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
Thursday, April 25
Slowdown
BY DAY
Saturday, July 09 2005
Diatribe Media Reading
Diatribe Media is hosting their monthly zine/indie lit reading at MoJoe's Cafe Lounge tonight at 7:30pm. This month's suggested theme is patriotism. Hosted by Katherine Hodges of Noncompliant, featured readers include Amber Drea of The Banana King, Kate Sandler of Brainiac and Mitchell Szczepanczyk of Chicago Media Action, among others. This is a free reading. 2256 W. Roscoe. Call 773-388-1236 for more information.
Quasar Wut-Wut vs. Buster Keaton
Hometown heroes Quasar Wut-Wut will be at the 3030 performance space tonight, performing their original score to the Buster Keaton silent film The General. If you're not familiar with Buster Keaton or this particular film, then you GOTTA go check it out. If you need convincing, check out Roger Ebert's "Great Movies" review of the film. The show starts at 9:00 PM, with Can.Ky.Ree as the opening act, and Quasar Wut-Wut taking the stage at 10:30. The show is BYOB, and donations are accepted. 3030: 3030 W. Cortland. (773) 862-3616.
The2ndHand #17 Release
The2ndHand celebrates the release of their 17th installment at Quimby's, 1854 W. North Ave., 7:30pm. The free event is hosted by editor and publisher Todd Dills and offers readings by Joe Meno, Jonathan Messinger, C.T. Ballentine and Jeb Gleason-Allured. Call 773-342-0910 for more information.
Chicago SummerDance
The ninth annual Chicago SummerDance festival of public dancing continues tonight in the Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park (601 S. Michigan, between Harrison and Balbo). This evening's entertainment: Louie Stallone teaching Cajun dance, and the Lost Bayou Ramblers playing traditional Cajun music. SummerDance features one hour of dance lessons, followed by two hours of live music and dancing. Tonight's show runs from 6:00 to 9:30, and SummerDance runs at the park Wednesday-Sunday nights (weather permitting) through August 28. See the SummerDance site for a complete schedule.
Plan the Ultimate Outdoor Party
Enjoy beautiful views of downtown Chicago while learning new and cutting-edge techniques for hosting outdoor parties. The culinary team from the Marriott demonstrates ways to create the best barbeque accompanied by innovative options for summer salads and new twists to favorite summertime beverages. This event will be held at the Chicago Marriott Downtown at 540 N. Michigan Ave. (312) 836-1000, ext. 6334. Cost is $30 per person.
Exotica: Luau By The Lake 2005
Duke Carter & Eddie Angel present Exotica: Luau By The Lake, a four-day celebration of exotica and Pacific Island culture. Today's event is a 12-hour concert (from noon to midnight!) at FitzGerald's in Berwyn (6615 Roosevelt Road). Over a dozen musical acts will be performing, along with a handful of exotica DJs. There'll be a pig roast, an aloha attire contest and lots more stuff going on. Tickets are $30 in advance (children under 12: $5). More information and a full schedule for Luau By The Lake is available at the event Website.
Chicago Folk & Roots Festival
The Old Town School of Folk Music presents its 8th annual Folk & Roots Festival, a two-day music and dance expo at Welles Park (corner of Lincoln and Montrose). Headlining the main stage today will be country-rock musician Alejandro Escovedo. There will also be other stages set up around the park to showcase the Old Town School's talented faculty, as well as give attendees a chance to practice various dance styles. The festival runs today and tomorrow, from noon to 9:30 PM. Admission is a $5 donation. See the festival's site for more details.
Lake View Music Fest
This weekend Lakeview residents gear up for the 4th Annual Lake View Music Fest. The fest features continuous live music, food from local restaurants and merch from local shops. Check out Metromix for a listing of performers. Easily accessible by the Red and Brown Line, as well as a number of busses, the party will center around Sheffield and Addison. The $5 suggested donation benefits the Lake View Citizen's Council. 12-10pm Saturday, 12-9pm Sunday.
Dine Like an Egyptian
And for free! For reals! Join Emily Teeter, Curator of the Egyptian Gallery, for an ancient feast at the Oriental Institute on July 9. Discover what the pharoahs ate, including Egyptian bread, eggs, wine and mummified. The Oriental Institute is at 1155 E. 58th street. For more information, call (773)
Band Geeks: A Halftime Musical
Tonight opens Band Geeks: A Halftime Musical at the Live Bait Theater, 3914 N. Clark. It's about all those great things we remember from high school -- "bonehead jocks, rich preppies, fluff chicks, total geeks, dramafags, burnouts, freaky goths and mathletes" -- and learning to fit in. Set in the 1980's, the musical will feature original music from the decade and is sure to be a blast from the past for those of us old enough to remember it. Tickets are $15 and the show starts at 10:45pm. Call 773-935-2747 for more information. Running through August 13.
Fruit: Chicago's Queerest Dance Party
Tonight, starting at 9, Erik and Ali, the hosts of WLUW's weekly "Think Pink" show, present a dance party at the Hideout (1354 W. Wabansia). The evening will feature live performances by Princess and MC Johnny Dangerous, as well as the DJ duo spinning "a maverick mix of music" they promise will keep your feet on the floor. The cover is $8. For additional information, email thinkpink [at] wluw.org.
