Joanna Gustafson

The music is loud--but some of the outfits are even louder. A bowler in leopard-print briefs tosses his matching ball down the lane, while a girl wearing fishnets as pants bowls a spare two lanes over.

This scene is typical of Fireside Bowl's Average Bowler's Bowling League, which wrapped up this Sunday. Founded by Erica VanSchaik this year, she explains the idea came when "we went out bowling one day and got drunk."

Dressed in denim hot pants and a neck full of gold chains, she adds that, "none of us is very good, so you have to know you're average, or have an average below 150." This summer the bowlers change gears and take part in a kickball league, but VanSchaik plans on coming back next fall.

Adds league secretary Robert Green, "it is absolutely bizarre to be drunk by 7pm each Sunday." As the thirty or so bowlers return their rented shoes and get ready for the trophy ceremony, drinks in hand, VanSchaik shouts out "bowling is awesome!"

Awesomely average.

(2007-03-13)

Also by Joanna Gustafson

Operation Opera
A conference room in the Hard Rock Hotel is transformed into an "American Idol"-esque scene, filled with audience members, judges and performers. A black curtain cloaks the stage and a live piano player provides the music. The only difference? The aspiring pop stars have been replaced with aspiring opera stars, and the name is "Opera Idol"
(2007-03-06)

Acting Up Again
The event, at the Bailiwick Theatre and titled "When There Were Heroes: The Life and Times of Daniel Sotomayor," honors the political activist and cartoonist who died of AIDS fifteen years ago, at age 33
(2007-02-06)

Foie Gras Foes
Despite swirling snow and icy temperatures hovering around twenty degrees, a dedicated group of protestors--roughly two dozen--stand their ground outside popular eatery Bin 36. The activists are protesting Bin 36's continued offering of foie gras, which has been banned in Chicago since last April
(2007-01-30)

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