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.
✶ Thank you for your readership and contributions. ✶
TODAY
Friday, May 3
Slowdown
BY DAY
Wednesday, April 30 2014
An Evening with Nia Vardalos
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois presents An Evening with Nia Vardalos tonight at Chicago Illuminating Company, 19 E. 21st St., from 6 to 9pm. Hear Vardalos recount her journey to parenthood through the foster care system and adoption, as chronicled in her book Instant Mom. There will be passed apps and an open bar. Tickets are $100, with proceeds benefiting LSSI. A VIP post-party and book-signing with Vardalos is $250.
Revolution Beer Dinner @ Feast
At 7:00 p.m. Feast Restaurant (1616 N Damen) hosts a four-course beer dinner with a menu prepared by Chef Charlie McKenna of Lillie's Q and beer pairings from Revolution Brewery. Courses include an elotes salad paired with Bottom Up Wit and a ground sirloin burger paired with Double Fist IPA. Tickets are $40; call (773) 772-7100 or purchase online.
CIMM Fest
The Chicago International Movies & Music Festival kicks off tonight and runs through May 4. Various musical performances, movie screenings, panel discussions, and other events are happening throughout the city; see the schedule for full details. Tonight's opening party is a free show at Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee Ave., at 7pm, featuring Davina and the Vagabonds and Windy City Soul Club. There's also a screening of Revenge of the Mekons at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., tonight at 7:30pm, followed by a Q&A with Joe Angio, Jon Langford and Sally Timms. Tickets are $10.
Breaking the Bread Divide
Guild Literary Complex andGraze magazine host Breaking the Bread Divide, a live Guild podcast at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St., tonight from 7 to 9pm. Hosted by journalist Debbie Carlson, the live podcast taping will feature a discussion of food policy with guests Robert Nevel, urban farmer and founder of KAMII; Dave Snyder, poet, writer and member of Chicago Rarities Orchard Project; and Angela Taylor, founder of Fulton Street Flower & Vegetable Garden. Soup and bread from the Jane Addams Hull House Kitchen will be served. Admission is free. Read our preview in Book Club.
The 606 Green Line Party @ Weegee's
A portion of the sale of every Goose Island Green Line pale ale will go to benefit the 606 (formerly known as the Bloomingdale Trail). To celebrate, Goose Island and the Trust for Public Land are throwing a party at Weegee's Lounge, 3659 W. Armitage Ave., tonight from 7 to 9pm. Green Line and other Goose Island beers will be on tap, and there will be a silent art auction, with proceeds going to the 606. No cover, 21+
Indie Boots Theatre Festival
The Indie Boots Theatre Festival runs April 28-30 at the Greenhouse Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. The festival features short plays inspired by the prompt of including the word "Olivia" in the title. All nine plays are staged each night at 7:30pm. Tickets are $10 online or at the box office.
Oyster and Wagyu Beef Dinner @ Frontier
Join the 12-seat chef's table at Frontier (1072 N Milwaukee) at 8:00 p.m. for a five-course mystery dinner. Specific menu items and pairings won't be revealed until the dinner, though oysters and Wagyu beef will be featured. The cost is $65 (without tax) and course pairings are available for an additional $25. See Frontier's website for reservations.
