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
Wednesday, April 24
Slowdown
BY DAY
Saturday, July 25 2015
CoffeeCon @ Morgan Manufacturing
CoffeeCon Chicago is coming to town at Morgan Manufacturing (401 N. Morgan St.) today from 9am-4pm. This festival differs from other national coffee conventions in that it's largely designed for coffee consumers and home brewers, not coffee professionals. Whether you're simply looking to cut ties with your Keurig or you're a manual-method master, there will likely be something here for you--you'll get access to unlimited coffee tastings from twenty different roasters, panel discussions led by top industry experts, prize giveaways, and interactive classes on topics ranging from how to use a Chemex or Areopress to latte art and grind technique. Tickets start at $35.
Andersonville Sidewalk Sale
The annual Andersonville Sidewalk Sale runs July 24-26 on Clark Street from Argyle to Edgewater. More than two dozen shops and restaurants will have sales both on the sidewalk and inside; see the website for a list of participating businesses.
31st Annual Book Fair @ Newberry Library
Book lovers, line up to get your hands on more than 120,000 books in 70 different categories, including cookbooks, literature, children's series, biographies and foreign language this weekend. Pop over to the annual Newberry Library Book Fair for $2 or less books and plenty of extras like music, movies, sports memorabilia and rare collectibles. Entry is free! July 23-26 at The Newberry, located at 60 W. Walton St. The sale is from noon to 8pm on Thursday and Friday, and 10am to 6pm Saturday and Sunday.
Wicker Park Fest
Wicker Park Fest takes over Milwaukee Avenue from North to Paulina from noon to 10pm today and Sunday. Hear music on three stages -- including headliners Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires and Blonde Redhead -- check out performing arts and vendor booths, and let the kids have fun in the Kids Fest. $5 suggested donation.
Stupid Fucking Bird @ Victory Gardens Theater
A very loose adaptation of Chekhov's The Seagull, Stupid Fucking Bird is sure to delight with its comedic twists on a classic tale. Written by Aaron Posner and performed by Sideshow Theatre, the tale centers around two generations of Russians living on a country estate and a whole lot of bird-based metaphors. Through this piece, Sideshow Theater explores what motivates us to make art and love in this hilarious re-staging, and is surely not to be missed. Tickets range from $33-$49. Victory Gardens Theater is located at 2433 N. Lincoln
ManBQue Cookbook Shoot Party
ManBQue is working on a second cookbook, and they're hosting a photoshoot and barbecue party today at 2pm at Red Gate Brewing, 3711 N. Richmond St. Look your best and bring your appetite. 21+
Summer Circus Intensive Performance Showcase @ Actors Gymnasium
The circus students of The Actors Gymnasium will perform their Summer Intensive Performance Showcase today and Sunday, featuring two completely unique shows. The Actors Gymnasium shows are lively, full of themes, costumes and innovative work by the circus artists. Both shows are directed by Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi.The Intensive II is Saturday at 4:30 and 7:30pm, and Intensive I is Sunday at 1 and 4pm. Tickets can be purchased online for $15.The Actors Gymnasium is located at Noyes Cultural Arts Center 927 Noyes St. in Evanston.
Circus Showcase @ Aloft
For one night only at Aloft, 2041 W. Carroll, a circus showcase fundraiser for the Sol family will help raise money to cover the medical costs incurred from treatments for lymphoma. Eat fancy-appetizers, buy one-of-a-kind art and delight in various performances, including one from Hanna and Josef Sol to their parents. MC Mary Beth Brennan (of Chicago's The Baby Magic and Girls Rock! Chicago) will host, featuring duo trapeze by Skye E. Geerts and Greta Humphrey, dance by Courtney Prokopas, Juggling Pogo-a-Go-Go by Chloe Zabicki and Kelly McDowell, aerial silks by Jensine Fitzgibbons, duo trapeze and clown acts by Pete Gilbert and Carmen J. Kingsley, single-point trapeze work by Chloe, lyra by Kristi Taff and a unique trapeze act by Whitni Battle. Tickets are $20 for a chair, $15 for a picnic-style floor seat. There will be no sales at the door. Doors open at 5pm, show starts at 6pm.
CALEB Cares: Comedy for a Cause @ CIC Theater
CIC Theater in conjunction with improv troupe CALEB will present the variety show CALEB Cares: A Night of Comedy for a Cause benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The show goes on from 7 to 10pm tonight at 1422 W. Irving Park Rd. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased online. The night will consist of an open bar cocktail reception (beer/wells/wine) followed by a variety show featuring improv by CALEB, music by Zack Shornick and The Pathetic Men, magic by Stephen Hanthorn, sketch by Your Dark Embrace, and stand-up by two-time Chicago Women's Funny Fest headliner Jenn Noyes.
The Kates @ Book Cellar
The Kates all-female comedy review returns to the Book Cellar, 4736-38 N. Lincoln Ave., tonight at 7pm. The lineup features Kristin Ryan, Kaitlyn Grissom, Beth Schmidt, Colleen Brennan, Mary O'Connor, Lainie Lenertz, Sarah Gallagher, Dorris McTyre, Jennifer Lavoie, Adrienne Gunn. Kelsie Huff hosts. $10 suggested donation at the door.
Christopher Lee Tribute @ Patio Theater
Terror in the Aisles presents a tribute to actor Christopher Lee, featuring Dracula (1958), Wicker Man (1973) and Death Line (aka Raw Meat), tonight starting at 7pm at the Patio Theater, 6008 W. Irving Park Rd. Death Line director Gary Sherman will be in attendance. Tickets are $10.
Aura Curiatlas Physical Theater @ Links Hall
The Aura Curiatlas Physical Theater will be performing their new piece, DREAM LOGIC, at 7pm tonight. The company combines acrobatics, dance, and theatre to create compelling storytelling through movement. DREAM LOGIC will present a series of short stories fused with comedy, ritual, romance, and struggle. Tickets will be $16 online, $20 at the door, and will be $12 for students and seniors. Links Hall is located at 3111 N. Western.
Entertaining Julia @ Hideout
The Puterbaugh Sisters host Entertaining Julia, a comedy revue, tonight at 8pm. Admission is $5 at the door, which opens at 7pm. 21+
Stupid Fucking Bird @ Victory Gardens
A very loose adaptation of Chekhov's The Seagull, Stupid Fucking Bird is sure to delight with its comedic twists on a classic tale. Written by Aaron Posner and performed by Sideshow Theatre, the tale centers around two generations of Russians living on a country estate and a whole lot of bird-based metaphors. Through this piece, Sideshow Theater explores what motivates us to make art and love in this hilarious re-staging, and is surely not to be missed. Tickets range from $33-$49. Victory Gardens Theater is located at 2433 N. Lincoln Ave.
Masculus dance @ Athenaeum Theatre
LEVELdance will stage Masculus, a 90-minute main stage dance performance tonight at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport. Masculus is a predominantly male cast featuring seven top contemporary dancers. Masculus investigates different male archetypes, personalities, and physicality, and showcases four choreographers' views on masculinity. Tickets are $25-30 and can be bought online or by calling (773-935-6875) or visiting the Athenaeum box office.
Deafheaven @ Subterranean
To prepare themselves for their set at Wicker Park Fest, metal group Deafheaven will playing a 10:30pm set at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave. Joining the San Francisco-based group will be local group RLYR, which constists of members of Pelican and Locrian. Tickets are $16 online.
