Weekend Festivals
This weekend holds what is probably the biggest music event in Chicago: Lollapalooza. Over 150 bands will be playing in Grant Park on nine stages, delivering ample servings of pop, funk, garage, indie, and hip-hop. There are bands that are just breaking out that no one may have heard of yet, and then there are names like the Polyphonic Spree, M.I.A., the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Snow Patrol, Modest Mouse, Daft Punk, and even Pearl Jam!
Last year, over 150,000 people came to listen and dance in the city’s most vibrant public space, right alongside Lake Michigan and just steps away from Chicago’s skyline. Three-day passes cost $195; single-day tickets are $80. (No worries about service fees or additional charges that are usually attached to ticket prices.) Music fans’ attendance helps fund neighborhood park projects, including youth programs and greening initiatives.
Feel free to bring the kids too! Lollapalooza has a special stage area designated just for kids called Kidzapalooza, featuring music, break dance classes, a drum circle, a petting zoo, a recording studio, and interaction and gaming with Playstation.
And don’t forget about the Chicago SummerDance Festival and the Grant Park Music Festival, which are still going on all summer long, as well as the Bristol Renaissance Faire.
For a bit of visual stimulation to go along with all that music, head on up to Evanston for the 35th Annual Evanston Lakeshore Arts Festival. The festival takes place on the lakefront at Dawes Park, where the Ethnic Arts Festival was held just a couple weeks ago. Art lovers can enjoy live jazz and classical music, a silent art function, and the popular Family Activity Area. Amateurs and experts alike can take advantage of the hands-on 
demonstrations in painting, ceramics, and sculpture. There are also a dozen restaurants serving up a wide range of delicious treats.
Finally, one of the oldest art festivals in the country is celebrating its 50th anniversary this weekend. Held in the River North Gallery District, the Gold Coast Art Fair features 300 artists and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors. People can enjoy all kinds of food from local restaurants and attend live glass-blowing demonstrations. Kids can take part in Art Fest Bingo, where they can search the entire festival for images that match the ones on their bingo card. And come see Ted Allen from the hit shows “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” and “Top Chef” on Saturday morning, where he’ll be giving interactive exhibitions, cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, and explaining food/wine pairings.
Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) tammylo, bcostin
Lollapalooza: 300 E Balbo Drive (Grant Park); 888-512-7469
Aug 3-5: Gates open at 11:00 a.m.
Street parking difficult, pay lots available
Public trans: Bus # 1, 2, 3, X3, 4, X4, 6, 7, 10, 14, 26, X28, 126, 127, 146, 147
Red Line train (Harrison, Roosevelt)
Orange/Green Line train (Roosevelt)
Metra train Electric Line (Roosevelt)
http://www.lollapalooza.com/
Evanston Lakeshore Arts Festival (free!): 1700 Sheridan Rd (Evanston); 847-448-8058
Aug 4-5: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Free lot
Public trans: Bus # 201, 205
http://www.cityofevanston.org/departments/parks/lakeshore.shtml
Gold Coast Art Fair (free!): 700 N La Salle Dr; 847-444-9600
Aug 3: 12 noon - 6:00 p.m.
Aug 4-5: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Public trans: Bus # 11, 22, 36, 65, 66, 156 or Brown/Purple/Red Line train (Chicago)
http://www.amdurproductions.com/gold-coast.html
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