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.
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TODAY
Saturday, May 18
Slowdown
BY DAY
Saturday, August 11 2012
Chicago Comic Con
Wizard World's Chicago Comic Con runs Aug. 9-11 at the Donald E. Stevens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Rd. in Rosemont. The show features appearances by such fan favorites as Stan Lee, Bruce Campbell, Sean Young, James Hong, Amber Benson, Scott Bakula and William Shatner -- plus a bustling trade show floor, booths for all your favorite comic imprints, collectibles and more. Single day tickets are $35 in advance, $45 at the door; four day passes are $75 in advance, $85 at the door. The show is open from 10am to 7pm today.
Flashback Weekend
The 10th annual Flashback Weekend horror convention is at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare, 5440 N. River Rd. in Rosemont, this weekend, Aug. 10-12. Celebrity guests include legendary director John Carpenter, Exorcist's Linda Blair, and a reunion of Friday the 13th franchise actors. Attend panels and Q&As, meet celebrities and peruse the tradeshow floor during the day and enjoy film screenings at Muvico, 9701 Bryn Mawr Ave., in the evening -- see a complete schedule here. Tickets are $30 each day, or $65 for a weekend pass; some events are ticketed separately. The convention runs from 10am to 7pm today, with film screenings beginning at 8:15pm and running past midnight.
Mystery Street Music Fest
Mystery Street Recording Co. hosts the first-ever Mystery Street Music Festival today from 11am till after midnight, featuring three dozen bands at four venues: Delilah's, 2771 N. Lincoln Ave.; Patsy's Pub, 2825 N. Lincoln Ave.; Home Tavern, 2828 N. Lincoln Ave.; and Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets are $15, available at each of the venues or online, and cover all four venues. 21+
NortHalsted Market Days
Enjoy the largest street fair in the midwest right here in Chicago. NortHalsted Market Days is two days of music, arts and crafts and delicious food from over 400 vendors. Today and tomorrow from 12-10 on Halsted between Belmont and Addison. $8 suggested donation.
Southside Polish Fest
The Southside Polish Fest is at Toyota Park, 7000 S. Harlem Ave. in Bridgeview, Aug. 10-12. Enjoy Polish food and beer, dance to polka and rock'n'roll cover bands, and a pierogi eating contest. Admission is $10, free for children under 12 and active military. Free parking. The festival runs from 5pm to 11pm today.
Thirsty Ear Festival
The Thirsty Ear Festival brings contemporary classical music to the Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave., tonight from 5 to 7pm (doors open at 4pm). The festival features performances by Palomar, the MAVerick Ensemble, James Falzone and the Chicago Q Ensemble. Read our preview in Transmission. Tickets are $10 in advance or at the door; you'll get $5 off if you show that you rode your bike, courtesy of the Active Transportation Alliance. 21+
Eliza Frye @ Quimby's
Tonight, Eliza Frye reads from Regalia, featuring the Eisner-nominated short story "The Lady's Murder," at Quimby's. Frye is in town for the Wizard World comic convention (find her at Artists Alley 3418). Quimby's, 1854 W. North Ave., 7pm.
Joe Dante's Movie Orgy @ Nightengale
The AV Club presents director Joe Dante, who will be screening his 1968 project The Movie Orgy, a 240-minute compilation of commercials, trailers, and film scenes. The show starts at 8pm at The Nightengale (1084 North Milwaukee). Admission is $7.
The Exorcist Screening with Linda Blair
Linda Blair hosts a screening of The Exorcist (the 2000 digitally restored version) at Muvico Rosemont 18, 9701 Bryn Mawr Ave., tonight at 8:15pm. Tickets are $30, with proceeds benefiting the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation.
Burlesque Tribute to Journey
Hot & Heavy Burlesque presents a tribute to the band Journey tonight at 10:30pm at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Hosted by Fake Steve Perry (Sanjula Vamana), the evening will feature Exotic World title holders The Dolls of Doom as well as world-renowned circus performer Miss Pussykat of Daredevil Circus, Viva La Muerte, Red Rum, Scarlett DeVille, Dahlia Fatale, Lola Getz, Miss Vine, Cruel Valentine and Bella Bathory, performing to classic Journey hits like "Don't Stop Believing," "Open Arms," "Separate Ways," "Wheel in the Sky" and more. Tickets are $15 online or at the box office. 21+
Facets Night School: Please Don't Touch Me!
Facets Cinematheque continues its summer session of Facets Night School, a series of midnight screenings paired with lectures and conversations about cult films. Tonight's film is a 1959 film from Ron Ormond, Please Don't Touch Me! Tonight's lecturer is Night School regular and founding member of Everything Is Terrible! Katie Rife. Facets Night School runs through August 25. Tickets are $5, and you can find a complete schedule and advance tickets at the Facets Website. Facets: 1517 W. Fullerton. For more information about Facets Night School, email nightschool at facets dot org.
