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
Monday, May 6
Slowdown
BY DAY
Wednesday, October 26 2011
Chicago Reader’s 40th Birthday
The Chicago Reader celebrates its 40th birthday with a "Black, White (and Yellow) Ball" tonight at the Chicago Urban Art Society, 2229 S. Halsted St., from 8pm to 11pm. J2K of Flosstradamus deejays, Star of Siam serves up food, Alliance Bakery and Katherine Anne Confections bring the sweets, and Death’s Door Goose Island provide the adult beverages. Tickets are $15 in advance, $50 at the door. 21+
Anything and Always
Come to the Viaduct Theatre this Wednesday for a fundraiser complete with music, drinks and sweet treats from Chicago's purveyor of punk rock pastry, Bleeding Heart Bakery. Local dramatic writer, Nic Wehrwein has put together a night that will feature the Chicago debut of Wehrwein's play, Anything and Always, which will be read by up and coming Chicago actors, Will Allan and Rebecca Buller. Written while in his second year as a MFA student at the University of New Mexico with Shepard Sobel, Anything and Always is a piece about love, loss, and how to cope when the two collide. Donations will go to A Sail with Courtney and will also benefit the Jimmy V Foundation. Event runs from 7 p.m. to midnight with the reading beginning at 8:30 p.m. Donations welcome. The Viaduct Theatre is located at 3111 N. Western Ave. Chicago, IL 60618. (773) 296-6024.
M.A.K.U. Sound System @ Old Town School of Folk Music
The Old Town School of Folk Music presents a concert by Colombian group M.A.K.U. Sound System as part of their World Music Wednesdays series of concerts. The concert begins at 8:30pm. Admission is a suggested $5 donation, and reservations are strongly recommended. Full information available at the OTS Website. Old Town School: 4544 N. Lincoln. (773) 728-6000.
Best Buddies Benefit @ Luxbar
Best Buddies Illinois holds a fundraiser tonight at luxbar, 18 E. Bellevue Pl., from 6pm to 9pm.
Tickets are $45 in advance, $60 at the door and include heavy appetizers, Jim Beam whiskey, vodka, beer and wine. There will be a silent auction at the event; more info here. 21+
Elaine Equi & Jerome Sala @ POETRY Reading Series
The Department of English at Columbia College Chicago welcomes Elaine Equi and Jerome Sala for their Fall 2011 Reading Series. Reading is tonight, at 5:30pm, at Hokin Hall (623 S. Wabash Ave., 109). The event is free and open to the public.
Women's Voices from Ireland @ the Poetry Foundation
The Poetry Foundation is hosting a national tour of four Irish poets: Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin, Rita Ann Higgins, Caitríona O'Reilly, and Leontia Flynn. The tour is part of Imagine Ireland 2011 and also coincides with the release of the poetry anthology The Wake Forest Book of Irish Women's Poetry. Poetry of the Shelf: Women's Voices from Ireland will feature the four women poets tonight at 7pm at the Poetry Foundation (61 W Superior). First-come, first-served! But admission is free.
Chicago Theatre 90th Anniversary Tour
The Chicago Theatre opened on Oct. 26, 1921, and in honor of its 90th birthday, the theater is offering special tours Monday through Wednesday at 6pm. The tours will include a rare performance by the theater's Wurlitzer pipe organ. Tickets are $15 in advance or $12 at the box office.
Dmitry Samrov Book Release Party @ Whistler
Dmitry Samarov celebrates the release of his book, Hack: Stories from a Chicago Cab, tonight at 9pm at the Whistler, 2421 N. Milwaukee Ave. Darts & Arrows perform. 21+
Violence in the Media. Violence in Our Lives.
Between Friends along with several partner agencies are hosting "Violence in the Media. Violence in Our Lives," an event to talk about violence in media and music. The event will include a panel discussion with Miles Raymer from The Reader, Cyndi from Girls Rock Chicago and musicians Tim'm West and C.C. Carter. They will be discussing the responsibility of musicians and the media to curb hateful lyrics and how we can address the issues as a society. Both musician panelists will be performing plus Steve Adler (DJ the Tornado), Prevention & Education Specialist at Rape Victim Advocates, will be spinning a dub step set by all female producers/MCs. The event is at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, 5:30pm, suggested donation of $5.
The 2nd Story, Everyone Remain Calm book release
The 2nd Story, Chicago's amalgamation of music, literature and performance art, will celebrate a book release of the show's longtime director Megan Stielstra tonight at 7:30pm at the Morseland 1218 W. Morse. Her book, Everyone Remain Calm, will come to life with stories and music inspired by the book. Storytellers will include Megan Stielstra, Bobby Biedrzycki and J. Adams Oaks. Tickets are $15.
