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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Tuesday, March 19
There have been plenty of Chicago sports icons in this town throughout the years: MJ, The Big Hurt, Augie Ojeda. None of them hold a candle to former Bears coach and gum-chewing enthusiast Mike Ditka. Now is your chance to dress up like Da Coach (mustache and shades included) and run frantically for five kilometers like he once ran the sidelines. It's the Ditka Dash 5K and it kicks off at Soldier Field at 8am on Saturday, September 27. All proceeds benefit Special Olympics Chicago.
The best way to wrap up the summer is by purchasing something awesome that was made by a local artist or craftstperson. The best way to do this is at the Edgewater Fall Art Fair that runs today from 11am to 6pm. The fair will host at least 100 local artists on Granville between Broadway and Kenmore Avenue. You'll be able to view and purchase paintings, photographs, jewelry, mixed-media, accessories, pottery, and so much more.
Twelve Chicago museums and several in the suburbs are participating in Smithsonian's annual Museum Day Live this Saturday, Sept. 27. Register online for two free tickets to the museum of your choice.
The Beer Die League hosts a tournament today from 11am to 5pm in the parking lot at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave. Watch 24 teams battle it out for the top spot, earning prizes along the way. Registration opens at 10:30am, and costs $10 for individuals, $20 for teams. It's free to watch and cheer. 21+
Food and wine gets its due at this annual weekend-long festival of eating, drinking, and cooking demos from some of the nation's biggest names which takes place at Millennium Park (201 E Randolph St), which will be closed off to the masses for this luxury soiree. Event runs Saturday (Noon-6pm) and Sunday (Noon-5pm). Tickets start at $170.
826CHI hosts Tale-Gate, a literary street festival, at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave., today from 1 to 5:30pm. Activities include a live performance by Clash cover band London Calling, an exhibition bout of Write Club, food trucks, and some "team-oriented competition." Admission is $10 at the door.
The Cold Waves industrial music festival runs tonight and Saturday at the Metro, 3730 N. Clark St. Tonight's lineup includes Front 242, Youth Code, Caustic, ∆aimon and Surachai. There will also be guest DJs, a silent auction and raffle, a Wax Trax! Records popup shop, Revolution beer specials and more. Doors open at 5:30pm, show's at 6:30pm. Tickets are $42, or get a two-day pass for $72. A portion of proceeds benefit Hope for the Day, a local nonprofit using music and the arts to battle suicide. 18+
The theater collective BoyGirlBoyGirl presents The Bible, a series of monologues about the Good Book. The show runs tonight at 8:00pm at Stage 773 (1225 West Belmont). Full details at the BoyGirlBoyGirl Website.
Chicago-area fans of Bruce Springsteen will celebrate his 65th birthday at "Dream of Life: A Springsteen 65th Birthday Bash Tribute" with singer/guitarist Bucky Halker and Friends, including Don Stiernberg and Steve Dawson. Doors open at 7pm and there'll be two sets in the SideBar Music Room at Fitzgerald's Nightclub, 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online. For information, call 708-788-2118. The event is sponsored by the Phantom Collective. And no, Bruce won't be there.
The Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., indulges your love of unicorns with a special screening of the 1982 animated classic The Last Unicorn tonight at 8pm. Author Peter S. Beagle will be present for a Q&A and booksigning, and costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for children under 12.
The Shit Show comedy showcase returns to the Collaboraction Theater, 1579 N. Milwaukee Ave., 3rd flr., tonight at 10pm. The month's lineup includes Rob Wilson, David Phillips, Matt Barats, Carmen Christopher and Jeanie Doogan; Rasa Gierstikas and Keith Paesel host. Tickets are $10, 21+.