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
Friday, April 19
Slowdown
BY DAY
Friday, August 13 2010
Boris @ Metro
The Japanese trio Boris can only be described accurately as experimental. They have covered nearly every respectable metal genre, as well as ambience and noise, with revered results. Their latest offering is a collaboration with the Cult's Ian Astbury. However, no matter what they are currently doing, their shows are always a tour de force. Russian Circles and The Life & Times open at 9pm. Tickets are $18 and the show is for those 18 and older. (Bring your ear plugs.) Metro is located at 3730 N Clark.
The Silent Film Society of Chicago presents The Penalty @ The Portage Theater
The Portage Theater (4050 N. Milwaukee Avenue) opened in August of 1920, and the first film they ever screened was The Penalty, starring Lon Chaney as the legless master of the San Francisco underworld known as "Blizzard." Tonight The Silent Film Society of Chicago screens The Penalty once more to celebrate the Portage Theater's 90th anniversary. Live organ accompaniment by Dennis Scott. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Screening at 8pm. For more info call 773-205-SFSC or visit The Silent Film Society of Chicago.
The Alamo Drafthouse 2010 Rolling Road Show Presents The Blues Brothers @ Joliet Prison
The Alamo Roadhouse Rolling Road Show is screening The Blues Brothers tonight in Joliet, right outside the prison where Joliet Jake is released during the opening sequence of the film. If you've been missing Movies in the Park, (and who hasn't?) take advantage of this free screening: gather your folding chairs, blankets, and picnic essentials and make the drive to Joliet. The address is 1125 Collins Street, and the fun begins at 8pm. For more info, visit The Rolling Road Show. RRS has been screening films in the cities they were filmed in, and If you really feel like hitting the road, tomorrow night they'll be screening Robocop in Detroit.
Mabel's Wayback Machine @ The Op Shop 3
Mabel Stark, world famous tiger trainer from the 1920s, is hosting a variety show based around the ideas of improbable histories and hyperbolic figures. With a handmade time machine that doubles as a players' stage, Mabel will take us through history in an effort to prevent her true love's death. Along the way, she discovers an odd cast of characters who share their stories through word, song, sound, and movement. Acts include: a puppet show, sing-song storytelling, poetry, comedy, music performances, tiger wrestling, and more. The performance starts at 6:30pm, followed immediately by a (pot luck) dinner at 8pm. This event is FREE and open to the public--just bring a dish to share. The Op Shop 3 is located at 5226 S. Harper Ave. For more info contact Kayce Bayer: (773) 827-7502, kaycebayer [at] yahoo.com.
Chicago Variety Show @ Rotofugi
Rotofugi hosts a group show of Chicago artists opening with a reception tonight from 7pm to 10pm, featuring new works by Jeremiah Ketner, Myong Kurily, Jim Pavelec, David Rettker, Shawn Roberts and Chema Skandal. DJ Sean Doe spins. Free.
Chicago Antiquarian Book Fair @ Plumbers Union Hall
Hunt for what's missing from your collection or bring your own first edition family heirlooms to the Chicago Antiquarian Book Fair. Over 40 dealers from the United States, Canada and the UK will be displaying portions of their stock, and many will be delighted to answer questions and make arrangements to appraise or even purchase collections of books (especially if signed!). Prices seldom fall under $20, but there will be a few bargain book tables as well as author readings and glimpses of rare books seldom seen outside academic libraries. Sponsored by the Midwest Antiquarian Booksellers Association. Plumbers Union Hall, 1340 W. Washington, 3-8pm and tomorrow from 10am-4pm. Admission is $6.
Man, Nature, & the Space Between @ Betty Dare Art Gallery
Come out at 7pm to the opening reception at Betty Dare Art Gallery, 1319 W. Chicago Ave in Ukrainian Village! Photography partners Thomas Harris and Matthew Messner, along with painter Terry Swafford, venture into abandoned buildings in order to preserve the essence of decaying structures. Man, Nature, & the Space Between's theme is focused on natures need to recycle, society's collective inclination to form structure in order to create an individualistic legacy. Join them for all this, and complimentary wine!
THE GAUDY GOD's Slasher Slumber Party/Sale @ GG's APT
It's FRIDAY THE 13th, Come at 5:00pm to Gaudy God's Apt, 1543 W. Walton St. Apt. 2 and escape the summer heat by spending the night watching a slasher film marathon, drinking & shopping through the Gaudy God's classy trashy collection. To RSVP, please click here!
The Film Screening are as follows: : 5:00pm - Brian De Palma's Dressed to Kill (1980), 7:00pm - Dario Argento's Tenebre (1982), 9:00 - Rita Mae Brown's The Slumber Part Massacre (1982), 10:30 - Friday the 13th (1980), 12:30- Chopping Mall (1986), 2:00 - A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge (1985).
WHO'S YR SHAMAN? @ Johalla Projects
Come out tonight at 7pm to Johalla Projects, 1561 N. Milwaukee Ave., 2nd floor to solve the mystical mystery of WHO's YR SHAMAN?. Curated by Melissa Marinaro, this group exhibition features seven artists who subject the history of magical practice in contemporary art and take inspiration from unorthodox belief systems. To RSVP, please click here!
Grant Park Orchestra @ Millennium Park
Tonight the the Grant Park Music Festival provides a rare opportunity to hear Dvořák's richly expressive, passionate choral masterpiece, Requiem, which was among his most popular choral works during his lifetime. 6:30pm. Pritzker Pavilion. Free.
LVL3 @ Merchandise Mart
Opening this evening at 5pm at Merchandise Mart (222 West Merchandise Mart Plaza Suite 1573), LVL3 curates an exhibition entitled Variations on a Theme. This opening reception is sponsored by Chicago Artist Coalition; Paul Cowan, Scott Cowan, Christopher Gatton, Michael Hunter and Vanesa Zendejas subjecting themselves to rigid constraints revolving around ideals and conventions of the artistic practice. For more information, please click here!
Doug Fogelson: Field Work @ Chicago Urban Art Society
Come out tonight at 6:00pm to the opening reception of Doug Fogelson's Field Work at Chicago Urban Art Society, 2229 South Halsted Street. Field Work starts with the physicality of dirt itself since its continual existence is the culmination of thousands of years of decay and erosion. In his exhibition, Fogelson aims to expose its history through the mediums of transparency and prints. Complimentary drinks will be served, to RSVP please click here!
The Booze @ Beat Kitchen
The Booze, an Atlanta band with 60's flair that we are big fans of, are in town tonight playing with their brother band The Biters. Local group The Non-Believers rounds out the bill. Tickets are $10. Show at 9:30pm. 17 & up. 2100 W. Belmont.
Carlos Cortez Birthday Party @ Carlos & Dominguez Fine Arts
Celebrate the life of the late Carlos Cortez (1923 - 2005) tonight! Starting at 6:30pm, Carlos & Dominguez Fine Arts (1538 W Cullerton) in Pilsen is hosting his 87th birthday party with readings, speakers, and a book and poetry sale. Admission is free.
Dreamend @ Subterranean
Dreamend, a project of Ryan Graveface (who is well known for his other project, Black Moth Super Rainbow) plays a record release show at the Subterranean tonight. The latest release called So I Ate Myself, Bite By Bite is a dark, yet fun concept album. The show starts a 6:30, door open at 6. All ages and the show is $10. The Subterranean is located at 2011 W. North Ave. (773) 278-6600
Take Up Serpents, Nerfbau, Karl Paloucek @ Elastic
Elastic Arts Foundation (2830 N. Milwaukee, above Friendship Chinese Restaurant) presents a night of experimental sound, featuring touring acts Take Up Serpents (last seen in Chicago at last year's Matchitehew Assembly), Nerfbau, Karl Paloucek (ex-Boy Dirt Car and Impact Test), and locals Green Pasture Happiness and Vertonen. $7, 9 p.m. More information in Transmission.
