Finally, our three months to soak in the sun are here. Fests to attend, music to hear, films to see...this could be your best summer yet.

Mendacity and Mayhem
Tennessee Williams goes for a dip

The Summer of Living Dangerously
A writer's remembrance

Open to the Public
Bathing-suit weather in Oak Park

All Aboard
A tour of these city streets

Slam Dunk
In the pool you go

Pool Party
A swimwear pictorial

JUNE EVENTS

FRI/1
Chicago Gospel Music Festival
The largest outdoor, free event of its kind features more than fifty performances from local and national gospel acts, including Donald Lawrence & Co., Myron Butler and Levi and Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson. Millennium Park, Michigan and Randolph, (312)744-3370. 4pm-9:30pm. Also June 2-3, 11am-9:30pm. Free.

Ravinia Festival Opening Day
The summer season of the music festival begins today. Schedule and tickets at ravinia.org.

SAT/2
Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival
Plenty of food and beer, plus live music all day, plus arts and crafts at this lively neighborhood street fair. Intersection of Belmont and Sheffield,(773)868-3010. Noon-10pm. Also June 3, Noon-9pm.

57th Street Art Fair
The oldest juried art fair in Chicago celebrates its sixtieth anniversary this year. Visit with local and national glass, jewelry, photography, painting, sculpture artists and more in the streets of Hyde Park. 57th and Kimbark, (773)493-FAIR. 11am-6pm. Also June 3 10am-5pm. Free.

Tue/5
Tuesdays on the Terrace
Enjoy outdoor dining at the MCA overlooking Lake Michigan, catered by Wolfgang Puck while listening to free live jazz performances. Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago,(312)280-2660. 5:30pm-8pm. Tuesdays through September.
June 5: Josh Berman Trio
June 12: Curtis Robinson Trio
June 19: Fred Anderson Trio
June 26: Jeff Chan's Quorum featuring Jimmy Ellis
July 10: Crosswind
July 17: Fred Lonberg-Holm Valentine Trio
July 24: Andre Earles Quartet
July 31: Diane "Lil Sax" Ellis and the Jazzy Ladies
August 7: Bill McFarland Trio
August 14: Bobby Lewis Trio
August 21: Fred Anderson Trio
August 28: Corey Wilkes Trio
September 4: Green Mill Quartet
September 11: Damian Espinosa Trio
September 18: Marlene Rosenberg Trio
September 25: Corey Wilkes Trio


WED/6
St. Bart's Carnival
Family friendly activities include carnival rides, arcade games, a raffle and live music throughout the weekend. St. Bartholomew Church, 4900 W. Addison, (773)286-7871. 6pm-10:30pm. Through June 10.

THU/7
Chicago Blues Festival
The festival this year will pay tribute to the 100th anniversary of the birth of two great blues piano players: Albert Luandrew, better known as Sunnyland Slim, and Albert Ammons. The festival will also celebrate what would be the ninety-seventh birthday of Howlin' Wolf, as well as feature performances by well known blues artists of today such as Billy Branch. Grant Park, 300 S. Columbus, (312)744-3370. 11am-9:30pm, through June 10. Free.


SAT/9
Printers Row Book Fair
Let your bookworm out at the largest free outdoor literary event in the Midwest. The fair features more than 150 new and used booksellers and more than 200 literary events including author readings and panel discussions. South Dearborn and Polk, and at Harold Washington Library Center, 10am-6pm, (312)222-3986. Also June 10, 10am-6pm. Free.

Andersonville Midsommarfest
Enjoy a weekend of international food, Swedish tradition, family-oriented activities and live music on Clark street. Foster and Clark, (773)665-4682. 11am-10pm. Also June 10.

Daddy/Daughter Dance
The Chicago Park District presents a day of food, music, prizes and dancing, tournaments and ice cream for fathers and daughters, fathers and sons and families of all kinds--all to celebrate dad. Washington Park, 5531 S. Martin Luther King, (312)742-PLAY. 1pm-4pm. $15.

Ribfest Chicago
Music, family activities, live music and meat. Fill up a plate at NorthCenter's Ribfest with some of the city's best BBQ. Damen, Lincoln and Irving Park intersection, (773)525-3609. Noon-10pm. Also June 10.

Old Town Art Fair
The Old Town Triangle Association presents 260 nationally acclaimed artists displaying their work of all different media. Live music and food will accompany the artwork in this two day festival which benefits a host of local youth groups, schools and neighborhood preservation projects. Lincoln and Wisconsin, (312)337-1938. 10am-6pm. Also June 10. $5 donation.

Wells Street Art Festival
This art festival features more than 250 artists and a variety of food from more than twenty of Old Town's best restaurants. Magicians, a silent auction and live music will contribute to the festivities. 1500 N. Wells between North and Division, (312)951-6106. 10am-10pm. Also June 10.

TUE/12
Fiestas Puertorriqueñas/Puerto Rican Parade
Celebrate Chicago's rich Puerto Rican culture at Fiestas Puerto Puertorriqueñas with food, music, dancing and more. Then on June 16, visit the Puerto Rican Parade at Grant Park. Humboldt Park, 1400 N. Sacramento, (773)292-1414. Through June 17.

WED/13
Grant Park Music Festival
Sit outside and listen to classical music greats for free at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. Additionally, on July 18 this year's series teams up with the Metro to bring a performance from The Decemberists and the Grant Park Orchestra--together. Should be indie-rock-classic-orchestral bliss. Most performances are Wednesdays and Fridays at 6:30pm, Saturdays at 7:30pm. Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park, Michigan and Randolph, (312)742-7638. Lawn seating is free. Through August 18.

Theatre on the Lake
The new season at this lakefront theater opens today with "Apparently Heaven Can't Wait...The Best of Jim Zulevic at the Second City," a celebration of the Second City alumnus who passed away last year. Shows continue with a new play each week for the next eight weeks of the summer. Theatre on the Lake, Fullerton and Lake Michigan, (312)742-7994. Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 6:30pm. Through August 12. $17.50.

THU/14
Chicago SummerDance Festival
From big band to ballroom to funk--the SummerDance festival gives everyone an opportunity to get their groove on in the form of their choice with free instruction from professional dancers. Grant Park, 601 S. Michigan and various parks throughout the city, (312)742-4007. Most sessions are Thursday through Sunday, 6pm-7pm and 7:30pm-9:30pm. Through August 26. Free.

Festa Pasta Vino
Take dad out this weekend and make Father's Day a food and wine adventure. The city's largest celebration of Italian food and culture is complete with kid's activities, music, a market and, of course, food. 2400 S. Oakley, (847)233-9966. 5pm-11pm. Also June 14-15, 5pm-11pm, June 16 Noon-11pm and June 17 Noon-9pm. Free.

FRI/15
Taste of Randolph Street
This festival highlights some of the best neighborhood restaurants in the West Loop area. Musical guests this year include Fountains of Wayne, The Walkmen and Smoking Popes. On Randolph between Peoria and Racine, (312)458-9401. 5pm-11pm. Also June 16 2pm-11pm and June 17 2pm-10pm.

SAT/16
Custer's Last Stand
Local and national artists and craftspeople showcase their work, more than thirty food vendors give the festival a tasty variety, as well as various music and theatre performances throughout the weekend. Chicago Avenue and Main Street, Evanston, (847)328-2204. 10am-9pm. Also June 17.

Puerto Rican Parade
Held on Columbus from Balbo to Monroe, 1pm (see TUE/12), (773)292-1414.

MON/18
Halsted Tastes Better
Maybe this is true, but come to the festival with an empty stomach to find out for sure. This street festival features tasty North Halsted restaurants. Aldine and Halsted. 6pm- 9pm. $25 in advance, $30 at the door.

WED/20
Theatre on the Lake
"This Is Our Youth: Pinebox Theatre and AJ Not Alan Productions." The story of two "disillusioned 1980s upper West Side kids" and reflections on relationships and expectations of youth. Theatre on the Lake, Fullerton and Lake Michigan, (312)742-7994. Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 6:30pm. Through June 24. $17.50.

THU/21
Chicago MOBfest
This three-day music-business seminar is dedicated to raising awareness, discussion and networking about the music business industry. Band showcases are held at various music venues all over the city, with the last day dedicated to panel discussions with music industry pros at the Metro. Various venues, (773)227-8777. Also June 22-23.

FRI/22
Jammin' at the Zoo
Animals like music too. Featuring Everclear. Lincoln Park Zoo, 2200 N. Cannon, (312)742-2246. Gates open at 6pm, music starts 7pm. Children $8-12, Adults $18-$25.

SAT/23
Fountain Square Arts Festival
The 28th Annual Fountain Square Arts Festival attracts art connoisseurs and collectors for the weekend to peruse more than 250 artists work. Downtown Evanston, Main St. and Chicago. 10am-9pm, Also June 24 10am-6pm.

Pride Fest
Music and food in Boystown with the Sister Sledge Show featuring Kathy Sledge and more. North Halsted, between Waveland and Grace. 11am-9pm.

The Morton Arboretum Summer Concert Series
Nature and music go so well together. Tonight kicks off the first of the concert series with performances from Lonnie Brooks and Koko Taylor. The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, (630)725-2066. 6pm. $18-$23. Also July 14, August 25-26.

SUN/24
Pride Parade
Wear all your colors for the annual Pride Parade. The parade starts at Belmont and Halsted and goes north to Broadway, then south on Broadway to Diversey and east to Cannon, (773)348-8243. Noon.

WED/27
Theatre on the Lake
"Gaudy Night: Lifeline Theatre." Theatre on the Lake, Fullerton and Lake Michigan, (312)742-7994. Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 6:30pm. Through July 1. $17.50.


FRI/29
Jeff Fest
A celebration of the Jefferson Park community with food, music and fireworks. Performers include 10,000 Maniacs, Mauds and bluesman Linsey Alexander. Jefferson Park, Higgins and Milwaukee, (773)736-6697. 5pm-10:30pm. Also June 30 1pm-11pm and July 1 1:30pm-9pm.

Taste of Chicago
More than seventy Chicago restaurants make their tasty treats available in one place for over a week, with cooking demonstrations and live music entertainment. Acts this year are set to include John Mayer, Lyfe Jennings, Kenny Rogers, Los Lonely Boys and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. On July 1 "Walk the Line" will be playing on the big screen for evening guests. Grant Park, Lakeshore Drive and Jackson, (312)744-3315. 11am-9pm. Through July 8.

SAT/30
Chicago Antique Market
This indoor/outdoor European-style antique market attracts dealers, buyers and families to hunt for treasures. The market also features the Indie Designer. 1300 Block of West Randolph in the historic Plumbers Hall Compound between Ada and Ogden, (312)951-9939. 9am-5pm, every last Saturday of the month through October. $8, children 12 and under, free.

Country Music Festival
Two days of the Taste of Chicago will be transformed into the Country Music Festival, with headliners Kenny Rogers and Sara Evans. New at the festival this year is "The Honky Tonk Hall of Fame & Rock 'N Roll Roadshow"--a collection of artifacts from Country and Rock music greats like Elvis and Johnny Cash. Grant Park, Petrillo Music Shell, Lakeshore Drive and Jackson, (312)744-3315. 11am-9:30pm. Also July 1. Free.

June Music
15 Can't-Miss Shows

June Movies
June's Can't-Miss Films

CLICK HERE FOR JULY!
More music, movies and fests for the middle month

CLICK HERE FOR AUGUST!
More music, movies and fests for the end of summer

(2007-05-22)

about Newcitychicago | about Newcity magazine | advertising | privacy policy | FAQ | employment