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.
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Thursday, March 28
Chicago Comic Con fills the Donald E. Stevens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Rd. in Rosemont, Aug. 12-14. Peruse the comics, get made up as a zombie, watch cult classic films, and revel in fandom. Plus, Bruce Campbell, Patrick Stewart, Christopher Lloyd, members of the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" cast, five of the original Willy Wonka kids, Pam Grier, Anthony Michael Hall and, oddly enough, Billy Corgan are among the many celebrities on hand over the weekend for signings and Q&As (check the schedule for exact dates and times). The show runs noon to 8pm today. It's $25 for single day passes or $50 for four-day passes.
The Music Box Theatre's '90s Summer Blockbusters at Midnight series continues tonight and tomorrow (Sat.) with Michael Bay's 1996 actioner The Rock. A nerdy scientist and a gruff ex-convict square off against a renegade general and a dozen VX gas-filled rockets pointed straight at San Fran. Welcome to the Rock! The Music Box is located at 3733 N. Southport Ave. 773-871-6607.
The LimiƱanas pull from influences like Francoise Hardy, early rhythm & blues and garage rock to create a sound similar to a fuzzy French Dum Dum Girls. Local labels Hozac and Trouble in Mind have had the pleasure of releasing records by this trio from Perpignan. They'll headline the Empty Bottle with openers GazGaz, who also hail from Perpignan, and locals Tyler Jon Tyler. The show's 21+, $8 and starts at 10pm. The Empty Bottle's at 1035 N Western.
The 2011 Silent Summer Film Festival reaches a crescendo tonight with a rare screening of the 1927 F. W. Murnau film Sunrise, starring Janet Gaynor and George O'Brien. What makes tonight especially not-missable is the live photoplay accompaniment by the Month Alto Motion Picture Orchestra. Sunrise is considered by some to be one of the top ten films from the silent era. Film starts at 8pm. Tickets are $15 in advance, $17 at the door. The Portage Theater is located at 4050 N. Milwaukee Avenue. For more info call (773) 205-SFSC or visit The Silent Film Society of Chicago.
Ray's Tap Reading Series, the brainchild of Chris Bower, takes on a different theme for each installment -- tonight's is "imaginary birds". Featured readers include: Matt Rowan, Mark Chrisler, Natalie Edwards, Matt Test, Daniel Shapiro, Brian Nemtusak, Jayita Bhattacharya, Jacob Knabb, Mason Johnson, Dave Snyder, Scott Whitehair, Troy Murphy and even some work from the out of town Tim Racine. This may be the last in the series, so if you've always meant to go see it, now is the time. Show starts at 8pm at Ray's Tap, 3057 N. Kimball, free entry. For more information visit Hold My Horses.
The Music Box Theatre and the Film Noir Foundation present the third edition of Noir City: Chicago, a festival that presents noir classics and rarities, many of which are currently unavailable on DVD. The festival starts tonight with a double feature of High Wall and The Dark Mirror. The festival runs through Thursday, August 18. Please see the Music Box Website for a full schedule and to purchase advance tickets and festival passes. Music Box: 3733 N. Southport. (773) 871-6604.
The Gene Siskel Film Center presents the Chicago premiere of Kartemquin Films' new documentary The Interrupters, which takes a look at the workers of the anti-violence group CeaseFire. The film-makers and representatives from CeaseFire will be at screenings this weekend for audience Q&A; see the Film Center's Website for details and to purchase tickets in advance. The Interrupters plays at the Film Center through Thursday, August 25. Film Center: 164 S. State. (312) 846-2600.
Built Festival brings together over a hundred independent artists, projects, exhibitions, and performances, which expand on the festival's themes of urban culture, will open inside and out of our shipping container venues. Runs tonight 5-10:30pm, and Saturday 11am-10:30pm. Tickets are $10, to purchase, and for more info visit Built Festival.
The 56th Annual Ginza Holiday, a large Japanese cultural festival, will be presented by the Midwest Buddhist Temple (MBT) Aug. 12 - 14 at 435 W. Menomonee Street in Old Town. Flown in from Tokyo for this event, four master craftsmen (Waza) will demonstrate their generations-old skills creating unique crafts. The public will have the opportunity to meet the Waza and purchase their crafts. Several other exhibits and booths will be filled with Japanese dry goods, snacks, kimonos and jewelry. An abundance of traditional Japanese cuisine will be offered, from udon to kintoki. Featured in the festival will be ongoing stage performances with the energetic taiko drumming, classical dance, traditional and not-so-traditional music, martial arts and a ukulele group! Aikido, Judo and Karate schools will demonstrate self-defense tactics, while Kendo (Japanese fencing) will entertain the crowd. The chapel will be open for guests who are interested in observing the place of worship and learning the basics of Buddhism. During stage intermissions, Rev Ron Miyamura will deliver short Dharma talks. A benefit donation of $6 for adults, and $5 for students and senior citizens will be collected at the gate. Children under 12 will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Details here.
Visit the Southport Grocery and Cafe for a Pop-Up-Shop Event in partnership with Truffle Truffle artisinal confections for a celebration of call things s'mores. The cafe will be featuring s'more inspired desserts along with all the gourmet ingredients you'd need to make your own. The pop-up event will be leaving you asking for "s'more please!" and will run from 11am - 3pm at the Southport Grocery and Cafe, 3552 N. Southport Chicago, IL 60657. 773-655-0100
MAKE magazine will host the Chicago book release for L.C. Fiore's first novel Green Gospel (Fiore is also MAKE's associate fiction editor) tonight at 6:30pm at the Gentner Showroom, 228 W. Kinzie St. Joining will be Lindsay Hunter author of Daddy on Featherproof books. Bookending the readings will be music by Steven Hendershot of the Spares. If that's not enough, enjoy complimentary beer and snacks.
The Chicago Sex Worker Film Festival screens an evening of short documentaries tonight at the Everleigh Social Club, 939 W. Randolph St., from 7pm to 11pm tonight. Working Girl Blues, A Day In Her Life, Frida's Informal Economy and Transitioning Through Sex Work screen starting at 7pm; Cinema of Desire and Red Lips: Cages For Black Girls at 8pm; and Titty Fuck Me and Mutantes: Porn Punk Feminism at 9pm. $10 suggested donation benefits the Sex Worker Outreach Project.