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
Monday, December 2
The Grid
ABOUT "Circus School at Aloft Loft (360°)"Since 2005, Aloft Loft Circus Arts has provided classes and training space for adult circus performers and enthusiasts, including a year-long, full-time program. Hear from the founder, Shayna Swanson, and students and instructors on the appeal and challenges of a circus career. Aloft is currently moving to a former church in Logan Square, which you can read about at DNAinfo, including how to support their fundraising campaign. This 360° video was filmed with a six-camera GoPro rig and stitched together using Autopano software. Navigate the video using your mouse or keyboard as demonstrated in the video's loading screen, and select viewing mode by clicking on the circle in the lower-right corner. Ben Kolak (camera) is a Chicago-based documentary filmmaker and principal at Scrappers Film Group. Courtney Prokopas (producer) is an active film and studio artist in Chicago, and a recent University of Illinois at Chicago MFA as well as a graduate of the full-time program at Aloft Circus Arts. Astrid Goh (editor) is an undergrad majoring in journalism at Northwestern University. Akemi Hong (graphics) is principal of Studio Akemi. |
ABOUT THE GRIDThe Grid is a series profiling Chicago businesses, subcultures and landscapes. It is funded in part by the Chicago Instructional Technology Foundation Digital Media Production Fund. Support The Grid by clicking here and contributing to the Tip Jar. |
 Circus School at Aloft Loft (360°) The Grid, Episode 20 Since 2005, Aloft Loft Circus Arts has provided classes and training space for adult circus performers and enthusiasts. |
 Protest at Chicago Police Headquarters (360°) The Grid, Episode 19 On April 28th, hundreds of Chicagoans demonstrated at Chicago Police Headquarters to protest the death of Freddie Gray. |
 Droning in the Chicago Park District (360°) The Grid, Episode 18 The Chicago Area Drone User Group meets regularly to fly drones and to share knowledge about the hobby's technology and etiquette. |
 School of the Art Institute of Chicago MFA Show (360°) The Grid, Episode 17 Every year the School of the Art Institute of Chicago's MFA graduates participate in an unusually large group show. |
 Arkansas Red and His Listeners The Grid, Episode 16 Arkansas Red DJs "The Blues Excursion" every Saturday night on WHPK, Hyde Park's community and student radio station. |
 Open Gov Hack Night The Grid, Episode 15 Open Gov Hack Night is a weekly meeting to facilitate collaboration on civic projects, and bounce ideas and get help from tech and government experts. |
 Stickney Water Reclamation Plant The Grid, Episode 14 The Stickney Water Reclamation Plant is the largest wastewater treatment plant in the world. |
 Botanicas de la Villita The Grid, Episode 13 Botanicas (literal translation: "botany stores") can be found in Hispanic and Caribbean communities in cities across the United States. |
 The Area The Grid, Episode 12 Englewood residents are struggling to maintain friendships and traditions while a freight yard is expanding into their neighborhood. |
 Shine On The Grid, Episode 11 The Rev. Henry Isaac has tested his faith as a journeyman window washer since 1974, and shared his faith as a preacher since 1994. |
 Envision Arts Studio The Grid, Episode 10 Envision Arts Studio provides Chicagoans with intellectual and developmental disabilities a disciplined studio practice in a community setting. |
 LAMPO The Grid, Episode 9 Since 1997, LAMPO has presented experimental music and intermedia events to adventurous Chicago audiences. |
 MUNUC at the Palmer House The Grid, Episode 8 Since 1988, University of Chicago students have organized an annual four-day Model UN conference at the historic Palmer House hotel. |
 The Mediated Plant The Grid, Episode 7 An examination of how The Plant -- Chicago's vertical farm and food business incubator -- has been represented in the media. |
 Snaggers The Grid, Episode 6 Snagging fish is allowed seasonally in a few spots on Lake Michigan. |
 Move-Tastic! The Grid, Episode 5 Move-Tastic!, "Chicago's premiere athletic moving force," wows customers and employs over 40 Chicagoans on their way to careers in other fields. |
 Community Supported Art at Threewalls The Grid, Episode 4 Nonprofit arts organization Threewalls is connecting artists and collectors by adapting a model better known for supporting local farmers. |
 Textile Discount Outlet The Grid, Episode 3 Textile Discount Outlet, located at 2121 w. 21st Street, has helped sustain Chicago's creative classes with discounted fabrics and inspiration for over 30 years. |
 Congress Conducts El at Cal's The Grid, Episode 2 The Congress Parkway congestion is meditated upon at nearby Cal's Liquors/Bar, where astromusicologists El is a Sound of Joy take cinematic cues from traffic conductors. |
 Market Fisheries The Grid, Episode 1 Market Fisheries, located at 7129 S. State Street, has been owned and operated by the Brody Family since 1957. |
ABOUT THE GRID
The Grid is a series profiling Chicago businesses, subcultures and landscapes. These short, lyrical documentaries aspire to be art cinema, ethnographies and experiments in form. Ben Kolak and Brian Ashby's directorial debut, Scrappers, won Best Documentary at the 2010 Chicago Underground Film Festival and made Roger Ebert's top 10 list of documentary films for that year. David Nagel is a freelance shooter, editor and sound recordist. Akemi Hong is Senior Designer at JB Chicago and an instructor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
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