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, May 11
Slowdown
BY DAY
Saturday, December 11 2010
Family Day: 'Tis the Season @ MCA
'Tis the Season invites families to celebrate the season with contemporary art at the Museum of Contemporary Art today from 11am to 3pm.Families can connect and explore ideas in the galleries, using the designs and colors they see to create their own projects. At 1pm, families can celebrate the season with a special holiday Taiko drumming performance featuring three generation of artists. This performance is a preview for Taiko Legacy 7 on the MCA Stage, December 18 and 19. Free for families with children 12 and under. The MCA is located at 220 E. Chicago. 312-280-2660.
Tech the Halls
Jelly Chicago presents Tech the Halls, a holiday party for the local startup community -- and friends -- at Noble Tree Coffee & Tea, 2444 N. Clark St., tonight starting at 10pm. Join in, enjoy complementary drinks and snacks, and buy raffle tickets to benefit BuildOn.org, an organization that empowers urban U.S. high school students through in-class and intensive after-school programs. Free, 21+. RSVP here.
Too Much Light Anniversary Performances @ Neo-Futurarium
The Neo-Futurists present a celebration of 22 years of performing their long-running late night show Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind by performing a selection of their best plays this weekend. Current and alumni members will be in the show this weekend, so this will be your chance to see some of the best material that's been written over the years. If you can't make it this weekend, there will be another round of best-of shows December 17-19. Please see the Neo-Futurists' Website for more details. Neo-Futurarium: 5153 N. Ashland at Foster. (773) 275 5255.
The Eyes Are The Windows To The Skull New Works by Greg Shirilla Opens @ Revolution Gallery
Greg Shirilla will be showing new works, in 3 distinct styles (painting, digital collage, and photography) at Revolution Tattoo & Gallery. An opening reception will be held tonight from 8pm to midnight. You can see Greg Shirilla's work online at http://www.mistershirilla.com or call (773) 704-7382 for additional information. Revolution Tattoo & Gallery is located at 2221 N. Western Ave.
Handmade Market @ Empty Bottle
Handmade Market returns to the Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western, today from noon to 4pm. Get your holiday shopping done with hip style. Free.
Christmas Market @ Logan Square Kitchen
Head to the Logan Square Kitchen (2333 North Milwaukee) today and tomorrow (10am-3pm) for an assortment of holiday gifts and treats. $1 admission.
Handel's Messiah @ St. James Cathedral
A Christmas Concert at St. James Cathedral (in River North's Cathedral District) will feature the Cathedral Choir, with orchestra, singing Part One of George Frederic Handel's Messiah, "The Annunciation." The performance starts at 7pm. Requested admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children over 12. Children under 12 will be admitted for free. St. James Cathedral is located at the southeast corner of Huron and Wabash.
Red Bull Banked Jam: Windy City Rollers vs. LA Derby Dolls @ UIC Pavilion
The legendary LA Derby Dolls, are taking on the Windy City Rollers in the Red Bull Banked Jam tonight at the UIC Pavilion (525 South Racine Ave). Punk-ska band Less Than Jake also performs. Doors are at 7pm, the bout starts at 8. Get your tickets online or at the door.
JDRF Chance of a Lifetime Gala @ McCormick Place
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund's annual gala offers food, a silent auction...and Hall and Oates. If you can go for that, event begins at 5:30pm at McCormick Place, 2301 South Lake Shore. Tickets $375.
Punch Brothers @ Lincoln Hall
The Punch Brothers make their first appearance at Lincoln Hall tonight. Join the bluegrass connoisseurs as they celebrate their recent Grammy nominations. This is the first of a two-night run at Lincoln Hall. The Punch Brothers came into being when vocalist/mandolin player Chris Thile's former band, Nickel Creek, announced an indefinite hiatus. The PB's have since released two albums: Punch in 2008 and this year's cirtiically acclaimed Antifogmatic. For more info about the band check out our feature story about Chicago native and Punch Brothers' banjoist Noam Pikelny in Transmission this week. Tonight's show is 21+ and tickets are $22 in advance, $25 at the door. The Punch Brothers go on at 9pm. Lincoln Hall is at 2424 N Lincoln.
The Congregation Record Release Party @ Reggies Music Joint
The Congregation, an eight-piece garage soul powerhouse from Chicago, is independently releasing its debut EP, Not for Sleepin', today. Be sure to check them out live at 9pm tonight at the official record release party at Reggies Music Joint (2105 S. State St.). On Not for Sleepin', The Congregation injects new life into vintage soul, creating a sound that is both reflective of the past and representative of the present, down home and down and dirty. $5 cover at the door.
Facets Holiday Warehouse Sale
Facets Multimedia has its annual warehouse sale of DVDs and videos today and tomorrow. This is a great place to buy all kinds of movies for cheap prices, so make sure you show up early! The sale happens from 10am to 5pm on both days. Facets: 1517 W. Fullerton.
"Dr. Margaret Burroughs: In Her Own Words" @ DuSable Museum
The DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 E. 56th Pl., presents "Dr. Margaret Burroughs: In Her Own Words," a tribute to its late founder, artist and poet, Dr. Margaret Burroughs. This family-friendly celebration is from 10am-5pm today, and includes a full program with film, musical and spoken word performances based on Burroughs' poetry and art, museum exhibit tours, children's art workshops and more. This event is free; RSVP to (773) 947-0600 x627.
Family Holiday Party @ Lillstreet Art Center
If you're going to venture out into the arctic chill this weekend, it might as well be for free cookies and cider. Lillstreet Art Center, 4401 N. Ravenswood, is hosting its annual Family Holiday Party from 12 to 4 p.m. Decorate ornaments and cookies, drink cider, and listen to holiday music -- for free. (And while you're there, register for winter classes. If you pay in full by December 20, you'll get $20 off a 10-week course or $10 off any five-week course.)
Chained
If you are still interested in making gifts for people on your gift-giving list, then today's book launch party of Chained by Blue Buddha Boutique owner Rebeca Mojica, is where you must be today from 1:30 to 5:30 at Lillstreet Art Center, 4401 N. Ravenswood Avenue. Not only will there be copies of the book, and kits for making projects from the book (starting at $7.20 to make 3 pair of earrings), but there will be wine, snacks, and cake. And an official Q&A session will start at 3pm.
Cricket Magazine Holiday Fair @ Chicago Publisher's Gallery
Today from 2 to 4pm, Chicago Publisher's Gallery (78 E. Washington) is playing host to the Cricket Magazine Holiday Fair. The writers, editors, and artists of Cricket Magazines are on hand to help kids make their own magazines, read stories, write poetry, and even check out science experiments and take-home tricks. Admission is free!
Now THAT is Christmas! @ Heaven Gallery
Vintage Heaven at Heaven Gallery continues its once-a-month collective vintage sales with this holiday-themed celebration featuring carefully curated pieces from local sellers such as Jenstyle Chic Vintage, Venus Meets Vintage, and Lovestory Vintage. The sale starts at noon and ends at 6 pm. Heaven Gallery is located at 1550 N Milwaukee, 2nd floor. Free.
