Providing this week’s installment of The Weekly Guide is kind of an old-school spirit. JC Gabel first helmed the now defunct Stop Smiling magazine. It was a throwback of sorts, to long-form interview publications like Esquire and Playboy.

Gabel upgraded his magazine into Stop Smiling Media. Now, as owner, he publishes books and hosts live readings and music events. So what’s JC doing when he’s not running around with the literary elite? He joined host Alison Cuddy to share his picks for the weekend in the latest edition of The Weekly Guide.

JC’s List:

Friday, Jan. 28:
Knee-Jerk online literary magazine will release its first print edition
Gallery Cabaret at 9 p.m

Roots dummer ?uestlove DJs
Smart Bar at 10 p.m.

All Weekend:
The Illusionist
Music Box Theatre

Louis Sullivan’s Idea
Chicago Cultural Center

Sunday, Jan. 30:
Sunday Transmission Series
Hungry Brain at 10 p.m.

DJ Chris Widman Music Button: Shigeto, “So So Lovely”, Full Circle LP (Ghostly International)