September 3 : 12 p.m. -- 3 p.m. at Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.
September 3 : 4 p.m. -- 9:30 p.m. at Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St.
September 4 : 11 a.m. -- 9:30 p.m. at Grant Park
September 5 : 11 a.m. -- 9:30 p.m. at Grant Park
Price: Free
Event Phone Number: 312-744-3315
Neighborhood: Grant Park Museums
Grant Park
500 S. Columbus Drive
Chicago, IL 60605
The city’s longest-running lakefront music fest, now in its 32nd year, features local, national and international musicians on several stages.
The seventh annual Labor Day fest features roasted corn and signature fare from area restaurants, beer and wine vendors, live music and DJs on two stages, a corn bags tournament, arts and crafts, and kids’ activities.
At South Belmont Harbor (Belmont at Lake Shore Drive)
Thursday & Friday 6PM-10PM: $25
Saturday & Sunday 1PM-10PM: $15-$25
Monday 1PM-6PM: $15
KIDS UNDER 10 For $10, KIDS UNDER 3 For FREE!
A Spectacle Festival of Performance, Live Music, and Art
CELEBRATING ORDINARY JOES AND AVERAGE JANES OF ALL AGES
In the spirit of Labor Day’s celebration of workers and their families, Redmoon launches its FIRST FESTIVAL of quality family entertainment, public art installation, quirky small scale performances and live music acts all culminating in a REDMOON SPECTACLE PRODUCTION. During the daytime you can: Journey through the world renowned LUMINARIUM PRESENTED BY THE UK’S ARCHITECTS OF AIR; Enjoy children’s entertainment including world-class storytelling and music; experience UNIQUE SIDE SHOW ACTS such as Ricky (the world famous lounge performer); encounter roaming GUERILLA PERFORMERS AND BUSKERS; relax in the ‘living room’ and picnic in the lakeshore location. Stay for the evening and add the following to the above: revel in a live musical act each night presented by our festival partners THE METRO; the thrilling 2 dimensional – LAST OF MY SPECIES II: The Perilous Songs of Bibi Merhdad (an exciting sequel to last year’s massive hit)!
Since 1979, the Copernicus Foundation has sponsored the annual “TASTE OF POLONIA” outdoor festival – the largest Polish festival in the City. The “TASTE OF POLONIA” offers a wide variety of live entertainment on 5 stages, food vendors serving the best of Polish cuisine, games of skill and chance, performances by ethnic dancers and musical groups, original arts and crafts, handiwork, imported items, as well as exhibits familiarizing festival goers with many aspects of Polish customs, culture, traditions and language. Many languages are heard on the grounds because “Taste” has become one of the most popular ethnic fests in Chicago, drawing crowds well over 30,000 during its four day span.
Dine on pierogi, Polish sausage, sauerkraut, kabobs, pizza, hot dogs and beer at the 31st annual cultural celebration of Polish traditions, where Polish and American bands play everything from rock to blues to polka music on five stages. Also features costumed folk dancers, a Sunday mass, arts and crafts and kids’ activities. Billed as the “largest Polish fest in Chicago,” the outdoor event takes place on the grounds of the cultural center. Entertainment schedule…
Neighborhood: Bucktown/Wicker Park
2238 N. Oakley Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
The 25th annual celebration of art features paintings, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, furniture and photography from 195 local and national artists, plus live music, theater, film screenings curated by the Chicago Short Film Brigade, dance and spoken word performances on stages throughout the fest, plus a food court and a beer and sangria tent.
JoMarie Dugan found herself struggling with what kind of fundraiser she could create to support the Prairie Players Theatre Academy, an educational entertaining group in central Illinois. Then one night, she dreamt about a renaissance festival. With literally $1.39 in her pocket, she proceeded to create what would become the Illinois Renaissance Festival.
Dugan, the director of the Illinois Renaissance Festival, or IRF, has been putting the festivals together since 2003 and attributes her inspiration to her love of history and theater.
“I do not get paid for this. I have not been paid since 1997,” Dugan said. “My pleasure is to see the performances and see everyone have a good time.”
Every year, a portion of their revenue is donated to a different charity, and this year’s IRF donations are being given to Habitat for Humanity. Kittye Williams, assistant director of IRF, emphasized the purpose of IRF as a fundraiser that “brings to life 16th century England wherein patrons can step back in time to forget their cares, worries and stresses, and remember what it is like to laugh and enjoy life.”
A lot of entertainment will be provided, which includes weapon demonstrations, a gypsy encampment with belly dancers and fire eaters, village carriage rides and “war horse” rides.
The festival also offers a “King Henry’s Parliamentary Political Smoker” event in which local politicians will compete in several games. Vendors at the festival will be selling various items such as food, jewelry and pottery, and there will be music entertainment including singers and minstrels playing music.
Dugan also said that there will be a Viking demonstration and Shakespeare comedy group, as well as a children’s area with kid-friendly games and food.
The main entertainment of the festival, however, is Rodney Woodworth’s portrayal of King Henry VIII. The festival itself is intended to resemble a country village during King Henry VIII’s reign.
Dugan said that it is the interaction of the entertainers with the visitors which sets this Renaissance festival apart from others, especially Woodworth’s approachability with patrons.
“I’ve been to festivals where the entertainers have their noses up in the air and don’t talk to anyone,” Dugan said. “King Henry was loved by the common man and Rodney portrays that well. You ought to see him with the children. It’s wonderful, and you don’t see that type of interacting in a lot of places.”
Its all that jazz -- and so much more this weekend in downtown Woodstock for the third annual Woodstock Jazz Festival.
Starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 27, the Woodstock Square will be filled with the smooth sounds and rolling rhythms of 11 different area jazz groups from around northwest Illinois. The groups will be performing over the course of the entire weekend at different local restaurants and cafes.
With the legendary Friendly Confines casting its shadow, the 9th annual Lake View Music Fest returns to Wrigleyville for its 9th year on Sheffield Avenue (on the east side of the iconic ballpark!)
Among local tribute acts set to perform are Too White Crew (hip hop), Infinity (classic rock), 7th Heaven (rock/pop) and Modern Day Romeos (party band). Also performing are local indie rockers The Insecurities. There will also be food and arts & crafts vendors.
CHICAGO SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL ON MILLENNIUM PARK’S CHASE PROMENADE SOUTH, AUGUST 23 – 27, 2010
CHICAGO, IL (August, 2010) – This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Chicago Sister Cities International Program and in celebration, the 5th Annual Chicago Sister Cities International Festival will be held on Millennium Park’s Chase Promenade South on August 23 – 27, 2010 from 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily. With all 28 of Chicago’s international sister cities represented, this festival truly represents the diversity and international spirit that exists in the city.
