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 15 2013
Wisconsin Foods and the Stories They Tell @ Kendall College
Author & President of the Culinary History Enthusiasts of Wisconsin Terese Allen talks about the food traditions of our neighbors to the north--Friday fish frys, wild rice, cream puffs, etc.--at Kendall College (900 N. Branch) today from 10am-noon. Free parking; cost $3. Event sponsored by the Culinary Historians of Chicago.
Les Dames Culinary Cake Walk and Garage Sale @ Kendall College
Les Dames d'Escoffier holds a garage sale of culinary wares donated by local chefs and a cake walk--the best walk of all--today at 10am at Kendall College, 900 N. Branch. To get in on the good stuff costs $75 (early entry 10am); general admission starts at 11am; admission $5. Events runs until 2pm. Proceeds benefit the Dames' scholarship fund and the Green City Market.
Chicago Alternative Comics Expo
The Chicago Alternative Comics Expo, or CAKE, runs today and Sunday at the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., from 11am to 6pm. Check out the exhibit floor, attend panels and indie animated film screenings, and much more. Anything that Loves, a bisexual comics event, starts at 7:30pm. Admission is free.
Taste of Randolph Street
Taste of Randolph Street continues in the West Loop as the second day of a weekend-long 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.
SausageFest
SausageFest runs today and Sunday from noon to 10pm at Addison and Sheffield. Enjoy encased meats from a variety of vendors, cold beer and live music; today's schedule is below. Proceeds of the Sausage King of Chicago competition benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.
Noon - According to Sarah
1:30pm - Sausage King Crowning Ceremony
2pm - Polkaholics
4pm - Fortunate Sons
6pm - Modern Day Romeos
8pm - Rock Candy
Spring Awakening Festival
Spring Awakening takes over Soldier Field, 1410 S. Museum Dr., this weekend, June 14-16, with Bassnectar headlining a packed lineup tonight. Tickets are $65 per day ($100 for VIP access), or $200 for three-day passes. Doors open at noon today.
Kevin Coval @ Chicago Public Library, West Town
Today at noon, the West Town branch of the Chicago Public Library, 1625 W. Chicago Ave., welcomes Kevin Coval, co-founder of Young Chicago Authors and the Louder Than A Bomb teen poetry slam held annually throughout the Chicago area. He'll be reading from his latest poetry collection, Schtick.
Mods vs. Rockers @ Aragon
The Mods vs. Rockers vintage motorcycle and scooter rally rolls up on the Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave., today starting at noon. Check out the outdoor vintage motorcycle and car show till 6pm featuring a pin-up contest, Nick Apex & Ernie Vigil Stunt Show, The Million Dollar Quartet, The Dyes, Bama Lamas and Krank Daddies. Then at 6pm, head inside for the Rockabilly Rumble featuring The Reverend Horton Heat, "Stray Cat" Lee Rocker, Supersuckers and JD McPherson. Tickets for the bike and car show only are $10, it's $30 for just the Rockabilly Rumble, and $40 for an all-access pass. VIP passes are $70.
80s Double Feature @ Film Center
The Gene Siskel Film Center presents a double feature of two iconic 80s films: Raiders of the Lost Ark at 3:00pm, and Back to the Future 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.
The Paper Machete
The Paper Machete this week features Shannon Cason, Jimmy Dore, Ike Holter and Mary Williamson, Kevin Sciretta, Julia Weiss, Chad the Bird and music by Bill Larkin and The Kickbacks. Christopher Piatt hosts at the Green Mill, 4802 N. Milwaukee Ave., at 3pm. Free.
Susan Schorn @ Thousand Waves Spa
This afternoon at 4pm, the Book Cellar hosts an off site event at Thousand Waves Spa (1220 W. Belmont Ave.) for Susan Schorn, reading from her martial arts related memoir Smile at Strangers: And Other Lessons in the Art of Living Fearlessly. Does the venue change mean there will be karate lessons? Show up and find out. Free.
SKALD @ Strawdog Theatre
The 14th annual SKALD, a storytelling contest produced by WNEP Theater, returns to the Strawdog Theatre (3829 N. Broadway). This years list of competitors includes: Lily Be, Erin Diamond, Stephanie Douglass, Kevin Gladish, Marsha Harman, Greg Ledger, JH Palmer, Angelina Pizzi, Sheri Reda, and Scott Whitehair. Winner is determined by a panel comprised of Director and Storyteller Matt Miller, Lifeline Theatre Artistic Director Dorothy Milne, and Bitches Gotta Eat blogger/wordsmith, Samantha Irby. Winner gets a $100 cash prize. Hosted by Ian Belknap. Doors open at 7pm, event begins at 8pm. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online or at the door.
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+
