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 23
Slowdown
BY DAY
Thursday, March 10 2011
Zak Mucha @ Lozano Branch Library
Author and social worker Zak Mucha presents Heart Transplant , a graphic novel about bullying by Andrew Vachss and illustrated by Frank Caruso (Mucha contributed an essay). Lozano Branch Library, 1805 S Loomis St., 6pm.
Esben and the Witch @Empty Bottle
Esben & The Witch is at The Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave., with Wise Blood and Family Band opening. Doors open at 9:30pm. Tickets are $10.
Story Club @ Uncommon Ground on Clark
Story Club, a monthly storytelling series, combines the spontaneity of an open mic with featured readings at Uncommon Ground (3800 N. Clark). Tonight's featured readers are J.H. Palmer and Johanna Stein. Open mic sign-up at 8pm, go time at 8:30. This event is free. For more information visit Uncommon Ground or Story Club.
Gift Circle @ Mess Hall
How a Gift Circle Works: people meet, share some food and introduce themselves. Then they form a circle. People go around and share what they need. All kinds of things have been asked for: bodywork, help healing a broken heart, advice on marketing a product, someone to talk to about life goals, help cleaning out files, etc. The need is spoken with no expectation of it being fulfilled. People in the circle respond if they feel it. Then people go around again and offer a gift, something they would like to share with no expectation of it being accepted. Again, a wide range of things have been offered: a dreamcatcher, a vacuum sealer, shamanic healing, handquilted potholders, research help (from a librarian), help writing a simple will (from a lawyer), etc, etc. Afterward, people check in with those who responded to the gifts/needs/wishes and schedule them. (Bring your calendars!) 6:30 to 7pm: Potluck (BYOB, dish). 7 to 8:30pm: Gift Circle. Free & open to the public. Mess Hall is located at 6932 N. Glenwood Ave.
The Reality Shows @ Columbia College Chicago
Columbia College Chicago, 600 S. Michigan, presents performance artist Karen Finley as she reads from her latest book, The Reality Shows . Finley takes the audience on an artistic tour of the wild world of politics and culture during this century's first decade. This free event begins at 6:30pm and will be held in Ferguson Lecture Hall. Contact 312-369-8829 for more information.
ChicagoLive! @ Chicago Theatre Downstairs
Tonight, ChicagoLive!, the Chicago Tribune's live weekly stage and radio show, will feature interviews with Chicago Grammy-Award winning rapper Lupe Fiasco, founder of Interfaith Youth Core Eboo Patel, Ronit Bezalel, Mark Pratt and Brenda Schumacher, the filmmakers behind the documentary Voices of Cabrini, Cleetus Friedman, owner of City Provisions, comedy from The Second City and a special performance by the winner of Kyles Files Track-Off, led by the Tribune's Kyra Kyles. The show takes place at Chicago Theatre Downstairs, 175 N. State St.; doors open at 5:30pm and the show starts at 6:30pm. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online, by phone at 800-745-3000, or at the Chicago Theatre box office.
Chicago Reporter Release Party
The Chicago Reporter celebrates the release of its March-April issue tonight at M Lounge, 1520 S. Wabash Ave., from 6pm to 8pm. It's free, but tickets are required.
Awe Dub Sessions @ Rodan
AWE DUB SESSIONS is a night of rare and classic sci-fi film & reggae. All vinyl, all night selected by RUFFY, TUFFY, and RAD BRIAN. Special guests include a rotating cast of musicians, selectors, and chanters-- both local and international. Tonight's session: "Give Thanks & Praises Ina Topo Duh Holy Mountain!" features a crucially projected double feature from the great Alejandro Jodorowsky! El Topo (1970) & The Holy Mountain (1973) meet the sweetest in obscure roots, rockers, dub & dancehall vinyl. Awe Dub Sessions takes place every second Thursday of every month from 10pm to 2am. 21+. No Cover. Rodan is located at 1530 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Little City Food Frenzy @ Loft on Lake
Sample food from an array of Chicago restaurants and network with young professionals at this event to benefit Little City Foundation, which provides programs and services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Food Frenzy participants include: Crofton on Wells, Goose Island Beer Company, Mana Food Bar, Prairie Fire, redFLAME Pizzeria, Sweets & Savories, Taco Joint, Terlato Wine Group and Theory Sports Bar and Grill. Tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased online. The event begins at 7:30pm at Loft on Lake, 1366 W. Lake St.
The Renaissance Society Presents Age of Aquarius
Amy Grappell will be presenting work at University of Chicago's contemporary art gallery The Renaissance Society. The opening reception will be on Sunday March 13, 2011, from 4pm to 7pm, and will include a discussion with the filmmaker in person from 5pm to 6pm, in room 307 Cobb Hall.
Mike Sacks Reading @ Quimby's
Writer Mike Sacks reads from and signs his new book, Your Wildest Dreams, Within Reason, tonight at Quimby's, 1854 W. North Ave., at 7pm. More info here. Free.
Luis Alberto Urrea @ UIC, Student Center East
Today author and UIC professor, Luis Alberto Urrea, will be presented with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences distinguished professorship. At this time, Urrea will also give a presentation entitled, "Awakening to the World: From Tijuana to Here." Urrea is a UIC professor of English who teaches creative writing. He was born in Tijuana, Mexico, and has won awards for his writing, including the Lannan Literary Award and the Kiriyama Prize in fiction. Urrea's presentation will begin at 3pm at UIC, in Student Center East (750 S. Halsted St), Room 302. Admission is free!
Jeffrey Rasley @ Barbara's Bookstore - UIC
Tonight at Barbara's Bookstore - UIC (1218 South Halsted St), Jeffrey Rasley will be discussing his trek to a village in Nepal and his philanthropy there. For 15 years, Rasley has led Himalayan mountaineering treks, and he's in charge of fund raising for Basa Village Foundation, a Nepal-based non-governmental organization. He also wrote a book about his experiences, published in October: Bringing Progress to Paradise. Come to Barbara's at 7pm to see Rasley's slide show and hear about his good deeds in Basa village, which include finishing a school and a hydroelectric system.
Patterns & Portraits Event
An event that has it all- hair cuts, hula hoops, art, entertainment, bands, and beautiful people. What else is there to ask for? Maybe a water balloon fight? Wait, it is still cold outside. Come stay warm with some drinks and lose yourself in all the wonderful patterns.
The Garden, 2313 W. North Ave, Saturday March 12th from 8PM-1AM, $5 donation
Chicago Flower & Garden Show
The Chicago Flower & Garden Show runs March 5-13 at Navy Pier. Check out landscaping displays and tabletop arrangements, learn about new products and techniques, and enjoy a bit of greenery in still-dreary March. Hours are 10am to 8pm Monday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm Sunday. Tickets are $15 weekdays, $17 weekends for adults, $5 for kids all the time. Monday through Thursday, there's a $13 after work special from 4 to 8pm.
