If the joyful rhythms of life could be described in two words, they would be “Latin music.” The Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival in Grant Park is a great opportunity to enjoy mambo, cha-cha, merengue, salsa, Afro-Cuban and more. This year’s headliners at the Petrillo Music Shell are salsa vocalist Oscar D’Leon (8:35 p.m. Saturday) and Latin rockers El Tri (9:10 p.m. Sunday). Also take a whack at the world’s largest pinata and enter the jalapeno pepper eating contest. Free. Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Call 312-744-3370.
– Joe Pixler
SALUTING THE KERNELS
It’s the only place in the world with more corn than Henny Youngman’s joke collection. CornFest grows throughout downtown DeKalb. Many of the 150 food booths will be offering the kind of corn you can eat–and from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, the corn will be free. Other highlights include free bus tours of DeKalb, 50 carnival rides, live music and auto racing. 7 to 9:30 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; free admission. Call 815-748-CORN.
– Steve Dale
CRAFTY SHOPPERS
The Evanston and Glenbrook hospitals’ 11th annual American Craft Exposition and Sale features 138 craftspeople, including seven who participated in the first show and 23 newcomers, as well as 11 whose works are in the White House. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday; Henry Crown Sports Pavilion, Lincoln Street east of Sheridan Road; $8 or $10 for 3-day pass. Call 708-570-5096.
– Nancy Maes
MUSIC MAZE
The Old Town School of Folk Music is periodically transformed into a Children’s Music Maze, with myriad activities for kids 3-10. From 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, the theme for this event will be “Oldies.” Kids will get a chance to twist and shout, get their face painted by a ’60s-style flower child and record an “oldie” of their own to take home. 909 W. Armitage Ave.; $5. Call 312-525-7793, ext. 11.
– Nancy Maes
CREATURE FEATURES
River otters, beavers, skunks and little brown bats will appear at “All Creatures Great and Small,” noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Spring Brook Nature Center, 130 Forest Ave., Itasca. The Chicago Herpetological Society will show off some of its favorite cold-blooded friends, such as snakes and reptiles, and a beekeeper will demonstrate his skills and offer a honey tasting. Kid games include “Creek Cafe”–the object is to guess which critters live along creeks and what they eat. Admission is free. Call 708-773-5572.
– Steve Dale
THEY NEED SINGLES
If you’re addicted to David Letterman and single, have we got a party for you. Zazz Bash, in its sixth year, will take place at 6 p.m. Friday in the Grand Ballroom on Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave. The singles party fundraiser will feature a Letterman look-alike contest, buffet dinner and, naturally, “Stupid Human Tricks.” Tickets are $25. Call 312-321-3010.
– Shirley Henderson
