At the Newberry Librarys 24th annual Book Fair, you can browse through more than 100,000 books in 60 categories, most of which cost $2 or less. (July 24-27)
In honor of Jimmy Buffets concerts at Toyota Park (July 24, 26), Lizzy McNeills Irish Pub is holding a Luau on the Chicago River. This Hawaiian-themed barbecue will be held outside the bar and includes live music, games, beer samples, and a cruise raffle. Food and drink sales benefit the Special Olympics and Misericordia. (July 25-27)
You can compete in a Neil Diamond look-alike contest at the Neil Diamond Extravaganza, hosted by Mahoneys Pub & Grille, for a chance to win concert tickets. Camp out with other fans all night long, then wake up to brunch before heading to the concert at the United Center. (July 25)
The fifth annualWicker Park Fest features live indie music, local cuisine, and more than 70 arts and crafts vendors. (July 26-27)
Covering six blocks, the 25th annual Taste of Lincoln Avenue features more than 40 music acts on five stages, a wine garden, and plenty of food, beer, and arts and crafts. (July 26-27)
More than 30 illuminated and decorated boats will participate in the 51st annual Venetian Night, which attracts more than half a million spectators every year. Watch along the lakefront anywhere between Roosevelt Road and Monroe Drive. (Get there early.) (July 26)
The Disability Pride Parade celebrates the strength of people with disabilities and their families. It begins at Plymouth Court and Van Buren Street and ends at Daley Plaza. Post-parade festivities include speakers, performers, and live music. (July 26)
Sample more than 1200 cheeses at the Festival of Cheese in the Hilton Chicago. The event includes a marketplace with food, wines, and beers to complement the tasting. (July 26)
Professional cyclists compete in the inaugural Chicago Criterium. This race consists of several laps on a closed circuit loop that is approximately 1.1 miles (1.8 km) in length. Spectators can watch on jumbotrons in the park or from several route locations including the start/finish line at Buckingham Fountain. (course map PDF) (July 27)
Weve all probably been more budget-conscious than usual, but sometimes it feels good to splurge a bit. If you want to get around town in luxury, here are some of the most extravagant ways of traveling around Chicago.
At Bentley Gold Coast, you can find some of the best cars in the world, ranging in price from $100,000 to over $1 million. Stop in (just south of Intermix), and check out items like the 2008 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster with 631 HP and a V-12 mid engine or the 2008 Bentley Azure, a twin-turbo V-8 that churns out 450 HP and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph (97 kph) in just over 6 seconds.
If you want to ride in style for just one evening, check out Exotic Coach in Villa Park. This Exotic Limousine provider is the largest in the Chicagoland area and features over 20 specialty vehicles with an array of amenities. Your limo can include multiple flat-screen televisions, illuminated ceilings, marble bars, touch screen controls, DVD/CD players, surround sound, disco balls, and/or chrome wheels, all for you and 10-20 of your closest friends.
If flying is more your speed and youre tired of the headaches at the airport, maybe you should look into getting your own private jet. At Midway Airport, over 60 private jets fly in every day. One of those private jet companies is Citation Shares, which sells both whole aircrafts and fractional shares. Fractional owners dont need to worry about management concerns and (after giving 8 hours notice) are guaranteed a trip to anywhere in the 48 contiguous states. Planes are well-equipped and can be fully catered upon request. You can easily show up only 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time, say hello to the pilot, and next thing you know, youre off to your destination.
Even when going for low-tech transportation, you can still be a high roller. With over 10,000 bicycles in stock, Village Cycle Center (half a block south of Wildflowers) is the nations largest bike shop. You can pick up a decent two-wheeler for $200 or a high-end cycle for over $7,000. The 08 Trek Equinox TTX 9.9 SSL is constructed from pro-level carbon, resulting in incredible lightness, stiffness, and ride quality. And while its suggested retail price is over $8200, you can currently find it at the Village Cycle Center for a sale price of $7500.
And remember, if you ever find yourself riding in style, be sure to swing by and pick me up.
“Yesterday, while we were at the club, that new popular song came on…” “What song?” “You know… the one by that singer that everyone likes now.” “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” “Sure you do. You’d know it if you heard it.” “Okay, so let’s hear it.” “Uh…”
Whether youre satisfying a random Cat Power craving or wanting to reminisce with some classic Janet Jackson, Songza provides your musical needs for free.
Created by Chicagoans Aza Raskin and Scott Robbin, Songza is a free Internet jukebox with over 28 million songs, from studio recordings to live performances, from classic originals to rare covers. You can search by title or artist, and youll receive a list of 50 options that match your request. Play your pick immediately, or build a playlist that you can save and come back to. While the song is playing, you can rate the recording, visit the artists webpage, switch to the music video (via YouTube), get information on how to purchase the track, and even share it with friends via e-mail, HTML, or Twitter.
Again, all this is for free. You dont have to register or purchase anything if you dont want to. All the licenses have been paid for, and the artists are paid (by Songza) in proportion to the number of times their songs are played. Its like your own customizable radio.
Now you can listen to all the Chicago blues, Chicago house, or just plain Chicago that you want.
And for all things music, dont forget to check out b5medias very own Music channel.
Those who love meat and plenty of it would do well to visit Tango Sur in Lakeview. This Argentine steak spot is a local favorite due to its quiet ambience and sensible prices.
The small area can be a bit crowded but cozy, as servers in white T-shirts cover the two rooms. The front room provides a visually-clean area with little dcor to distract from the big flavors. In the back, the vibe is a bit warmer and more romantic with exposed-brick walls and wood accents. During warmer months, seating is available outside which may offer a touch more personal space.
Feel free to bring your own bottle of wine (no corkage fee!) and a big appetite. Begin the evening with appetizers like empanadas (turnovers with beef, chicken, ham with cheese, or spinach with cheese), prosciutto served with hearts of palm, or the specialty matambre (veal rolled and cooked with vegetables, served cold). As you can guess, beef is the star at Tango Sur, and the restaurant is filled with the aromas of various cuts of meat. From boneless strip steak to sirloin to a half slab of range-grown flap meat, all the dishes are well-seasoned and are usually served with potatoes (wedges or mashed) and a salad. For a special treat, order a parrillada (for one or for two), a selection of different meats served on a table-top grill.
There are also a number of chicken and veal dishes, like the pechuga de pollo (grilled chicken breast) and milanesa de ternera (breaded and seasoned veal). And while this is a steakhouse, vegetarians arent completely ignoredthe berenjena is oven-baked eggplant layered with spinach, three cheeses, and a tomato cream sauce.
Romantic and full of sizzling heat, its no coincidence that this restaurant is named after Argentinas sultry dance, the tango.
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The Disability Pride Parade celebrates the strength of people with 
At Bentley Gold Coast, you can find some of the best cars in the world, ranging in price from $100,000 to over $1 million. Stop in (just south of 
If flying is more your speed and youre tired of the headaches at the airport, maybe you should look into getting your own private jet. At 
Whether youre satisfying a random 
The small area can be a bit crowded but cozy, as servers in white T-shirts cover the two rooms. The front room provides a visually-clean area with little dcor to distract from the big flavors. In the back, the vibe is a bit warmer and more romantic with exposed-brick walls and wood accents. During warmer months, seating is available outside which may offer a touch more personal space.
There are also a number of chicken and veal dishes, like the pechuga de pollo (grilled chicken breast) and milanesa de ternera (breaded and seasoned veal). And while this is a steakhouse, vegetarians arent completely ignoredthe berenjena is oven-baked eggplant layered with spinach, three cheeses, and a tomato cream sauce.