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, March 29

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Bacon Chase 5K or .05K

Bacon Chase is a celebration honoring the gloriously divine food of the gods: bacon. Rejoice along a 5K piggy pilgrimage or 0.05K blitz to the bacon while feasting on savory strips of cracklin meat-candy. Celebrate your crowning achievement by toasting your bacon-feasting bretheren at the finish line with a bloody mary (sorry, 21+ racers only) and boatloads of unlimited bacon in all its meaty majesty. Bacon. Prices increase closer to the race date. Festival starts 8 am.

International Photobooth Convention @ A&A Studios

Photobooth.net hosts the International Photobooth Convention June 6-8 at A&A Studios, 350 N. Ogden Ave. Attend panels, check out vintage and contemporary photobooth photos and art, and take plenty of photos in one of the many photobooths on hand. The convention runs from 10am to 7:30pm today. Tickets for the weekend are $18 for adults, $12 for students and kids, free for kids under 6.

Printer's Row Lit Fest

Printer's Row Lit Fest celebrates 30 years this weekend. Browse booksellers' stalls, attend author readings and discussions, and more. All outdoor events are free, but indoor talks and sessions are individually ticketed. See the festival schedule for details, and buy a $30 Fest Pass and get two tickets to up to five events, and download the TribBooks app for festival info and exclusives. Gates open at 10am.

Cooking with Fire @ Kendall College

Archaeologist, Food Historian and Author Paula Marcouxtalks about the origins of the relationship between food and fire--from cavemen huddled over fires to cook thousands of years ago, to modern-day grills and other gadgets (Marcoux herself builds wood-fired ovens). Lecture is at Kendall College, 900 North Branch, 10am. Event sponsored by Culinary Historians of Chicago; admission $3-5 (free for Kendall students); free parking.

57th Street Art Fair @ Hyde Park

Saturday, June 7th 11 AM-6 PM and Sunday June 8th 10AM-5PM, Hyde Park is hosting their annual 57th Street Art Fair. This will mark the 67th year that Hyde Park has been hosting this event. The fair is located between Kenwood and Woodlawn. Admission is free!

Systems 83 @ Project Logan

Systems 83, an exhibition of Chicago graffiti history presented by Three Hearts Club and the X-Men, hosts a painting jam and barbecue at Project Logan, the graffiti wall on the alley across from the East Room, 2828 W. Medill Ave., starting around 11am. There's an afterparty at the Owl, 2521 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Midsommarfest

Andersonville gets its party on at Midsommarfest, the annual weekend-long street festival on Clark Street from Foster to Catalpa. Bands, food, kids entertainment, and sidewalk sales from local vendors await you. The fest runs 11am to 10pm today. Suggested donation $10; kids under 12 and seniors over 65 are free.

Chicago Architecture Foundation Scavenger Hunt

The Chicago Architecture Foundation hosts its first-ever architectural scavenger hunt today, starting from the foundation's space at 224 S. Michigan Ave. Registration opens at noon, and the hunt begins at 1pm, taking teams throughout the Loop in search of architectural icons and curiosities. Meet back at CAF at 4pm for a lightning trivia round, awards and a reception with Goose Island beer. Registration is $25 ($20 for CAF members) and includes a t-shirt.

Chicago Food Truck Festival @ US Cellular

The trucks (over 25 of them) will circle up to dish it out today from 12noon-9pm at US Cellular Field (333 W. 35th St) for the annual Chicago Food Truck Festival. Admission $10.

Ribfest

Meat comes alive at this weekend-long homage to ribs, which June 6-8 at the intersection of Lincoln, Damen and Irving Park. Sample ribs and other foods, enjoy live music and other activities. The festival runs from noon to 10pm today. $5 suggestion donation.

The Paper Machete

The Paper Machete is back at the Green Mill, 4802 N. Broadway, today at 3pm. This week's guests are JC Aevaliotis, Ali Barthwell, Chris Hauser, Ike Holter and Mary Williamson, and Jacob Williams, along with Chad the Bird and funny musical guest Laura McKenzie. Christopher Piatt hosts. Free, 21+

Chicago Women's Funny Festival

The third annual Chicago Women's Funny Festival runs June 5-8 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. More than 400 female performers will make you laugh with stand-up, sketch comedy and improv on four stages; see the schedule for details. Tickets are $14 per show, or $100 for an all-festival pass. First shows are at 5:30pm tonight.

Jen Kirkman "I Seem Fun" Live Podcast @ Hideout

The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave., welcomes comedienne Jen Kirkman, who will be taping a live episode of her podcast I Seem Fun tonight. There are actually two tapings this evening, one at 7pm and one at 10pm; doors open an hour before showtime. Admission to either show is $15. 21+

A Tribute to Beyonce @ Empty Bottle

Ladies, leave your man at home to celebrate King Bey at tonight's benefit for Bucktown's Drummond Montessori school at the Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western, which kicks off at 9pm. A mix of musicians, from Miss Alex White (White Mystery) to Tim Kinsella (Joan of Arc) will be performing the work of Beyonce. Let's hope no one gets drunk and pulls a Solange. Admission $10;

 

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