This Week in Street Fests

By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 2, 2011 9:30PM

If Jazz Fest isn't your thing this weekend, head down to Hyde Park and hit the African Festival of the Arts, which kicked off earlier today. Founded by Patrick Woodtor and hosted each year by Africa International House, Inc., the festival, now in its 22nd year, is celebration of arts and culture from across the African Diaspora. The Festival is the largest neighborhood festival in Chicago, and the largest of its kind in the U.S. The musical entertainment for the festival is among the best of any of the city's festivals. This year's lineup includes India.Arie, Bootsy Collins, Nigerian songbird Kefee. (Washington Park, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. today through Monday)

Over in suburban Melrose Park, Taste of Melrose Park celebrates that town's Italian American heritage. For food lovers, this is one of the best local food events of the summer. Check out the video below, courtesy of Sky Full of Bacon's Michael Gebert. (Today through Sunday)

Sky Full of Bacon 16: Night of the Sfingi from Michael Gebert on Vimeo.

Over in Jefferson Park, Taste of Polonia takes over the Copernicus Center (5216 W. Lawrence Ave.). Over 30,000 people attend this four-day festival to dance polkas, eat pierogis and drink Okocim.

Ravenswood Remix is Chicago's newest art event. This festival provides a platform for artists who think outside the margins and want a place to display and sell their handmade goods by creating art from recycled materials. There are also workshops on eco-friendly and sustainable living and a decent music lineup. (4100 N. Ravenswood, Noon-10 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday)