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. ✶
Monday, December 2
SOFA Chicago -- the Sculptural Objects and Functional Art Expo -- runs Friday through Sunday in the Festival Hall on Navy Pier this weekend, but if you're willing to spend $50, you can get in tonight from 7pm to 10pm for the preview party. Mingle with the city's top art patrons and get an early peek at the hundreds of works presented by 99 international galleries. More info here.
The evening includes a presentation by Hamid Dabashi, the Hagop Kevorkian Professor of Iranian Studies and Comparative Literature at Columbia University as well as a special presentation by Iranian feminist Golbarg Bashi, with antiwar activist Andy Thayer. The event is accessible via public transportation by CTA Red Line or Fullerton bus and will begin at 7pm on the first floor of Monroe Hall, DePaul University Lincoln Park Campus, 2312 N. Clifton Ave. To table at this event or to receive additional information, visit http://www.depaulasu.net or http://www.ccawr.org or email ccawr@aol.com.
Sudhir Venkatesh will discuss his new book, Off the Books: The Underground Economy of the Urban Poor, as part of the World Beyond the Headlines lecture series. The talk will begin at 6pm at International House, 1414 E. 59th St. For more information, visit: The Seminary Co-op Bookstores website.
As part of its series of evening lectures on sustainable architecture, the Chicago Architecture Foundation presents a talk by Jorge Wilhelm on urban planning methodologies. 5:30 PM, in the John Buck Company Lecture Hall Gallery, 224 S. Michigan. $5 to $10, or free if you're an AIA or CAF member. Call 312-922-3432, x 224; for more information, visit the website.
Start the weekend early at the Haybales and Honeyballs opening reception tonight from 5 to 9 pm at The Buzz Company, 62 W. Huron, 2nd floor. The show features art by Ezekial Brown, Karen Azarnia, Mario Salvatori, Julie Mackowiak, David Cuesta, Alexdrina Chong, Liz Nielsen, Mike Segawa, Lucas Buick, Darick Maasen, Studio of the Month, Clayton Hauck and Christa Holka. Free.
While we begin shiver season, the Star and Garter Burlesque crew takes it off and yukks it up. Check out their striptease act, featuring "America's Got Talent" semi-finalist Michelle L'Amour, plus some of the funniest stand-ups in Chicago. Star and Garter is putting on their show every Thursday in November at Fizz. It's just $10. Get tix here.
The Spanish guitar virtuosa appears in Preston Bradley Hall at 7 PM. Free. 78 E Washington. For more information, call 312-744-6630 or visit the website.