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.
✶ Thank you for your readership and contributions. ✶
Thursday, March 28
Presented by local design company OrangeBeautiful, the Show of Hands craft fair brings together designers, illustrators, jewelry-makers, and several other craftspeople at the Ravenswood Event Center Showroom (4043 N Ravenswood) from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday.
The Randolph Street Market transforms into the Holiday Market Saturday and today at the Plumbers Union Hall, 1340 W. Washington St. From 10am to 5pm, shop for antiques, art, furniture and collectibles, as well as newly made crafts, from dozens of vendors. Free parking and gift wrapping. Admission is $8 in advance, $10 at the door, with discounts for students and seniors. Kids under 12 get in free.
The now-weekly Dose Market is all about food this week at its first-ever Kitchen Blis show, today at 1st Ward in Chop Shop, 2033 W. North Ave., from 10am to 4pm. Shop more than 25 vendors of fresh and packaged sweets, savories, condiments and more. $5 admission includes a free Next Star Vodka cocktail for those 21 or older.
The Chicago Toy & Game Fair takes over Navy Pier's Festival Hall A Saturday and today. Check out new games and old favorites, as well as special events and competitions. The show is open from 10am to 5pm today. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 3-13.
The Chicago Book Expo, a pop-up bookstore and literary fair, is today from 11am to 5pm at St. Augustine College, 1345 W. Argyle St. Browse books from local publishers and attend talks and workshops. see the schedule for details. An afterparty at Fat Cat, 4840 N. Broadway, follows at 5pm. Free.
The Northwest Chicago Film Society presents Baby, The Rain Must Fall, starring Steve McQueen and Lee Remick, today at 11:30am at the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St. Tickets are $11.
The Polish Film Festival in America runs Nov. 8-24. Today's closing night events include a special screening of Wałęsa. Człowiek z nadziei (Walesa, Man of Hope) at 3pm and a double feature of Warszawa 1935 in 3D and Chce się żyć (Life Feels Good) at 5pm at Muvico Rosemont 18, 9701 Bryn Mawr Ave. in Rosemont. In addition, the Gallery Theatre, 1112 N. Milwaukee Ave., screens Jąkająca się miłość (Stammering Love), Magma and Jak głęboki jest ocean? (How Deep Is the Ocean?) at 3pm; Pre Mortem and Sierpniowe niebo. 63 dni chwały. (August's Sky. 63 Days of Glory) at 5pm; and Strateg (The Strategist) at 7pm. See the full schedule for details. Tickets are $10 for documentaries, $14 for feature films, with student and senior discounts available. Festival passes are available for $75, with Gold passes that also include opening and closing night events going for $150.