If you're like us, you've been planning for the weekend since, oh, Monday morning. Now we're knocking on the weekend's door and it's time to decide what to do. Of course, festival season is in full swing and we couldn't be happier, especially since it coincides with our summer warm-up (finally!). This weekend's weather looks hit-or-miss with the rain, but at least it'll be warm, so it's as good a time as ever to get outside and hit one or more of the fests. more ›

Of all the city-sponsored music festivals, few utilize as much of the city limits like the World Music Festival (check out the festival's Myspace page, also). In its nine years, World Music Fest has become a showcase event, even though it lacks the resources the city pours into Blues Fest, Jazz Fest, and Viva! Chicago. Its drawn visitors to the city from around the world, done a remarkable job in shining a much-needed spotlight on... more ›

If it hasn't been drilled into your heads yet, street festival season is kicking into high gear. This week, we'll highlight a couple to check out, as well as feature one of the more humorous press releases to reach our inbox this week. Strap it on! We'll Call Ours the "Triple Bypass": Wendy's is hosting an online contest to see who can design their next burger. Folks who log on to www.thisismyburger.com can choose from... more ›

Hope everyone enjoyed the weekend. We were so busy between scouring the Printer’s Row Book Fair and lounging at the Chicago Blues Fest that we almost forgot to pick just one book for this month, in fact, we couldn’t and had to let fate, otherwise known as the Post Office, decide. You guys had some pretty awesome suggestions and we almost thought there would be a throw down over whose author was more prestigious... more ›

The Chicago Outdoor Film Festival movies have been announced. Also, while we were on the City's crappy events site we noticed that the Chicago Jazz Fest and the Chicago Blues Fest schedules are available now, too. LA says that if they get the Olympics they'll make about $2.7 billion. Chicago isn't sayin' shit! On police brutality: Remember that case where the cops fired into a car with 11 youths in it during the 1998... more ›

Back in March, we told you that James “Piano C Red” Wheeler had been shot and paralyzed in a carjacking and how he vowed to play again. That day has arrived. Wheeler will take the stage set up at the Chicago Carriage Cab Co. (2617 S. Wabash) with his Flat Foot Boogie Band. more ›

Karen Hanson, Author of Today's Chicago Blues more ›

Procrastinating indie kids and drunken Dads throughout the city will look a little down in the mouth this weekend as both the Boy Least Likely To and Jimmy Buffet shows are sold out this weekend. Plus, the lead singer of Snow Patrol lost his voice so their show is postponed as well. But there are still plenty of good shows going on over the next couple of days. But did we miss a memo or... more ›

The Chicago Tribune’s readers nominated “Chicago blues” as their fourteenth and final nominee for the 7 Wonders of Chicago. But Chicagoist is wondering if we’ll soon speak of the blues as an ancient wonder of the city instead of a living one. more ›

Chicagoist is still kind of unsure whether this weekend's Cubs - Red Sox series should've been considered the big deal many made it out to be or not. On the one hand, two storied franchises met for the first time in a very, very long time, both have long been linked by their respective curses and one of the teams just overcame their curse to finally win the World Series. On the other hand you had two teams each with high expectations entering this season, who were each just a few games over .500 entering the weekend series. more ›

Blues Fest turned violent on Friday night when a Chicago firefighter was charged with kicking a police officer in the face during an altercation. more ›

This past week Chicagoist has been envying friends who work in air-conditioned comfort. Yes, summer’s finally here and that means: festivals! Anyone who’s been paying attention knows that Blues Fest will take over Grant Park through Sunday. But if you’re looking for something a bit more low key this weekend, check these out: The Merit School of Music comes to Pilsen’s Harrison Park this Sunday to present the Alegre StringTacular. All semester this South Loop... more ›

While Lollapalooza is casting a big shadow over the other music events this summer, you don’t need to spend $85 (or $100 or $115) to see live music in the city. Metromix has posted dates for the various fests that celebrate local neighborhoods and musical genres this summer. Lineups for the neighborhood fests have yet to be announced but the schedules for the 21st Annual Chicago Gospel Music Festival and the 22nd Annual Chicago Blues Festival are out. Plus, they’re free. more ›