Take five
Are you ready for this weekend’s one-two Cinco de Mayo-Derby Day punch? Kick things off at the Little Village Cinco de Mayo Festival. The three-day celebration toasts Mexican history with traditional cuisine, crafts, carnival rides and live music. Performers include Hilario Terrazas (Saturday), Sementales De Nuevo Leon (Sunday) and others. 6 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Free (small fee for carnival rides). Plaza Garibaldi, 2600 S. California Ave. 773-868-3010.
If one Cinco de Mayo fest isn’t enough for you, check out the Cinco de Mayo Festival in Douglas Park. Then wrap it all up on Sunday at the annual Cinco de Mayo Parade, which steps off at noon from Cermak Road and Damen Avenue. Free. 10 a.m. Friday-Sunday. Douglas Park, 1401 S. Sacramento Drive. 773-847-9889.
Rock around the block
Remember old-school block parties? Mingling with neighbors over homemade brownies and marshmallow salad? Lame-o! Hit the Cinco de Mayo Block Party instead. The indoor-outdoor bash covers a city block (at Honore Street and Milwaukee Avenue) and features mariachi and salsa bands and music by Cuban Soul (3-6 p.m.). Also: grilled food, giveaways and $5 Mexican drinks. 1 p.m. Saturday. $5. Salud Tequila Lounge, 1471 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-235-5577.
Horsing around
We’d all love to be sitting in the grandstand, mint julep in hand, when the starting gun fires at the Kentucky Derby. But if you can’t make it to Churchill Downs this weekend, the Metromix Derby Day Party is a solid bet. Start with drink specials at the Dark Horse Tap and Grill. At noon, board a bus to see races at Arlington Park over lunch and cocktails. Winners of a costume contest snap souvenir photos with the winning horses and jockeys from a Metromix horse race — just before the Race for the Roses screens on the Jumbotron. Buses return to the bar at about 6:30 p.m. 10 a.m. Saturday. $5. 3443 N. Sheffield Ave. RSVP: cbecker@tribune.com.
Doggin’ it
Your poor pooch has been cooped up in your condo for the last six months. Cut him some slack at the 13th Annual Bark in the Park. The canine carnival includes a pet-owner look-alike contest, obstacle course, doggie fashion show and 5K (for bi- and quadrupeds) and more. Rules: One dog per entrant, dogs must be leashed. Proceeds benefit The Anti-Cruelty Society. 9 a.m. Saturday. $20-$30. Montrose Harbor, 4400 N. Lake Shore Drive. 312-329-8726.
Cha-ching!
There’s no intimidating fee to join The Billionaire Boys Club. You don’t even have to be a guy. Just hang with the Lincoln Park Young Professionals on The Tavern Club’s 25th floor and terrace, where they’ll be sipping cocktails, munching appetizers and sampling caviar, ice cream and scotch. Need a tutorial on livin’ large? The bash includes tips and demos on purchasing diamonds, cars and more. 6 p.m. Friday. $25-$30. The Tavern Club, 333 N. Michigan Ave. 312-642-5097.
Extra wattage
Think country and western make for a wild combo? Up the ante with Reggie Watts. The Edingburgh Fringe Festival Award-winner blends improvised hip-hop, trip-hop, ’80s pop, alternative and opera with beatboxing, all while spouting humorous tales about ancient history, science, racism and more. 8 p.m. Friday. $15. Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N. Broadway. 866-468-3401.
You gotta work
Don’t have a dog? Frolic with fitness classes and bouncy mini-trampolines at the 14th Annual Workout in the Park instead. Also, snag beauty product giveaways and a subscription to SELF magazine. Proceeds benefit Fertile Hope, the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the American Legacy Foundation and cancerandcareers.org. 11 a.m. Saturday. $20-$25. Lincoln Park, 1728-1819 N. Stockton Drive, south of Lincoln Park Zoo. Tickets: selfworkoutinthepark.com.
Far-out flicks
Your intergalactic prowess is light-years beyond “Star Wars” and “Star Trek.” Now add the Sci-Fi Spectacular to your out-of-this-world resume. Academy Award-winner Patricia Neal discusses her role in the 1951 flick “The Day the Earth Stood Still” at the 16-hour fest. Nearly 20 trailers, feature films, cartoons and shorts are on tap, including “The Day the Earth Stood Still” and “Mad Max.” Also features live music and a costume contest. Produced by Movieside Film Festival and the Music Box Theatre. 11:30 a.m. Saturday. $16. Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave. 773-871-6604. Tickets: ticketweb.com. ———-
metromix@tribune.com
