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
Monday, July 8
Slowdown
BY DAY
Saturday, January 25 2014
The Lakeview Polar Bear Club Polar Bear Plunge
At exactly noon today, dozens of brave and hearty souls will strip to their bathing suits and dive into the frigid waters of Lake Michigan. In addition to being fun it is a fundraising effort for two are families with ill children need expensive treatment. Each swimmer has to pay at least $30 ($40 the day of the event) to participate (and sign a legal waiver), but if you raise more you can receive a t-shirt, drinks at the afterparty at Fatpour Tap Works, and if you raise the most, you can lead the charge. Arrive by 11am if you want to swim, and celebrate shrinkage at noon.
Generation War @ Music Box
The Goethe Institute presents the Chicago premiere of the German miniseries Generation War today at noon at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave. In between parts one and two, a panel featuring Sara Hall, associate professor of Germanic Studies at UIC; Neal Pease, professor and department chair of History at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; and Patricia Brett Erens, adjunct professor at the School of the Art Institute, will discuss the film and its cultural significance. Tickets are $9.25 in advance or at the door.
Lincoln Square Winter Brew
The Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce hosts Winter Brew today at DANK Haus, 4740 N. Western Ave. There are two sessions -- 2 to 5pm and 7 to 10pm -- and admission is $12, plus $1 per drink ticket (sold in 10-ticket increments online) to sample beers from at least 10 local breweries, including Begyle, Half Acre, Finch's, Metropolitan, Revolution, Ale Syndicate, Baderbrau, Une Année, BuckleDown and Lake Effect. Admission includes a souvenir 9oz. glass. 21+
Art Spiegelman's Wordless! @ Logan Center
The Logan Center for the Arts at University of Chicago, 915 E. 60th St., presents Wordless!, a collaboration between Pulitzer-winning cartoonist Art Spiegelman and jazz composer Phillip Johnston that combines slides, talk, film, and live music, in two performances today at 3pm and 8pm. Tickets are $20, $10 for students.
Junk Food & Wine Pairing @ Volo
Volo Restaurant & Wine Bar (2008 W Roscoe) is pairing a selection of eight wines with housemade junk food today from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. Last year's menu included chocolate truffles and moon pies. Tickets are $30 in advance.
When You Cry, I Cry @ Harold Washington Cultural Center
The Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. King Dr., presents When You Cry, I Cry, tonight at 7pm. The stage play, written and directed by Shywanee "Shyfox" Manson, is a tribute to "'sexy' old school R&B" and stars Randy Johnson, Edgar "Gemini" Porter, Queen Khadijah, comedian Brian "Da Wildcat" Smith, and Bess Mangrum, and also features "Gary Lil' G" Jenkins, from the hit 90s R&B group, Silk. Doors open at 6pm; tickets are $25-$30; for more information, contact 708-252-3691.
The Kates @ Book Cellar
The Kates all-female standup comedy series returns to the Book Cellar, 4736-38 N. Lincoln Ave., tonight at 7pm. Free.
Briar Rabbit w/Julia Klee & The Dirty Pigeons @ Martyrs
Martyrs, 3855 N. Lincoln Ave., hosts singer/songwriter Briar Rabbit, tonight at 8pm. 'Rabbit,' nephew of blues legend B.B. King, will perform singles from his new LP, "From Your Bones," which is scheduled for release on January 21st. Special guests include singer Julia Klee and Dirty Pigeons. Tickets are $10; for more information, call 773-404-9494.
Psych Fest @ Hideout
The fifth annual Chicago Psych Fest continues tonight the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave., at 8pm, featuring Variety Lights, The Velcro Lewis Group, Unmanned Ship, onYou and Red Deer Cave People; DJ Anjru Kettering spins between sets. Tickets are $10 online or at the door; three-day passes are $25. Doors open at 7pm. 21+
Brian Posehn @ UP Comedy Club
Comedian Brian Posehn does a three-night stand at UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North Ave., Jan. 23-25, with Jeremy Essig opening and Charlie Bury emceeing. Tonight's shows are at 8pm and 10:30pm; doors open at 7:15 and 10pm, respectively. Tickets are $25. 21+
An Honest Living @ Siskel Center
An Honest Living, a documentary examining the balance between one's art and one's job that focuses on the lives of four Chicago artists, makes its world premiere at the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St., tonight at 8pm. It shows again on Jan. 30. Director Jordan Freese will be present for both screenings. Tickets are $11.
Rusted Root @ Concord Music Hall
Rusted Root headlines Concord Music Hall, 2047 N. Milwaukee Ave., tonight with Donna the Buffalo opening. Doors open at 8:30pm. Tickets are $30. The show is part of the Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival, running Jan. 10-Feb. 1. 17+
