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
Friday, April 26
Slowdown
BY DAY
Saturday, April 25 2015
Randolph Street Market
The Randolph Street Market runs today and Sunday at the Plumbers Union Hall, 1340 W. Washington St., from 10am to 5pm. Shop for antique, vintage and modern furniture, jewelry, artwork and housewares. Admission is $8 in advance, $10 at the door; see the website for package deals.
C2E2
The Chicago Comics & Entertainment Expo, aka C2E2, runs April 24-26 at McCormick Place, 2301 S. Martin Luther King Dr. Attend panels and screenings, meet comic book artists, check out special performances, buy memorabilia and meet celebrities such as wrestler CM Punk, Haley Atwell of "Agent Carter," director Kevin Smith, Ming-Na Wen of "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Sylvester McCoy of "Doctor Who" and actor Sean Astin. The show runs from 10am to 7pm today. Tickets for today are $35 in advance, $45 at the door; three-day passes are $60 in advance, $70 at the door.
Explore the Ryerson & Burnham Libraries @ The Art Institute
This morning readers of MAS Context will get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Art Institute's Ryerson & Burnham Libraries. The visit will by guided by Mary Woolever, Art and Architecture archivist, and Nathaniel Parks, assistant archivist. The event starts at 11am and is free with museum admission. Participants must register online before the event.
Chicago Improv Festival
The 18th annual Chicago Improv Festival runs April 20-26 at multiple locations. There are more than 30 shows at a dozen different venues tonight, beginning at 2pm. Ticket prices vary, see site for details.
Lager Beer Riot Reenactment @ Benton House
The 160th anniversary of the Lager Beer Riot, Chicago's first incident of civil unrest, will be celebrated tonight with a dodgeball reenactment and beer tasting to benefit Benton House, 3052 S. Gratten Ave. The Lager Beer Riot, protesting a new "law and order" city council, took place at the Clark Street bridge on April 21, 1855. The event will include play-by-play broadcasting, historical referees, live music, and beer from a dozen Chicago breweries. Tickets start at $30, which gets you admission to the Lager Beer Riot and 10 beer tickets for samplings from Half Acre, Revolution, and Marz Community Brewing (among many others -- well, 14), a commemorative glass, and a game of dodgeball with WBEZ's "Strange Brews" podcasters Alison Cuddy and Andrew Gill providing color commentary. Proceeds will benefit Benton House, the historic Bridgeport community center. Telephone 773-927-6420 for more info. The event is part of Version Festival 15.
Sam Prekop @ Empty Bottle
Sam Prekop celebrates the release of his latest album, The Republic, with a show at the Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave., tonight at 6pm. Cleared and Good Willsmith open. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. 21+
S+S Project Video & Performance: Currency Exchange
The S+S Project presents Currency Exchange, an evening of video, performance and hustlin'. RSVP for the address at withinthebody@gmail.com. Video works by Jaycee Conaway, Ben McCoy, Sofia Moreno, Project Rage Queen and many more. Performances by Kiam Marcelo Juno, Isabelle Mcguire, La Spacer and many more as well. The evening begins at 7pm.
You're Being Ridiculous @ Mayne Stage
You're Being Ridiculous, the sassy, funny and fun storytelling show created by Jeremy Owens, is back tonight in its new home at Mayne Stage. With three shows this month, there's sure to be a date that matches your calendar. Come out tonight to hear stories on the theme "Appetite" from Blair Chavis, Randall Colburn, Shannon Cason, Jennie Ellman, Mary Lorenz, Jeremy Owens, Adam Polak, and Jeremy Schaefer. Doors open at 6:30pm and stories start at 7:30pm at Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse Ave.Tickets are $15 online. There is no better way to celebrate spring!.
Graze Magazine Issue 7 Release Party
Graze, Chicago's own literary food culture magazine, will be hosting its issue seven release party on tonight from 8 to 11pm at Chicago Truborn, 1418 W. Division St. They promise to have snacks like chips and salsa from the Salsa Truck, pizza from Piece, cookies from Hot Chocolate Chicago, and beer from Dryhop Brewers. Live music will be provided by Blue Horse Blue and the rare Culinary Confession Booth will be tucked in to a quiet corner for you to skulk off to and be forgiven. Tickets are $10 and include a copy of issue seven.
Shy Girls/Young Ejecta @ Schubas
Shy Girls is the minimalistic but incredibly soulful project of Dan Vidmar. He will be making a stop at Lincoln Hall, 424 N. Lincoln Ave.,along with synthpop duo Young Ejecta. This 10pm show is 21+. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door.
