Summer In The Windy City

Its finally here! The sun is out, the snow has stopped (crossing fingers), and the weather is behaving to some extent. Let the festivals begin! There is so much going on in our beautiful city. Some events I'm looking forward to:

Blues Fest: I haven't been to this in years. I'd love to go again this Summer. There's nothing like Chicago in the Summer, good food, good music and city life.

Chalk Festival 2008 in Oz Park: Looks like a fun activity for kids, but it interests me more because of the art therapy side of the event. I recently started using pastels when practicing my artwork at home so I'm eager to see the work of these artists. I also just learned a little about art therapy, so this is a double interest for me. For a similar festival check out Artists of the Wall in Rogers Park.

SummerDance Festival: 8 Weeks of Dancing! Everything from polka, country, Argentine tango and zydeco, swing, salsa and afrobeat to reggae, funk and klezmer, all on one huge dance floor.

Grant Park Outdoor Film Festival: I've always wanted to do this! Enjoy the night air while taking in a movie under the stars. The opening film is an old black & white: All About Eve, followed by The Odd Couple, and Chicago classic, The Blues Brothers.

Venetian Night: Approximately 35 boats decorated with lights and props sailing along Lake Michigan, between the Shedd Aquarium and the Chicago Yacht Club. I hear its always very crowded (675,000 people) but it must be quite a show. Public transportation, biking, or walking suggested.

Naperville Ribfest: "Voted the Best Festival in the Midwest". I'm looking forward to pigging out (get it? Pig? haha) on riblets from 17 World Class Rib vendors and chilling out to the classic tunes of REO Speedwagon!

Pierogi Fest: As a child, I remember driving through a Polish neighborhood, seeing a specific Pierogi restaurant many times and wanting to go in for a taste. So my first thought was that this fest was in that area. I was wrong; its in Whiting, IN. It may be a little more of a drive but, from one Polak to another, a good Pierogi is well worth it! Especially the plum ones...mmm.

Northalsted Market Days: Famous for its vast array of unique food, arts and crafts vendors, and 3 stages of music, this Boys Town extravaganza is the largest two-day street fair in the Midwest.

There's so much more to do. I wish I could see it all but I'll have a hard enough time getting to all of the ones I listed above! Have fun Chicagoans!