July Music
15 Can't-Miss Shows

July Movies
July's Can't-Miss Films

JULY EVENTS

Sat/1

Country Music Festival

Glen Campbell headlines the 16th Annual Country Music Festival at the Petrillo Music Shell followed the next day by popular country music star Jo Dee Messina. Bluegrass music can also be heard throughout the day at the Illinois Lottery Taste Stage starting at noon. Grant Park, Taste of Chicago, (312)744-3315. Free. Also July 2, 11am-9pm.

Sun/2

The Bally Total Fitness Race to Taste 5k run & 2-mile walk

Before hitting the Taste of Chicago, you can participate in this race at 8:30am. All participants will receive a one-month-free membership to Bally Total Fitness. At the corner of Balbo & Columbus.

Mon/3

Independence Day Eve Fireworks

Jam-packed with sweaty Chicagoans and tourists, these fireworks are still pretty huge. The concert starts at 7:30pm and the fireworks with music by the Grant Park Orchestra begins at 9:30pm on the lakefront. (312)744-3315.

Wed/5

Theater on the Lake

"That's Weird, Grandma." Theater on the Lake, Lake Michigan and Fullerton, (312)742-7994. 7:30pm. Also July 6-9. $17.50.

Fri/7

Chicago Magnificent Mile Art Festival

More than 150 artists showcase their work with live music performances. Chicago Tribune Charities, 435 N. Michigan Ave. (815) 474-6416. 10am-6 pm. Also July 8, 10 am-6pm and July 9, 10am-5pm. Free.

Irish American Heritage Festival

Grammy-winner Nanci Griffith (Saturday) and Gaelic Storm (Sunday) headline the festival, which also features local Chicago acts and Irish crafts and jewelry. Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox. (773)282-7035. Also July 8 and 9.

St. Andrew's Greek Festival

Opa! The "New Odyssey" performs with plenty of traditional Greek food. St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church, 5649 N. Sheridan, (773)334-4515. $2, kids under 12 free.

Sat/8

Chicago Folk & Roots Festival

The ninth annual Chicago Folk & Roots Festival honors the rich musical history of Louisiana and benefits the New Orleans Musicians' Clinic. Performers include Irma Thomas & The Professionals, the James Hand Band and Robbie Fulk's Secret Country. At Welles Park, the corner of Lincoln and Montrose, (773)728-6000. Noon-9pm. Also Sunday, 12-9 pm.

Kids Zone Festival

Kids and young adults take advantage of countless activities and games. Halsted from 6700 South to 6900 South, (773)874-4901. 7am-5pm.

Lakeview Music Fest

Enjoy live music, grub from local restaurants like The Cubby Bear and John Barleycorn and sales from local stores. This benefits the Lakeview Citizens' Council. 12-10pm, Sheffield & Addison. Also Sunday, Noon-9 pm.

Rosemoor Fest

Another food and music festival. 10201 S. Martin Luther King Dr. (773).264-0783. 10-7pm.

Wrigleyville SummerFest

Featuring a variety of live music acts, including Maggie Speaks (2:30pm) and Elevation (U2 tribute, 6:30pm) and The Afrodisiacs (8:30pm). Resurrection Lutheran Church, 3309 N. Seminary Ave. Noon-10 pm, (773)525-0605.

Young Adult Youth Rally & Parade

The city's adolescents celebrate the art of being young. First Greater Bethlehem M.B. Church, 7814 S. Lowe, 12 pm, 773-873-3357.

Wed/12

PAWS Chicago Beach Party

A night of dancing, cocktails and a dinner buffet benefiting PAWS Chicago. Advance tickets $125/person and $50/pooch. Event day tickets $150/person and $50/pooch. Tickets available online at www.pawschicago.org; call (773)843-2500 for more info. North Avenue Beach Boathouse, just north of the North Avenue exit on Lakeshore Drive. 6pm-10pm.

Thu/13

NIKETOWN Bastille Day 5K Run, Walk & Block Party

Runners and walker glide through the West Loop and end with a block party with music, beer and food--all while benefiting the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. Starts at Jackson and Racine, 7:30pm.

Fri/14

BenFest

St. Benedict presents three days of music, food, crafts and carnival rides to raise money for its schools. At 2215 W. Irving Park Road, 6pm-11pm. Also July 15, 2pm-11pm and July 16, 1pm-9pm.

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

We're still not sure if this is really the world's largest block party, but it's still a lot of fun. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. 5pm-10:30pm. Also July 15 5pm-10:30pm. www.worldslargestblockparty.com.

Sat/15

Ethnic Arts Festival

More than 125 national artists showcase their artwork spanning more than 80 cultures--alongside music, family art activities and food in Evanston's Dawes Park, 1700 Sheridan Road. Noon-7 pm. Also July 16, noon-7 pm. Free. (847)448.8058.

Gay Games VII Chicago Opening Ceremony

Actors, musicians, dancers and other artists will gather with the participants to kick off the 2006 Gay Games. A 500-member chorus from people all around the globe will also be present. Soldier Field, doors open at 6pm, ceremony starts at 8pm. The games continue through July 22, with athletes competing at both Soldier Field and Wrigley Field. Visit www.gaygameschicago.org for more information.

The Morton Arboretum Summer Concert Series

Music, while you're outdoors and surrounded by amazing nature in suburban Lisle. Children's concert at 11am; twilight concert at 6:30pm at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53. Also July 16.

North Shore Arts Festival

Browse a myriad of fine art forms, including photography, jewelry, paintings and pottery, from more than 250 national and international artists. At Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center, Old Orchard Rd. and Lawler Ave. in Skokie. (847) 674-7070. Also July 16. Free.

Sun/ 16

Chinatown Summer Fair

Features a taste of Chinatown along with music, an arts and crafts exhibit and Asian cultural entertainment. At Wenworth Ave. from Cermak Road to 24th Place, (312)225-0303. 10am-8pm.

Columbian Parade

Celebrate your Columbian pride. 2400 N. Milwaukee, Noon.

Dearborn Garden Walk and Heritage Festival

Stroll through more than twenty private gardens in the Gold Coast neighborhood. 1300 N. Dearborn Street at Goethe, (312) 632-1241. Noon-5pm. $30-$35.

L.A.T.E. Ride 2006

Bike twenty-two miles in the middle of the night through Chicago's neighborhoods, from Greek Town to the North Side. Benefits Friends of the Parks. Midnight, $35-$40. (312)857-2757.

Tue/18

Chicago Outdoor Film Festival

The 7th Annual Chicago Outdoor Film Festival runs through August 29. This year's festival begins and ends with rebel characters: first with James Dean playing the brooding Jim Stark in "Rebel Without a Cause"; and ending with Matthew Broderick charming us all as Ferris Bueller in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (Aug. 29). Also showing: "Bringing Up Baby" (July 25); "High Noon" (Aug. 1); "American Graffiti" (Aug. 8); "The Apartment" (Aug. 15); and "On the Waterfront" (Aug. 22). All films begin at sunset. Grant Park, Butler Field, Lake Shore Drive at Monroe, Free.

Thu/20

Annual Arts and Crafts Expressions

Various artists display their work. Canal and Clinton. (312)751-2500; 8am-6pm. Free.

Sat/22

Disability Pride Parade

This parade is aimed at changing how people think about "disability." Plymouth Court and Van Buren to Dearborn, north on Dearborn to Washington, post-parade program at Daley Plaza. (312)253.7000 ext. 195. 11am.

Dragon Boat Race for Literacy

This race--where boaters compete, with their ships decorated as dragons-- is celebrated by Chinese throughout the world. Ping Tom Park, 300 W. 19th Street. 9am-6pm.

Mayor's Cup Youth Soccer Tournament

One of the largest youth soccer tournaments in the U.S., the 13th Annual Mayor's Cup Youth Soccer Tournament takes place in Lincoln Park at Montrose Harbor. 9 am-6pm. Also July 23 9am-6:30pm. (312)744-3370.

Sheffield Garden Walk & Festival

Visit more than 100 gardens in the Sheffield neighborhood followed by live entertainment. 2200 N. Sheffield at Webster. Also July 23.

Wicker Park Summerfest

Featuring live music, local cuisine and arts and crafts. 1600 N. Damen, (773)384-2672. Noon-10pm. Also July 23.

Thu/27

22nd Annual Newberry Book Fair

Gaze around stacks and stacks and stacks of more than 100,000 donated books, many priced under $2. Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton, (312)255-3510. 12-8pm. Also July 28, 12-8pm and July 29-30, 10-6pm. Free.

Fiesta Del Sol

A large alcohol and tobacco-free block party that celebrates one of Chicago's most vibrant Latino communities, Pilsen. Cermak, between Loomis and Morgan. Also July 28-30. (312)666-2663, ext. 222.

Fri/28

Jammin' at the Zoo

Featuring Collective Soul. At the Lincoln Park Zoo; Gates at 6pm; music at 7pm.

Sat/29

Altgeld Gardens Community Gospel Festival

Gospel music, complete with family events, food and speakers. Carver Park Chicago, 939 E. 132nd Street, (312)861-8990. 8pm.

Bash on Wabash

Featuring all-ages live entertainment, local cuisine and art for sale. 1300 S. Wabash, (773)665-4682. Noon-10pm. Also July 30, 11am-9pm.

Beach Soccer Tournament

The Illinois State Soccer Association and Chicago Soccer co-present the 2nd Annual Beach Soccer Tournament; 8:00am-6:00pm at Montrose Avenue Beach. Also July 30 8am-6pm. (773)283-2800.

Newberry Library Bughouse Square Debates

Relive the glory of old public debates with an open mic, music and poetry in Washington Square Park, (312)255-3510, 11am-6pm. Free.

Taste of Lincoln Avenue

See a six-block neighborhood festival with food and entertainment, stretching on North Lincoln Avenue between Fullerton & Wrightwood. Noon-10pm. Also July 30, Noon-10pm. Free.

Venetian Night

More than forty boats take sail on Lake Michigan for the 49th annual Venetian night. Lake Michigan at Monroe Harbor, (312) 744-3315; 8:30 pm. Free.

CLICK HERE FOR AUGUST!
Music, movies and fests for summer's swan song

(2006-05-24)

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