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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Friday, March 29
Pizza Rustica, 3908 N. Sheridan Rd., will celebrate Chicago Craft Beer Week today from noon to 3pm with a craft beer lunch featuring outrageously delicious brews (priced $7-9) from Temperace Beer Company. Guests can sit and sip free tastings with Head Brewer Claudia Jendron and nibble on small plates and delicious lunch specials created by Chef Stefano Roman to pair with the beers. The afternoon event is a laid-back, fun opportunity to enjoy some incredible beers and delicious dishes. In addition, there will be fun games and prizes from Pizza Rustica and Temperance. No cover, 21+ to drink.
Lagunitas Brewing hosts a two-day Beer Circus at its new brewery and tap room at 1843 S. Washtenaw Ave., from noon to 5pm. Enjoy music, burlesque, circus performers and more, and of course plenty of beer. Saturday is sold out, but tickets are still available for Sunday -- $40 for drinkers, $30 for designated drivers. It's part of Chicago Craft Beer Week. 21+
Women Working in Mixed Media, a networking group for women in media arts, hosts a makeover and headshot session and networking event at Emporium, 1366 N. Milwaukee Ave., today from noon to 5pm, co-sponsored by Strange Beauty Show. For $5, get your hair or makeup done, and for $40 get a photo session for your new headshot. Meanwhile, hang out and meet other female creatives. 21+
The Windy City Rollers hold their league championship battle, the Ivy King Cup, tonight at the UIC Pavilion, 525 S. Racine Ave. Watch the Hell's Belles face the Fury at 6pm, followed by the main event, Double Crossers versus Manic Attackers, at 7:30pm. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, which opens at 5:30pm.
This Saturday, Lampo will host Nate Wooley's latest composition, For Kenneth Gaburo, tonight at 8pm at the Graham Foundation's Madlener House, 4 W. Burton Pl. Using text from Gaburo's works, the piece will combine "synthesized tones on tape with manipulated trumpet techniques to create shadings of the phonetic sounds inherent in the text." Read Chris Sienko's preview in Transmission. The event is free, but RSVP is required. Reserve your ticket here.
Chicago Ukulele Cabaret, the city's only uke-themed open mic night, convenes once again this evening at 8pm at Silvie's Lounge, 1902 Irving Park Rd. The theme of the evening is "UKE SOUNTRACKS": songs from movies, TV shows, musicals, etc. Musicans are allowed up to 15 minutes or three songs, and an ukulele must be part of the group. More details at the Chicago Ukulele Cabaret Facebook group.
The qualifying competition for the US Air Guitar Chicago semifinals is tonight at 9pm at the Underground Lounge, 952 W. Newport Ave. Watch the city's finest air guitarists try to beat the pants off each other with raw power. $15 to compete, $5 to watch. 21+
Hozac Records hosts its annual Blackout Fest at the Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave., May 15-17. Tonight's lineup features The Dictators NYC, Shocked Minds, A Giant Dog and Rainbow Gun Show. Tickets for tonight's show are $25 online or at the door, or get a three-day pass for $55. Read our preview in Transmission. 21+
UK band Blood Red Shoes will be making a stop at Schubas, 3159 N Southport. Their fun punk rock enthusiasm will undoubtedly be matched by their openers Radkey, a self professed three brother band on a quest to help save the world from false rock. Tickets are $15, the 18+ show starts at 10pm.