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
Slowdown
BY DAY
Sunday, August 12 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 5pm 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 4:30pm today.
Windy City Rib Classic
The inaugural Windy City Rib Classic takes place today in the Theater on the Lake, 2401 N. Lake Shore Dr. Watch 20 of Chicagoland's fiercest barbecue teams compete for supremacy in ribs, chicken and sauce categories. Learn how to do it yourself in demos led by barbecue experts, and enjoy barbecue from Rub BBQ while watching live music by the Northside Southpaws, Casa de Soul, the Black Willoughbees and Blue Road. Free to attend. The competition begins at 10am.
Fork and the Road: Oven Lovin'
Fork and the Road food tours by bike embarks on its Oven Lovin' tour, today, a vegetarian-friendly exploration of backed goods. The 16-mile tour pushes off from the Kitchen Sink Cafe, 1107 W. Berwyn Ave., at 11am, and ends back there at 4pm. Tickets are $50.
The Vintage Bazaar
The Vintage Bazaar fills the Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave., from noon to 5pm today. Browse more than 200 vendors of vintage decor, housewares, furniture, clothing, jewelry and accessories. CHIRP Radio deejays, and local restaurants serve food, beer and cocktails. Admission is $5, free for children under 12.
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 noon to 11pm today.
Artisan Wedding Fair @ Lillstreet
Lillstreet Arts Center, 4401 N. Ravenswood Ave., hosts an artisan wedding fair from noon to 4pm today. Meet with independent vendors for everything from flowers to jewelry, and learn how to make origami paper flowers from Craft Bar. Admission is $5 in advance, $10 at the door.
Lowrider Car & Bike Show
The Chicago Urban Art Society, 600 W. Cermak Rd., hosts the second annual Low & Slow lowrider car and bike show today from noon to 8pm. The family-friendly event will showcase lowrider culture and also include a plaque ceremony, live music, food, drinks and a lowrider bike carousel for the kids. $5 suggested donation for adults, $2 for kids under 12. Proceeds benefit CUAS as well as the Chicago Lowrider Preservation Fund.
