• Dia de los Muertos is still over a month away, but you can begin celebrating this weekend at the National Museum of Mexican Art. Dia de los Muertos: La Vida Sin Fin is the nation’s largest Day of the Dead exhibit, featuring local and international artists. Friday’s opening reception will include hot chocolate, free pan (sweet bread), and traditional candy skulls for sale. (Sept 26 – Dec 14)

• Why wait for Halloween for a fright fest? The Chicago Horror Film Festival is a three-day movie event including almost 30 frightful short flicks and feature-length films. (Sept 26-28)

• If horror isn’t your thing, check out the Asian Animation Film Festival, featuring films and shorts from Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan. (Sept 24-27)

• Fall is here, meaning it’s time for the second annual Wrigleyville Fall Crawl. Participating bars will be offering $2 beers, food specials, and giveaways. (Sept 27)

• Prost! An admission fee of $25 at First Saint Paul’s Oktoberfest will get you a plate of dinner (bratwurst, sauerkraut, strudel, and more) along with two glasses of wine, beer, or soda. (Sept 27)

• Prost! The DANK-Haus is hosting its own Oktoberfest with German food, beer, folk dancing, and live music. (Sept 27)

• Estrojam 2008: Decibelle features local and international female musicians, artists, educators, activists, and community leaders in dozens of events across the city. Partial proceeds benefit the Young Women’s Empowerment Project and FAIR Fund. (Sept 24-27)

• You won’t see this at the Olympics. In the New Belgium Brewing Urban Assault Ride, teams of two engage in a bike-riding scavenger hunt to find checkpoints around the city. At each station, the teams will have to complete a quirky challenge. Past obstacles have included bike limbo, modified Big Wheels, and tiny bicycles. Registration fees benefit West Town Bikes. (Sept 28)

• The Broadway production of Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage arrives in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. (Sept 28 – Dec 7)

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) peppergrasss, R Tys Tyk, sanja gjenero

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

• Chow down on brats, potato salad, sauerkraut, smoked sausages, and beer at the 88^th Annual German-American Festival in Lincoln Square. The 43^rd Annual Von Steuben Parade (featured in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off) starts Saturday at 2 p.m. (Sept 5-7)

• You can sample from more than 300 international vintages and watching cooking demos at the Fourth Annual Windy City Wine Festival presented by Binny’s Beverage Depot. (Sept 5-6)

• The Ukrainian Village Fest is an outdoor neighborhood festival with a beer garden, ethnic foods, and raffle prizes. (Sept 6-7)

• Possibly one of the quirkiest events of year, the Red Bull Flugtag at North Avenue Beach features 30 teams steering their homemade flying machines off a 25-foot (7.6 m) ramp… only to fall with a splash into Lake Michigan. This event is very popular, so show up long before the official start time of 1 p.m. (Sept 6)

• Need something soft and cuddly to spend your nights with? Make your own plush toy! Artist Cheryl Pope will show you how at the Museum of Contemporary Art. (Sept 6)

• Wanna be on top? America’s Next Top Model, the popular reality show hosted by Tyra Banks on the CW Television Network, is looking for models ages 18-27 who stand at least 5’7” (170 cm). Bring three photos, and look fierce. (Sept 6)

• Along with more than 50 award-winning Ferraris, the Italian Village Ferrari Festival features an Italian food buffet, live music, beer and wine, and *gasp* Ferrari rides. (Sept 7)

• Calling all chocola-holics! Sample gourmet chocolates from the likes of Ghirardelli, The Chocolate Traveler, Cyndy’s Sweet Treats, and more at the Chicago Luxury Chocolate Salon at the Symphony Center.

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) Devan., Jeronimo’s Eye

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

• The 24^th Annual Chicago Gospel Music Festival is three days of more than 50 performances on three stages in Millennium Park. (May 30-June 1)

• Foodies can sample dishes from more than 50 chefs from local restaurants at the 16^th Annual Great Chefs Tasting Party at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, hosted by the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Greater Chicago. Participating restaurants include David Burke’s Primehouse, Tavern on Rush, and Carnivale. (May 30)

• Summer’s here, and with it comes a variety of wines. Scoozi! sponsors Wine Down, where patrons (with reservations) can enjoy a tasting of 20 summer vintages along with antipasti. (May 30)

• The 24^th Annual Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival features local and national bands, food, beer, crafts, and other vendors. Admission donations benefit the Central Lakeview Merchants Association. (May 31-June 1)

• The 8^th Annual Sketchbook Festival presents 14 world-premiere plays, each less than seven minutes long, plus art and live music at the Steppenwolf Theatre Garage. (through June 15)

• The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer travels along the lakefront and through several neighborhoods, totaling almost 40 miles (64 km) over two days. (May 31-June 1)

• Stores, restaurants, and bars along a 10-block stretch of Division Street will be offering great shopping specials as part of the Do-Division Street Fest and Sidewalk Sale. A variety of food, beer, activities, and live music will all be available. (May 31-June 1)

• The Run for the Zoo includes a 5K run or walk and a 10K run which benefit the Lincoln Park Zoo’s animals and conservation programs. Hosted by United Airlines, top finishers will be awarded while kids enjoy plenty of fun activities. (June 1)

• The 8^th Annual Gimme Shelter! Walk for the Animals includes brunch, a raffle, giveaways, tarot card readers, dog tricks/treats, and more. The 2.5K walk through Indian Boundary Park benefits the cats, dogs, and rabbits at Red Door Animal Shelter. (June 1)

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) Pablito_TR, Androfire, polomex

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

• Kelly Clarkson performs tonight at The Chicago Theatre. (Nov 1)

• Chris Payne, an entertainment lawyer and host of Q101’s “Local 101,” discusses how musicians can get their songs played on the radio during Sound Advice at Chicago’s Music Garage. He’ll even be taking CD submissions from audience members. (Nov 1)

• Marc Cohn, best known for his song “Walking in Memphis,” sings tonight at Park West. (Nov 1)

• Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera—the longest-running in Broadway history—returns to Chicago this weekend at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. (Nov 1)

• The Service Club of Chicago invites you to attend The 007 Ball, a James-Bond-inspired gala at the Four Seasons, including a martini bar, appetizers, raffles, and music by the Michael Lerich Orchestra. (Nov 2)

• Coheed and Cambria is a progressive rock band whose albums reveal the plot of an overarching storyline. Check them out at the Riviera Theatre. (Nov 2)

• SOFA Chicago 2007, the 14^th annual international exposition of Sculpture Objects & Functional Art, returns to Navy Pier’s Festival Hall to present brilliant design and fine art from nearly 100 international galleries and dealers in 18 countries. All artwork is for sale. (Nov 2-4)

• The Canadian indie pop band Stars performs live at the Vic Theatre. (Nov 2)

• Every first Friday of the month is Poetry Night at DvA Gallery in Lincoln Park. Enjoy readings by local writers and complimentary coffee. (Nov 2)

• Stock up on organic fruits and vegetables, cheeses, and meats at Chicago’s Green City Winter Market. Featuring cooking demonstrations and tastings, the Winter Market is held on Wednesdays and Saturdays inside the Peggy Notebeart Nature Museum through December 22. (Nov 3)

• As part of the 18^th Annual Chicago Humanities Festival, composer Max Eastley and video artist David Buckland present ARCTIC in Millennium Park, an audio/video presentation featuring the calls of vast bird colonies, the underwater songs of seal and walrus, the groans of cracking glaciers, and the sweep of chilly winds. (Nov 3, 4, 10, 11)

• Evanston Northwestern Healthcare holds their third annual benefit, A Night in Morocco, opening with an hour of Moroccan entertainment, music, and appetizers. Proceeds raised from the evening will support the Infant Special Care Unit (ISCU) and the Department of Pediatrics at Evanston Hospital. (Nov 3)

• The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus from Jacksonville, FL will be at the Vic Theatre Saturday night. (Nov 3)

• English rock singer and songwriter Graham Parker performs at the Beverly Arts Center. (Nov 3)

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

Slurp away at the Guinness Oyster Festival this Saturday at its new location at Damen Ave and Roscoe St. With all the pints of Guinness and Harp beer and the aphrodisiac oysters, this event is a sure bet for singles and couples alike. There are plenty of fresh-shucked oysters (provided by the Whitehall Hotel’s Fornetto Mei restaurant), live music on two stages, and food and beer vendors.

Other stuff going on this weekend…

• One of the oldest fairs in the Midwest, the 120th Sandwich Fair features harness racing, tractor pulls, and a draft horse pulling contest. (Sept 6-9)
• More than 20 Latin and Caribbean music acts perform live at the Caribbean Festival, an island party in Union Park. (Sept 7-9)
• The Hideout Block Party showcases local, national, and international acts, including Bloc Party, Andrew Bird, The Frames, Art Brut, Mucca Pazza, and more. (Sept 7-8)
• Learn all about wines from around the world at the Windy City Wine Festival, which includes cooking demos, food tastings, and more than 250 vintages to sample. (Sept 7-8)
• Dance the day away at the Ukrainian Village Fest, a neighborhood street festival with a beer garden, raffle prizes, games, ethnic foods, live music, and dance performances. (Sept 8-9)
• Feast your eyes on an amazing display of more than 60 award-winning cars along Monroe Street at the Italian Village Ferrari Festival. For some of us, this is as close as we’ll ever get to a Ferrari. (Sept 9)
• The Misericordia Family Fest features live music, kids’ games, raffles, and a flea market. Good fun for a good cause. (Sept 9)

German-American Festival (free!): 4700 N Lincoln Ave; 630-653-3018
Sept 7: 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Sept 8: 12 noon – 11:00 p.m.
Sept 9: 12 noon – 10:00 p.m.
Public trans: Bus # 11, 49, X49, 81 or Brown Line (Western)
http://www.germanday.com/

Guinness Oyster Festival ($5 admission): 3400 N Damen Ave; 773-868-3010
Sept 8: 12 noon – 11:00 p.m.
Public trans: Bus # 50, 152 or Brown Line train (Addison) currently under construction

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

It is definitely the place to be when it comes to summer in Chicago, and I try to go every year. Located right behind the Art Institute, admission is free, but you buy food and beverages with tickets you can purchase at the entrances of the event. A strip of 11 tickets costs $7. How much does the food cost? Well, that depends on what you get. Large portions (like a huge turkey leg) will probably go for about 10 tickets, but most other dishes range from 5-8 tickets. Your best value is probably the “taste portion” that every restaurant booth offers: a small sample of one of their specialties for only 2-3 tickets. Soft drinks, water, and alcoholic beverages are also all available at the Taste of Chicago.

Keep an eye out for a few favorites. You’ll find throngs of people waiting patiently for one of the giant barbecued, slowly-cooked turkey legs at Helen’s (Booth 30). For a sample of Chicago pizza, try the Home Run Inn (Booth 36), which also serves frozen grapes, great for the hot summer days. Of course, this is Chicago, so there are more than enough pizza places to sample, including Lou Malnati’s (33), Suparossa (13), Connie’s (47), and more. Vegetarians should check out A Natural Harvest (59), a strictly vegetarian restaurant at the Taste, offering tamales, roasted corn on the cob, and cheese nachos. And for dessert, you can’t go wrong with chocolate-dipped cheesecake from Eli’s (22). I can never go without the fried dough from Harry Carey’s (32) or a chocolate-dipped frozen banana from Aunt Diana’s Candy Makers (18).

The concerts that are held at the Petrillo Music Shell are free! The seating area opens up to the public a half hour before each concert. There are a limited number of seats however, and it’s a first-come-first-served basis, so check the schedules and be sure to get there early.

And then, there’s the incredible Independence Eve fireworks show. On July 3, the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra will perform at 7:30 p.m., and the fireworks are launched from Monroe Harbor at 9:30 p.m. The show draws a massive crowd, so claim your spot early.

The Taste of Chicago is a great place to sample foods you’ve always wondered about and discover restaurants you may not have known about before.

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) Peter Fuchs

The Taste of Chicago: 200 S Columbus Dr; 312-744-3315
June 29 – July 8: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
*July 3: closes at 10:00 p.m., July 8: closes at 8:00 p.m.
Pay lots available in the area
Public trans: Bus # 1, 2, 3, 4, X4, 6, 7, 10, 14, 26, X28, 29, 36, 62, 126, 127, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 151
Orange/Purple/Pink/Green/Brown Line train (Adams)
Red/Blue Line train (Monroe, Jackson)
Metra (Van Buren)
http://www.tasteofchicago.us/

Post from: The Chicago Traveler