FRI/1

African/Caribbean International Festival of Life

A celebration of different ethnic cultures, with food, arts and crafts, kids' games and music. Washington Park, 55th & Cottage Grove, (312)427-0266. 10am-10pm. Also, July 2-4.

SAT/2

Artworks Chicago at Mariano Park

Rush & State, (312)642-4907. 8am-6pm. Also Sun July 3.

Dan Flavin: A Retrospective

MCA opens "Dan Flavin: A Retrospective," a look at expansive work the innovative and influential artist. Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago, (312)280-2660. Through October 30.

Independence Day Eve Fireworks

Join about three million other Chicagoans as they storm the LSD and watch the sky explode. Grant Park, Lakeshore Drive at Jackson, (312)744-3315. 9:30pm. Free.

Lakeview Arts and Music Festival

Live music, art and family entertainment hit the Lincoln, Belmont and Ashland intersection. Noon-10pm. Also Sun July 3, Noon-9pm. Lincoln, between Belmont and School, (773)868-3010. $5 donation.

WED/6

Chicago SummerDance Festival

With DJ Glenn Underground and DJ Craig Alexander. Grant Park, Spirit of Music Garden, 601 S. Michigan, (312)742-4007. 6pm-9pm. Free.

Theater on the Lake

The trials and tribulations on the road of life take some interesting turns in Porchlight Music Theatre's romantic musical, "Closer Than Ever." Theater on the Lake, Lake Michigan and Fullerton, (312)742-7994. Wed-Sat July 6-9, 7:30pm and Sun July 10, 6:30pm. $17.50.

Artworks Chicago on the Plaza Of Americas

420 North Michigan, (312)642-4907. 8am-6pm. Also Thurs-Sun July 7-10.

THU/7

Chicago SummerDance Festival

Grant Park, Spirit of Music Garden, 601 S. Michigan (312)742-4007. 6pm-9:30pm. Also July 8-9. Free.

Exotica Luau by the Lake 2005

A three-day party near the lake featuring music performances, food, and all the mai-tai's one can handle. Various venues, including Trader Vic's and Delilah's. Visit www.chicagoexotica.com for more details. Also July 8-10.

FRI/8

Magnificent Mile Art Festival

Artists display their work, with live music providing the soundtrack. Pioneer Court, 420 N. Michigan. Also Sat July 9, 10am-6pm; Sun July 10, 10am-5pm. Free.

Irish American Heritage Festival

This fest features the best in Irish food and drink, not to mention live music. Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox, (773)282-7035. 6pm-midnight. Also Sat-Sun July 9-10, noon-midnight. $15.

St. Andrew's Greek Festival

St. Andrew's celebrates Greek culture with live music, traditional food, a raffle and a silent auction. St. Andrew's Greek Orthodox Church, 5649 N. Sheridan, (773)334-4515. 5pm-11pm. Also Sat July 9, 4pm-11pm and Sun July 10, Noon-11pm. Free-$2.

SAT/9

Chicago Folk and Roots Festival

Live Cajun, folk, country, rock, Latin, bluegrass and pop. Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln, (773)728-6000. Noon-10pm. Also Sun July 10, Noon-10pm. $1-$5 suggested donation.

Clark Street Fair

Wrigleyville's street bash features vendors, food and drink. Clark and Addison, 3600 N. Clark, (773)868-3010. Noon-10pm. Also Sun July 10, Noon-9pm. $5 donation benefits Lake View Citizens' Council.

I Have a Vision Community Gospel Festival

This fest rivals Grant Park's gospel celebration, with live music, food and other entertainment. Hoard Park, 7200 South Dobson, (312)861-8990. 11am-8pm. Free.

K.I.D.S. Zone Festival

While the folks have the blues fests and the tastes, the kids have their day to play. Southside Community Outreach Coalition, 6700 South Halsted, (773)874-4901. 10am-4pm. Free.

Rosemoor Fest

Go south for a mid-July fest of food and music, if the Taste wasn't enough for you. St. John De La Salle School parking lot, 10205 South Kind, (773)264-0783. Noon-9pm.

Lincolnshire Art Festival

More art from the locals, all the way up north. Village Green, Olde Half Day and North Milwaukee, (847)444-9600. 10am-5pm. Also Sunday July 10, 10am-5pm. Free.

SUN/10

L.A.T.E. Ride 2005

It's still cool to ride around downtown in the middle of the night. Buckingham Fountain, 501 S. Columbus/200 East Congress, (773)918-RIDE. 12am. $35-$40.

TUE/12

Chicago Outdoor Film Festival

The annual outdoor screening series. This year, the program was selected by Roger Ebert himself. Grant Park, Butler Field, Lake Shore Drive at Monroe, (312)744-3315. Films start at dusk. Free.

Jul. 12: 8:59 p.m. "Citizen Kane"

Jul. 19: 8:54 p.m. "Annie Hall"

Jul. 26: 8:48 p.m. "My Darling Clementine"

Aug. 2: 8:39 p.m. "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial"

Aug. 9: 8:30 p.m. "The Night of the Hunter"

Aug. 16: 8:20 p.m. "The Hustler"

Aug. 23: 8:09 p.m. "Star Wars"

WED/13

Chicago SummerDance Festival

With DJ Ron Carroll and DJ JM3. Grant Park, Spirit of Music Garden, 601 S. Michigan, (312)742-4007. 6pm-9pm. Free.

PAWS Chicago Beach Party

Bring your dog and your thirst to the annual summer bash. North Avenue Beach Boathouse, North and Lake Michigan, (773)843 4884. 6pm-10pm.

Theater on the Lake

American Theater Company presents "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play." Theater on the Lake, Lake Michigan and Fullerton, (312)742-7994. 7:30pm. Also Thur-Sat July 14-16, 7:30pm and Sun July 17, 6:30pm. $17.50.

THU/14

Chicago SummerDance Festival

Grant Park, Spirit of Music Garden, 601 S. Michigan, (312)742-4007. 6pm-9:30pm. Also Fri-Sat July 15-16, 6pm-9:30pm. Free.

FRI/15

Benfest

Live music, food, drink and casino games for adults. 4000 N. Leavitt St. Irving Park and Leavitt, (773)868-3010. 6pm-11pm. Also Sat July 16, 2pm-11pm and Sun July 17, 1pm-9pm. $5 donation benefits the Schools of St. Benedict.

Old St. Patrick's World's Largest Block Party

The biggest block party returns for another go around. 650 W. Madison, Madison and Des Plaines, (312)648-1021. Also Sat July 16. $35-$40.

SAT/16

Artworks Chicago on Walton and Music Show

Walton and State, (312)642-4907. 8am-6pm. Also Sun July 17.

Ethnic Arts Festival

Over 100 artists from more than fifty different ethnic cultures display their work. Dawes Park, Sheridan at Church, Evanston, (847)448-8058. Noon-7pm. Also Sun July 17. Free.

North Shore Arts Festival

Over 200 internationally renowned artists appear and present their work to the tune of live music and food. 34 Old Orchard Center, Skokie, (847)673-0240. 10am-5pm. Also Sun July 17. Free.

Rock Around the Block

Local bands hit the streets with food vendors, arts and crafts booths and street performers. 3600 N. Lincoln, Lincoln and Addison, (773)665-4682. Noon-10pm. Also Sun July 17. $5 donation benefits the Festival Foundation.

47th Annual Dearborn Garden Walk and Heritage Festival

The North Dearborn Association presents more than twenty award-winning gardens to the public eye. 1300 N. Dearborn, Dearborn and Goethe, (312)632-1241. Noon-5pm. $30-$35.

Toulouse-Lautrec and Montmarte

The Art Institute of Chicago debuts "Toulouse-Lautrec and Montmarte," focusing on the years 1888-1896, the "peak" of the artists career. The Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan, (312)443-3600. Through October 10.

SUN/17

Chinatown Summer Fair

The annual fair includes a lion procession, live music and, of course, vendors from the neighborhood's restaurants. 2200 S. Wentworth, (312)225-6198. 10am-8pm. Free.

WED/20

Chicago SummerDance Festival

With DJ Mark Grant and DJ Oscar McMillan. Grant Park, Spirit of Music Garden, 601 S. Michigan, (312)742-4007. 6pm-9pm. Free.

Artworks Chicago on Chicago

State to Rush, (312)642-4907. 8am-6pm. Also Thurs-Fri July 21-22.

Theater on the Lake

"Big Time" takes a trip to the dark side of Corporate America in the late eighties and its ruthless realities through one of its players. Theater on the Lake, Lake Michigan and Fullerton, (312)742-7994. 7:30pm. Also Thurs-Sat July 21-23, 7:30pm and Sun July 24, 6:30pm. $17.50.

THU/21

Arts and Crafts Expressions

Artists display their work and techniques in photography, painting and sculpture. 1 S. Canal, Canal and Madison, (312)751-2500. 8am-6pm. Also July 22. Free.

Chicago SummerDance Festival

Grant Park, Spirit of Music Garden, 601 S. Michigan, (312)742-4007. Also July 22-24. Free.

FRI/22

Jammin at the Zoo

Blues Traveler. Lincoln Park Zoo, 2200 N. Cannon, (312)742-2000. 7pm. $8-$20.

SAT/23

Evanston Arts and Crafts Show

Our neighbors up north provide an arts and crafts fair. 1603 Orrington Plaza, Evanston, (312)642-4907. 8am-6pm. Also July 24.

Mayor's Cup Youth Soccer Challenge

The annual kids' tournament features live entertainment and activities for children of all ages. Montrose Harbor, Lincoln Park, (312)744-3315. 9am-6:30pm. Also Sun July 24. Free.

Sheffield Garden Walk

From noon to sundown, check out over 100 gardens in the Sheffield hood. 2200 N. Sheffield at Webster, (773)929-9255. Noon-9:30pm. Also July 24. $6 donation suggested.

Fourth Annual Summer on Southport

Live music and food vendors hit Southport once again. 3800 N. Southport, Southport, Byron and Waveland, (773)665-4682. 10am-10pm. Also Sun July 24, 10am-9pm. $5 donation benefits the Southport Neighbors Association.

The Silver Room's 3rd Annual Block Party

DJs, bands, food and vendors help introduce the new Silver Room space. Wicker Park, Evergreen and N. Milwaukee. (773) 772-2527. All day until 10pm.

WED/27

Chicago SummerDance Festival

With DJ Superpitcher and DJ Mazi. Grant Park, Spirit of Music Garden, 601 S. Michigan, (312)742-4007. 6pm-9pm. Free.

Artworks Chicago on the Plaza Of Americas

420 North Michigan, (312)642-4907. 8am-6pm. Also Thurs-Sun July 28-31.

Theater on the Lake

An evening of short plays, songs and film from Barrel of Monkeys with its "That's Weird Grandma" production, written by Chicago Public Schools' youngsters. Theater on the Lake, Lake Michigan and Fullerton, (312)742-7994. 7:30pm. Also Thur-Sat July 28-30, 7:30pm and Sun July 31, 6:30pm. $17.50.

THU/28

Artworks Chicago on Federal Plaza

Adams and Dearborn, (312)642-4907. 8am-6pm.

Newberry Annual Book Fair

Chicago's book repository holds its annual book show and sale. 60 W. Walton, (312)255-3510. Noon-8pm. Also Fri July 29, Noon-8pm and Sat-Sun July 30-31, 10am-6pm. Free.

Chicago SummerDance Festival

Grant Park, Spirit of Music Garden, 601 S. Michigan, (312)742-4007. Also July 30-31. Free.

Fiesta Del Sol

The annual sun party offers food and drink, plus activities for adults and children alike. 1400 W. Cermak, Between Throop and Morgan, (312)666-2663. 5pm-10pm. Also Fri-Sat July 29-30, 11am-11pm and Sun July 31, 11am-10pm. Free.

FRI/29

Newberry Library Bughouse Square Debates

In conjunction with the book sale, Washington Square Park hosts a weekend of arguments. Washington Square Park, 901 N. Clark, (312)255-3510. 6pm-8pm. Also Sat July 30, 1pm-5pm. Free.

SAT/30

Taste of Lincoln Avenue

Music by Buckwheat and Zydeco. Lincoln Avenue, between Fullerton and Wrightwood, (773)868-3010. Noon-8pm. Also Sun July 31 with music by Xavier Rudd. Free.

Venetian Night

One more year for the ooh's and aah's to be sent across the lake for the big fireworks and the bigger boats. Lake Michigan at Monroe Harbor, (312)744-3370. 6:30pm. Free. (2005-05-25)

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