The Chicago Traveler

• RedEye columnist Mark Bazer hosts “The Interview Show” at Hideout, where a variety of guests (including musicians, comedians, authors, and more) share their thoughts. (Every first Friday)
• The indoor-outdoor 23rd annual Irish-American Heritage Festival features live Irish music on five stages, folk dancing, food, arts and crafts vendors, and a raffle for a trip to Ireland. (July 11-13)
• You can browse through wood carvings, paintings, and jewelry from Asia, Africa, and Europe at the Black Thai International Arts and Crafts Fest in the West Loop. (July 9-11, Aug 6-8, Sept 3-5)
• More than 200 painters, sculptors, photographers, street musicians, …read more

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Bon Jovi isn’t coming to Chicago until February, but tickets are already on sale for the concerts at the United Center (February 23 and 24, Daughtry opens).
Photo credit: Rock and Racehorses, matthewspiel

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Paris, Milan, New York, London, Tokyo… Chicago? The City of Big Shoulders joins the bigwigs of fashion this weekend during Fashion Focus Chicago, a six-day, citywide celebration featuring works by more than 100 local fashion designers. Exhibitions, neighborhood shopping tours, demonstrations, student designer events, and free industry seminars are all part of this third annual event. From casual to contemporary, Chicago’s setting trends through its diverse boutiques and shops. Come find your inner supermodel.
Funny story… In 1962, New York Mets shortstop Elio Chacón and center fielder Richie Ashburn would often find themselves colliding when they went after a fly ball. …read more

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When I was a little kid, I had my own “secret” space where I felt safe and where I thought no one would find me unless I wanted them to. The Hideout is appropriately named; it’s a spot where you can be among friends and listen to great music, and people not in the know will have a heck of a time finding you.
In fact, the first time I was brought here, I was so turned around, there’s no way I would’ve been able to explain to anyone where I was. A couple of young patrons on cell phones stood …read more

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Do you like corn? Do you love corn? The 60th Annual Mendota Sweet Corn Festival begins tonight in Mendota, IL, about two hours west of Chicago. There will be about 50 tons of corn available at this fair, as well as about 80 food and merchandise vendors, live music, and contests. On Sunday, there’s a grand parade at 1:00 p.m. followed by FREE hot buttered corn for all attendees! Every person will get three ears of corn until supplies run out. Tens of thousands of people take advantage of the free general admission every year.
You don’t have to be a …read more

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Evanston holds its annual Ethnic Arts Festival this Saturday and Sunday at Dawes Park. Attendees can expect to experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of several world cultures. Every continent will be represented with live music, dance performances, spoken word, arts and crafts, and food. Acts on two stages include the Chinese Fine Arts Society, Escola de Samba of Evanston, Indonesian Performing Arts Chicago, Gypsy Rhythm Project, Trinity Irish Dancers, Die Lustigen Musikanten, Sones de México, and many, many more.

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) bluman, KitAy
Ethnic Arts Festival (free!): 1700 Sheridan Rd (Evanston); 847-448-8058
July 21-22: 12 noon – 7:00 p.m.
Public trans: …read more

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In Bucktown, Gallery Cabaret is a classic corner bar that dates back several decades and is much more than the dive-bar it may appear to be. Don’t let the outside features scare you off. It’s become a forum for rising artists to display paintings, drawings, and musical talent. It took some time for the bar to build rapport with the community, but after receiving the attention of the Smashing Pumpkins and Liz Phair, this pub soon found plenty of business.
Visual art litters the walls and is changed up monthly to feature new artists. Plus, there’s some kind of live talent …read more

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