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. ✶
Friday, March 29
Hard Boiled Records celebrates its 14th anniversary tonight with a party at Butterfly Social Club (722 W. Grand). Mark Ferguson, the owner of Hard Boiled, will be screening classic Hong Kong gangster films starting at 8pm and DJing later in the evening. Admission is free, and there's a $4 beer & shot special.
Steppenwolf brings a little of its current play, Detroit, to Urban Burger, 1578 N. Clybourn Ave., today from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Watch a "pop-up performance" inspired by Arcade Fire's Suburbs album, and write a haiku about "the plight, or renaissance, of the mid-American city in a post-globalization economy" for a chance to win a trip to Detroit (the city). Food and drink will be served. Free, but you must RSVP: 312-335-1650. More details here.
It's the first Wednesday of the month, time once again for Reading Under the Influence. This month's theme seems especially cathartic: "I Hate My Family" (just in time for Thanksgiving). Featured readers are Robert McDonald (A Field Guide to Gay and Lesbian Chicago), Two Cookie Minimum reading series founder John Wawrzaszek, local writer Kristen Fiore and RUI's own Jesse Jordan. All read original short stories and host trivia segments related to this month's theme. In the back room at Sheffield's, 3258 N. Sheffield Ave., $3 cover. Get there by 7 for a seat (or earlier; it's popular show and seats are scarce). Readings begin at 7:30.
Candy Claws
The Chain Gang of 1974
Tina Turner Overdrive
Schubas
3159 N. Southport
Chicago, IL
$10
9pm 21+
Charles Burns of Black Hole (Pantheon) is releasing X'ed Out this fall, the first volume of what has been called an epic masterpiece of graphic fiction in brilliant color. How exciting. He will appear at Quimby's Bookstore, 1854 W. North Ave., tonight at 7pm to discuss his new work. For more information, click here.