybrid bus, frost organic cupcakes from Bleeding Heart Bakery, check out a fashion show, and much more. 10am - 5pm at Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield, IL 60513, (708) 485-0263. Admission is reduced (TBA).
Honor Thy Mother @ Skokie Doubletree
Today marks the 10th annual "Honor Thy Mother" literary event and luncheon sponsored by Literature for All of Us, a 501(c)(3) organization which connects young people to their strengths through literature, engaging them in book groups where they read and discuss literature and write poetry. Event includes lunch, poetry readings by teen LFAOU poets, and keynote speech from author Elizabeth Berg. Doubletree Hotel, 9599 Skokie Boulevard, Skokie. Begins at 11:30am. Tickets are $100 per person. Registration details available on the LFAOU website or contact Maria Ballantyne at (847) 869-2249.
Shie @ Little Joe's
Mexico-born, South Side-bred Latino rapper Shie performs a free show tonight at Little Joe's (1041 W. Taylor St), starting at 8pm with live hip hop until midnight. Learn more about the upcoming emcee here.
