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, December 6
The Ed Paschke Art Center in Jefferson Park opens to the public today, which would have been the 75th birthday of the artist, who was a member of the Hairy Who/Chicago Imagists. The center, located at 5415 W. Higgins Rd. near the Jefferson Park Transit Center on the Blue Line, will be open 10am to 7pm seven days a week. Admission will be free, in keeping with Paschke's desire for his art to be accessible to everyone. For more information, call 312-533-4911 or visit the website.
Pride Fest runs Saturday and today on Halsted Street from Belmont to Addison. Enjoy live music, drag shows, dance performances and interviews (today Carlito Olivero is interviewed on the North Stage at 3pm), plus the usual neighborhood fest drink and food tents and shopping. $10 suggested donation.
US Soccer hosts a viewing party for the USA vs. Portugal World Cup match tonight at Hutchinson Field in Grant Park, 800 S. Columbus Dr. Watch the ESPN broadcast of the match on a huge screen with a hundreds of other soccer fans. Festivities begin at noon, with kick-off at 5pm. Free.
The 14th annual Version Festival runs June 21-29 with the theme "the Placemakers." Today's festivities include the Mini-Market craft fair from noon to 6pm at Mana Contemporary Chicago (2233 S. Throop St.), curated by Renegade; the Placemakers Summit, featuring discussions of creative placemaking, urban innovation and more, also at Mana Contemporary from 12:30 to 6pm; and the Never the Same Artists' Congress Potluck in Palmisano Park, 2700 S. Halsted St., at 5:30pm. All of today's events are free.
The Hideout presents A Day in the Country, an entire day of country music with food provided by Country Barbecue, pies by Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits, and the beers of Lagunitas Brewing. Doors open at 1:00pm, show begins at 2:00pm, and the performances run late through the evening. Full details and advance tickets available at the Hideout Website. Hideout: 1354 W. Wabansia. (773) 227-4433.
Fountainhead, 1970 W. Montrose Ave., hosts Rosé on the Roof, a wine tasting event benefiting the Swedish Covenant Hospital Breast Cancer Survivor Program, today from 3 to 6pm. Tickets are $30. 21+
The Dawson, 730 W. Grand Ave., is hosting a live music series, Dawson City Limits, on Sundays this summer from 5 to 8:30pm. Patsy Cline cover band Weepin' Willows will play on the patio tonight while guests indulge in broiled vodka lemonade, BBQ, and crawfish. 21+
MxPx recently put out their first album in five years, Plans Within Plans, and comes to Reggies, 2105 S. State St., for a two-night stand this weekend with Allister, Showoff and Measure for Measure. The Saturday show is sold out, but tickets still remain for tonight's 17+ show. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are $22 in advance, $28 at the door.
Tonight at 7:30pm at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Kevin Allison brings his Risk! podcase to life, with "true tales of the truly bold" from Shannon Cason, Allison and others. Tickets are $20.