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.
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TODAY
Friday, April 26
Slowdown
BY DAY
Saturday, June 20 2015
Hunger Walk @ Soldier Field
Thousands of people are expected to participate in the Greater Chicago Food Depository's 30th Annual Hunger Walk. The family-friendly 5K walk along the lakefront raises money for food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters in Cook County. Registration opens at 7am and the walk gets going at 8:30am. Signing up for the event is free, although fundraising is encouraged.
Pride Fest
Pride Fest hits Boystown this weekend, on Halsted Street between Addison and Grace from 11am to 9pm. Party in the street, shop the vendors, see the sights and catch music on multiple stages all day. Among the featured performers today are Debbie Gibson, Alicia Madison and The Veronicas. $7 suggested donation.
Green Music Festival
The Green Music Festival returns to Wicker Park, on Damen between North and Schiller, from noon to 10pm today and Sunday. Enjoy live music on two stages -- one of which will be powered by bicycle -- and check out eco-friendly food and craft vendors, a kid-friendly family area, and more. $5 suggested donation.
Taste of Randolph
Taste of Randolph runs June 19-21 on Randolph Street from Peoria to Racine. Sample food from local restaurants, check out vendors and enjoy live music, including headliners Tennis, the Dandy Warhols, NovaLima, Emancipator Ensemble, Nordjs and Lou Dooben; see the schedule for full lineup info. The fest is open from noon to 10pm today. $10 suggested donation at the door, or pay for access to the VIP lounges and private restrooms.
Chicago Ale Fest
Chicago Ale Fest brings beer to Buckingham Fountain, 301 S. Columbus Dr., Friday night and today. More than 200 beers from breweries across the country will be available to taste, along with food and live music. The fest runs from 2 to 6pm today. Tickets are $50 ($25 for designated drivers) and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Grant Park Conservancy. 21+
Loose Canon: Scenes and Monologues from the Edge of the Cliff
The Illinois Humanities Council presents Loose Canon: Scenes and Monologues from the Edge of the Cliff, a staged reading of a work in progress by playwright Ike Holter featuring actors Tony Santiago, Syndey Charles, Tony Balbot and Lauren Sivak, followed by a Q&A with the artists, today from 2 to 5pm at Links Hall, 3111 N. Western Ave. Admission is free, but RSVP is required.
Not to Be Taken @ Sector 2337
Today at 3pm, Terri Kapsalis and Anne Elizabeth Moore perform Not to Be Taken, a work of artistic action as part of Ellen Rothenberg's exhibition elsetime at Sector 2337, 2337 N. Milwaukee Ave. Admission is free.
Ivan Lozano: Suffocated From the Inside Opening Reception @ Andrew Rafacz
Today from 4-7pm, Andrew Rafacz Gallery will be opening the exhibition, Suffocated From the Inside, featuring works from the artist Ivan Lozano. The gallery space is located on 835 W. Washington Blvd.
Chicago Women's Funny Festival
The fourth annual Chicago Women's Funny Festival is back at Stage773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., June 18-21. Check out some great female comedians and sketch comedy troupes on four stages, beginning at 4:30pm tonight; see the schedule for lineup details. Tickets are $15 per set. Doors open at 4:15pm.
Tony Ortega & Paulette Cooper @ Annoyance Theater
In the late 60s, journalist Paulette Cooper wrote an article for a British magazine titled "The Scandal of Scientology," which was one of the earliest published critiques of the controversial religion. In response, Scientology carried on a multi-year campaign (which they called "Operation Freakout") of constantly harassing Cooper in both her personal and professional life: forging her name on bomb threats, attempting to have Cooper committed to a mental institution, filing multiple lawsuits, and sending her anonymous death threats were among the organization's many tactics. An FBI investigation later revealed Scientology's wrongdoings, and Cooper later sued and received a settlement from the organization for their actions. Former Village Voice editor-in-chief Tony Ortega, who now runs The Underground Bunker, a website that follows the recent headlines that Scientology has made, will be appearing tonight at 5:00pm at the Annoyance Theater (851 W. Belmont) with Cooper to promote his recent book about her, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology Tried to Destroy Paulette Cooper (Silvertail, $16). Event is free, but you must have a ticket.
Stardust Memories Annual Benefit and Silent Auction @ Heaven Gallery
Heaven Gallery will be hosting their 15th Annual Benefit and Silent Auction at their location in Wicker Park at 1550 N. Milwaukee Avenue. Artists, Soo shin, Liz McCarthy, Aron Gent, Marissa Lee Benedict, Phil Peters and many more will be featured in the silent auction. Tickets are $50 for VIP and $15 for the dance party. The event is from 6-11:30pm.
Slow Food Chicago's Sweet Summer Solstice Potluck
Celebrate the summer solstice with Slow Food Chicago at their annual potluck, which will be held tonight at Christy Webber Landscapes-Rancho Verde (2900 W. Ferdinand) at 6pm. Your $15 ticket gets you the main course and beverages; sign up to bring a side.
Mikal Cronin @ Subterranean
Somewhere between garage rock, punk and power-pop lies Mikal Cronin. His knack for catchy pop tunes with an edge shouldn't be a secret and his shows are a terrific showcase for his wide range of talents. You're always going to get a slew of earworms, and maybe even a fun cover too. Mikal Cronin headlines Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave. The show's 17+ and $15. Doors open at 10pm.
