Robert Darrow, @properties

Archive for the ‘Festivals’ Category

Ben Fest

Two days of family fun including great bands, food from local vendors, activities for the kids and a chance to win some great prizes. Great performances on the main stage by acts such as How Far to Austin, Send in the Clones, Eric Howell’s Greatest Hitch, Infintity, Open to Suggestion, the Jesse White Tumblers and Dance Connection. Catch teen and kid favorites such as the School of Rock and Mary Macoroni.

BenFest is at Saint Ben’s Church – 2155 W. Irving Park Rd.  www.benfest.com

Old Saint Pat’s Block Party

Old St. Pat’s Church, Chicago’s oldest public building and a treasured historic landmark, is the host of the 26th annual World’s Largest Block Party. This event is a party for a good cause. Proceeds support the mission and outreach activities of Old St. Pat’s including the Education Center, the Outreach Group, Horizons For Youth, Career Transitions Center of Chicago and Global Alliance for Africa.

www.worldslargestblockparty.com/ 

Logan Square Boulevard Bash

Bands, food and drink vendors and artists set up camp in Logan Square for this inaugural neighborhood fest.

Logan Boulevard and Milwaukee Avenue

July 9 : 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
July 10 : 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
July 11 : 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.

/www.boulevardbash.com/ 

Chicago Folk and Roots Festival

Fun event sponsored by the Old Town School of Folk Music in Lincoln Square.  The Main Stage in Welles Park is the sonic centerpiece of Folk & Roots with a boundless supply of rhythms, grooves, and melodies to last you all weekend long. From the trance inducing desert pulse of Etran Finatawa to the slinky, psychedelic soul of The Budos Band, the Main Stage is where it’s at!

www.chicagofolkandroots.org

Rock Around the Block

Rock Around the Block eatures about thirty of the windy city’s best bands continuously performing on three unique stages and four full blocks of interactive fun! Located at one of the most highly visible intersections in Chicago on Lincoln Avenue at Belmont.

July 10 : 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
July 11 : 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.

http://starevents.com/chicago-events2/rock-around-the-block/ 

Roscoe Village Burger Fest

The savory patty will take center stage THIS WEEKEND at the inaugural Roscoe Village Burger Fest on Saturday and Sunday, July 10-11, on Belmont at Damen in the Roscoe Village neighborhood.  Sumptuous burgers, live music, arts & crafts and activities for kids will highlight the weekend. In addition, visitors will be able to vote for Chicago’s best burger. 

Burger Fest hours are Noon-10:00 p.m. both days.

http://www.chicagoevents.com/event.cfm?eid=179

Photos from Pride Sundays in the past:

Your Guide couldn’t resist popping into Midsommarfest on Sunday.  The weather was awful all weekend long with northern winds battling warm air from the south springing random thunderstorms all weekend long.  No good for boating.  But not bad for a couple hours at a festival in Andersonville.

Festival season spools into full frantic mode this weekend with something happening in every neighborhood in Chicago.  The Red Line is your friend.  Driving:  Not So Much.

Right Now: Blackhawks Championship Parade

Starting at 10:30 am on Friday, throngs of Blackhawks fans join the Stanley Cup Champions along the parade route ending in a rally at the corner of Michigan Ave. & Wacker Drive. 

The photo was taken just after sunrise around 6am, with thousands of fans crowding the location where the Blackhawks are expected to take the stage along with the Stanley Cup.

The route:  From Washington at Wacker – east to Michigan Avenue.  Then north on Michigan Ave. north to Wacker again.  All roads are closed already.  Fun, no?  The festivities are scheduled to end at Noon.  Don’t expect traffic to let up anytime before sunset in the Loop.

Sidenote: World Cup at Daley Plaza

At Daley Plaza on Washington, a celebration heralding the opening of the World Cup Soccer Championship was planned long ago.  Scheduled for the afternoon hours, this promises to add to the mêlée in the Loop today.

Cross Town Classic

Hosted at Wrigley Field this weekend (and on the South Side next weekend) the Cubs host the White Sox in the Cross Town Classic.

Friday: 1:20 game time

Saturday: 3:10 game time

Sunday: 7:00 pm game time

South Side: 26th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest

Sponsored by the Chicago Tribune, this year’s Lit Fest affirms the Trib’s commitment to the written word in all its forms.  The fest is in full swing on Saturday and Sunday, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm along Dearborn between Congress and Polk. 

Authors perform readings for adults and children.  Cooking demonstrations on stage.  Poetry workshops in the Hotel Blake.  Plus the rows of book sellers selling new and used books of every genre.

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/printers-row/printers-row-lit-fest.html 

Downtown: Chicago Blues Festival

The Chicago Blues Festival is the largest free blues festival in the world and remains the largest of Chicago’s Music Festivals. During three days on five stages, more than 640,000 blues fans prove that Chicago is the "Blues Capital of the World." Past performers include Bonnie Raitt, Ray Charles, B.B. King, the late Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy and the late Koko Taylor.  

Blues Fest kicks off in Grant Park on Friday at 11:30 am.

Saturday from 11:30 am to 10:00 pm

Sunday from 11:30 am to 10:00 pm

www.chicagobluesfestival.org/

Near North: Old Town Art Fair & Wells Street Art Festival

Wells Street Art Festival take place in Old Town along Wells Street between Division and North Avenues.  And the Old Town Art Fair offers exhibits and activities on some of Old Town’s side streets just off Wells Street running west, and north of North Ave and along N. Lincoln.

The Wells Street Art Festival is recognized as one of Chicago’s most prestigious art fairs, attracting exhibitors and prospective buyers from all over the nation. The show features a wide variety of fine art – everything from glass and ceramics, to pencil drawings and oil paintings – plus a silent auction and children’s area. Musicians performing along Wells Street will make you forget you’re at an outdoor festival!

The Old Town Art Fair – pretty much the same.  Your Guide does not know why these events are not simply combined into one large event as for all practical purposes, event goers treat both as the same.

Friday from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm.

Far North: Andersonville Midsommarfest

Midsommarfest is Andersonville’s annual summer street festival, now entering its 45th year. Each year, nearly 50,000 people throng Clark Street from Foster to Catalpa for two days of music, dancing, kids’ entertainment, and delicious food. Vendors from around the region sell their wares to passers-by, while ethnic dance troupes and cutting-edge bands keep the party going.

Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm.

It’s been a long winter for Chicagoans, and finally the season of weekend festivals is upon us.  There are only 18 weekends in Chicago Official Summer – the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day.  And Chicagoans want to make the most of every single one of them. 

Chicago’s Memorial Day Parade

The annual Chicago Memorial Day Parade honors veterans, active duty military personnel, and those who have given their lives in service of their country. It draws about 10,000 spectators every year and is considered one of the largest parades of its kind in the country.

http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/events/mose/memorial_day_parade.html

Lakeview’s Woogms Parade

Following the huge turnout and success of its last parade, the Wellington-Oakdale Old Glory Marching Society (WOOGMS) continues the celebration with its 40th annual Labor Day Parade on Monday, Sept. 1. Chicago’s oldest do-it-yourself parade group steps off from the corner of Pine Grove Ave. and Wellington St. at 11 a.m. All are invited to join this favorite neighborhood event that attracts patriotic participants of all ages. Enthusiastic marchers will uphold the WOOGMS motto: Everybody marches, nobody (just) watches.

http://www.insideonline.com/site/epage/12214_162.htm 

IML and Bear Pride Weekend

You might think that this event caters to a rather – ahem – specific clientele.  But this year’s IML (International Mr. Leather) event will draw a few thousand visitors from 80 countries worldwide.  The event actually fills the entire Hyatt Regency downtown!  A full weekend of events includes a leather market, circuit parties and bar crawls on the north-side.

In conjunction with IMRL, this weekend also hosts Bear Pride 16 at the Crown Plaza-Metro hotel at 733 W. Madison, with a full weekend of events starting Friday evening.

From Time Out Chicago:

The only thing sweeter than honey is this 16th annual tribute to the furry and fabulous. BP16 offers a full weekend of grub-’n'-growls, BEAR-B-Ques, dance parties and more. Many events are by registration only, so bust on down to the Crowne Plaza to get in on the action

See www.bearpride.org for a full schedule.

Chicago’s Memorials

Let’s not forget to pay our respects this weekend.  Some of Chicago’s best Memorials are also its best kept secrets.  Check these out and take a picnic.  You’ll be glad you did.

Graceland Cemetery in Lakeview

Stop by and pay your respects to some of the founding fathers of the City of Chicago, great patrons of the arts, and other notable Chicagoans.

Many of the cemetery’s tombs are of great architectural or artistic interest, including the Getty Tomb, the Martin Ryerson mausoleum (both designed by architect Louis Sullivan, who is also buried here), and the Schoenhofen Pyramid Mausoleum. The industrialist George Pullman was buried at night, in a lead-lined coffin within an elaborately reinforced steel-and-concrete vault, to prevent his body from being exhumed and desecrated by labor activists.

Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Plaza

This memorial to fallen heroes from the Viet Nam War can be found along the north bank of the Chicago River between State Street and Wabash.

The memorial features the names of more than 2,900 Illinois servicemen killed or missing in action in the Vietnam War; an engraved timeline of significant battles, operations and world events during the Vietnam War years; a waterwall and fountain; and informational plaques.

Stock Yards Firefighter Memorial

Located on the South Side at the entrance to the old Stock Yards at Exchange & Peoria is where you’ll find the Stock Yards Firefighter Memorial.

On December 22, 1910 a fire occurred at the Chicago Stock Yards which killed 21 Chicago Firefighters. A memorial was held on Monday, December 22, 2008 to commemorate these fallen Firefighters. Chicago Fire Department personnel, Assistant Deputy Fire Commissioner José Santiago, Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2 President Thomas Ryan and Alderman James Balcer saluted the members of the Chicago Fire Department, and laid a wreath at the site in memory of all who have died in the line of duty.

Of course, the big event this weekend is the @properties Softball & Volleyball Tournament & Picnic!

I’d like to state the obvious, again, that we work for the coolest Real Estate Company in the known universe.  Sharp eyed spotters can seek out their favorite Real Estate Agents in skimpy outfits TODAY, Friday, in the late afternoon and evening at the UIC softball fields near Maxwell and Halsted.  The event is closed to the public, so I’m not publishing the exact address.  But if you just happen to stroll by…

Softball Highlights:

GAME 1 – 4:30pm: “B@d @pples” vs. “I’d Hit That”

GAME 2 – 5:30pm: “Where My Pitches @?” vs. “Bank Owned”

GAME 3 – 6:30pm: “The Shockers” vs. “Golden Showers”

Volleyball Highlights:

GAME 1 – 4:30pm: “PB&K Ballers” vs. “Don’t Dink and Dive”

GAME 2 – 5:15pm: “Kiss My Pass!” vs. “Let Me Hit Th@!”

GAME 3 – 6:00pm: “Sandy Ball Breakers” vs. “Dig This!”

GAME 4 – 6:45pm: “Over One Million Served” vs. “Spiking the Competition”

Bags, Bocce Ball and Horseshoes all evening long.  As Your Guide fancies himself as more of an “Athletic Supporter” you will undoubtedly find me brown nosing, and hanging out by the coolers.

Just in case you were thinking of driving anywhere near the lake this weekend, you might need a reminder of…

The Chicago Air and Water Show

Chicago Air & Water Show info here.

The 51st annual event, billed as the oldest and largest free show of its kind in the country, annually draws two million spectators to the lakefront. This year, the air and water portions have been combined into one continuous show.

Air show highlights: The AeroShell Aerobatic Team, the Golden Knights parachute team, the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter plane, the Firebirds, the Lima Lima Flight Team, Sean Tucker and Team Oracle and more.

Not to be left out…

• Edison Park Fest up in Edison Park – 6700 N Oldmsted
• North Side Summerfest in Lincoln Square – Lincoln up at Cuyler
• Ribs ‘n’ Soul – First annual gathering for Ribs and Soul Music in the Fulton Market, 1500 W. Randolph.
• Green Music Fest – in Wicker Park, 1330 W. Chicago.
• Armenian Fest in Little Armenia – 6700 West Diversey

Hey, there’s only four official weekends left in Chicago.  Get out there and enjoy the weekend. 

We usually post our guide to weekend diversions on Friday, but we received word on two fun things to do around Chicago during the week this week, and both are for mid-week events.  For your enjoyment:

Chicago Outdoor Film Festival

On Tuesday, July 21, at Butler Field in Grant Park, we’re breaking a record.

Join us for that evening’s presentation of the Marx Brothers classic “Duck Soup” and we’ll give you a Groucho nose and glasses as we attempt to enter the Guinness Book of World Records for “the most people wearing Groucho Marx glasses.”

Be sure to sign in to receive your glasses. We must wear them for a total of 10 minutes and pose for video and photo, at approximately 8:15pm.

Bring your friends, bring your family and join us and our partners, The Goodman Theatre, for this unique experience. It’s history in the making and you don’t even need to say the secret word!

For this season’s complete line up of films and more information on the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival, visit www.ChicagoOutdoorFilmFestival.us

Raffle to throw out the first pitch at September Crosstown Classic

In honor of Valspar’s new partnership with the Cubs, you can bid on a chance to throw the first pitch at Wrigley Field when the Cubs take on city rivals the Chicago White Sox on 9/3.

Valspar is also collecting donations for Habitat for Humanity and will match the amount collected. All of the information you need is located at:

 http://www.valspar.com/fieldcolors/.

Learn more about the new Cubs color palette inspired by Wrigley Field and enter for a chance to win the first pitch sweepstakes.

It’s the third weekend in Chicago, although the weather certainly doesn’t feel like June, although I hear a warmup is in the cards for today (Friday) but the chill returns on Saturday.  Here’s a rundown of the big fests for the weekend – and these are two of my faves!

2009 Chicago Gospel Music Festival

Come downtown and enjoy gospel music in the beautiful Pritzger Pavillion on the north end of Millenium Park on June 6th and 7th. Parking nearby and easy to get to by public transportation. Music and entertainment starts at noon each day and ends at 9:30PM.

Highlights include the Acme Missionary Baptist Church Choir- winner of the Verizon Wireless’ How Sweet The Sound competition and best church choir in America.  The Choir performs Saturday at 4:30.

The Printers Row Lit Fest

In Printers Row – along Dearborn from Harrison down to Polk Street, this annual event attracts book lovers from around the world. 

This outdoor festival offers the opportunity to hear authors speak and debate their works. It also features unique booksellers, poetry readings, exhibitors, kids activities, cooking demos, wine tastings, and much more.

Hours are from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on June 6-7.

And of course, @properties is a proud sponsor of the Printers Row Lit Fest this year!

30 Queer Plays in 60 Straight Minutes

http://chicago.timeout.com/events/fringe-storefront/284707/4036452/30-queer-plays-in-60-straight-minutes

Saturday at 8:00 pm. 5153 N Ashland.

Special Pride Month edition of the The Neos Futurists’ Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind is comprised of the best queer and gender-themed plays from the past year. Unlike the regular TML, reservations are accepted (and recommended).

In an unfortunate irony of timing, the Mayor’s Office of Special Events hastily put together a winter carnival in Grant Park celebrating all things Snow.  There are snow sculptures, a snow maze and lots of snowy things to play with.

Sounds perfect for a deep Chicago deep freeze, no?

Of course, this week began with temperatures in the low 60 degree range, and have consistently remained above freezing all week.

No worries, though.  The deep freeze returns next week.  Just as Snow Days winds down.

The 12th annual salute to Celtic music, dance and traditions features live entertainment, beer, food, arts and crafts vendors and more.

The fest takes place in Grant Park, and offers Free Admission on Saturday and Sunday.

Come see a great lineup of music and dancing.

The 3rd Annual Men in Kilts Leg Contest, going down at 4:50 p.m. on Saturday (brave lads can enter from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Media Tent at Columbus and Jackson).

New this year on Butler Field is the Blarney Stop Beer Tent where you can enjoy bagpipers and view the Scottish Heavy Athletics Competition taking place both days from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. For a slower tempo, check out sheepherding at noon and 2 p.m. There’s also a bagpipe parade at noon and 3 p.m. daily, plus a Wee Ones area all weekend long.

www.celticfestchicago.us