This Week In Street Fests: Irish Fest, Chinatown Summer Fair, DuSable Arts And Crafts Festival
By Samantha Abernethy in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 12, 2012 6:00PM
The Irish American Heritage Festival
The Irish American Heritage Center is holding its 27th annual celebration of Irish culture. There are more than 100 Celtic acts performing, including the Tossers, the Young Dubliners, Dublin City Ramblers, the Killdares, City of Chicago Pipe Band and plenty of Irish dancers. Expand your stomach by competing in the Mashed Potato Eating Contest on Friday night, or bare your legs for the Men in Kilts competition Saturday. And if you like men in kilts, go to the Hooley Hook-Up for singles on Friday night. Oh, and do we have to tell you there will be booze at the Irish festival?
Irish Fest is at 4626 N. Knox Ave. in Irving Park on Friday 6 p.m. to midnight, Saturday noon to midnight and Sunday noon to 11 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance, $15 at the door. Children 12 and under are free.
The DuSable Museum's 38th Annual Arts and Crafts Festival
The DuSabe Museum of African American History in Bronzeville hosts a marketplace of fine arts, crafts and food vendors. The event features a variety of music and dance performances all weekend. There's a bit of a book festival in this, too, with 21 authors sitting for book signings throughout the weekend.
The DuSable Arts and Crafts Festival is at 740 E. 56th Place on Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free.
The Summer Fair is a celebration of Chinese culture, food and music with classical Chinese dance and martial arts demonstrations. See Old and New Wolrd music acts and try a new dish of authentic Chinese food. Don't miss the Lion Dance Procession at 12:30 p.m.
The Chinatown Summer Fair is on Wentworth Avenue between Cermak Road and 24th Place on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Uptown Chamber of Commerce is hosting this meaty festival. Plus Secret Colours and Aktar Aktar, plus a slew of cover bands including 16 Candles. Hey, remember that band that was really annoying for a few years in the early 2000s, then kind of disappeared? Well, Smash Mouth is playing the festival on Saturday night.
Windy City RibFest is at Lawrence and Broadway on Friday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday noon to 9 p.m.
Jose Cuervo Pro-Beach Volleyball Series
Do you like volleyball? Or do you just like the really good looking people who play volleyball? Or maybe you just like tequila? Head over to Oak Street Beach this weekend to catch these:
Men’s and Women’s Qualifiers: Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Men’s and Women’s Main Draw: Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Men’s and Women’s Semifinals: Sunday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Men’s and Women’s Finals: Sunday 2:15 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Beach Volleyball Series is at Oak Street Beach. Bring a bathing suit.
BenFest is celebrated at St. Benedict's parish in the North Center neighborhood. The little local street fest is a friendly block party that features music, including Dot Dot Dot and Too White Crew, plus Irish step dancers. Try entering the 3-on-3 basketball tournament.
BenFest is at 2215 W Irving Park Road on Friday 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.