• Celebrate Puerto Rican culture at the Fiesta Puertorriquenas in Humboldt Park, featuring crafts, food, live music, and dancing. The festival’s high point is the Puerto Rican Day Parade on Saturday along Columbus Drive, from Balbo Drive to Monroe Street. (June 12-15)

• Festa Pasta Vino is an annual celebration of Italian food, family, and culture, featuring authentic cuisine from local restaurants, cooking demonstrations, parades, and live music. (June 12-15)

• Meet paranormal radio show host Edward Shanahan, astrologists, and tarot readers at Weather Mark Tavern’s Friday the 13^th Party. Drink specials include $2.50 Miller drafts. (June 13)

• Night owls can join Mystic Blue every Saturday for their After-Hours Moonlight Cruise. The outing on Lake Michigan includes a DJ, dancing, martinis, and free appetizers. Boarding begins at 12:15 a.m. (ends Aug 30)

• Watch more than 100 local artists work together on a 500-foot (152 m) mural along the lakefront at the Artists of the Wall Festival. The festival also features live music, arts and crafts, and food vendors. This year’s theme is “Winds of Change.” (June 14-15)

• The 59^th Annual Old Town Art Fair is the country’s oldest juried outdoor art fair and features 260 artists displaying paintings, photographs, jewelry, sculptures, and more. Enjoy live music, kids’ activities, food vendors, and a raffle. Rain or shine. (June 14-15)

• Get a variety of international foods from local restaurants, browse arts and crafts, and listen to live music from four stages at the 43^rd Annual Andersonville Midsommarfest. (June 14-15)

• About 150 local men prepare more than 200 dishes at the 19^th Annual Father’s Day Real Men Cook at the South Shore Cultural Center. The event includes kids’ games and live music. Expect everything from barbecue to soul food to desserts. (June 15)

• Enjoy something educational with Dad. Dads get free general admission at the Museum of Science and Industry in honor of Father’s Day. (June 15)

Photo credit: Glorius (c/o Flickr), Real Men Cook

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

The competition is almost over, down to the final four contestants. In the first part of the finale, the four chefs actually left Chicago to visit the beautiful country commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

If you want to enjoy the flavors and culture of La Isla del Encanto (“the Island of Enchantment”) but can’t make the 2,000-mile (3300-km) trip, visit Humboldt Park on the northwest side of Chicago. This neighborhood, where I grew up, has had a significant Puerto Rican population since then 1950s. This is quite an accomplishment for any area in the Windy City because Chicago’s neighborhoods and populations are constantly changing due to gentrification, urban redevelopment, and the steady shuffle of people moving in and out.

In 1995, Division Street was christened by city officials and community leaders as Paseo Boricua (“Boricua Avenue”). Two giant metal Puerto Rican flags were installed, each 59 feet tall and crossing over the busy street: one at Western Avenue and the other at California Avenue. Between these flags, a culture center has been established, and several local Latino politicians relocated their offices here. Visitors will often hear Latin music in the streets, see elaborate murals, and smell the spices of ethnic foods in the air. To check out the restaurants and businesses in this colorful area, see my blog posts tagged with “Humboldt Park”.

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) Vanessa Roanhorse

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

Chefs and owners Mario Santiago and Guadalupe Aguilar often come out to check on their guests to see how they’re enjoying the Mexican and Puerto Rican menu. Many of the dishes are made with organically grown vegetables, so most of the selection is seasonal. However, first-timers absolutely must try the French double cream brie and pear quesadillas. Even patrons who stick to the basics like chips and salsa will notice the incredible taste and texture of the salsa, truly making it unique. Just beware of its spicy kick!

Moving on to the hearty entrées, the wild salmon with a tequila lemon butter cream sauce is excellent, served with Spanish rice, black beans, and sautéed vegetables. Carnivores will be delighted to see the 16-ounce New York strip steak (from Allen Brothers) on the menu, hand-rubbed in five peppercorns. Finally, finish off the experience with a cup of Intelligentsia coffee and a plate of mango flan or plantain soufflé.

These tasty dishes do attract a good crowd, so reservations are recommended. And be sure to take a moment to stop and see the beauty that is the Pilsen neighborhood.

Photo credit (via Flickr): BenSeese, cc

May St Café ($$): 1146 W Cermak Rd; 312-421-4442
Tues – Thurs: 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Fri – Sat: 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Sun: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Street parking; free lot available
Public trans: Bus # 21
http://www.maystcafe.com/

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

This weekend is packed with fun stuff to do. The Chicago SummerDance Festival begins today and runs all summer long. The Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park turns into an outdoor 3,500-square-foot dance space, and professional instructors offer one-hour dance lessons. You can learn anything from Latin to ballroom to swing. After the lessons, folks can practice their newly-learned moves to two hours of live music from over 40 different bands. And best of all, it’s free! There’s food and beverages available also, and plenty of seating in case you need to rest your feet. And just in case you can’t make it to Grant Park, festivities are also being held in Athletic Field Park, Jackson Park, Humboldt Park, and Garfield Park. Look for the complete schedule online.

Yet another example of Chicago’s great ethnic neighborhood celebrations takes place this week also. The Fiestas Puertorriqueñas in Humboldt Park are a great way to discover the art, music, and food of Puerto Rico. There are vendors from all across the country and three stages of live music. On Saturday, the 42nd Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade kicks off at noon, beginning at Columbus and Balbo, proceeding north to Monroe. Both event s have free admission, and millions of people from all backgrounds come out to honor this rich culture.

The Grant Park Music Festival is the country’s only remaining free, outdoor classical music series and begins on Friday. The Festival has been providing free classical music every summer for over 70 years. For admirers of this genre, this is the cream of the crop with performances by the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus and a long list of international guests. Traditionally, as the name suggests, the Music Festival took place in the Petrillo Music Shell in Grant Park, but now most of the Festival’s (free!) concerts are in the new Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, just around the corners from America’s Dog and the Palmer House. The Pavilion’s sound system, architecture, and open-air canopy make it the first permanent outdoor structure of its kind.

Custer’s Last Stand Festival of the Arts is not just any ordinary street fair. This Saturday and Sunday, the streets of Evanston will be buzzing with art, music, antiques, dancing, and food. Over 300 artists will be displaying and selling collectibles, art, jewelry, pottery, paintings, photographs, ceramics, and more. More than 30 vendors offer an incredibly diverse selection of affordable entrees. Each of the three stages offers great entertainment, including jazz quartets and Native American dances. There are plenty of attractions available that are family-friendly: animals, street performers, theatre shows, etc.

Summer Dance Festival: Grant Park (601 S Michigan Ave); 312-742-4007
June 14 – August 26
Street parking difficult
Public trans: Bus # 1, 2, 3, 4, X4, 6, 7, 10, 14, 26, X28, 126, 127, 146, 147
Red Line train (Harrison)
Orange/Purple/Pink/Brown Line train (Library)
Metra (Van Buren)
http://www.chicagosummerdance.org/

Fiestas Puertorriqueñas: Humboldt Park (1400 N Sacramento Ave); 773-292-1414
June 14 – 17: 2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Public trans: Bus # 52, 70, 72
http://www.prparadechicago.com/

Puerto Rican Day Parade: 300 E Balbo Dr; 773-292-1414
June 16: 12 noon
Public trans: Bus # 1, 2, 3, 4, X4, 6, 7, 10, 14, 26, X28, 126, 127, 146, 147
Red Line train (Harrison) or Metra (Van Buren)
http://www.prparadechicago.com/

Grant Park Music Festival: Millennium Park (100 N Michigan Ave); 312-742-7638
June 15 – August 18
Public trans: Bus # 2, 3, 4, X4, 6, 10, 14, 20, X20, 24, 26, 29, 36, 56, 60, 62, 124, 127, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 151, 157
Orange/Purple/Pink/Green/Brown Line train (Randolph, Madison)
Red/Blue Line train (Washington, Monroe) or Metra (Randolph)
http://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/

Custer Street Fair ($1 donation): 900 Chicago Ave (Evanston); 847-328-2204
June 16 – 17: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Public trans: Bus # 200, 205 or Purple Line train (Main) or Metra (Main)
http://www.custerfair.com/

Post from: The Chicago Traveler