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, March 29
Lit & Luz festival features visual art, performances, and readings with artists and authors from Chicago and Mexico City, with events taking place at various locations through Saturday. Most are free, although tickets to the closing party are $15.
The premiere event of Chicago Ideas Week brings "mind-bending" speakers and performers including George Lucas, Charlie Rose, and Mara Brock Akil to the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St. The all-day events starts at 9:30am, and while tickets aren't available at this time, they may release some before the event.
Headquarters Beercade, 2833 N. Sheffield Ave., celebrates its second anniversary tonight with special guests Passion Pit and Greg Corner DJing. Doors at 7pm. Admission is $5. 21+
Tonight from 7-11 PM Heaven Gallery, located in Wicker Park, will be hosting an opening reception for the two artists, Meghan Grubb and Peter Hammar. Grubb focuses on installation, photo and video while Hammar explores performance and video. Heaven Gallery is located at 1550 N. Milwaukee Ave. The reception is free; refreshments and snacks will be served (usually delicious bread).
The Zhou B Art Center is celebrating 10 years this 3rd Friday! The art center will be hosting an exhibition art, music, food and entertainment for the night from 7-10PM. The location of the event is 1029 W. 35th St. Contact 773-523-0200 or info@zhoubartcenter.com for more information. FREE!
Based on interviews of people involved with sex trafficking in Chicago, this play sheds light on the "demand" side of the sex trade and its impact. Tonight kicks off the opening weekend at the Mayer Kaplan Theatre, 5050 Church St., in Skokie. All proceeds benefit the Dreamcatcher Foundation. Tickets are available online. $35.
Join fellow Lebowski fans for a night of abiding and what-have-you, including live music by My Blue Valentine and a screening of The Big Lebowski at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St. Doors open at 8pm. Tickets can be purchased online for $20 in advance, $25 day-of.
This horror show blurs all lines between actor and audience, enlisting everyone to help create a child's nightmare, at Dream Laboratory, 5026 N. Lincoln Ave. Performances every half hour between 8pm and 9:30pm. Tickets are available online. $18.
Hubbard Street Dance collaborated with the Second City for The Art of Falling, bringing dance and sketch comedy together. Performances at the Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St., are Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 3pm. Tickets start at $25.
Austin's OBN IIIs play a fast-paced punk brand of garage rock in line with Thee Oh Sees or Ex-Cult. Their latest album Third Time to Harm is gritty and manic, just like their live shows. The only risk with seeing them is getting whiplash from headbanging. LA's Meatbodies and Brooklyn's Hunters (not to be confused with the Quebecois or Finnish bands) open. The latter's fuzzy punk rock is definitely on the rise. The show's $10, 21+ and starts at 9:30pm or so. The Empty Bottle's at 1035 N. Western.