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
Thursday, April 25
Slowdown
BY DAY
Friday, June 13 2014
Chicago Blues Festival
Blues Fest runs June 13-15 in Grant Park. There's music from 11am to 9:30pm today on six stages Tonight's headliners in the Petrillo Music Shell are the Carolina Chocolate Drops at 6pm, the Otis Taylor Band at 7:05pm and a centennial tribute to Sonny Boy Williamson at 8:25pm. Free.
Spring Awakening
Fans of electronic music will pour into Soldier Field this weekend for 3 days of non-stop grooving. Spring Awakening features scads of DJs from international hitmakers to local Chicago favorites. After parties follow in venues around the city. Tickets available online.
Taste of Randolph Street
Taste of Randolph Street runs June 13-15 on Randolph Street from Peoria Street to Racine Avenue, and features food from area restaurants and lots of live music and DJs on three stages. The festival runs from 5 to 10pm tonight. $10 suggested donation.
Shame That Tune @ Hideout
Shame That Tune is back at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave., tonight at 6pm. Abraham Levitan and Brian Costello host an evening of interviews, readings and spontaneously composed songs. Tickets are $5 in advance, $7 at the door. 21+
Trans Pacific Partnership & NAFTA at 20 @ Uri-Eichen
Trans Pacific Partnership and NAFTA at 20, featuring hand-painted banners by the Artists Rapid Response Team (ARRT!), opens with a reception from 6 to 10pm tonight at Uri-Eichen Gallery, 2101 S. Halsted St. At 8pm there will be a panel discussion on NAFTA and the Trans-Pacific Partnership featuring Socialist Worker labor editor Lee Sustar, professor Ron Baiman and Carson Starkey of Illinois Fair Trade Coalition. Free.
Chicago Design Museum Opening Reception
The Chicago Design Museum holds an opening reception for its latest exhibition, "
1st Annual 26th Annual Comedy Festival @ Athenaeum
The Onion and The AV Club present their first annual 26th Annual Comedy Festival, running for three nights at the Athenaeum Theatre (2936 N. Southport). Tonight's comedians are Tig Notaro and Kyle Kinane, performing two shows at 7:00pm and 10:00pm. Full details on the festival available at 26comedy.com.
Chicago Women in the Blues Festival
Reggies, 2105 S. State St., hosts the third annual Chicago Women in the Blues Festival tonight at 7pm. Hosted by Joan Gand and Blue Road, the lineup includes Shirley King, Holle Thee Maxwell, Liz Mandeville, Keisha Dixon-Nelson, Vanessa Davis, Donna Herula, Tracee Adams, Dia Madden, Ramblin Rose, Ellen Miller, TK the Tequila Kid and Sherri Weathersby. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. 17+
Culture Creators @ 2628 W. Division St.
Kick off the Puerto Rican Festival & Parade weekend with the Culture Creators Pop-Up Shop at 2628 W. Division St. Poet, playwright, and activist Michael Reyes hosts and performs alongside comedian Melissa DuPrey and spoken word artist Eddie Alvarado (The Prince of Pain). $15 tickets ($25 for admission and T-shirt). Drinks available for purchase.
US Air Guitar Midwest Semifinals @ Metro
US Air Guitar holds its Midwest semifinals at the Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., tonight at 9pm. Watch the best of the region shred, with the top three going on to the national championship. Tickets are $16 in advance or at the door. Doors open at 8pm. 18+
JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound @ Double Door
JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound headline the Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee Ave., tonight as part of the venue's 20th anniversary celebration. The Soul Summit DJs Sloppy White, Dave Mata and Duke Grip open. Doors are at 9pm. Tickets are $20.
