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
Saturday, June 08 2013
Urban Warrior Dash @ Soldier Field
If life's obstacles aren't thrilling enough for you, head to Soldier Field (1410 Museum Campus Dr.) tonight for the Urban Warrior Dash, a 5k route dotted with obstacles and other energy-defying challenges. Awards offered for top three male and female finishers; post-race festival including beer and entertainment. Registration $45-80. Staggered start times begin at 8am.
Printers Row Lit Fest
Today is the Printers Row Lit Fest, the Midwest's largest outdoor literary festival, at Dearborn from Chicago to Polk (click here for map). This year's highlights include the World's Best Short Story workshop with 826CHI, a cooking demonstration with Oprah's former chef Art Smith, Nathan Rabin reading from You Don't Know Me But You Don't Like Me, and YA fiction superstar Judy Blume. The festival opens at 10am see the schedule for complete list of events.
Chicago Blues Festival
Blues Fest is back in Grant Park for its 30th year as one of Chicago's most popular music festivals. Watch blues legends, including Otis Clay, perform on five stages throughout four days. Event runs 11am-9:30pm. Free admission.
Bon Appétit's West Loop Afternoon Grub Crawl
Bon Appétit sponsors an afternoon of touring some of the West Loop's finest eateries (Nellcôte, RM Champagne Salon, Avec, Blackbird, & Embeya); you'll eat, drink, get some live entertainment, etc. Cost is $149; tour begins at noon at Nellcôte (833 W. Randolph).
Schubas Backyard BBQ & Bike Bash
The Chainlink and Active Transportation Alliance presentSchubass Backyard BBQ & Bike Bash today starting at noon in the parking lot, 3159 N. Southport Ave. Local shops will be on-hand to perform tune-ups, demos and workshops; Working Bikes Cooperative will collect used bikes and bike parts; Schubas holds its bi-annual concert poster sale; Small Room Collective will have an Airstream on hand full of handmade wares; and there'll be a raffle for a variety of cool stuff. Plus there's barbecue and discounted Revolution Brewing beer. Free and open to all ages.
Bellwether @ Hideout
Bellwether, a new "market, happening & feast" from the creators of the Renegade Craft Fair and Vintage Bazaar, runs today and Sunday in and outside the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave., from noon to dark (aka 8pm). Shop for local art and crafts, enjoy live music and peruse food trucks throughout the day; schedule here. Suggested donation $10 admission; kids under 12 are free. There's also an after-hours inside the Hideout from 8 to 10pm, featuring sketch show NED Talks and a screening of the documentary Sign Painters; additional $10 suggested donation for admission.
Ray Bradbury Festival @ Strawdog Theater
Tonight, Strawdog Theater (3829 N. Broadway St.) celebrates the work of that late, great Waukegan native at the Ray Bradbury Festival. Events include panel discussions, live performances of Fahrenheit 451, live performances of The Ray Bradbury Radio Hour, and an artists gallery of Bradbury inspired work. Produced by OtherWorld Theatre Company, all events are free with suggested $5 donation. Click here for schedule of events.
80s Double Feature @ Film Center
The Gene Siskel Film Center presents a double feature of two iconic 80s films: The Terminator at 3:00pm, and Conan the Barbarian at 5:15pm. You may purchase tickets for both films at a discount, or purchase a ticket for just one film. Full details at the Film Center Website. Film Center: 164 North State Street. (312) 846-2085.
SNL alumna Julia Sweeney speaks at Printer's Row
Today at 4pm, Printer’s Row Lit Fest will host SNL alumna Julia Sweeney at the Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Ct., as she discusses her new book, If It’s Not One Thing, It’s Your Mother. The Chicago Live! event will feature an eclectic mix of news, entertainment and comedy, as Sweeney is joined by host Rick Kogan, The Second City, Aldermen Robert Fioretti and Roderick Sawyer, and Bluesman John Primer. More information about Printers Row Lit Fest can be found at printersrowlitfest.org. The event is free, though registration at the event’s webpage is required.
Windy City Rollers Championships
The Manic Attackers face The Fury in the Windy City Rollers championship
bout tonight at the UIC Pavilion, 525 S. Racine Ave. Doors open at 5pm; watch the Black vs. White charity bout at 6pm, with the Ivy King Cup bout at 7pm. Tickets are $20-$35.
World Naked Bike Ride
The 10th annual Chicago edition of the World Naked Bike Ride rolls out tonight at 6pm tonight from a secret location -- join in to find out the starting point.
Bon Appétit's Logan Square Evening Grub Crawl
Bon Appétit sponsors an evening of touring some of Logan Square's finest eateries (Billy Sunday, Telegraph, Reno, and Jam); you'll eat, drink, get some live entertainment, etc. Cost is $149; tour runs 6-10pm and begins at the Logan Auditorium, 2539 N. Kedzie.
Mortified @ Schubas
Mortified, the storytelling show about horribly embarrassing moments, is at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave., tonight at 7pm. The Blue Ribbon Glee Club also performs. Tickets are ,a href='http://www.schubas.com/Shows/06-08-2013+Mortified">$12 in advance, $15 at the door. 21+
The Uncluded @ Old Town School
The Uncluded, a super-duo of Aesop Rock and Kimya Dawson, headline the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4545 N. Lincoln Ave., tonight, with Hamell on Trial opening. Read our preview in Transmission. Tickets are $20 ($18 for members). Doors open at 7pm.
Jason Lescalleet at U of C/Bond Chapel (Lampo)
Tape loop/electronic composer and performer Jason Lescalleet will perform the final concert in Lampo's Winter/Spring season tonight at Bond Chapel (1050 E. 59th St.) on the University of Chicago campus. The event is free and open to the public, no RSVP required. The performance begins at 9 p.m. More information at Transmission.
