We've put together some picks for this year's fest you shouldn't miss. more ›

There's still no publicly-disclosed price tag--or time line-- for the restoration. With summer on the wane, and a current spell of pleasant weather, the limited use of the park has folks grumbling. more ›

Sure, a lot of us were off for the three-day weekend but there was still stuff happening in this great city of ours. Here's what you might have missed: more ›

After thinking about it, we took it upon ourselves to make it to the Saturday afternoon showcase at the Petrillo Band Shell in Grant Park. The four hours we were there featured everyone from Chicago local legend Fred Anderson (celebrating his 80th birthday) to Netherlands-based Azerbaijani Amina Figarova and her sextet, as well as the work of Curtis Mayfield, arranged by William Parker (featuring Black Power poet Amiri Baraka and drumming savant Hamid Drake); the night was closed out by the Dave Holland Big Band. more ›

The latest victims of Mayor Daley's 2009 budget? The Chicago Jazz and Blues Fests, each of which will be shortened from four to three days in an effort to save money; the number of stages at both fests will also be reduced. Those aren't the only fests being reduced: the Holiday Sports Festival is being reduced to two days and Great Chicago Places and Spaces, the Viva Latin Music Festival, Celtic Fest and the Mayor's Cup Soccer Festival will all probably be cut to one day. Megan McDonald, executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Special Events, said, “To be frank, we simply cannot continue moving forward with programs, events and festivals that cost the city of Chicago more to operate than we bring in in revenue...This relates specifically to stages, tents, service areas and contractual services rendered at each event." more ›

Whether it’s gas prices that are too high, our salaries that are too low, or our general inability to plan, for one reason or another some of us are skipping the road trip this weekend and opting for a Labor Day “staycation.” But staying home doesn’t have to mean staying in, so we've rounded up a short list of hot happenings this weekend that will keep you entertained: 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 ›

Take caution, Chicago. Summer is nearly over. We’re not entirely sure what happened to June, July or August, but with Labor Day just a few days away, we’re suddenly feeling a lot of pressure to cram a slew of summer activities into the holiday weekend. We’re planning a few days filled with an evening at the Jazz Fest, a party or two, and perhaps an impromptu trip to the lake. Although we’re a bit... 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 ›

Long before there was a League of Chicago Music Venues or a Hawk Winter Music Festival, the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs (under the guidance of program director – and fellow Lane Tech grad – Michael Orlove) was bringing together the city’s club scene via the World Music Festival. After seven years, the festival has earned a place beside both Blues and Jazz Fest as one of Chicago’s premier music showcases. WMF is also one... more ›

Labor Day weekend usually finds Chicagoist dashing on our bike between Jazz Fest and the African Festival of the Arts. So we have to pick between Charlie Hunter at Grant Park or Slick Rick at Washington Park tonight; or Jason Moran and the Bandwagon versus Rhymefest tomorrow. At both festivals we're guaranteed of some good living, whether it's a picnic with friends at Jazz Fest, or sampling the best delicacies of the African diaspora at... more ›

Chicagoist loves "free" so we were happy to hear about these three upcoming free events. more ›

Chicago's busy festival season kicks off this weekend with the Milwaukee Avenue Block Party in Wicker Park on Saturday and the Windy City Hemp Fest in Montrose Park on Saturday & Sunday. Chicagoist has tickets to the Ravinia Festival and is also looking forward to the Printers Row Book Fair, Taste of Chicago, the Outdoor Film Festival, the 21st Annual Chicago Blues Festival and the 26th Annual Chicago Jazz Fest. more ›