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
Friday, June 14 2013
Taste of Randolph Street
Taste of Randolph Street returns to the West Loop for a three-day celebration of some of the best entertainment Chicago has to offer. An array of vendors, selling food, art, clothing, trinkets and more, occupies six blocks, while up-and-coming indie rock and local bands perform on three stages. The festival benefits the West Loop Community Organization. Admission to Taste of Randolph is a $10 suggested donation.
Spring Awakening Festival
Spring Awakening takes over Soldier Field, 1410 S. Museum Dr., this weekend, June 14-16, with Moby headlining a packed lineup tonight. Tickets are $65 per day ($100 for VIP access), or $200 for three-day passes. Doors open at 3pm today.
The Lonely Island @ Metro
The Lonely Island holds a Q&A and sneak-peek at their new album, The Wack Album, at the Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., tonight at 5pm (doors open at 4pm). Tickets are $19. All ages.
Mods vs. Rockers @ Cobra Lounge
Cobra Lounge, 245 N. Ashland Ave., hosts the Mods vs. Rockers vintage motorcycle and scooter rally Friday Night Punch-up tonight, featuring the Suicide Shifters and London Calling. The event is also the registration point for Saturday's show. Tickets are $10 online or at the door. Doors open at 6pm. 21+
Chicago Arts District 2nd Fridays
On the second Friday of every month, the 30-or-so galleries and creative spaces in the Chicago Arts District at S. Halsted and 18th streets open their doors to showcase art and artists from Chicago and the world. The opening receptions begin at 6pm and last officially until 10pm, letting viewers get up close with the art and artists for free. Maps are available at the information center at 1821 S. Halsted St.
Version Fest
The 13th annual Version arts and culture festival runs June 14-22 at several venues in Bridgeport. Tonight's opening exhibition, An Urban Operating System, is at Co-Prosperity Sphere, 3219 S. Morgan St., from 6 to 11pm. View art, meet local organizations, and watch A Pocket Guide to Hell's production Snake Oil at 8pm. Admission is free; the exhibit remains on display through June 20. See the program for a full list of Version events.
Love Jones in Chicago @ DuSable Museum
The DuSable Museum, 740 E. 56th Pl., hosts the Mahdi Theatre Company's Love Jones in Chicago, tonight at 7pm. The play, which asks the question, "Is there really true love?," is adapted from Theodore Witcher's 1997 film Love Jones which starred Chicago native Larenz Tate. Tickets are $20-$30 and are available online; for more information, call 312-835-1878.
MAELSTROM @ Strawdog Theatre
The 14th annual MAELSTROM, an improvised storytelling contest produced by WNEP Theater, returns to the Strawdog Theatre (3829 N. Broadway). This years list of competitors includes: Lily Be, Regan Davis, Erin Diamond, Dave Goss, Merrie Greenfield, and Marsha Harman. Winner is determined by the audience and gets a $50 cash prize. Hosted by Don Hall. Doors open at 7pm, event begins at 8pm. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased online or at the door.
Santah @ Subterranean
Santah headlines the Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., with Pet Lions, Barber Greene and Landmarks. Doors open at 8pm, show's at 9pm. Tickets are $10 in advance or at the door. 17+
Man Or Astroman + Jacuzzi Boys @ Empty Bottle
Spacesuits, theremins on fire, movie footage so bad "MST3K" would probably scoff at it, a tesla coil, and some of the best surf space-rock you've ever heard are what make Man Or Astroman a thrilling live band. They've played Chicago a few times over the last couple years since returning from a hiatus. Some of the shows were just as good as their peak in the mid/late 1990s and others were a little rusty on the music while still being terribly entertaining. Man Or Astroman headline two nights at the Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave. Miami garage rockers Jacuzzi Boys open at 9:30pm. Tickets are $15. 21+
The Source Family @ Music Box
The Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., hosts a special screening of The Source Family, a new documentary about the 1970s band and "utopian living experiment," tonight at 9:45pm. The screening will include a Q&A with co-director Maria Demopoulos and live musical performances by a band featuring members of CAVE, Plastic Crimewave Sound, Ga’an and Velcro Lewis. Tickets are $9.25 in advance or at the door.
