THIS WEEK
49th Annual Gold Coast/River North Art Fair
You’re no gold digger, but we know you love scoring treasures. Get your fix at what’s billed as the third oldest art fair in Chicago. With live music and food vendors, and a variety of juried works. Noon Friday; 10 a.m. Saturday-Sunday. Free. River North Gallery District, around 700 N. LaSalle Drive. 847-444-9600.
Bonus: You might not leave with gold, but you’ll be rolling in it all day (the Gold Coast, that is).
Belize Day in the Park
We wouldn’t speedwalk to a summer fete for Iceland or Antarctica, but we’ve got mad love for the fest associated with this country. Celebrate the small Caribbean/Central American nation with live music and more than 100 food and merchandise vendors. 10 a.m. Sunday. Free. Washington Park, 5700 S. Payne Drive. 773-881-0412.
Music highlights: The Belize Five, the Harmonex
Lincoln Square Garden Walk and Green Fair
Go green and take a self-guided tour of 25 gardens between Montrose and Foster Avenues, and Damen Avenue and the river, then pick up info in Giddings Plaza about composting and other Earth-friendly issues. 10 a.m. Saturday. $5. Giddings Plaza, 4700 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-728-3890.
Bonus: Worked up a thirst? Go green all the way and walk to a nearby pub for a post-tour brew.
Northalsted Market Days
The boys–and girls–are back for this rainbow-tinged fest. The 25th annual Lakeview event, billed as the Midwest’s largest outdoor two-day fest, buzzes with more than 40 musical acts on four stages. 11 a.m. Saturday-Sunday. $7 donation. Halsted Street, between Belmont Avenue and Addison Street. 773-868-3010.
Music highlights: Cathy Richardson, Michael McDermott
Retro on Roscoe
The ’80s tunes you worshiped as a kid are now “retro.” But you can still cut a rug, right, grandpa? This annual “flashback” weekend features live music from the ’70s through the ’90s, a chili cookoff, crafts, ethnic food, beer and more. Noon Saturday-Sunday. $5 donation. Roscoe Street, from Damen Avenue to Leavitt Street. 773-665-4682.
Music highlights: Cat Fight, Mr. Blotto, Afrodisiacs
ON THE RADAR
West Fest 2006
A street fest along Chicago Avenue (between Damen Avenue and Wood Street) features live music –headliners Urge Overkill on Saturday, Local H on Sunday–along with DJs, arts and crafts, food and drink, plus pet-related vendors and the Westfester Mutt Show. Noon Saturday-Sunday. $5 donation. Chicago and Damen Avenues. 312-850-9390.
