Your Weekend Festival Round-Up

By Marcus Gilmer in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 20, 2008 5:11PM

As of today, we are in full Summer Mode, kids. No, really: it's the summer solstice, which occurs this evening at 6:59 p.m. Huzzah! We're right in the thick of festival season and sweet Blago on a stick, there are a lot of 'em. Chuck covered some earlier in the Friday Buffet (we're super stoked for Joe M500's trade-in at Tour de Fat and the Drive By Truckers at Taste of Randolph), so here's the best of the rest.

Grant Park Music Festival
Performances kicked off Wednesday, and occur every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday (with a few exceptions) through August 16. Tonight's performance features the Grant Park Orchestra with vocalist Maria Del Mar Bonet. Saturday features the Grant Park Orchestra performing pieces by Wagner and Mozart, among others. Carlos Kalmar conducts both nights.
Millennium Park's Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Friday: 6:30 p.m., Saturday: 7:30 p.m., Free

Chicago SummerDance Festival
We undermined your five excuses to prove you should go already. So go already! This weekend's schedule:

• Friday : 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. East coast swing with Tommye Giacchino and Gregory Day; music by Swing Nouveau
  
• Saturday: 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Salsa with Latin Rhythms; music by Orquesta La Crema
  
• Sunday : 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. Single-, double- and triple-time swing with Kathy Brown; music by Alan Gresik Swing Swing Shift Orchestra

Humboldt Park Arts Festival
Dozens of local artists show off their work at the indoor/outdoor event. There's also a photography contest and music from bands like Agents of Change, Dead Roses, and Pickpockets.
Humboldt Park, Saturday: 12 p.m. - 8 p.m., free

Chicago Summerfest
Lincoln Parkers throw their annual party with food, beer, and music from bands like Elevation, Too White Crew, and Maggie Speaks.
Clark St. & Armitage Ave., Saturday: 12 p.m. - 10 p.m., Sunday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., $5

Taste of Greece on Lasalle Street
For the 32nd year, the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral hosts this festival, featuring plenty of excellent Greek food and music by the John Linardakis Band.
1017 N. LaSalle St., Friday & Saturday: 4 p.m. - 11 p.m., Sunday: 12 p.m. - 11 p.m., $2

River North SummerFest
Erie Park comes alive with the usual assortment of activities (food, drink, music) but this fest also features guided kayak tours, a farmers market, and pet activities. Participating restaurants include Kitsch'n, Rockit, and Melting Pot.
Eire Park (Erie and Larrabee Streets), Sunday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., $5 suggested donation

St. Josaphat Summerfest
This Lincoln Park fest benefits St. Josaphat Church and features, among the usual assortment of drinks and food, performances by bands like Elevation (damn, how many fests do they play?) and Hello Dave, plus many family-friendly activities.
2311 N. Southport Ave., Friday: 6 p.m. - 10 p.m., Saturday: 12 p.m. - 10 p.m., Sunday: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., $5 - $10

Close Up 2 Smooth Jazz Festival
The popular downtown smooth jazz club throws its second annual bash, featuring plenty of smooth jazz music, including Stanley Jordan and Carlos Cannon.
State & Van Buren, Friday through Sunday, 12 p.m. - 10 p.m., $5

Photo courtesy of PhotoAbuse