26th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival
Jazz lovers unite for a weekend of primo performers, including Toshiko Akiyoshi, Peter Washington and Eddie Marshall, on the lakefront. Be sure to catch the New Kansas City 7 celebrating what would’ve been Count Basie’s 100th birthday on Friday. Find the full schedule on metromix.com. Noon-9:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Free. Grant Park, 300 S. Columbus Drive, 312-744-3370.
African Festival Of The Arts
Music, art, food, healers, live drummers–what more can you ask for in a neighborhood fest? Catch live shows from The Mighty Dells, Norman Connors and Isaac Hayes, to name just a few. More than 300 vendors will be selling art, books and food, so make sure you bring some bucks. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Monday. $10. Washington Park, 5100 S. Cottage Grove Ave. 773-955-2787.
25th Annual Taste of Polonia
Love to polka? (And really, who doesn’t?) Then skip on down to this Polish fest. Traditional dances and polka, jazz, blues and rock tunes will blast from three different stages. Nibble on pierogis and potato pancakes then scope out the arts and crafts. 5-11 p.m. Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday-Sunday; noon-10 p.m. Monday. $3-$6. Copernicus Cultural Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave. 773-777-8898.
The Last Fling
Did somebody say Hootie? Yes, the Blowfish are playing summer’s final fest. The big bash also includes a carnival, antique cars and a shot at doing your best Milli Vanilli impression at the lip sync contest. Pop by Monday for a Labor Day parade and 10,000 Maniacs. 5 -11 p.m. Friday;
10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday-Sunday;
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday. Free admission; $5-$10 for some main stage acts. Naperville Riverwalk, 100 W. Jackson Ave., Naperville, 630-768-8024.
Labor Day Celebration
Kiss your summer goodbye at Navy Pier’s three-day bash. You’ll get live music in the beer garden, street performers and the final fireworks of the season (10:15 p.m. Saturday; 9:30 p.m. Sunday). Plus, take a tour of the H.M.S. Bounty, a replica of the original 18th Century ship made famous in the 1962 film “Mutiny on the Bounty.” 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday-Monday. Free. 600 E. Grand Ave. 312-595-5300.
Bjork Showcase
Can’t stop listening to Bjork’s latest disc, “Medulla”? Luckily, you can get your Bjork on at Berlin’s showcase, featuring a night of the Icelandic star’s music, a documentary on the making of her latest CD, and more.
9 p.m.-4 a.m. Friday. $5 after 11 p.m. 954 W. Belmont Ave. 773-348-4975.
Movies in the Loft
You wanna rock? Of course you do. So get over to Bin 36’s screening of the quintessential rock mockumentary: “This is Spinal Tap.” Nibble on Highway to Hell spicy ribs and Black Sabbath blackened chicken. Yum. 6:30 p.m. Friday. $42. 339 N. Dearborn St. 312-755-9463.
Summer Wing Fest
Mild, medium or suicidal–how do you like your wings? Local food spots will be selling all flavors at this inaugural outdoor fest (from the organizers of the annual Chicago’s Best Wing Fest, held in February). Gorge while listening to tunes by Then Again and American English. Cool off with drink specials.
1-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $5. Elston Avenue and Division Street, 773-384-1040.
DJ Softball Tournament and After Party
Want to see your favorite DJ get his butt kicked in softball? DJs Mark Grant, Glenn Underground, Vince Lawrence and others will play a game while you groove to other DJs spinning at the decks. Food and drinks will, of course, be available. An after party takes place at Martini Ranch (311 W. Chicago Ave.).
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Free. New City YMCA, 1515 N. Halsted St. 312-440-7272.
The Bally Supremacy
Nothing says holiday like a bhangra bash. Catch UK’s premier Desi DJ Bally Sagoo as he whips the crowd into a fury. Dancers from Bhangra Xplosion will be on hand to show you how to shake it, and other DJs will spin Euro trance, Arabic and hip-hop. Take a break and puff on a hookah in the Magnum Lounge. 9 p.m.-4 a.m. Sunday. $20-$30. 225 W. Ontario St. 312-337-8080.
