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
Thursday, April 25
Chicago Underground Film Festival
The 10th Annual Chicago Underground Film Festival runs August 27 through September 2 at the Landmark Century Center Cinema, 2828 N. Clark. This year's highlights include "Scrabylon" (about -- no shit -- the "cutthroat world of tournament Scrabble"); documentaries on Rockets Redglare, Tribe 8, and feminist porn; "Value-Added Cinema," a 45-minute montage of product placement shots from 70 films; NewCity film critic Ray Pride's piece on the antiwar protest that shut down Lake Shore Drive; plus all the odd, experimental, and non-commercial stuff you just won't see anywhere else.Tickets are $9.25 for evening screenings, or buy a five-show pass through ticketweb for $30. Metromix has the full schedule.
Uncle Fun Garage Sale
Nothing says "fun" like Uncle Fun! And next weekend you can get your inflatable robots, plastic baby parts, '70s TV show lunchboxes and other pop-cultural detritus for cheap at their annual garage sale. August 30-31, 10 am - 4 pm, 1338 W. Belmont.International Toy and Game Fair
The Chicago International Toy and Game Fair gives everyone a chance to check out, try and buy the next generation of, well, toys and games. Pick up that hot new toy for Christmas before anyone even knows what it is! In the Navy Pier Festival Hall and other locations throughout the Pier, August 30 through September 1. Admission is $5 per person or $10 per family; double those prices for a weekend pass. Copious additional information at the official site.Chicago Underground Film Festival
The 10th Annual Chicago Underground Film Festival runs August 27 through September 2 at the Landmark Century Center Cinema, 2828 N. Clark. This year's highlights include "Scrabylon" (about -- no shit -- the "cutthroat world of tournament Scrabble"); documentaries on Rockets Redglare, Tribe 8, and feminist porn; "Value-Added Cinema," a 45-minute montage of product placement shots from 70 films; NewCity film critic Ray Pride's piece on the antiwar protest that shut down Lake Shore Drive; plus all the odd, experimental, and non-commercial stuff you just won't see anywhere else.Tickets are $9.25 for evening screenings, or buy a five-show pass through ticketweb for $30. Metromix has the full schedule.
Chicago Jazz Festival
The 25th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival will provide free music and entertainment on three separate stages in Grant Park from 11AM to 9:30PM. Highlights include Ken Vandermark at 6pm, and Elvin Jones Jazz Machine at 8:20pm.Uncle Fun Garage Sale
Nothing says "fun" like Uncle Fun! And next weekend you can get your inflatable robots, plastic baby parts, '70s TV show lunchboxes and other pop-cultural detritus for cheap at their annual garage sale, 10 am - 4 pm, 1338 W. Belmont.International Toy and Game Fair
The Chicago International Toy and Game Fair gives everyone a chance to check out, try and buy the next generation of, well, toys and games. Pick up that hot new toy for Christmas before anyone even knows what it is! In the Navy Pier Festival Hall and other locations throughout the Pier, August 30 through September 1. Admission is $5 per person or $10 per family; double those prices for a weekend pass. Copious additional information at the official site.Chicago Underground Film Festival
The 10th Annual Chicago Underground Film Festival runs August 27 through September 2 at the Landmark Century Center Cinema, 2828 N. Clark. This year's highlights include "Scrabylon" (about -- no shit -- the "cutthroat world of tournament Scrabble"); documentaries on Rockets Redglare, Tribe 8, and feminist porn; "Value-Added Cinema," a 45-minute montage of product placement shots from 70 films; NewCity film critic Ray Pride's piece on the antiwar protest that shut down Lake Shore Drive; plus all the odd, experimental, and non-commercial stuff you just won't see anywhere else.Tickets are $9.25 for evening screenings, or buy a five-show pass through ticketweb for $30. Metromix has the full schedule.
Chicago Jazz Festival.
The 25th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival will provide free music and entertainment on three separate stages in Grant Park from 11AM to 9:30PM. Fresh off of their Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album, the Dave Holland Big Band headlines Friday night’s performances at the Petrillo Music Shell.Chicago Underground Film Festival
The 10th Annual Chicago Underground Film Festival runs August 27 through September 2 at the Landmark Century Center Cinema, 2828 N. Clark. This year's highlights include "Scrabylon" (about -- no shit -- the "cutthroat world of tournament Scrabble"); documentaries on Rockets Redglare, Tribe 8, and feminist porn; "Value-Added Cinema," a 45-minute montage of product placement shots from 70 films; NewCity film critic Ray Pride's piece on the antiwar protest that shut down Lake Shore Drive; plus all the odd, experimental, and non-commercial stuff you just won't see anywhere else.Tickets are $9.25 for evening screenings, or buy a five-show pass through ticketweb for $30. Metromix has the full schedule.
Chicago Jazz Festival.
Tonight at 8PM, the 25th annual Chicago Jazz Festival kicks off at the Symphony Center (220 S. Michigan) with a tribute to Art Blakey. Tickets are available at the Symphony Center box office: (312) 294-3000, or at their Website at www.cso.org.Iraq WMD News Conference/Rally
Families of soldiers serving in Iraq, a mother whose son will soon be shipped to the region, and others will join U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) to announce their support for the creation of an independent commission to determine whether the Bush Administration exaggerated the threat posed by Iraq before the war: Thursday, August 28, 2003 at 10:00 A.M. CDT Dirksen Federal Building (Lobby) 219 S. DearbornChicago Underground Film Festival
The 10th Annual Chicago Underground Film Festival runs August 27 through September 2 at the Landmark Century Center Cinema, 2828 N. Clark. This year's highlights include "Scrabylon" (about -- no shit -- the "cutthroat world of tournament Scrabble"); documentaries on Rockets Redglare, Tribe 8, and feminist porn; "Value-Added Cinema," a 45-minute montage of product placement shots from 70 films; NewCity film critic Ray Pride's piece on the antiwar protest that shut down Lake Shore Drive; plus all the odd, experimental, and non-commercial stuff you just won't see anywhere else.Tickets are $9.25 per screening, or buy a five-show pass through ticketweb for $30. Metromix has the full schedule.
The Last Seminar
Seminar, Chicago's longest-running drum & bass weekly, has its final rinse out tonight. Join the Bass by the Pound crew and the junglist massive for the last session, with Shy FX and an open bar from 9-10. Big Wig, 1551 W. Division, 21+, $10.Gay and Lesbian Event Network
The Gay and Lesbian Event Network will be hosting a fundraiser at Cité, the restaurant at the top of the Lake Point Towers (505 N. Lakeshore) from 6pm to 11pm. Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door. From this vantage point, you will have a great view of the sky as Mars appears as big as the Moon like it hasn't for 5,000 years. There will be cocktails, fireworks, and lots of networking with all the people you've been meaning to meet. For more info, call 312-644-4050.Chicago Outdoor Film Festival
The Chicago Outdoor Film Festival is a great excuse for a picnic. On Tuesdays from July 15 till August 26, Grant Park's Butler Field becomes a huge movie theater, free for you and me. This week's movie, the last in the series, is Hitchcock's classic thriller "Rear Window." Showtime is 8(ish) pm.Stitches Midwest
If you're the type of person to wander through yarn stores, fondling hanks of silk, admiring hand-dyed skeins of wool, or just dreaming while looking through knitting patterns, then Stitches Midwest will send you into overload. Imagine a room filled with more than 500 of the best yarn suppliers in the country, classes offered by the people who design for magazines and books, and free demos of different techniques and tools. You'll have to make your way to St. Charles to find this amazing display of fibery fun, but its a pretty drive. Pre-registration is suggested.American Craft Exposition
The 19th annual American Craft Exposition is being held August 22-24, 2003, at the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion in Evanston, Illinois on Northwestern University's campus. Over 150 artists are exhibiting this year, selected from a pool of more than 1000 applicants. Handcrafted works in media such as ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, leather, mixed media, paper and wood will be displayed. The exposition is open to the public. Tickets are $10 for unlimited entry throughout the three days of the show. The hours are Friday, August 22, 10am-9pm; Saturday, August 23, 10am-6pm; and Sunday, August 24, 11am-5pm. Check out the website for more information.Carifete
Carifete is a Caribbean street masasquerade, in the style of carnival, parading down Midway Plaisance (6,000 South) between Stoney Island and Cottage Grove. Bright costumes, good music, lots of food and vendors. More info here. Runs from Noon to 9pm. Free, as far as we could tell, but you should probably bring a little cash just in case.Stitches Midwest
If you're the type of person to wander through yarn stores, fondling hanks of silk, admiring hand-dyed skeins of wool, or just dreaming while looking through knitting patterns, then Stitches Midwest will send you into overload. Imagine a room filled with more than 500 of the best yarn suppliers in the country, classes offered by the people who design for magazines and books, and free demos of different techniques and tools. You'll have to make your way to St. Charles to find this amazing display of fibery fun, but its a pretty drive. Pre-registration is suggested.American Craft Exposition
The 19th annual American Craft Exposition is being held August 22-24, 2003, at the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion in Evanston, Illinois on Northwestern University's campus. Over 150 artists are exhibiting this year, selected from a pool of more than 1000 applicants. Handcrafted works in media such as ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, leather, mixed media, paper and wood will be displayed. The exposition is open to the public. Tickets are $10 for unlimited entry throughout the three days of the show. The hours are Friday, August 22, 10am-9pm; Saturday, August 23, 10am-6pm; and Sunday, August 24, 11am-5pm. Check out the website for more information.Gilda's Club Cookout & Potluck
Gilda's Club Chicago, a cancer support organization, is holding a cookout/potluck from 6-8pm at their offices at 537 N. Wells St. Bring a dish or something to grill and have a good time. RSVP 312/464-9900; more information on their site. (Incidentally, their new member meeting is the following day, 8/23, from 11am to noon.)Stitches Midwest
If you're the type of person to wander through yarn stores, fondling hanks of silk, admiring hand-dyed skeins of wool, or just dreaming while looking through knitting patterns, then Stitches Midwest will send you into overload. Imagine a room filled with more than 500 of the best yarn suppliers in the country, classes offered by the people who design for magazines and books, and free demos of different techniques and tools. You'll have to make your way to St. Charles to find this amazing display of fibery fun, but its a pretty drive. Pre-registration is suggested.Derrick May at Smartbar
Derrick May at Smartbar. One of Detroit's original innovators of techno, with Matt Martin opening. $15, 21+, 11pm, 3730 N. Clark St.American Craft Exposition
The 19th annual American Craft Exposition is being held August 22-24, 2003, at the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion in Evanston, Illinois on Northwestern University's campus. Over 150 artists are exhibiting this year, selected from a pool of more than 1000 applicants. Handcrafted works in media such as ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, leather, mixed media, paper and wood will be displayed. The exposition is open to the public. Tickets are $10 for unlimited entry throughout the three days of the show. The hours are Friday, August 22, 10am-9pm; Saturday, August 23, 10am-6pm; and Sunday, August 24, 11am-5pm. Check out the website for more information.Jazzin' at the Shedd
The line up at the Shedd this week includes: veteran composer, band leader and passionate jazz keyboardist Ken Chaney and an ultra tight band that features Duke Payne on sax, flute and bagpipes; Frank Russel on electric bass; Charles Heath on drums and fire, playing with the passion and freshness of youth; and trumpeter Corey Wilkes. It's smokin' Chicago style, straight-ahead jazz, flavored with a deep hint of funk.Stitches Midwest
If you're the type of person to wander through yarn stores, fondling hanks of silk, admiring hand-dyed skeins of wool, or just dreaming while looking through knitting patterns, then Stitches Midwest will send you into overload. Imagine a room filled with more than 500 of the best yarn suppliers in the country, classes offered by the people who design for magazines and books, and free demos of different techniques and tools. You'll have to make your way to St. Charles to find this amazing display of fibery fun, but its a pretty drive. Pre-registration is suggested.Dolorous Canter @ Mutiny
Dolorous Canter is playing a free 21+ show at The Mutiny, 2428 N. Western, with Frontside and Bar The Door. Dolorous Canter is on at 8pm. Should be a good show, and hey, it's free!National Yodeling Contest
Acclaimed yodeler Wylie Gustafson (of Yahoo! fame) is traveling to eight U.S. cities in search of the country's best talent. This Wednesday he's at Navy Pier. The winner will be featured in an upcoming Yahoo! advertisement and receives $10,000. Auditions are open to adults, children and pets; registration opens at 5:30 pm, the competition runs from 6 to 8. More information available at yodel.yahoo.com.Chicago Outdoor Film Festival
The Chicago Outdoor Film Festival is a great excuse for a picnic. On Tuesdays from July 15 till August 26, Grant Park's Butler Field becomes a huge movie theater, free for you and me. This week's movie is "Pillow Talk," starring Rock hudson and Doris Day. Showtime is 8:15(ish) pm. Check the site for future listings.Young Feminist Book Club
The young feminist book club at Women & Children First will be meeting at 7:30 pm to read This Bridge Called My Back, edited by by Cherrie Moraga. Selections are available at a 10% discount for members of the book club.Kickin' It Old School
An evening of ten new ten-minute plays, each somehow related to education and school. Featuring GB contributor Kris Vire. Presented by the Brown Couch Theatre Company at the Piven Theatre, 927 Noyes St. in Evanston. 8pm. Call 312-409-2010 for ticket information.Elvis Spectacular
The 26th anniversary of Elvis's "death" is Saturday, and to celebrate, Mark Hussman, Chicago's number one Elvis impersonator (and AOL's too!), is performing at Navy Pier's Skyline Stage with a cavalcade of stars, including the Ann Margrock Dancers and Barefoot Hawaiians. Show starts at 7:30 -- get there before Mark leaves the building! Tickets $15-20; more info here.
The Damnation of Faust
"The Damnation of Faust" by Hector Berlioz, performed by the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Carlos Kalmar and featuring acclaimed mezzo-soprano Jennifer Larmore. Part of the Grant Park Music Festival at Petrillo Music Shell, Columbus and Jackson. Free, starts at 7:30pm.Dutchmen @ Bottom Lounge
What would happen if your Dad's Lynyrd Skynyrd records melted in the sun and spilled all over your favorite Rancid record? You'd end up with the bastard sons of rock n roll; the Dutchmen. Now come on and get down. You can witness the bastardization of this band and at least four more tonight beginning at 6pm at the Bottom Lounge. It is an 18+ show.Also playing will be Callaghan, The Rumblers, The Whiskey Rebels, and The Hanover Saints.
Chicago Air and Water Show.
Time to plug up your ears again: the 45th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show starts today and runs through tomorrow at North Avenue Beach (Fullerton Avenue to Oak Street). On both days, there's a water show at 9 AM, and an air show from 11 to 4 PM.Dylan Rice at Goose Island
Singer-songwriter Dylan Rice and his band perform at Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N. Clark. 10pm, $5 cover.Ben Gibbard at Schubas
Ben Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie and the Postal Service plays a solo show at Schubas Tavern tonight. 7:30pm. 18 & up. $10 at the door or buy tickets in advance at Schubas' website.Bridge Magazine Benefit
"Bridge Magazine Benefit Night of Weirdos, Rock Bands, Video Projections, Awesome Raffle Giveaways, and a Creeping Suspicion That You May Have Been Hypnotized," a rock show at the Empty Bottle, featuring bands Elvin, Apartment, and New Boss as well as a showing of Eric Fensler's "G.I. Joe Public Service Announcements."The "Awesome Raffle" portion of the event features prizes from Flo, Specimen Guitars, Uncle Fun, Barbara’s Bookstore, Bloodshot Records, Arrow Antiques, Jinx Café, Dusty Groove America, The Museum of Contemporary Photography, and Uprise Skateboards.
Doors open at 9pm. $10 admission. Call 773-276-3600 for more info.
Kickin' It Old School
An evening of ten new ten-minute plays, each somehow related to education and school. Featuring GB contributor Kris Vire. Presented by the Brown Couch Theatre Company at the Piven Theatre, 927 Noyes St. in Evanston. 8pm. Call 312-409-2010 for ticket information.The Damnation of Faust
"The Damnation of Faust" by Hector Berlioz, performed by the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Carlos Kalmar and featuring acclaimed mezzo-soprano Jennifer Larmore. Part of the Grant Park Music Festival at Petrillo Music Shell, Columbus and Jackson. Free, starts at 7:30pm.Old Town School garage sale!
Are you a musician looking for a deal on a used instrument? The Old Town School of Folk Music is holding its 6th annual garage sale every day from today through Sunday, and is promising deals on guitars, banjos, djembes, congas, and plenty others. If you're a serious musician in Chicago, you're probably already aware of the great reputation the over-50-year-old school has for offering stringed and percussion instruments; this sounds like an excellent opportunity to pick up some good deals. 4544 North Lincoln Avenue, 10AM-4PM every day through Sunday the 17th.Kickin' It Old School
An evening of ten new ten-minute plays, each somehow related to education and school. Featuring GB contributor Kris Vire. Presented by the Brown Couch Theatre Company at the Piven Theatre, 927 Noyes St. in Evanston. 8pm. Call 312-409-2010 for ticket information.Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious
The Neo-Futurists are taking their 2001 smash-hit extravaganza "Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious" to the New York International Fringe Festival this weekend. But before they go, they're giving one last performance before a Chicago audience, and it's FREE FREE FREE! Thursday, August 14, 8 PM, at the Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland. See it, or see it again. Because it's great, and it's FREE!Partly Dave Show.
This month's edition of The Partly Dave Show, a mixture of musicians and spoken word performers hosted by Chicago actor and author Dave Awl, happens tonight at The No Exit Cafe, 6970 N. Glenwood, at 8:00PM. This evening's theme: I Travel. "Dave Awl hosts an evening of travel tales, to places both real and imagined. With performances by Blair, Diana Slickman, Christopher Piatt, and Connor Kalista, and a sneak preview reading from Ayun Halliday's forthcoming travel book No Touch Monkey! Plus live music by Genevra Gallo & Brent Roman." More info at the above link, or call No Exit at (773) 743-3355.Chicago Outdoor Film Festival
The Chicago Outdoor Film Festival is a great excuse for a picnic. On Tuesdays from July 15 till August 26, Grant Park's Butler Field becomes a huge movie theater, free for you and me. This week's movie is "Only Angels Have Wings," starring Cary Grant and Rita Hayworth. Showtime is 8:25(ish) pm. Check the site for future listings.Kickin' It Old School
A program of ten new ten-minute plays, each somehow related to education and school. Featuring GB contributor Kris Vire. Presented by the Brown Couch Theatre Company at the Piven Theatre, 927 Noyes St. in Evanston. 2pm. Call 312-409-2010 for ticket information.The Lucky Yates Talk Show.
The Lucky Yates Talk Show, a live talk show (minus the network) done by the Atlanta theater company Dad's Garage, comes into Chicago for a two-night stay at the Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland. Tonight's show features an interview with Jim Nayder of the Annoying Music Show and Bruce Kaufman of the US Lawn Mower Racing Association. Show starts at 8PM, tickets are $6-10. Reservations: (773) 275-5255.Kickin' It Old School
An evening of ten new ten-minute plays, each somehow related to education and school. Featuring GB contributor Kris Vire. Presented by the Brown Couch Theatre Company at the Piven Theatre, 927 Noyes St. in Evanston. 8pm. Call 312-409-2010 for ticket information.Flugtag Chicago
The first Flugtag took place in Austria in 1991. Since then, the dream of flying hand-made machines into unsuspecting bodies of water has spread like wildfire. And while the flights have never been record-breaking, the pre-launch showmanship has always been unparalleled! Come out to Monroe Harbor on August 9th, 11 am to view the performances.Bud Billiken Parade
The Bud Billiken parade begins at 10 am at 39th Street and Martin Luther King Drive and ends at 3 pm with festivities in Washington Park.14th National Poetry Slam
The 14th National Poetry Slam team finals are tonight at Metro. Three days passes will be sold by the Chopin Theater, and cover can be paid at any of the individual venues the throughout the event.Marc Smith, a construction worker in Chicago, started an audience-participated open mike poetry slam at the Green Mill in 1986. The format spread throughout the world. Now, all the top winners are going to be descending on Chicago beginning the first full week in Chicago to see who can give the best...um...oral slam down.
The Lucky Yates Talk Show.
The Lucky Yates Talk Show, a live talk show (minus the network) done by the Atlanta theater company Dad's Garage, comes into Chicago for a two-night stay at the Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland. Tonight's show features an interview with Cynthia Plaster Caster, performers from the Chicago Kings, and Neil Diamond cover band Noise Conspiracy. Show starts at 8PM, tickets are $6-10. Reservations: (773) 275-5255.Kickin' It Old School
An evening of ten new ten-minute plays, each somehow related to education and school. Featuring GB contributor Kris Vire. Presented by the Brown Couch Theatre Company at the Piven Theatre, 927 Noyes St. in Evanston. 8pm. Call 312-409-2010 for ticket information. This opening performance will be followed by a reception at Prairie Moon, 1502 Sherman Ave. in Evanston.Cinema Under the Stars: Bringing Up Baby
Evanston Art Center will be showing the Katherine Hepburn/Cary Grant classic Brining Up Baby -- as well as other video shorts by EAC video art students and faculty -- on an outdoor screen starting shortly after dusk. Bring a blanket and a snack and enjoy some great cinema under the stars! Evanston Art Center 2603 Sheridan Rd. Evanston, IL 60201 847/475-5300 evanstonartcenter.org $3 suggested donation for non-EAC members.14th National Poetry Slam
The 14th National Poetry Slam team semi-finals are today. The individual finals are tonight at Metro. Three-day passes will be sold by the Chopin Theater, and cover can be paid at any of the individual venues the throughout the event.Marc Smith, a construction worker in Chicago, started an audience-participated open mike poetry slam at the Green Mill in 1986. The format spread throughout the world. Now, all the top winners are going to be descending on Chicago beginning the first full week in Chicago to see who can give the best...um...oral slam down.
Estrojam.
Tonight begins Estrojam, a four-day women's music and arts celebration. There's a concert at The Vic which starts at 4:00, and features a power-packed lineup which includes local musicians Panda Panda and Nomy Lamm. The lineup for future evenings includes at least one Chicago blogger, Edith Frost (Friday night at the Park West). Check the Estrojam Website for a complete schedule.14th National Poetry Slam
The 14th National Poetry Slam begin today. Three-day passes will be sold by the Chopin Theater, and cover can be paid at any of the individual venues the throughout the event.Marc Smith, a construction worker in Chicago, started an audience-participated open mike poetry slam at the Green Mill in 1986. The format spread throughout the world. Now, all the top winners are going to be descending on Chicago beginning the first full week in Chicago to see who can give the best...um...oral slam down.
It Came from the Neo-Futurarium II: The Final Chapter.
Tonight's the final installment of this summer's dramatic reading of less-than-classic film scripts by the Neo-Futurist theatre company. It Came from the Neo-Futurarium II closes the season with a presentation of the early-CGI-era movie Tron, featuring a cast of actors from the Atlanta theatre company Dad's Garage. Hope you've got your reservations by now, because this promises to be the ultimate film-script-reading-before-a-paying-audience experience! Show begins at 8:00 at the Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland. Reservations: 773-275-5255.Chi Vets at Seminar
Chicago Veterans night at Seminar, the drum & bass weekly at Big Wig:
- Snuggles and Slak : from the Silk Cut I era
- Casper : old school atmospheric jungle
- Kid Entropy : '98 Bristol bizness
- Phil Free Art : pure hardcore
1551 W. Division, 21+, $7.
14th National Poetry Slam
The 14th National Poetry Slam begin today. Three days passes will be sold by the Chopin Theater, and cover can be paid at any of the individual venues the throughout the event.Marc Smith, a construction worker in Chicago, started an audience-participated open mike poetry slam at the Green Mill in 1986. The format spread throughout the world. Now, all the top winners are going to be descending on Chicago beginning the first full week in Chicago to see who can give the best...um...oral slam down.
Chicago Outdoor Film Festival
The Chicago Outdoor Film Festival is a great excuse for a picnic. On Tuesdays from July 15 till August 26, Grant Park's Butler Field becomes a huge movie theater, free for you and me. This week's movie is the excellent "In the Heat of the Night." Showtime is 8:40(ish) pm. Check the site for future listings.14th National Poetry Slam
The 14th National Poetry Slam begins today. Three-day passes will be sold by the Chopin Theater, and cover can be paid at any of the individual venues the throughout the event.Marc Smith, a construction worker in Chicago, started an audience-participated open mike poetry slam at the Green Mill in 1986. The format spread throughout the world. Now, all the top winners are going to be descending on Chicago beginning the first full week in Chicago to see who can give the best...um...oral slam-down.
Carillonathon!
Come down to Hyde Park Sunday at 6pm for a carillon concert at Rockefeller Chapel. The carillon is a huge, ancient instrument which appears to be made out of bells of varying sizes. Expert players from around the country and the world will be taking turns playing the insturment every Sunday this summer. The concert is free, and immediately before the concert guests are invited to climb the bell tower to see the instrument (and the stunning view) firsthand.Ashtray Boy w/ Ludenschied
Part-time Chicago band Ashtray Boy returns to Chicago on Saturday at 9pm for a record release show at the BYOB club run by Elastic Revolution Productions commonly known as 3030: 3030 W. Cortland -- 1 block south of Armitage (2000 north) & 1 block west of Humboldt Blvd. (3000 west). Maybe, if we're lucky, Dave Winer (formerly from The Baltimores and The Howards) will be playing with them that night. Be there or be square!Retro on Roscoe.
The 9th annual Retro on Roscoe festival happens in the Roscoe Village neighborhood today and tomorrow from noon to 10PM, on Roscoe Avenue at Damen. From the site: "Retro on Roscoe, now in its 9th season, will feature an antique car and motorcycle show, and plenty of '70s, '80s and '90s music to entertain the crowd of over 35,000 people." So if you were looking for a place to hear music from the '90s, this is the place to go!Books and Bands
Books and Bands, a national tour combining indie acts with a special appearance by the Soft Skull Press Bookmobile, hits the Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western, at 10pm. The show is in celebration of the release of "The Amazing Snox Box" by Brian Gage.