The Chicago Traveler

• The annual German festival Mayfest is stuffed with plenty of brats, beer, and bands. The official opening ceremony on Friday features a traditional keg tapping and May Queen crowning. Prost! (May 29-June 1)
• The 24th 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 16th 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 …read more

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This season of the Bravo Network’s Top Chef was filmed here in Chicago, exposing competing chefs from all over the country to all the culinary treats the Windy City has to offer.
This week’s Quickfire Challenge divided the contestants into two teams of four and pitted them against each other in a mis en place relay race. (Mis en place is a French phrase literally meaning “put in place” and refers to the process of preparing ingredients usually before the restaurant opens for the day.) Each team had to supreme oranges (remove the skin, pith, membranes, and seeds), prepare artichokes, fillet …read more

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• The annual Cinco de Mayo Festival at Douglas Park features live music, food booths, carnival rides, games, and a parade at 12 noon on Sunday. (May 2-4)
• The 75th annual SAIC Fashion Show is produced by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students and faculty. Located at the Sullivan Center, the exhibition is preceded by a cocktail reception and features a meet-and-greet with the designers afterward. (May 2)
• For four nights, Adobo Grill will feature special Mexican menu items and $5 margaritas. (May 2-5)
• Can’t party on Monday? Hit up the Dos de Mayo Party at Easy Bar, …read more

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• Follow a trail of flour, chalk, and toilet paper on the Sixth Annual Great Chicago Anthrax Scare/Santa Hat Run. This four-mile run (for $44) includes a Santa cap, a hazmat suit, and four hours of food and open bar with the Chicago Hash House Harriers afterward. Meet at the Hidden Shamrock by 2 p.m. (Dec 15)
• Aunt Mabel gave you an ugly-as-sin holiday sweater last year. Here’s your opportunity to finally enjoy it. The Second Annual Fugly Sweater Bar Crawl begins at Blarney Stone at 2 p.m. and makes its way through Wrigleyville ‘til 12 midnight. Call for details …read more

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