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
Saturday, April 27
Slowdown
BY DAY
Wednesday, June 16 2010
International Summer Screenings @ Chicago Cultural Center
The Chicago Cultural Center (in conjunction with Cinema/Chicago) continues its International Summer Screenings Program with Bye, Bye GDR! To Liberty via Warsaw, a retelling of the 1989 escape of 6,000 Germans from East Germany through Warsaw to West Germany. Catch the film at 6:30 p.m. Chicago Cultural Center: 78 E. Washington St. (312) 744-6630. Free.
Winnebago Man @ Film Center
The Gene Siskel Film Center presents the 2009 documentary Winnebago Man, an investigation into the infamous "Winnebago Man" YouTube clip. The documentary screens tonight only before opening theatrically in Chicago later in the summer. Tonight's screening will also include an appearance by the director, Ben Steinbauer. (Winnebago Man not scheduled to appear.) Winnebago Man screens tonight at 8pm as part of the TBS Just For Laughs Festival; see the Film Center Website for a full schedule of films. Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.
Veggie Bingo @ Hideout
The fine folks who brought you the weekly fundraiser soup-eating slurp-a-thon Soup and Bread (along with NeighborSpace) have taken their interests to a new activity...bingo. Veggie Bingo runs every Wednesday at the Hideout (1354 W. Wabansia). Event begins at 6pm; cards are $1 each, or 6 for $5. Proceeds benefit Chicago community gardens. Event runs weekly through September 29.
Female and Trans-Gender Biker Workshop
Tonight West Town Bikes is offering a bike maintenance workshop, but only to female and trans-gender bikers. If you've wanted to know how to tighten your brakes, replace your inner tubes, or just perform basic maintenance but felt uncomfortable, then this is the workshop for you. The workshop is free, but donations are gladly accepted (they suggest that the average bike mechanic makes at least $10 per hour). You're also encouraged to potluck it by bringing a beverage or bit to eat. All of the mechanics are women and will be available tonight and every first and third Wednesday. Just bring your bike to their shop at 1147 North Campbell between 7pm and 10pm.
Grant Park Orchestra with Elina Vähälä @ Millennium Park
This season's Grant Park Music Festival kicks off tonight with Vivaldi: Four Seasons featuring Finnish violinist Elina Vähälä making her Chicago debut. The program also includes Berlioz's Roman Carnival and Respighi's musical depiction of celebrations in the city of Rome, Feste Romane. 6:30pm. Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Free.
Local Author Night @ the Book Cellar
Tonight is a packed Local Author Night at Lincoln Square's Book Cellar. Zoe Zolbrod reads from her novel Currency, about an American woman in Thailand who gets drawn into a smuggling operation and romantic entanglements with a local man. Davis Schneiderman reads from his forthcoming novel Drain, a post-apocalyptic novel about a dried-out Lake Michigan and the struggle for political control of the strange new landscape. Author Steve Tomasula calls Drain "the Clockwork Orange of our age." UIC professor Cris Mazza reads from her forthcoming novel Various Men Who Knew Us as Girls, a novel about the border sex trade in Southern California. Last but not least, Gina Frangello reads from Slut Lullabies. Frangello ranked #19 on New City's Lit 50: Who Really Books in Chicago list for 2010. The Chicago Reader says "[Frangello] articulates truths about the selfishness of love in a way few people would admit but everyone has likely felt." The Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln Ave., Wednesday, June 16 at 7pm.
Indian Jewelry @ The Empty Bottle
Tonight, Indian Jewelry will be playing their 80s synth-inspired, ethereal music at The Empty Bottle alongside Chandeliers and Bitchin' Bajas. Come on out for a moody, groovy night. Show starts at 10pm, and tickets are $8. The Empty Bottle is located at 1035 N. Western Ave.
Joe McPhee@ Hideout
Legendary multi-instrumentalist Joe McPhee takes to the stage as part of the weekly Immediate Sound Series at the Hideout this Wednesday night. Joined by Ingebrigt Håker Flaten on bass and Paal Nilssen-Love on drums, McPhee will be playing two sets this evening. Catch the action starting at 9:30pm. $10. Hideout- 1354 W. Wabansia.
