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
Saturday, April 20
Slowdown
BY DAY
Saturday, June 14 2014
Old Town Art Fair
The 65th annual Old Town Art Fair runs from 10am to 6pm today and Sunday in the Old Town Triangle (Wisconsin Avenue on the north, Orleans Street and Lincoln Park West, Menomonee Avenue on the south, plus a little bit of North Park Avenue north of Willow -- here's a PDF map). View and purchase the work of more than 250 artists, enjoy live music and food, and maybe go on the neighborhood garden walk. $7 donation requested.
Garfield Park Neighborhood Market
The Garfield Park Neighborhood Market debuts today from 10am to 1pm at 151 N. Kedzie Ave. The market combines a farmers market with live music and spoken word performances, cooking demos, craft vendors and activities for the kids. The market runs the second Saturday of the month through October. Free.
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 Theo Huff at 6pm, Willie Clayton at 6:55pm, and Bettye LaVette at 8:15pm. Free.
Schubas Bike Bash & BBQ
Schubas holds a bike clinic today from noon to 4:00pm in their parking lot. Local bike shops will be on hand to give tune-ups, workshops and general advice to bike owners. Schubas will have plenty of BBQ and discounted beer from Revolution Brewing on hand. A raffle during the event will benefit the Working Bikes Cooperative. Admission to the Bike Bash is free! Full details at Schubas' Website. Schubas: 3159 N. Southport (at Belmont). (773) 525-2508.
Six Corners BBQ Fest
The fourth annual Six Corners BBQ Fest is today and Sunday at the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue, Cicero and Irving Park. The fest features live music, art and craft vendors, professional wrestling, a kids corner and of course barbecue, all from noon to 10pm today. $5 donation requested at the gates.
Benefit for Brian Wilkie @ Hideout
Someone stole Brian Wilkie's pedal steel guitar, and a bunch of local country and bluegrass groups are helping raise money to replace it with a show at noon today at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave. For a $10 donation, see the Hoyle Brothers with Robbie Fulks, Tim Menard and Cathie VanWert, Gerald Dowd and Bruce Lamont, Can.Ky.Ree, The Hat Stretchers, Grit and The Double Knit, the Gin Palace Jesters, Lisa DeRosia and band, Peter Joly and band, Al Rose Band, and Lawrence Peters DJing. 21+
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 noon to 10pm tonight. $10 suggested donation.
Our Public Space: Who Owns It, Who Shapes It, and Who Benefits From It @ Hyde Park Art Center
Dilettante Studios, MAS Context, and the Hyde Park Art Center present Our Public Space, a two-day program of lectures and a workshop presented by national and international architects, designers, and artists addressing public space and the built environment. Today's events will run from 1pm-5pm at the Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Ave.
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.
World Naked Bike Ride Chicago
The World Nake Bike Ride: Chicago is tonight at 6pm, departing from a secret location. Get on the mailing list for details on participation -- or just keep your eye out for a bunch of naked/semi-nude/bodypainted people riding their bikes.
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 closing show features Marc Maron. The show starts at 7:30pm; full details on the festival available at 26comedy.com.
Smoking Popes & Braid @ Double Door
The Smoking Popes and Braid headline the Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee Ave., tonight as part of the venue's 20th anniversary celebration. Rollo Tomassi opens. Doors are at 8, show's at 9pm. Tickets are $20.
Comedy Festival After-Party @ Schubas
The after-party for the 1st Annual 26th Annual Comedy Festival happens tonight at Schubas at 10:30pm. The show will feature AV Club staffers discussing the festival, doing a Q&A session, and much more! Special guest Todd Barry will be making comments on the commenters, which should be very meta. Admission to the after-party is FREE with an RSVP at the Eventbrite page.. Schubas: 3159 N. Southport (at Belmont). (773) 525-2508.
Allah-Las/Horse Thief/Sleepy Kitty @ Empty Bottle
Califonia's psych rockers Allah-Las will be coming to the Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western. Allah-Las' 2012 self-titled debut album distilled a throwback 60s sound with just enough garage rock attitude to rise above the sea of psychedelic revivalists. They will be joined by Horse Thief, an Oklahoma City indie rock band that balances their laid back vocals with equally nuanced instrumentation. Local grunge laced Sleepy Kitty will also be opening with their undeniably catchy sound. Doors at 9:30pm for this 21+ show. Tickets are $10.
The Jordan Years @ Tonic Room
The Jordan Years celebrate the release of Homemade Hustler, a session IPA brewed in collaboration with 18th Street Brewing and named after the band's 2013 album, with a concert at Tonic Room, 2447 N. Halsted St., tonight at 11pm. $8 in advance or at the door. 21+
