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
Saturday, April 20
Chicago Improv Festival
The 7th annual Chicago Improv Festival begins tonight, with three improv groups (Boom Chicago, The Annoyance, and ComedySportz) performing at the Athenaeum, 2936 N. Southport. The festival runs through May 9th, and features various groups from Chicago and abroad. The hot ticket is probably Friday, May 7th, as the LA group Totally Looped (featuring Oak Park, IL, native Dan Castellaneta) takes the stage to add new dialogue to old film clips (LA Connection, do I hear someone say?). Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and at the Athenaeum box office.Frank Sadorus Photography at Thompson Center
"A Family Farm Album: The Photographs of Frank Sadorus" is a show about a self-taught photographer who captured images of his farm, family, and surroundings on glass-plate negatives, during the early 20th Century (approximately 1904-1912). His photography stopped with the sale of the farm and his subsequent commitment to an asylum in 1917. The opening reception is from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the J.R. Thompson Center (state of Illinois building), located at 100 W. Randolph, 2nd Floor. The show will be up all summer, so if you can't make it today, come by any weekday between 9am and 5pm. Call (312) 814-5320 with questions or check out the Illinois State Museum" site.Gregory Whitehead at Performing Imagination Festival
As one of several events this weekend that make up the spring "Performing Imagination" festival, the Third Coast International Audio Festival would like announce the "Colloquium in Art and Technology: Monsters and Marvels and Other Permutations of the Wireless Imagination" featuring Gregory Whitehead. Gregory Whitehead is the director of the renowned Laboratory For Innovation and Acoustic Research (LIAR), and the founder of the award-winning International Institute for Screamscape Studies. Whitehead has written and performed over 100 radio features, plays, essays, voiceworks, and live-to-air performances broadcast throughout North America, Europe, and Australia. His works have won numerous awards, including the BBC Award/Prix Futura and the Prix Italia. The event is sponsored with the Center for Art and Technology. Whitehead's lecture takes place from 3-6 p.m. at Louis Hall Auditorium.Critical Mass
Chicago Critical Mass bike rides start from Daley Plaza, Dearborn and Washington, at 5:30 p.m. the last Friday of each month, regardless of season or weather. They are free and fun.Karaoke competition @ Piece
The Wicker Park pizza parlor Piece is having a karaoke competition tonight at 9:00. The host of the competition: Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen! Winner takes home $100. There's a $10 cover, and proceeds go to benefit the Gus Foundation, which funds pediatric brain tumor research. Piece: 1927 W. North. (773) 772-4422.Bruce Sterling @ Barbara's Bookstore
Bruce Sterling, author (and blogger) of note, speaks at Barbara's Bookstore in Oak Park tonight at 7:30 PM. He'll be reading from his new novel, The Zenith Angle, and doing other supercool shit that you don't want to miss. Barabara's Bookstore: 1100 Lake Street, Oak Park. (708) 848-9140.Speak in Color
The YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago presents Speak in Color: A Day of Commitment to Eliminate Racism, an evening of poetry and music. Acclaimed poet Sonia Sanchez and several local writers and musicians will provide their views of race in contemporary America. At the HotHouse, 31 E. Balbo, 7 pm. Tickets are $15 in advance, $10 at the door, and $8 for students.Dining Out For Life
Dining Out For Life, the annual culinary event where restaurants nationwide donate a portion of their day's revenues to AIDS charities, happens tonight. If you'd like to help, go to the Chicago section of the site, peruse the list of restaurants, and make reservations. This year's beneficiary is AidsCare, a nonprofit residence and service organization for people living with HIV and AIDS.The News Show: Chicago!
The Neo-Futurists present this month's installment of The News Show, an ongoing news/magazine program done in a theater, instead of on TV. This month's topic: a repeat of last month's topic, Chicago. Show starts at 8:00PM. The Neo-Futurarium: 5153 N. Ashland. (773) 275-5255.Final Prime Shorts
The Hideout bids adieu to its bimonthly short film show, with its eleventh and final (scheduled) show, curated by Xan Aranda, who writes:
"Producing and curating this show has been the greatest! But we can't go steady anymore, Prime Shorts and me... It was a hot sweaty love affair that now needs to give way to other shiny objects and tempting projects.
There will be no schedule, but I remain a short film collector who will sometimes curate short film shows to screen at the Hideout."
"With the promise of there being no uber-depressing dog-murder claymation, I hope you can make it to the swan song, the final sprint, the last (scheduled) Prime Shorts."
Prime Shorts, the short film show with regular roost at the Hideout (and recent special engagements at the Gene Siskel Film Center) brings you its final scheduled show.
Azar Nafisi Reads and Signs "Reading Lolita in Tehran"
Azar Nafisi will discuss and sign her book, Reading Lolita in Tehran, a fascinating blend of memoir and literary criticism and moving testament to the power of art and its ability to affect people's lives. After resigning her job as an English Professor at the University of Tehran due to repressive policies, Dr. Nafisi invited seven of her best female students to meet each week in secret to study forbidden works of Western literature, including Nabokov, James, Austen and Fitzgerald. Dr. Nafisi's book pays tribute to the lives of these women and the great works of literature which sustained them. This program is part of the Albert Pick, Jr. International Relations Project. The event is co-sponsored by Facing History and Ourselves and the Seminary Co-op Bookstore. The event takes place at 6 p.m. in the auditorium of the Harold Washington Library.Weather Underground doc on PBS
The Oscar-nominated documentary The Weather Underground will be shown on Channel 11 tonight at 9:00. (The film will be rebroadcast Sunday, May 2nd, at 3:00 AM). The documentary details the history of the Weathermen, a group of Chicago-area student radicals that protested the Vietnam War in the late 1960s and early 1970s. A fascinating look at the ideas behind the group's violent tactics, The Weather Underground features interviews with former Weathermen including Bernadine Dohrn, Bill Ayers, Mark Rudd and David Gilbert. Recommended for students of Chicago history.Harlan County USA @ Film Center
Harlan County USA, Barbara Kopple's 1977 Oscar-winning documentary about a Kentucky coal miners' strike, plays at the Siskel Film Center tonight at 6:00. The film is part of an ongoing series of important films of the 1970s. Siskel Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.Register to Vote @ Ben & Jerry's
Tuesday, April 27 is Free Cone Day at participating Ben & Jerry's stores across the country. This year they are teaming up with Rock the Vote so, not only can you get free ice cream, you can also register to vote! Participating Chicago locations include stores at 338 W. Armitage Avenue, 26 West Randolph Street, and Navy Pier. Check out the Ben & Jerry's website to find a location near you."Parade" @ Bailiwick
Bailiwick Repertory's Midwest premiere of "Parade" opens tonight. The musical with a book by Alfred Uhry (Oscar and Pulitzer winner for "Driving Miss Daisy", Tony winner for "Last Night of Ballyhoo") and music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown (Drama Desk Award winner for "The Last 5 Years") won the Tony awards for Best Book and Best Score in 1999. "Parade" is based on the true story of Leo Frank, a Brooklyn-born Jew living in Atlanta in 1913, who was wrongly accused of the murder of a 13-year-old girl. He is convicted in a whirlwind of antisemitic ignorance, with his wife as his only champion. After tonight's opening, "Parade" runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 3:30, through May 29. Tickets are $30, $25 for Thursdays. At the Bailiwick Repertory Theatre, 1229 W Belmont Ave. Call 773-883-1090 for more information."Marla's Vegan Guide to Chicago" Book Release Party
Come enjoy free vegan food from the Chicago Diner, Arya Bhavan, Amitabul, Soul Vegetarian and others at the book release party for "Marla's Vegan Guide to Chicago and the Universe" by Marla Rose tonight 6:30pm at Healing Earth Resources, 3111 N. Ashland. $5 from the sale of every book goes to benefit EarthSave Chicago, a local vegan advocacy group. For more information, call the EarthSave Chicago hotline at 708/531-8910.Action Movie: The Play
Let the Defiant Theater Company kick your ass! Come see the quite original production of "Action Movie: The Play" complete with alligator wrestling, kung-fu fights, car chases, and (of course) sexy ladies. The show runs through June 13 at the Chopin Theater located at 1543 W. Division. Tickets can be purchased by calling (312) 409-0585 for reservations or online at the Defiant Theater's website. The show runs Thursday-Sunday nights and tickets are $18 on Fridays and Saturdays and $15 on Thursdays and Sundays.Kelly Kessler and the Wichita Shut-ins at Myopic Books
Myopic Books offers the music of Kelly Kessler and the Wichita Shut-ins, at 1 p.m. at the store. The Shut-Ins are an acoustic lineup of washboard, string bass, guitar, and harmonica, a keen grasp of country and bluegrass music, and singing that will reach up and grab you by the collar. Myopic Books is located at 1564 N. Milwaukee, Chicago.Li Bloom at Myopic Books
The Myopic Reading Series presents Li Bloom. Bloom, formerly of Ohio, has worked as a dancer, choreographer, and teacher throughout the U.S. and in Canada. She began writing poetry 15 years ago in NYC, moved to Chicago in 1997 and recently published her first book radish in August 2003. She currently teaches children's literature classes and Dalcroze-Eurythmics on the Northshore. Her work online is displayed in the weblog archives and at http://www.fauxpress.com/e/bloom/index.html. Li's manuscript "North" was just completed. The reading takes place at 7 p.m. at Myopic Books, located at 1564 N. Milwaukee, Chicago (in Wicker Park).WLUW Record Fair
Those fine folks at WLUW are hosting another WLUW Record Fair. If you're hankering for some hard-to-find vinyl, wanna check out some local zinesters, need to pick up some handmade merchandise, or get a sneak peek at the next local band to make it big, get your hiney down to Pulaski Park Auditorium (1419 W. Blackhawk--2 blocks NE of Division and Ashland). Admission is $7 or $5 if you have a Reader ad or postcard from WLUW, or $20 if you want to shop the exclusive first two hours to get that unopened Cheech and Chong album you listened to when your parents weren't around. Doors open at 8 am for the high-rollers and 10 am for the rest of ya. They're gonna kick you out at 6, so come early.Earth Day Parks Clean-Up
Earth Day. You remember Earth Day, right? This Saturday Friends of the Parks, in association with the Chicago Park District, Cook County Forest Preserve, the Chicago Department of the Environment, and several other organizations, is sponsoring their 15th Annual Earth Day Parks Clean-Up. Saturday, April 24, 2004 from 9:00am to Noon, volunteers are needed to help clean-up Chicago's parks, playlots and forest preserves. Visit the website to find out how you can volunteer. Then, from Noon to 3pm, join the fun in Humboldt Park as the Chicago Park District and Friends of the Parks host their annual Earth Day Fair.Dusty Groove annual garage sale
If you haven't spent all your money at the WLUW Record Fair, Dusty Groove is having its annual garage sale today! One dollar for LPs, 3 dollars for CDs. The sale goes from 10:00 to 5:00. Dusty Groove: 1150 N. Ashland. (773) 342-5800.SPEC Day o' Workshops
The Self-Publishers Event Council of Chicago [SPEC Chicago], in conjunction with the WLUW Record & Zine Fair and with assistance from Chicago's Independent Press Association, is providing a full day of workshops, readings and panels regarding self-publishing and media reform concerns. The Zine Fair and accompanying Self-Publishing & Media Reform Fest portion of the extravaganza will take place in Rooms 200 & 207 of the Pulaski Park Fieldhouse (1419 W. Blackhawk; corner of Blackhawk & Noble, Chicago) between 10 am and 6 pm on Saturday, April 24, 2004.10:0011:20 am: workshop - "How to make a zine: individual & group zine project"
11:3012:50 pm: workshop - "How to workshop a zine: critical analysis of self-published media"
1:001:50 pm: readings
2:003:10 pm: panel - "The U.S.A. Patriot Act, Civil Rights & The Media"
3:204:35 pm: panel - "The FCC: What's New?"
4:456:00 pm: panel - IPA Chicago panel: "Transforming self-publishing into self-sustenance"
Harlan County USA @ Film Center
Harlan County USA, Barbara Kopple's 1977 Oscar-winning documentary about a Kentucky coal miners' strike, plays at the Siskel Film Center tonight at 6:00. The film is part of an ongoing series of important films of the 1970s, and will also be shown on Tuesday, April 27th at 6:00. Siskel Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.Quasar Wut Wut @ Lilly's
Quasar Wut Wut headlines a breast cancer benefit concert at Lilly's, 2513 N. Lincoln, at 9:30pm tonight. Bound Systems and Mindpiece also perform. $8, 21 and over.Sufjan Stevens @ Metro
Emo-folk (?) singer songwriter Sufjan Stevens brings his delicious and delicate melodies to Schubas for two shows (the first was so popular, they added another). 7pm and 10pm respectively. $10.Michelle Shocked @ the Field
Don't miss seminal folk-punkster Michelle Shocked April 22nd at the Field Museum of Natural History (1400 Lakeshore Dr). Michelle will be performing as part of April's "Play the Field" event, The Field's monthly offering geared toward younger, hipper Chicagoans.Advance Tickets are $10, and are available by calling 866.FIELD.03 or fieldmuseum.org, or $15 at the door (if available). 21 & over only. All proceeds benefit The Field Museum.
Christopher Kimball reading
Celebrated food nerd Christopher Kimball, host of America's Test Kitchen and publisher of Cook's Illustrated, will be serving from and discussing Baking Illustrated at Borders, 830 N. Michigan Ave. 7 p.m.Shaggs musical @ Lookingglass
The final play of the Lookingglass Theatre's 2003-04 season is a production of the musical Philosophy of the World, a dramatization of the history of The Shaggs, which some of you may recognize as being one of the most unusual-sounding bands in the musical history of the 20th century. The Wiggin sisters had little musical training, but were pushed by their father in the late 1960s to record two albums of incredibly strange-sounding music. Rediscovered and championed in the 1980s by a music community fed up with the artificiality of pop music of the time, the albums were re-released to moderate acclaim, and The Shaggs have since become recognized as one of the true stars in the world of Outsider Music. The play was written by Lookingglass ensemble member Joy Gregory, and features music by Gunnar Madsen (and by The Shaggs, I'm guessing). The show opens tonight and runs through June 13th. Lookingglass Theatre: 821 N. Michigan. (312) 337-0665.Neil Innes @ Martyrs
Neil Innes, seasoned British musician and familiar name to Beatles and Monty Python fans alike, will be playing Martyrs tonight at 8:00. Go see this concert. Martyrs: 3855 N. Lincoln. (773) 404-9494.Overlooked Film Festival
The 6th Annual Overlooked Film Festival, an annual event started by Sun-Times critic Roger Ebert, starts tonight with a screening of a restored print of Lawrence of Arabia at the Virginia Theatre in Champaign, IL. See the Website for a complete schedule of events. Sure to be a high point of the festival: Jack Valenti, outgoing head of the MPAA, will speak on April 22nd at the Illini Union at UIUC. For tickets and more info, see the festival's Website.Arianna Huffington @ Borders
Arianna Huffington is a co-host of the public-radio program Left, Right & Center and was one of the many candidates for California governor a few months ago. In Fanatics & Fools, she points out what she sees as the flaws in our political leaders and what she thinks Americans can do to make a change. She'll visit the Borders State Street store to sign copies of her new book on Wednesday, April 21 at 12:30 PM.Cursive/Denali/Pelican @ Metro
In a triple killer bill, Cursive, Denali and Pelican bring their various musical prowess to the Metro for one night of the Plea for Peace 2004 benefit. $16, 6pm doors with $1 of your ticket going to charity.Holocaust Remembrance Day
Hosted by Mayor Richard M. Daley, this annual ceremony encourages Chicagoans, especially the younger generation, to hear first-hand accounts from Holocaust survivors. This year's keynote speaker is Felicia Brenner who will relate her remarkable story as the only member of her family to survive the Holocaust. The event will take place at noon, in the Winter Garden at the Harold Washington Library Center.Stuart Dybek Reads at Harold Washington Library
Literary superstar, and local boy made good Stuart Dybek reads from his latest work The Coast of Chicago at the Harold Washington Library, 400 S. State Street, Chicago at 6 p.m. Dybek's stories detail the ethnic neighborhoods, parishes, and wards of Chicago, the special pastimes, patterns of speech and local myths of our grandmothers, our town drunks, our next door neighbors. This event is sponsored by the Chicago Public Library. For more information, try here.Video Mundi Film Festival
If you like avant-garde film (you know who you are), come out to one of the few contemporary, experimental video festivals in Chicago. Video Mundi is a showcase for experimental video that presents different visions of contemporary video to local audiences. Curators are invited from around the world to present programs. Last year, the Tribune remarked that the festival "reminds us just how challenging (and disturbing) non-narrative film and videomaking can be." The festival runs April 20-25 at the Chicago Cultural Center and other small galleries. See the Video Mundi website for more info. including the full schedule of screenings. The great news: most of the festival is Free.Fatty Arbuckle's Spectacular Musical Revue
Second City presents "Fatty Arbuckle's Spectacular Musical Revue," an evening of theatre and music telling the story of Fatty Arbuckle, the scandalized silent film comedy star. Performers include Robbie Fulks, John Fournier, Defiant Theatre, 500 Clown, The Hypocrites, Matt Spiegel, Amy Warren and more. At Martyrs, 3855 N. Lincoln, at 8:30pm. Tickets are $15, available through the Martyr's website or by calling 800/594-TIXX.Eugene Chadbourne @ Empty Bottle
Dr. Eugene Chadbourne, the legendary indie guitarist who's recorded music with everyone from They Might Be Giants to John Zorn, plays a free show tonight at 9:30 at the Empty Bottle. Opening acts: Goldblood and Mark Shippy of US Maple. Nobody plays guitar (or rake, or toaster) like Dr. Chadbourne. Highly recommended for appreciators of unusual music. Empty Bottle: 1035 N. Western. (773) 276-3600.Barn dance @ Chicago Cultural Center
In conjunction with an ongoing exhibit, the Chicago Cultural Center presents The Rise & Fall of the National Barn Dance, a discussion of the "Barn Dance" radio program first hear on station WLS 80 years ago today. Vintage Barn Dance footage will be screened, and there will also be a performance by the Pine Valley Cosmonauts. The event starts at 7:30, and is is free and open to the public. Chicago Cultural Center: 77 E. Randolph.John Tipton @ 57th Street Books
Come celebrate the publication of Surfaces, John Tipton's first full-length collection of poems with a reading and booksigning by the author tonight at 7pm at 57th Street Books, 1301 E. 57th St. Call 773/684-1300 for more info.Luciano Erba and Mark Strand Poetry Reading
As a part of the celebration for National Poetry Month (it's April, folks) Istituto Italiano Di Cultura and The Poetry Center present Italian Poet Luciano Erba and Mark Strand at 500 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 1450, on Monday, April 19, at 6 p.m. Hey, it's free poetry! Luciano Erba will present his latest collection of poems, The Hippopotamus, translated by Ann Snodgrass. Mark Strand will read from Erba's work and a reception will follow.Braid is back
Emo-popsters Braid were mighty popular with the kids a few years back, playing shows everywhere. They were most beloved here in Illinois. While other members went on to start other projects successfully, fans and rumors abound wished for a Braid reunion. It is here. They've rebanded, started to compile and list dates starting with two shows in Champaign (their hometown!) and one in Chicago then going east. If you've been waiting for this, best get your tickets now — they're not doing this again. Keep up to date with the members on their long running weblog, Are You Wearing a Wire? or their new tour specific one.Chic-A-Go-Go Taping
Head over to the CAN-TV studio from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. to shake your booty with Ratso and Miss Mia on Chic-A-Go-Go! Tapings are free and open to anyone. No tickets or reservations needed. Dancers of all ages are welcome to attend the taping. Food and beverages will be provided for participants. The CAN-TV studio is located at 322 S. Green St. (Van Buren, a block west of Halsted).Art for Charity Days
The Cornelia Arts Building usually houses dozens of artists, toiling away at their crafts, but during this two-day event, artists and artisans will donate a percentage of their sales to charities of their choice. This free reception runs Saturday and Sunday, April 17 and 18, from 12 noon to 4 pm. Charities to be supported include the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Lambda Legal, MoveOn.org, NAMES Project Chicago and many more. The Cornelia Arts Building at 1800 West Cornelia, is a multi-arts complex housing studios of over 40 artists and artisans making a variety of crafts and fine art. For more information about the event contact Jason Messinger at JasonMessingerArt@hotmail.com or call (773)255-0993.Action Movie: The Play
Let the Defiant Theater Company kick your ass! Come see the quite original production of "Action Movie: The Play" complete with alligator wrestling, kung-fu fights, car chases, and (of course) sexy ladies. The show runs April 18 through June 13 at the Chopin Theater located at 1543 W. Division. Tickets can be purchased by calling (312) 409-0585 for reservations or online at the Defiant Theater's website. The show runs Thursday-Sunday nights and tickets are $18 on Fridays and Saturdays and $15 on Thursdays and Sundays.Sacred Harp Singing Concert
If you liked the sacred harp singing in the movie Cold Mountain, you'll love it live as performed by the University of Chicago Shape-Note Singing Association on Sunday, April 18th at St. Paul's Community Church (in Wicker Park) at 2215 W. North Ave. from 4-6 p.m. Check out the website, or call the church's phone is (773) 486-6244 for more info. Donations always welcome.All Girl Revue Open House
The Lesbian Theatre Initiative's All Girl Revue will hold an open house starting at 11am today for those interested in performing in or otherwise supporting this year's revue. Musicians, poets, artists, dancers, actors are all encouraged to come. Performers should bring 1-2 minutes of material. Bailiwick Arts Center, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. Email AllGirlRevue@aol.com for more information.Cheap, Sassy, Rideable - Huge Bike Sale
The U of C is having a huge bicycle sale this spring - well worth checking out as the bikes are "cheap, sassy, and rideable". Perhaps more important is the price - most bikes are under $100. If you're looking for a summer clunker, this is the space to get it. The sale will be held in the Hutch Courtyard, right next to Mandel Hall. If you need to mapquest it, the address is 1135 East 57th Street, near the corner of Woodlawn and 57th I believe.Song poem extravaganza!
The PBS documentary Off the Charts details a history of song-poems, which are the lyrics of average people set to music, with wildly varying results. The documentary, part of PBS' Independent Lens series, screens tonight at the Siskel Film Center at 7:30 PM. The director, David Fox, will be there, as well as musicians Kelly Hogan, Scott Ligon and Anna Fermin, who will perform a short song-poem set before the film. The screening will be followed by a huge song-poem concert at the Hideout, which will be featuring a who's-who of Chicago musical talent: Scott Ligon, Joel Paterson, Kevin O'Donnell, Edith Frost, Janet Bean, Jon Langford, Sally Timms, Cynthia Plaster Caster, Edward Burch, Anna Fermin, and many more. The song-poem event of the decade! (If you miss the film tonight, it'll be screening again; check the Film Center's Website for details.) Siskel Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.Paper Politics: poster exhibit
As part of the currently running Version>04 festival, the art exhibit "Paper Politics: A Show of Socially Engaged Printmaking" opens tonight at the offices of In These Times. More than 50 artists contributed posters to the show, and much of the art will be on sale for $25 or less. The opening reception runs from 7:00 to 11:00 tonight, and is free and open to the public. In These Times: 2040 N. Milwaukee, 2nd floor. (773) 342-8251.Shaggs Symposium @ Old Town School
If you're a fan of Outsider Music, and by some chance you're not attending the Song-Poem Extravaganza planned for tonight at the Siskel Film Center, you might wish to head over to The Old Town School of Folk Music. They're planning a Shaggs Symposium, which is billed as a discussion of The Shaggs, the infamous three-sister rock band which is the subject of the current Lookingglass Theatre production, Philosophy of the World. Scheduled to appear to discuss the band: the Lookinglass Theatre's Joy Gregory and David Catlin, the Chicago Tribune's Rick Reger, and freelance music journalist Bill Meyer. The discussion happens tonight at 6:00, in the Old Town School's concert hall. Old Town School of Folk Music: 4544 N. Lincoln. (773) 728-6000.Pinback/Enon @ LSA
The Empty Bottle presents Pinback and Enon at the Logan Square Auditorium, Make Believe is opening. Tickets are $13 and $15 at the door, you can purchase tickets in advance online. You must go.Art for Charity Days
The Cornelia Arts Building usually houses dozens of artists, toiling away at their crafts, but during this two-day event, artists and artisans will donate a percentage of their sales to charities of their choice. This free reception runs Saturday and Sunday, April 17 and 18, from 12 noon to 4 pm. Charities to be supported include the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Lambda Legal, MoveOn.org, NAMES Project Chicago and many more. The Cornelia Arts Building at 1800 West Cornelia, is a multi-arts complex housing studios of over 40 artists and artisans making a variety of crafts and fine art. For more information about the event contact Jason Messinger at JasonMessingerArt@hotmail.com or call (773)255-0993.Poetry Fest/Contest Winners Announced
As a part of the Chicago Public Library's Poetry Fest 2004 the Poetry Center is sponsoring a reading featuring the finalists of the Poetry Center of Chicago's 2004 Juried Reading competition. The reading and an awards ceremony will be held at the Harold Washington Public Library, located at 400 S. State Street, on Saturday, April 17, at 2 p.m.
This year, over 300 Illinois poets submitted their work to the Juried Reading. Come and listen to the finalists Kristy Bowen, Jason Bredle, Charlie Clark, Joanne Diaz, Lorraine Harrell, Daniel B. Johnson, Kristy Odelius, and Kiki Petrosino all selected by poet and judge Campbell McGrath. You can even watch as $2,000 in prizes will be awarded. (See, poetry does pay.)
Teen Chicago exhibit opens
The Chicago Historical Society presents Teen Chicago, a three-year project to study how teenagers affect Chicago's history. Today a Teen Chicago exhibit opens at the CHS building at Clark and North. There will be gallery tours, performances, films, lectures, and a special performance by the CHS Teen Council. What more does the Chicago teenager need? The exhibit will be open to the public from 10:00 to 4:00 today. See the CHS Website for directions.American Artists in Paris @ Terra Museum
The Terra Museum of American Art is closing at the end of October, and the second-to-last exhibit opens today. "A Transatlantic Avant-Garde: American Artists in Paris, 1918-1939" is a focus on three aspects of the Parisian avant-garde: Cubism, Geometric Abstraction, and Surrealism. The exhibit runs through June 27, and is free and open to the public. Terra Museum of American art: 664 N. Michigan. (312) 664-3939.Cheap, Sassy, Rideable - Huge Bike Sale
The U of C is having a huge bicycle sale this spring - well worth checking out as the bikes are "cheap, sassy, and rideable". Perhaps more important is the price - most bikes are under $100. If you're looking for a summer clunker, this is the space to get it. The sale will be held in the Hutch Courtyard, right next to Mandel Hall. If you need to mapquest it, the address is 1135 East 57th Street, near the corner of Woodlawn and 57th I believe.Mason Jennings @ Abbey Pub
Sexy Minnesota folk-rocker Mason Jennings will rock Chicago on Friday, April 16 at 8pm. Tickets are $12 in advance, $14 at the show. Call the Abbey Pub to buy 'em: 773-478-4408. Certain to be a really, really, really cool show. Seriously, you should go.Gapers' Block Party II
Gapers' Block throws its second Gapers Block Party tonight at 8pm upstairs at Ann Sather, 929 W. Belmont. We've teamed up with SPEC Chicago to present readings by local bloggers and zinesters, as well as two sets by DJ Atomly, an audio sampler from Chicago Public Radio's Third Coast International Audio Festival and other surprises. All-ages, BYOB, suggested donation $10.
Readers include:
- Mimi Smartypants
- Sour Bob
- Emerson Dameron (Kazoo zine)
- Alex Golub
- Wendy McClure
- Alicia Dorr (Random Life In Progress zine)
- Brent Ritzel (Zine Guide, Tail Spins Magazine)
- Aaron Cynic (Diatribe zine)
- Cinnamon Cooper
- Shylo Bisnett
- Keight Sandler (Backstabber zine)
- Larry O. Dean
- Michelle Aiello (Inidgo zine)
Nefertiti: the Musical
Previously seen in 1976 as a show called "Brothers," the show "Nefertiti: the Musical" has been revised and updated with new numbers, and starts playing tonight at the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center in Cicero. The production will run through May 1st. Tickets and further information: (708) 656-3948.Version>04 Opening Festival
Version>04 will be kicking off the 16 day festival extravaganza tonight. The Version fest is an annual event, a hybrid form of festival, conference, arts fair and online project. The festival will continue until May 1st and will include close to 300 projects. There is A LOT going on. View the schedule online here. The opening events will take place at Heaven Gallery/Buddy, 1552/1550 N Milwaukee. There is a $5 donation at the door. There is also a simultaneous event taking place at Defiance Gallery. At 7pm there will be an opening featuring work by US Graffiti Artists: VAULT, GREY, ALERT, RUST, CRAE, WYSE, REGAL.Chicago Golden Gloves
Championship bouts for Chicago Golden Gloves, a historic amateur boxing tournament, are at St. Andrews Gym, 1658 West Addison, at 7:30 p.m. March 14-16.Author Rachel Cohen @ Barbara's Bookstore
Rachel Cohen, author of the imaginative historical work A Chance Meeting: Intertwined Lives of American Writers and Artists, will be speaking tonight at 7:30, at Barbara's Bookstore at UIC. The event is free and open to the public. Barbara's Bookstore: 1218 S. Halsted at UIC. (312) 413-2665.Chicago Golden Gloves
Championship bouts for Chicago Golden Gloves, a historic amateur boxing tournament, are at St. Andrews Gym, 1658 West Addison, at 7:30 p.m. March 14-16.Partly Dave Show
Dave Awl's monthly cabaret of whimsy, The Partly Dave Show, is back for more. Tonight's theme: Super heroes. See Awl, Cheryl Trykv, Scott Hermes and more tell you about their secret powers. "Kryptonite-fee" live music by the Sonnets. No Exit Café, 6970 N. Glenwood, 8 pm, $7 or pay what you can.Art of Chocolate fundraiser
The Art of Chocolate brings together Chicago's top pastry chefs and a lot of wine to benefit Youth Outreach Services of Greater Chicago. Each pastry chef will create their finest chocolate dessert, which will be paired with a wine by BIN 36 Wine Director Brian Duncan. Festivities, which include a raffle and silent auction, begin at 6 pm, and tickets are $36. For reservations, call BIN 36, 339 N. Dearborn St., at (312) 755-9463.Chicago Golden Gloves
Championship bouts for Chicago Golden Gloves, a historic amateur boxing tournament, are at St. Andrews Gym, 1658 West Addison, at 7:30 p.m. March 14-16.White Sox Home Opener
The Chi-Sox play their first home game of the season against Kansas City this afternoon -- first pitch is at 1:05. Tickets are still available: click here to order or call 866-SOX-GAME toll-free.Fatty Arbuckle's Spectacular Musical Revue
Second City presents "Fatty Arbuckle's Spectacular Musical Revue," an evening of theatre and music telling the story of Fatty Arbuckle, the scandalized silent film comedy star. Performers include Robbie Fulks, John Fournier, Defiant Theatre, 500 Clown, The Hypocrites, Matt Spiegel, Amy Warren and more. At Martyrs, 3855 N. Lincoln, at 8:30pm. Tickets are $15, available through the Martyr's website or by calling 800/594-TIXX.Cubs Home Opener
Find a TV (the game is sold out) and watch the Cubs' first home game -- first pitch is at 1:20pm. Should you make the pilgrimage to Wrigleyville, you'll find all sorts of drink specials and over-the-top craziness everywhere you look.Voice and Drumming Class at Innergy
Chicago Reclaiming sponsors: "Finding Your Voice, Calling Back Your Power Using Voice, Movement, and Drumming to Access Our Core Selves." Join River and Ravyn as the class "explores ways to shift focus and open our hearts and voices through rhythm, sacred song, and movement...creating a vocal community." Saturday and Sunday, April 10-11th, 12:30 p.m.to 6:30 p.m. at Innergy located at 2041 W. Dickens in Chicago. This class is open to women and men 18 and over. Fees are on a sliding scale depending on affordability. No experience in singing or drumming is required. To register, contact Web (Robin Simons) at 773-764-3477 or e-mail catbirdgirl@yahoo.com.Voice and Drumming Class at Innergy
Chicago Reclaiming sponsors: "Finding Your Voice, Calling Back Your Power Using Voice, Movement, and Drumming to Access Our Core Selves." Join River and Ravyn as the class "explores ways to shift focus and open our hearts and voices through rhythm, sacred song, and movement...creating a vocal community." Saturday and Sunday, April 10-11th, 12:30 p.m.to 6:30 p.m. at Innergy located at 2041 W. Dickens in Chicago. This class is open to women and men 18 and over. Fees are on a sliding scale depending on affordability. No experience in singing or drumming is required. To register, contact Web (Robin Simons) at 773-764-3477 or e-mail catbirdgirl@yahoo.com.SPEC presents "Breakups & Ex's"
SPEC Chicago presents an evening of readings concerning "Breakups & Ex's" Saturday, April 10 at 7:00 pm at Mojoe's Cafe Lounge in Roscoe Village (2256 W. Roscoe, Chicago). Readers include:Andrew Mall (Living Proof zine)
Grant Schreiber (Judas Goat Quarterly)
Emerson Dameron (Kazoo zine)
Anna Weiler (independent writer)
Brandon Wetherbee (www.foulinc.com)
Brent Ritzel (Zine Guide & Tail Spins)
Aaron Cynic (Diatribe zine)
Larry O. Dean (www.larryodean.com)
Leonard "The Ludic Kid" Pierce (The Ludic Log)
Kevin Skomsvold (http://www.nadablog.com)
Muted Tones Narrowcast
Tenseforms is throwing a Muted Tones listening party at Open End Gallery, 2000 W. Fulton, tonight at 8pm. It's a bit of a twist on the standard listening party format though -- here's their description:"We've gotten ourselves a little transmitter and we are filling the gallery with radios. We will be broadcasting (narrowcasting!?) volumes One and Two of the series to the radios. There will also be a live set featuring some of our local curators collaborating together. There will also be a giant parachute hung from the ceiling. The evening should be sonically and visually strange and beautiful, and hopefully pretty fun too."
A $3 donation gets you beer at the event. More info at the tenseforms site.
Reproductive Rights Conference
Interested in reprorductive and sexual rights in this country and others? Then the Controlled Bodies, Uprising Voices conference might be very interesting to you. Beginning today at 9 am at the Latin American Cultural Center (803 S. Morgan, University of Illinois at Chicago) you'll be able to attend workshop on abortion, HIV/AIDS, glbt rights, globalization, homeless rights, the murders of women in Juarez, and issues for women of color. You'll need to pre-register by emailing your name, contact info, and school/organization to registration4_10@yahoo.com. If you want more information, drop your query in an email to uicconference@hotmail.com.Graham Smith, May Or May Not @ The Hideout
The Artist Formerly Known As Kleenex Girl Wonder, otherwise known as Graham Smith, will be playing songs from his forthcoming album on March Records, "Final Battle." Chicago newcomers May Or May Not play various styles of pop music, including a three-song "abridged" rock opera. At the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, at 8pm. For more information, see the Hideout website. $5 suggested donation, 21 and over.Chicago Artists Space & Housing Expo
Are you a Chicago artist in need of a home or other physical space? Then you might be interested in the the Chicago Artists Space and Housing Expo taking place today at the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St.) from 9am to 3pm. You'll get free access to information on how to buy a home, make a studio safe, get health insurance, and many other city programs provided by bankers, housing experts, developers, not-for-profit agencies and the like. There will be many workshops. To register or get more info, call (312) 747-8529.New Workshop @ Chicago Reclaiming
New workshop at Chicago Reclaiming "Finding Your Voice, Calling Back Your Power: Using Voice, Movement, and Drumming to Access Our Core Selves"Saturday and Sunday April 10-11th, 12:30 PM-6:30 PM.
From the Chicago Reclaiming website: "Join us as we explore ways to shift our focus and open our hearts and voices through rhythm, sacred song, and movement... co-creating a vocal community. We will explore how these ecstatic tools can be used to heal and spiritually empower ourselves and each other.
When in your personal history have you been silenced for speaking when others felt it was inappropriate? When have you held back your truth out of fear or shame? What would it be like to stand in your center and speak from a deep place of integrity? How would it feel to take an authentic risk to communicate by speaking your truth with courage and above all - joy?
No prerequisites for this class. This class is open to women and men 18 and over. No pre-requisite or experience in singing or drumming is required. Everyone who has ever thought, "I love to sing but I don't sound good", or "I love drumming but I'm rhythmically challenged" -- as well as those who consider themselves singers, dancers, and drummers -- are invited to come together for inspiration and power emanating from your personal truth! All spiritual backgrounds are welcome."
Chicago "Really" Short Film Fest
The Chicago "Really" Short Film Festivalfeatures short films, music videos, comedy sketches and animation, each less than 15 minutes long. Live music by Truckstop Supermodel, odd*is*he and The Mystechs. More info and a flim list here or call 773-478-6118. At the Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace. Doors open at 7pm, program runs from 8pm till midnight. Tickets $9 at the door.New Orleans Jazz @ Old Town School
Basin Street Records artists Henry Butler, Jon Cleary and Dr. Michael White perform New Orleans-style jazz at the Old Town School of Folk Music tonight at 7:30pm and 10pm. Tickets are $20, $18 for members. Call 773/728-6000 or click here for tickets or more information.Discrete Reading Series at 3030
This week, the Discrete Series at the 3030 presents John Tipton and Kent Johnson. John Tipton had an itinerant childhood in Indiana, Florida, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Illinois. He currently lives in Chicago and curates the Chicago Poetry Project, a series of readings at the Chicago Public Library. He is the author of Surfaces, published by Flood Editions in 2004. Kent Johnson has edited numerous works in translation. He has also translated (with Alexandra Papaditsas) The Miseries of Poetry: Traductions from the Greek (Skanky Possum, 2003) and (with Forrest Gander) Immanent Visitor: Selected Poems of Jaime Saenz (California UP, 2002), which was a PEN Award for Poetry in Translation selection. He was named Faculty Person of the Year for 2003 at Highland Community College, in Freeport, Illinois, where he teaches English Composition and Spanish. The readings are Friday, April 9, at 9 p.m., as always, at 3030 W. Cortland. There is a $5 suggested donation (BYOB). For a map to the space, and samples of past and future readers' work, visit the Discrete blog or this website.Learn to Strip with Toots L'Amour
Wearing too many clothes? Take 'em off with Toots! Join Lavender Cabaret founder Michele "Toots" L'Amour for a women-only strip-tease class at upscale underpinnings purveyor G Boutique, 2131 N. Damen, tonight from 7:30 to 9. Class costs $20; call 773-235-1234 to reserve your spot.Hands on Stanzas Poets-in-Residence Group Performance
Come experience the artistic work of poets who are making a difference with their art through Hands on Stanzas. Each week these poets teach more than 3,000 students how to write poetry in Chicago's public schools. On April 8 they will share their artistic talents on The Poetry Center's stage in the ballroom of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago located at 112 S. Michigan Avenue. The event gets underway at 6:30 p.m. There is a $10 suggested donation (think of the children!).Bruce Springsteen Tribute
The Newberry Library's Wednesday Club presents "Drive All Night: The Music of Bruce Springsteen." The event features June Skinner Sawyers, editor of the new book Racing in the Street: The Bruce Springsteen Reader, who will talk about the life and career of the musician. The talk will be follwed by a book signing. In addition, local singer-songwriter Bucky Halker will perform the music of Springsteen. Admission is $12 and includes drinks. Doors open at 5:30pm. Call 312-255-3510 for more information.Blue Man Group @ Briar Street Theatre
Yes, you've probably seen the Blue Men at least once or twice in the past 7 years that the show's been at the Briar Street Theatre. But tonight the troupe starts bringing in new and revised material that's taken from the concert tour that supported the 2003 album The Complex. So if you've been looking for an excuse to see the show again, here you go. Briar Street Theatre: 3133 N. Halsted. (773) 348-4000.Writing Classes at Women's Center
The Women's Center for the Creative Arts, a non-profit group for women to explore their creativity, has some opportunities for women writers coming up during the next few months. On Wednesdays beginning April 7 through May 12, at 7:30 p.m., there's the New Beginnings and Continuations Fiction Workshop. On Saturdays, beginning April 17 at 10:30 a.m. there's a Freewriting workshop. All women are welcome. The center operates on a suggested donation basis. They're located in Jefferson Park at 5514A W. Lawrence. Call 773-412-9257 or email wcca-chicago@mindspring.com for more information.Twilight Singers @ Metro
Former Afghan Whig's frontman Greg Dulli brings his new band and brand of sexual heartache into town hot on the heels of one of the best underrated records of last year. At the Metro: TWILIGHT SINGERS, THE DAMNWELLS, Tickets $15, 18 & over. Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pmWriting Classes at Women's Center
The Women's Center for the Creative Arts, a non-profit group for women to explore their creativity, has some opportunities for women writers coming up during the next few months. On Mondays, beginning April 5 thru May 10, at 5:30 p.m., there's a Poetry Workshop culminating with a reading after 6 weeks. Poets are welcome to come for all or occasional sessions. On Wednesdays beginning April 7 through May 12, at 7:30 p.m., there's the New Beginnings and Continuations Fiction Workshop. On Saturdays, beginning April 17 at 10:30 a.m. there's a Freewriting workshop. All women are welcome. The center operates on a suggested donation basis. They're located in Jefferson Park at 5514A W. Lawrence. Call 773-412-9257 or email wcca-chicago@mindspring.com for more information.Prince tickets go on sale today!
The artist formerly known as The Artist Formerly Known As Prince will be playing at the Allstate Arena June 25, 26 and 28. The first two nights are completely sold out, but tickets for the third date go on sale today at 10:00 AM. You know what to do: at 9:55, start hitting the Ticketmaster site, waiting for that purchase link to appear. Allstate Arena: 6920 North Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Tickets available through Ticketmaster, of course."Peaceable Kingdom" Screening @ NWU
The documentary Peaceable Kingdom will be screened at Thorne Auditorium, 750 N. Lake Shore Drive on Northwestern's downtown campus, today at noon. The film, created by award-winning documentary filmmakers, explores the extraordinary connection people can have with animals they once regarded as "food" as they begin to recognize their sentience. It is free. For more about the screening, the filmmakers and the film, please visit tribeofheart.org.Poetry Center of Chicago Broadside Gallery Exhibition
The Judy A. Saslow Gallery and The Poetry Center of Chicago have teamed up to celebrate National Poetry Month (that's April, for those of you who don't know) by presenting an exhibition of limited edition art prints (broadsides) that feature original poetry and visual art by outsider and established artists. Broadsides are available for purchase at the gallery. The exhibit runs March 19-April 23. The opening reception is April 3, from 4-7 p.m. at the gallery.Sulzen Exhibition
For the past three years, art teacher and artist Julie Sulzen has turned her home into an elegant gallery space for one night only. This Saturday April 3, she will exhibit works by over 20 artists in a variety of mediums. Visit the Sulzen Fine Art Studio located at 2720 Saint Georges Court this Saturday from 5 - 9 p.m. The Studio is located one block east of California and Milwaukee.Umbrellas of Cherbourg @ Music Box
The classic French romance-musical The Umbrellas of Cherbourg celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, and it opens at the Music Box tonight. Catherine Deneuve and Nino Castelnuovo are lovers whose relationship is interrupted by the young man's draft notice. Great-looking picture, full of vibrant colors and wonderful music, and a heart-stoppingly beautiful Deneuve at age 20. If you haven't seen the film before, do yourself a favor and go. Music Box Theatre: 3733 N Southport Ave. (773) 871-6604.Angela Davis Talk
Former Black Panther and political activist Angela Davis will give a keynote speech for an conference entitled 'Encarceration and Detention' at the University of Chicago. A great chance to see an inspiring woman. Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Location: Assembly Hall, International House, Contact Name: Rolisa Tutwyler, Phone: 702-8063, Email: csrpc@uchicago.eduFirst Fridays @ the MCA
At at the Museum of Contemporary Art, visitors can unwind after work and enjoy an intriguing mix of culture, ranging from live music and performance art to experimental films and hands-on art stations. Not to mention see and be seen by all kinds of young, hip, arty singles looking for love.First Fridays tickets, which include Museum admission, live entertainment, and complimentary Wolfgang Puck hors d’oeuvres, are $14. Doors are open 6–10 pm. A cash bar is available until 9:30 pm. Guests must be 21 or older to enter.
Last day for Crows Nest store
Today's the final day for the Crows Nest music store at State and Jackson. The store's been having a big sale for the past month or so, to get rid of their remaining stock, so be sure to stop in one final time today to say farewell to the Chicago Music Mart location. Crows Nest: 333 S. State.Chicago International Documentary Film Festival
Tonight's the opening night of the Chicago International Documentary Film Festival, an 11-day festival that's happening at a half-dozen locations across the city. Tonight's opening film, Marina, is a film about the Afghan actress who was picked to star in the recent film Osama. The screening is at the Max Palevsky Cinema at Ida Noyes Hall of the Univeristy of Chicago, 1212 E 59th Street. See the Website for further information.Poet Mark Strand @ The Metro
Poetry: amplified. In one of the most unique venues for poetry The Poetry Center of Chicago presents former U.S. Poet Laureate Mark Strand at The Metro music club with an opening by a "special musical guest". The Metro is located at 3730 N. Clark. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and are available through The Metro.Conversations with Filmmakers: Alfred Guzzetti
The Department of Film, Video and New Media of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, in association with the Video Data Bank and the Gene Siskel Film Center, presents a series of Thursday night screenings entitled "Conversations at the Edge." The series brings together Chicago media makers, critics, scholars and theorists in dialogue around the most provocative and daring works being produced in media today.This week's showcase is "The Subjective Landscape: Works by Alfred Guzzetti." A screening of short works includes "Sky Piece" (1978), "A Tropical Story" (1999), "Chronological Order" (1985), "Down From the Mountains" (2002), "Calcutta Intersection" (2003) and a work in progress, "History of the Sea." Show starts at 8:15pm, Mr. Guzzetti will speak afterwards. Tickets are $9.
The Legacy and Future of Feminism
The Public Square is hosting a debate at 6pm at the Harold Washington Library Center (400 S. State St.) on the future of feminism. Panelists will attempt to answer questions like: What difference has feminims made in the lives of women of color, white women, lesbian/gay and transgendered people, working class women, and the current generation of younger women and girls? How has feminism impacted men? What do the critics of feminism have to say? Panelists include Eleanor Smeal, Feminist Majority Foundation President, former national president of NOW (National Organization for Women); Professor Beth Richie, head of African American Studies at UIC and a leading scholar and activist in the anti-violence movement and on behalf of incarcerated women; Mary Morten, an activist in the LGBT community and the past president of the Chicago Foundation for Women and the local Chapter of NOW; , and Lisa Jervis, creator of bitch Magazine. Admission is free, but reservations are recommended (312-993-0682) or you can send an email to info@thepublicsquare.org.