Riot Fest Through Sunday, various theaters, prices vary ($70 for a three-day pass to Congress Theater)
Several rockin' shows (not to mention a bowling tourney) are spread out across five venues (Congress Theater, Metro, Subterranean, Double Door, Cobra Lounge) during this fifth-annual fest. We're talking mosh-inducing rock and punk including Chicago's own Screeching Weasel, NOFX, Alkaline Trio, Naked Raygun and more. Oi!
Svengoolie will be among the spooky stars at this weekend's Ghost Conference.(photo via myspace.com/svengoolie26)
Chicago Ghost Conference 5-11 p.m. Friday and 8:30 p.m.-midnight Saturday; Portage Theater; $50 for a two-day pass
Join paranormal experts and speakers for this annual event about all things otherworldly. This year's speakers include Lorraine Warren from A&E's "Paranormal State" and Jeff Belanger, paranormal author and creator of Ghostvillage.com, who join members of paranormal groups from around the country to educate, inform, network, share ideas and entertain others that are fascinated with the supernatural. If that's not enough, Chicago legend Svengoolie makes an appearance on Friday night.
Have you often thought about biking to work, but remain intimidated by the thought of maneuvering through the busy city streets? We don't blame you. But this weekend's New Belgium Urban Assault Ride might give you some added confidence.
The bike scavenger hunt sends two-person teams biking around the city to complete a range of tasks. We're talking bike jousting, human wheelbarrow, that sort of thing. The first team to complete all the stations wins two limited-edition cruiser bikes - perfect for riding to work. No more excuses!
It's $120/team, and kids 7 and up are welcome. See urbanassaultride.com for details.
The NFL season doesn’t start for another week. But if you’re already sick of football, take advantage of the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago “Getaway from the Gridiron Package,” available starting Sept. 13 (Bears opener) through Super Bowl Sunday. The $175 package includes a 55-minute massage, a spa lunch (read: no beer or brats), a pool/fitness club passport and a free make-up application session at Bloomingdale’s.
Might as well relax a bit. It’s gonna be a loooong season.
Bicycle Film Festival Through Sunday in various venues, $10 per screening, $25 for a festival pass
Bike, movie and art enthusiasts come together for this five-day show throughout the city. Some of the highlights (full schedule here) include Thursday's Joyride Art Show (6 p.m. at the MCA Warehouse), Friday's Fun Bike Shorts (9 p.m. at Columbia College) and Saturday's afterparty at the Empty Bottle with DJs Matt ROAN and E-Six (9 p.m., free with movie admission).
Runners rock past the Alamo during 2008's Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Antonio.
It's rare to see a runner without a pair of headphones these days. But you'll see plenty of empty ears during next weekend's Rock 'n' Roll Half-Marathon, because the course will be full of musical entertainment, from the starting line village at Columbus & Congress to the waterfront bikepath near 31st avenue. Local acts include Jeff Manga, Boho Paisley, Thinner Teed and more.
Even if you're not running (the August 2 event is sold out), this event offers a chance to see musicians awake well before their usual rousing time (the first set begins at 6:30 a.m. in Grant Park). And of course, you can cheer on all the people who are participating, including two-time 5,000-meter champion Kara Goucher, who will have cameras on her throughout the entire race. Make sure to stick around for the post-race concert at 10:30 a.m. in Grant Park, headlined by blues vet Susan Tedeschi.
For more information on the schedule and live entertainment, visit the race website.
Ok, biking enthusiasts. It's time to turn off the TV coverage of the Tour de France and get out to see a real live race in Chicago. This Sunday marks the second installment of the Chicago Criterium, a free all-day event in Grant Park. Described as "NASCAR on bikes," the criterium races will take place on a 1.1-mile closed-circuit loop (start/finish line is at Buckingham Fountain) featuring tight 90-degree turns and fast-paced straight-aways. Who needs the Alps, anyway?
Check out the website for more details; racing begins at 7 a.m. on Sunday.
It's summer, and your kids have been driving you up the wall with their constant need to be entertained. You think you've exhausted all the possibilities -- but have you tried exhausting them? This Saturday, July 25, marks the second of four days of Mayor Daley's Summer Track Program, which takes place at locations across the city (subsequent events will be held on August 1 and August 16).
Approximately 30 city wards will field teams of kids ages 9-14 for a variety of track events, including dashes, relays and long jumps. The program will feature a city-wide championship at the end, as well as several appearances by Olympic gold medalists Bob Beamon and Gail Devers. Check out World Sport Chicago (be prepared for lots of 2016 logos) for all the details.
Chicago Folk & Roots Festival Saturday-Sunday at Welles Park; $8
The Old Town School of Folk Music's eclectic annual fest may fly a bit under the radar of many Chicagoans, but to know it is to love it (especially if you've got kids in tow). Don't be fooled by the name, as you'll find a whole lot more than just folk music here; this year's eclectic lineup includes throwback soul (Austin's Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears), Mediterranean electro (France's Watcha Clan) and what we'll describe as Indian-inspired club sounds (Karsh Kale, from New York).
Ok, it's still unclear whether Chicago's going to get the Olympics in the summer of 2016. It's even more unclear whether it would be a good thing if we did. But one thing is clear: there will be an Olympic Day on June 23, and it will include a Bono impersonator.
The city plans to celebrate the 115th anniversary of the modern Olympic games with a four-hour party on North Avenue Beach, including multiple competitions and demonstrations (soccer, wheelchair basketball, kayaking, archery and more) and live entertainment from the Freddy Jones Band and U2 cover band Elevation.
There will also be two three-mile "fun runs" (one starting at Irving Park and the Lake Shore Path and heading south, and one at Balbo and the Lake Shore Path and heading north) starting at 6 p.m. and ending at the beach, plus a youth run at 10 a.m. Sign up to run here, or just head out for some fun in the sand on Tuesday.
Are you the type to try and "work off" all the calories you consume with a brisk bike ride? Say hello to your new best friends, Dimitra Tasiouras and Sharon Bautista. The two recently founded Fork and the Road, a series of biking-and-eating tours that brings together two of the great pleasures of Chicago summers.
The girls kick things off with an International BBQ tour this Sunday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Beginning at Pause Cafe in Edgewater, the 14.5-mile ride will run the gamut from traditional American-style 'cue to foods from India, China and Korea. Other upcoming adventures include Local Vegetarian Chicago, Tour of Asia, Tour of Latin America and Unsung Chicago Classics.
Tours cost $50-$60 per person (you must register in advance), and include all food but not bike rental (if you need some wheels, tours start and end near rental locations).
Pre-requisits for a nice, leisurely bike ride on Saturday evening:
Bike? Yup.
Helmet? Sure.
Water bottle? Can't hurt.
Clothes? Optional.
That's right, it's almost time for the sixth annual World Naked Bike Ride (and skate) Chicago, begins this Saturday at an undisclosed location (only those on the email list will get the details a few days before, to prevent voyeurs, and a few viewing points will be announced on the Web site). Riders will come in various stages of undress, bodies painted and ready to "celebrate the end of oil and the beauty of people" from 9 p.m.-midnight.
If you are thinking of racing (and the organizers aren't exactly encouraging), make sure to read the FAQ beforehand. And don't you dare bring a camera.
FESTIVAL SHOPPING
The Randolph Street Market Festival, home of the Chicago Antique and Indie Designer markets, returns this weekend for monthly stints. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday this weekend and then the last weekend of each month through September. Admission to the market, bounded by Washington, Ada, Randolph and Ogden, is $10 for both days, $5 for students; children age 12 and younger are free. Featured will be live music, food vendors and shopping. Regular trolleys run from Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan. Call (312) 666-1200.
No doubt you've been looking forward to the positively summer-like weather we're getting today and tomorrow. But it's been so long since we've seen the thermometer go this high, you might not remember quite how to take advantage. Here are some ideas:
Eat/drink outside. Hit a beer garden, plop down on a patio, rock a rooftop or just bring a gourmet picnic to the beach. Can't decide on one place? Join a pub crawl (there are ones for fans of both zombies and baseball). At the very least, make sure you have a cool cocktail to celebrate the season.
Catch a ball game. The Sox are playing the division-leading Blue Jays all weekend, and the Cell should be rockin' (as will all the Sox bars in town). If you can't afford the ticket price, consider one of the many minor league ballparks in the area.
Do some spring cleaning. If you want the world to give you more days like this, you'd better be good to it. In honor of Earth Day, many of Chicago's parks are sponsoring clean-ups this weekend. Yeah, your apartment could probably use one, too.
Take a walk. We hear Pilsen's a nice 'hood for a stroll. For greener scenery, the Botanic Garden will take you through McDonald Woods tomorrow afternoon. Or just head down a street in your area...you never know what you might find.
Ride a bike. If you have a need for a little more speed, break out the two-wheeler for a tour of the city (or a trip to Dark Lord Day). It can be guided (Bike Chicago and Bobby's Bike Hike are good choices) or not, tandem or solo--just make sure you wear a helmet.
Take a tour. Wendella just started up its river cruises, and the boats are sure to be packed this weekend with architecture buffs, wine enthusiasts and, um, sunset-lovers. Other options include the city's green landmarks, the popular neighborhood tours and, yes, the infamous Segway experience.
Plan ahead for festival season. The summer's gonna be full of weekends like this, and you want to be prepared. Scour the calendar and choose your favorites now.
It's finally warm enough today to take a stroll, for pleasure or for exercise. Or for business, for that matter — we walk to work. Chicago's a great walking city, eh? In fact, we just ranked No. 5 on this nice-but-useless list!
The economy, the weather, your significant other, taxes, cholesterol, bad waiters, late buses, Glenn Beck...the list of things that can cause stress is pretty much endless. Which is why Exhale Spa is offering a free stress-relief series on Mondays in April, featuring guided meditation. The practice has been shown to lower blood pressure, boost the immune system and generally chill you out. Just ask Sting.
The half-hour sessions begin on April 6 at 6 p.m. (and run each subsequent week); reserve a spot by calling the spa at (312) 753-6500.
If you're really looking to get relaxed, Exhale is also offering a 20-minute express acupuncture session for $20. That's definitely a good deal, though we wonder if you really want someone rushing to stick needles in you.
Looking to bring out your board or bike this weekend? In case you didn't hear yet, the long-awaited Logan Boulevard Skate Park, the city's first covered skate park (2430 W. Logan), opened on Wednesday. It's sure to be crowded with eager skaters, bikers and spectators.
If new things don't impress you much, you can always hit up one of the city's other skate spots, like Wilson (700 W. Wilson) and Burnham (3400 S. Lake Shore).
It’s Friday, and you’re probably exhausted. But that’s no reason not to jump-start your weekend. Here are 3 Things to do tonight that will up your energy.
Yoga and ecstasy 1. Dave Romanelli, Yeah Dave's Guide to Livin' the Moment, leads a class in vinyasa yoga at Exhale Spa, 945 N. State. It’s set to music ranging from Jerry Garcia to Frank Sinatra, with a focus on simple pleasures. Admission is $35 and includes a post-class wine and Vosges chocolate tasting. It starts at 6:30 p.m.; call (312) 753-6500.
Music, man
2. Sun-Times columnist Rick Telander and his rock band, the Del Crustaceans, headline the “Next Year Day” Cubs fans party at Harry Caray's Tavern Wrigleyville, 3551 N. Sheffield Ave. There’s live music by Lonnie Brooks, too, plus a rousing midnight singing of "Go Cubs Go." The party starts at 8 p.m., and admission is $10. Call (773) 327-7800.
Guitarist Toronzo Cannon steals a few moments with his daughter, Gayun Ta Cannon, of Bridgeport.(Sun-Times file)
Blues with an edge
3. Chicago guitarist Toronzo Cannon adds a dash of funk to the blues with the Cannonball Express, who are playing the Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem in Berwyn. The show starts at 9:30 p.m., and admission is $6. Call (708) 484-3610.
HEY! YOU GOT THREE BETTER ONES?
Tell us your three favorite things for Friday night!
With the Spring Equinox upon us, the Our Town staff shares three things we love about springtime in Chicago.
1. Return to the lakefront: When the boats are back in Belmont Harbor, you know it's time to kick your butt into gear and start enjoying the lakefront again. Whether jogging, rollerblading, biking or bouncing, hot bodies are always a welcome return to the lakefront each spring. Which reminds us -- this could be an ideal time to whip yourself into shape. We suggest any number of area boot camps to jump-start your path to rock-hard abs.
2. Grant Park: The last time Chicagoans converged in Grant Park en masse was to celebrate the election of our 44th president. With spring, we return to Grant Park for reasons somewhat less grandiose, but noble nonetheless: softball. Dig those dusty cleats out of the closet, get the gang back together and register for a league through Chicago Sport and Social Club or Players Sports Group
3. Sightseeing boats: Sure, we roll our eyes whenever out-of-town guests suggest them, but we're always pleasantly surprised at how engaging the architecture, history and skyline boat tours can be. Shoreline Sightseeing tours have already begun. Wendella boats hit the river with architecture tours, wine tasting tours and water taxis April 3.
What did we miss? In the comments section below, tell us what you love about spring in Chicago.
This year's installment of the legendary Chicago Golden Gloves boxing tournament (past champions include Joe Louis and Cassius Clay) kicks of with preliminary rounds on Thursday at the St. Andrews Gym, 1658 W. Addison. We're not usually big fans of boxing, but the event's special twist got us interested.
Sun-Times News Group staffers Brad Engel (sports editor at the Naperville Sun) and Shenequa Golding (a reporter at the Southtown Star) have been training for the tourney since January. Only Golding's actually gonna fight (Engel doesn't want to be the next Glass Joe, apparently), but we're told it's a good time no matter who's in the ring. So check the schedule and head over to Lakeview; with $10 admission and $4 beers, it'll be cheaper (and more entertaining) than watching sloppy fighting outside McFadden's at 2 a.m.
