Erin go bratwurst!
Pull that “Kiss Me I’m Irish” T-shirt out of storage and throw it in the laundry (eau de mothball isn’t gonna get you any action); you don’t have to wait until next St. Paddy’s to celebrate Emerald Isle-inspired smooching. Chicago Gaelic Park Irish Fest 2006 kicks off Friday with five stages of continuous music from 40 groups (Tommy Makem, Black 47). Daily admission includes unlimited carnival rides; food and drink available for purchase. 3 p.m. Friday; noon Saturday-Monday. $12-$15. Chicago Gaelic Park, 6119 W. 147th St. 708-687-9323. Bonus: Catch a ride to the fest from Finley Dunne’s Tavern (3458 N. Lincoln Ave.); buses leave 5 p.m. Sunday and return at 11 p.m. $10. Info: youngirish.com/events.
Spin cycle
Whether you’ve just tossed the training wheels or you’re a real road warrior, the long weekend brings three days of cycling, with options for every endurance level. Easy: Saturday’s Friendly Neighborhoods Tour, a guided, 7-mile bike hike through North Side hamlets. 1 p.m. $15-$30. Millennium Park Bicycle Station, 239 E. Randolph St. 888-245-3929. Medium: Sunday’s Bike the Drive; choose between 15- and 30-mile courses at this early-morning eye-opener. 5:30 a.m. $5-$70. Preregistration required: bikethedrive.org. Columbus and Balbo Drives, 300 E. Balbo Drive. 312-427-3325, ext. 251. Hard: Friday’s Critical Mass, the monthly, multihour meander that careens into far corners of the city. 5:30 p.m. Free. Daley Plaza, 55 W. Randolph St. 773-710-4143.
Transit authority
Has the city’s brand-new noise ordinance–and its $1,000 fine for repeat offenders–put a damper on your back-yard barbecue? Time for Plan B: Transit’s Memorial Day Extravaganza, featuring DJs Erge, Boy Wonder, Goose and others. The bash includes an open bar from 10 to 11 p.m., which is a heckuva lot better than spending a week’s salary liquoring up your friends. 10 p.m. Saturday. $20; free with RSVP: barpresents@yahoo.com or 312-919-3761. 1431 W. Lake St. Find more long-weekend parties at metromix.com.
March of distinction
Most days, we advocate marching to the beat of your own drummer. But with more than 25,000 participants expected in the city’s Memorial Day Parade, one of the largest in the country, we say make like Johnny Cash and walk the line. The parade steps off noon Sunday from State and Lake Streets, 1 E. Lake St. Free. 312-744-3370.
‘Theque support
No work Monday means playtime Sunday. As long you’re putting your nose to the grindstone (the bump and grind-stone), do it for a good cause: Help raise funds for Katrina Victims at the Common Ground Relief Benefit. Your donation gets you two beer tickets, access to a silent auction, DJs beats and entry to the club ’til close. 6 p.m. Sunday. $20. RSVP suggested: chirelief@hotmail.com. Sonotheque, 1444 W. Chicago Ave. 312-226-7600.
Compose yourself
You’re not the only one who needs a burrito first-thing after a bender. How do you think all those great American novels went from alcohol-fueled inspiration to tidied-up prose? Even authors (especially authors) have to find ways to soak up booze. Swig while getting schooled at Drinking & Writing Volume III: To Cure a Hangover, a set of anecdotes on how writers deal with the aftereffects of alcohol. 7 p.m. Saturday. $10. Hopleaf, 5148 N. Clark St. Need more field research? Join Drinking & Writing: The Pub Crawl to Cure a Hangover, and share your own remedies to win prizes. Stops include Hopleaf, The Edgewater, T’s and more. 2 p.m. Monday. No cover; RSVP required: drinkingandwriting.com. Fireside Restaurant, 5739 N. Ravenswood Ave. Call 773-968-2345 for more info on both or check metromix.com.
Aisle of style
No burger-flipping for you, thanks. You’ll leave others to tie the Memorial Day apron strings and man the backyard ‘cue. You’ll be stationed front and center at Bella Lounge’s White-Hot Fashion Show, featuring a runway parade of summer accessories from new Jimmy Choos to Wildflowers lingerie. With live music from Tennessee Titan Jarrett Payton (son of Chicago Bear Walter), plus door prizes for the first 100 women. 9 p.m. Free. 1212 N. State Pkwy. 312-787-9405.
Patent approval
Fancy a different dress code? Get chapped for International Mr. Leather, the city’s 28th annual weekend devoted to all-things studded and buttless. Highlights include Mr. Leather Competition (5 p.m. Friday. Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.), a Leather Market (Friday-Monday. Palmer House Hilton, 17 E. Monroe St.) and the Black and Blue Ball (8 p.m. Monday. Excalibur, 632 N. Dearborn St.). $150 weekend package; single tickets available: boxofficetickets.com. 800-494-8497. Find more details at metromix.com.
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JWEHUNT@TRIBUNE.COM
