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.
African Festival of the Arts All day Friday-Monday, Washington Park (51st and Cottage Grove), $5-10 or $30 for a weekend pass
The 20th installment of this immensely popular South Side festival finishes with a bang as the "Godfather of Funk" himself, George Clinton, headlines on Monday. Leading up to that, check out acts like The Pharcyde and Booker T. Jones (Saturday), Ahmad Jamaal and the Soukous Stars (Sunday). There's also a kids tent and a food court with traditional African fare.
If you've ever dreamed of being in the Guinness Book of World Records, now's your chance. Tonight, the Goodman Theatre, in partnership with the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival's showing of the Marx Brothers' "Duck Soup," will attempt to set the record for "most people wearing Groucho Marx glasses" at the same time. Arrive at Butler Field in Grant Park between 6-7 p.m. and sign in near the screen to get your free glasses. In order to be considered for the book, everyone will have to wear the glasses for at least 10 minutes and pose for photos and video (around 8:15 p.m.).
...or you could just come for the movie, which begins at 8:52 p.m. (sunset).
Want to avoid the scene altogether? Try one of these area drive-in theaters.
Where the boys are Part I
Chicago Sport and Social Club celebrates 20 years with its Volleywood Beach Bash from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at North Beach, 1600 N. Lake Shore. Teams will be competing (make new friends and cheer on your favorites). Live music kicks off at noon, and MC Hammer will perform at some point. The 21-and-over party is free. More info: www.chicagosocial.com.
Where the boys are Part II Old St. Pat’s World’s Largest Block Party (Madison and Desplaines). The annual event is a bona fide “meet” market. Which is a good thing, because our dance card still isn’t full. Ben Folds rocks the mainstage at 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $40 (includes five drink tickets good for beer, wine soda or water). Ages 21 and over. Call (312) 648-1590 or visit www.worldslargestblockparty.com.
Where the boys are Part III
Offer to share both your blanket and your picnic for two at the Grant Park Music Festival in Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph). Christopher Bell conducts the Grant Park Orchestra in selections from Gilbert and Sullivan at 7:30 p.m. Free. Call (312) 742-7638.
HEY! YOU GOT THREE BETTER ONES?
Tell us your three favorite things about being single in the city!
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).
1. Life!
As in “get an active one.” There are miles of lakefront perfect for walking, blading or biking.
Of course, if you’re at the beach-slash-lakefront this weekend, you’ll be people watching. You can’t help it. Your attention will wander and then ... hey ... look at that guy!
So make a game of it ...
Click to download all four of our Beach Bingo cards ...
As you spot something in each square, mark it off. First one to make bingo wins — er, another hot dog?
2. Liberty!
As in Lady Liberty. She always said she wanted your tired, your hungry and your poor. While we aren’t sure about the tired part, the $9 Lady of Liberty salad (Bordeaux baby spinach, diced grapefruit,avocados, chopped garlic, strawberries, extra virgin olive oil and a splash of apple cider vinegar) at Martini Park (151 W Erie; 312-644-0577) will take care of the hunger and certainly won’t make you poor.
3. And the pursuit of happiness!
Which, for us, means fireworks. Like watching the ball drop in New York’s Times Square on New Year’s Eve, watching Fourth of July Fireworks at Navy Pier (600 E. Grand; 312-595-7437) is one of those things you have to do at least once in your life. Make it this year. Things kick off at 9 p.m. Saturday, but you’ll want to get there early.
1. They’re world-class
With a 1.5 million gallon capacity, 134 powerful jets and 820 lights that may well be visible from outer space (or at least a faraway really tall building), Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park does nothing in half measures and lures gawking tourists from all over creation — many of whom have never seen an episode of “Married With Children.”
2. They’re an excellent alternative to wimpy backyard sprinklers.
The Crown Fountains at Millennium Park are a tot favorite for just that reason. Glass towers that stand 50 feet tall, they sport blinking, smiling, kinda creepy human faces that intermittently gush forth cool aqua into a shallow and barefoot-friendly wading pool. Ah, summer bliss.
3. They’re much-needed settings of serenity.
Wherever the fountain is — whether it’s in the Chicago Women’s Park, 1827 S. Indiana (behind the Clarke House Museum), or the one on the southern end of Loyola University’s lake shore campus — they offer a tranquil respite from the breakneck pace that is city life.
CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND
Get a jump on the celebration of an important Mexican victory over the French on May 5, 1862, with the three-day Cinco de Mayo Festival in Douglas Park, 1401 S. Sacramento. Live music, performances, food, carnival rides and games are expected to attract as many as 250,000 people today through Sunday. Admission is free, though some attractions are not. A colorful neighborhood parade will step off from Cermak and Damen at noon Sunday. Call (773) 843-9738; www.el5demayo.org.
1. McGaw YMCA youth programs
Evanston’s “Y” has shrewdly brought together generations of kids from all corners of this diverse suburb with its youth sports leagues, swimming classes, after-school programs and its crown jewel: Camp Echo, a rural Michigan summer camp. The “Y,” at 1000 Grove St. and open since 1885, is a community hub — and often the answer to why Evanston kids all seem to know each other.
2. Buffalo Joe’s
Everyone’s got their favorite wing joint nowadays, but if you haven’t tried Joe Prudden’s at 812 Clark Street in downtown Evanston, you should stay out of the discussion. God knows it’s not the decor, the ancient video games, the prices or the crowded waiting area that brings people back again and again — it’s the ridiculously good wings and the Cheddar-covered waffle fries. Nothing bad comes off the flaming grill there, but it’s in the deep fryers and the secret Buffalo sauce where the magic happens.
3. Lighthouse Beach
Each of Evanston’s six public beaches has its own character and draw, but nothing beats the backdrop provided by the 113-foot-tall Grosse Point lighthouse guarding the suburb’s northernmost beach. Completed just north of Central Street in 1873 in the wake of the Lady Elgin disaster (some 400 died when the steamer was rammed by a schooner in the middle of the night), the lighthouse still shines today.
1. Saving a trip to the North Woods by checking out the Friday Night fish fry at Club 81 Too, 13157 Ave. M. There’s a small lake out back; keep a watchful eye and you might see the occasional deer that come visiting.
Pam Austin, a field associate with the Field Museum, holds a toad discovered at the William Powers State Recreation Area.(Sun-Times file)
2. Taking in the 580 acres of William W. Powers State Recreation Area, 12949 Ave. O. The marsh area here is full of wildlife and fauna you wouldn’t exactly expect in the city.
3. Enjoying every gut-busting bite of “Bob’s Mistake” pizza — an avalanche of sausage, garlic, fresh tomatoes, and fresh red and green peppers — at Pudgy's Pizza, 13460 S. Baltimore. Would that every “mistake” was so appetizing!
1. How, from Juneway Terrace to Loyola Avenue, by merely walking no more than a block or two east of noisy, congested Sheridan Road, there's another world of lakefront beaches and parks, big and small.
Bartender Rob Mozol pours a bottle of Wyder's Peach Cider into a glass at Red Line Tap, the bar attached to Heartland Cafe.(Bridget Montgomery/Centerstage)
2. Warm cornbread from the Heartland Cafe (7000 N. Glenwood). Ours never turns out this good. Paired with the cafe's delectable vegetarian chili ($8), it's a perfect meal year-round, but especially on cold or rainy days. The Heartland is also a great place to plug into what's going on politically and otherwise in Rogers Park and feels more like a community gathering space than a restaurant.
3.Lifeline Theatre (6912 N. Glenwood). The ensemble's motto is "big stories, up close," and whether it's inspiring children's theater like "Flight of the Dodo" that never talks down to its audience or engaging literary adaptations of mature work such as "Mariette in Ecstasy," Lifeline rarely disappoints.
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.
1. Admiring the rowers in the lagoon just south of Fullerton who make it look so easy. And serene.
2. Watching the rows of fishermen rimming the bridge off Jackson Harbor as they bait their hooks and feeling a little bit jealous it’s not you with a line in the water.
3. Knowing there’s no better ride than rolling down the Drive as the Aliotta-Haynes-Jeremiah song “Lake Shore Drive” comes on the radio.
In a move that suggests Mayor Daley is as excited about the prospect of an "Arrested Development" movie as we are, the City of Chicago is presenting a series of Mommy/Son and Daddy/Daughter dances (and ice skating, and a teen dance) in honor of Valentine's Day. These events will take place in parks across the city, and most cost no more than a few bucks. No word on whether there will be prizes for the most "sympathetic" couples.
The full list is after the jump. Head here for more info.
Spring definitely has not sprung. But after a long deep-freeze, the thermometer is forecast to kiss 50 within the next few days, maybe even this weekend. As Punxsutawney Phil just reminded us (that rat!), we’ve got at least six more weeks of winter ahead. Still, it’s all relative, and 40s sure feel like 70s after three months of frigid, and maybe we’ll actually see the lawns again (no one will be happier about this than your dog).
So — without rushing into anything (and you might keep an eye on the forecast) — if you’re looking for excuses to do something semi-outdoors, here are 25 possibilities that might help kick your seasonal affective disorder, even if you still have to bundle up a bit:
It's never easy to motivate yourself to get out and exercise during the long, cold winter. It can be even harder to get your kids to do it, especially with those darned computer games always calling their names. The Chicago Park District understands your troubles; that's why, starting this weekend, it will be offering 16 Neighborhood Sportsfest events around town. These (largely indoor) events, happening everywhere from Bessemer Park on the far South Side to Hamlin Park in Roscoe Village, include mini-tournaments with soccer, floor hockey, basketball and dodgeball, obstacle courses, fishing ponds, tumbling and more. For those kids who just can't tear themselves from electronic companions, there will also be Wii and Dance Dance Revolution games at some parks.
The schedule is after the jump. Not every activity is available at every park, so make sure to call (312-742-PLAY) or visit the Web site for full details before heading out.
So, according to our nemesis, Punxsutawney Phil, there will be six more weeks of winter. Before you fly into a SAD-induced rage, consider that this season ain't all bad. Actually, we've found six (fitting, huh?) upcoming winter-friendly happenings that'll make you forget spring even exists. Well, maybe we won't go that far.
See "Beer"
Yes, a healthy dose of suds will help get you through many a cold Chicago night (and we've especially been loving Goose Island's new Mild Winter Ale), but we're actually talking about a play here. The show, conceived by Neo-Futurists Steven Mosqueda and Sean Benjamin, is performed at the brand-new Metropolitan Brewing in Ravenswood. If you hate watery, mass-produced swill, and love barley puppets, you'll love this show. Through March 7 at Metropolitan Brewing, 5121 N. Ravenswood; 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.
ELECTRONICA SHOWCASE
Are you a former jam-fan who's found life beyond Phish? Do you think music made with only guitars and drums is soooo last century? If so, this showcase of top electronic artists is for you. Headliners the Disco Biscuits have been creating their electro-jam fusions for years, and recently have begun to add elements of hip-hop to their serious grooves. RJD2 and Prefuse 73 know a thing or two about that genre; RJ's 2002 album, "Deadringer," is considered a modern classic for beatheads, and Prefuse's glitchy soundscapes have been rapped over by MCs like local standout Diverse. Show time is 8 p.m Saturday at the Congress Theater, 2135 N. Milwaukee. Tickets, $25. Call (773) 276-1235; www.congresschicago.com.
POLITICAL HUMOR
"Flock Around Barack" and "Monster Crash" are two of the songs the musical satirists the Capitol Steps will sing to usher in the new Obama administration through Sunday at the Centre East at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. The Capitol Steps, with topical skits featuring the likes of the Supreme Court singers (pictured), was formed in 1981 when three staffers of former Sen. Charles Percy (R-Ill.) got bit by the performing bug. Tickets are $46-$48. Call (847) 673-6300; www.centreeast.org.
It's a popular annual event now at the Morton Arboretum — Husky Heroes, a "dogsled spectacular." Teams of three to six dogs pull sleds while "mushers" control the teams. Our favorite fabulously florid press release line: "The burly beauties with thick fur, yelp with delight as they run, run, run!" In addition, there are demonstrations of skijoring, in which dogs pull a person on cross country skis. Heaven knows there's enough snow.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with the demonstrations occuring several times each hour in the area near the Hedge Garden at the arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, 60532, at the I-88 and Rte 53 intersection. There are also presentations about the heroism of these dogs in Alaska, as well as the chance to meet the pups up close. Admission ranges from $5 to $11.
