SUN/1
The Bally Total Fitness Race to Taste 5k Run & 2-Mile Walk
Here's your opportunity to work off the massive amounts of food you've already consumed at the Taste of Chicago. All participants receive an event T-shirt, one-month free membership to Bally Total Fitness and one strip of Taste food tickets. Corner of Balbo & Columbus, (312)744-3315. 8:30am. Registration fee, $25.

WED/4
African/Caribbean International Festival of Life
Celebrate African/Caribbean culture with food, drink and entertainment. Washington Park, 55th and S. Cottage Grove, (312)427-0266. 10am-10pm, through July 8.

Theatre on the Lake
"Gorey Stories: A Musical Entertainment: Blindfaith Theatre." Theatre on the Lake, Fullerton and Lake Michigan, (312)742-7994. Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 6:30pm. Through July 8. $17.50.


SAT/7
St. Andrew's Greek Festival
Delicious Greek food and music are highlights of this festival, as well as carnival rides, a raffle and performances from The Olympian Dance Troupe. St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church, 5649 N. Sheridan Rd, (773)334-4515. 2pm-11pm. Also July 8, Noon-11pm.

Lakeview Music Fest
A whole day of music, food and drinks in the north side neighborhood from restaurants and bars like Goose Island, John Barleycorn and Cubbie Bear. Barry and Ashland, (773)880-5822. Noon-10pm.

Wrigleyville SummerFest
Music, food and family fun, which includes a petting zoo, pony rides and a moonwalk. Too White Crew, Elevation and Swing Crew are among the musical guests. Seminary Avenue between Roscoe and School Streets. 10am-10pm. $5 donation benefits Resurrection Lutheran Church.

WED/11

PAWS Chicago Beach Party
A night of dancing with your best friend on North Avenue Beach with food and cocktails. North Avenue Beach Boathouse, (773)843-2500. 6pm-10pm. Advance tickets are $125/person, $50/pooch, day of purchases are $150/person, $50/pooch.

Sunset Cinema
An alternative to the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival--more cult films and left-of-center cinema. Visit www.sunsetscreenings.com for details. Lake Shore and Waveland. $7-$10.

Theatre on the Lake
"Roustabout: The Great Circus Train Wreck: The Neo-Futurists." Theatre on the Lake, Fullerton and Lake Michigan, (312)742-7994. Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 6:30pm. Through July 15. $17.50.


THU/12
NIKETOWN Bastille Day 5 Run, Walk & Block Party
This urban west loop run empties into a block party with food, beer and music. Jackson and Aberdeen, www.chicagoevents.com. 7:30pm-10pm. $25 registration fee.

FRI/13
BenFest
With live music from Mr. Blotto and Vertigo, plus food, drink and family entertainment. St. Benedict Parish, 2215 W. Irving Park, (773)588-6484. 6pm-midnight. Also July 14, 3pm-midnight. $5-$15.

Chicago Tribune Magnificent Mile Art Festival
Magnificent Mile shoppers can have a slightly different shopping experience this weekend. This art festival showcases a wide variety of artist work both in price range and medium. Pioneer Court at the Chicago Tribune Tower, (954)472-3755. July 13-14, 10am-6pm. Also July 15 10am-5pm. Free.

Irish American Heritage Festival
This annual festival is dedicated to preserving Irish culture in Chicago. Food, crafts, music and dance performances all weekend, with acts such as Gaelic Storm, Black 47 and The Makem and Spain Brothers. 6pm-Noon, also July 14 noon-midnight and July 15 noon-11pm. Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave. (773)282-7035. $12 per day, $8 in advance.

SAT/14
Chicago Folk & Roots Festival
The Old Town School of Folk music celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this year, and the tenth anniversary of the Folk & Roots Festival. Music is clearly the focus of this weekend event, with performances on both days. Other highlights include a dance tent, where attendees can take one-hour lessons from square dance to hip-hop. Welles Park, Lincoln and Montrose, (773)728-6000. Noon-9:30pm. Also July 15.

K.I.D.S. Zone Festival
Fun activities and entertainment for the whole family. Hosted by the Southside Community Outreach Coalition. South Halsted from 6700-6900, (773)874-4901. 7am-6pm.

North Shore Arts Festival
Browse through the work of 250 award-winning national and international artists. Westfield Shoppingtown Old Orchard, Old Orchard Road & Lawler Avenue, Skokie, (847)673-0240. 10am-6pm. Also July 15.

Mayor's Cup Youth Soccer Tournament
This annual five-on-five youth soccer tournament is open to participants ages 5-14 and pulls in 400 or so teams each year. Other activities include food and music for families. In Lincoln Park at Montrose Harbor, (312)744-3315. 9am-6pm. Also July 15.

SUN/15
Chinatown Summer Fair
Celebrate Asian culture in Chicago with arts and crafts, local restaurants, entertainment, neighborhood vendors and, at 12:30pm, a lion dance procession. Wentworth from Cermak to 24th Place, (312)225-6198. 10am-8pm. Free.

Dearborn Garden Walk and Heritage Festival
Browse through twenty beautiful private gardens and try to hold your jealousy inside. Jazz performances and architectural tours will be present at select gardens. Corner of Goethe and Dearborn (1300 North), (312)632-1241. Noon-5pm. Advance tickets, $30, at the door, $35.

L.A.T.E. Ride
Join 10,000 other bikers in the dark for a twenty-five-mile bike ride through Chicago's neighborhoods until sunrise. Benefits Friends of the Parks. Buckingham Fountain, lateride@hotmail.com. Riders take off in groups between 1:30am and 2:15am. $40-$75.

TUE/17
Chicago Outdoor Film Festival
This year the festival pays homage to Barbara Stanwyck and the late Peter Boyle. Grab your soccer-mom chair and join hundreds of others on the lawn tonight for the first flick--"Young Frankenstein." Also showing this summer: "Double Indemnity" (July 24), "Written on the Wind" (July 31), "The Awful Truth" (August 2), "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" (August 14), "Sweet Smell of Success" (August 21), "The Sound of Music" (August 28). Grant Park in Butler Field, Lake Shore Drive and Monroe, (312)744-3315. Evenings at sunset. Free.

18/WED
Theatre on the Lake
"Side Show: Bohemian Theatre Ensemble." Theatre on the Lake, Fullerton and Lake Michigan, (312)742-7994. Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 6:30pm. Through July 25. $17.50.

FRI/20
Old St. Pat's World's Largest Block Party
Old St. Pat's church is the oldest public building in Chicago--that calls for a huge party. Proceeds from the event will benefit Old St. Pat's ongoing expansion. Madison and Des Plaines, (312)648-1021. 5pm-10:30pm. $35 in advance or $40 at the door. Also July 21.

SAT/21
Ethnic Arts Festival
Dozens and dozens of different cultures are represented at this artist showcase in Evanston. Diverse music and food are other attractions to look forward to. Dawes Park, Sheridan Road at Church, Evanston, (847)448-8260. Noon-7pm. Also July 22. Free.

Disability Pride Parade
This is a celebration of the diversity that disabilities create within humanity, and to promote visibility and break down internalized shame about living with a disability. Parade begins at South Plymouth Court and West Van Buren and ends at Daley Plaza, askus@disabilityprideparade.org. 11am.

Dragon Boat Race for Literacy
Participates paddle for in dragon boats race to raise money for literacy programming and promotion of culture and diversity in local schools and public libraries. Ping Tom Park, 300 W. 19th, (312)326-5320. 8:30am-4pm.

Sheffield Garden Walk
Stroll through more than a hundred gardens in the Lincoln Park neighborhood and enjoy live music and food. Then, stop by the Master Gardner Booth to find out how to make your garden as worthy as the ones you just saw. In front of St. Vincent de Paul Church, 1010 W. Webster, (773)929-9255. Noon-5:30pm. $6 donation, $10 after 5pm. Also July 22.

Beach Soccer Tournament
Join the Illinois State Soccer Association for the third year of this tournament. Montrose Avenue Beach, (773)283-2800. 8pm-6pm. Also July 22.

WED/25
"Side by Side by Sondheim: Theo Ubique Theatre." Theatre on the Lake, Fullerton and Lake Michigan, (312)742-7994. Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 6:30pm. Through July 29. $17.50.

THU/26
Annual Arts and Crafts Expressions
Artists show their craft in a variety of different techniques. Canal and Madison, (312)751-2500. 8am-6pm. Also July 27. Free.

Newberry Library Book Fair
Feeling like your bookshelf in the living room doesn't make you look as smart as it should? Browse through more than 100,000 donated books and restock your personal library, most books are priced under $2. Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton, (312)255-3510. Noon-8pm. Also July 27 and July 29-30 from 10am-6pm. Free.

Fiesta Del Sol
Fiesta del Sol is one of the largest alcohol- and tobacco-free festivals with food and music and family fun. On Cermak between Loomis and Morgan, (312)666-2663 ext. 222. 5pm-10pm. Also July 27-28, 11am-11pm and July 29, 11am-10pm.

FRI/27
Jammin' at the Zoo
Featuring Toad the Wet Sprocket. Lincoln Park Zoo, 2200 N. Cannon. Gates open at 6pm, music starts 7pm. Children $8-$12, Adults $18-$25.


SAT/28
Wicker Park Summerfest
Music and food at one of the most popular street festivals of the summer, with music, food and, yes, booze. Damen from Schiller to North,(773)384-2672. 11:30am-10pm. $5 donation. Also July 29.

Newberry Library Bughouse Square Debates
Bring your heckler self to this oratory competition that revives exciting historical debates once held in Washington Park. Washington Square Park, (312)255-3700. Noon-4pm.

Taste of Lincoln Avenue
Features live music and food from Lincoln Avenue and surrounding restaurants as well as a kid's carnival and lots of beer. Presented by the Wrightwood Neighbors Association. On Lincoln between Wrightwood and Fullerton. Noon until dusk. Also July 29.

Venetian Night
In its fiftieth year, more than thirty boats decorated with vibrant lights sail along Lake Michigan between the Shedd Aquarium at Roosevelt Road and the Chicago Yacht Club at Monroe Street, (312)744-3315. 8:30pm.

July Music
15 Can't-Miss Shows

July Movies
July's Can't-Miss Films

CLICK HERE FOR AUGUST!
More music, movies and fests for the end of summer (2007-05-22)

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