THU 6/7
Hope floats
The refrain to your summer theme song goes like this: “I wish I had a boat. Or a friend with a boat.” Put a cork in your tune and hit Belmont Harbor for Champagne, Wine and Sailing, a mixer organized by the Lincoln Park Young Professionals. Members of the Chicago Sailing club are on hand to discuss boating opportunities. Includes appetizers, cocktails, wine and bubbly. $25-$30. 3550 N. Recreation Drive, B-Dock. 312-642-5097.
Beyond Borders
From Starbucks to condos and chain stores, Uptown has cultivated a shiny exterior. Community theater group Scrap Mettle SOUL explores changes in the neighborhood’s social structure in “Uptown Trilogy, Part I: Inspiration Cafe.” The original work is based on oral histories of the Inspiration Corporation, founded in 1989 to provide services for the homeless. 8 p.m. preview. $5. Leland Apartments, 1207 W. Leland Ave. Regular run continues through July 1 at Rummage Room Theatre, Ravenswood United Methodist Church, 4511 N. Hermitage Ave. 773-275-3999.
FRI 6/8
Saints and sippers
The pearly gates to festival season have opened. Now it’s time to kneel at the crowded altar of rock ‘n’ roll cover bands, beer vendors and tchotchke-hawkers. Enter St. Mike’s Celebration. The annual outdoor bash features live music by Hairbangers Ball (Friday), 16 Candles (Saturday), Mike & Joe (Sunday), plus food and beer. 5 p.m. Friday; noon Saturday-Sunday. $10. Proceeds benefit St. Michael’s Restoration Fund. St. Michael’s Church, 1633 N. Cleveland Ave. 312-642-2498.
The jury is in
Your nephew’s crayon art is cute, but it’s time to move it to, well, a less visible locale. Take a peek at art alternatives at this weekend’s Old Town Art Fair — but first, sneak a peek at First Sight — Friday Night. The preview party includes cocktails, appetizers, live music and chance to bid on the featured works in a silent auction. 7 p.m. $55-$65. Tickets: oldtownartfair.com. Proceeds benefit various Old Town organizations. New Leaf Studio, 1818-1820 N. Wells St. 312-337-1938.
Party lines
You know better than to talk politics at parties, but you can air your issues at Generation Barack Obama. Meet the presidential candidate, author and current Illinois Senator and his wife, Michelle, while nibbling appetizers and sipping cocktails from a cash bar. Billy Dec hosts and Chicago Bulls guard Chris Duhon makes an appearance. DJ Michael Smith spins. 9 p.m. $100. Proceeds benefit Obama for America. Tickets: my.barackobama.com/gbochicago. Union Station, 210 S. Canal St. 312-819-2799.
SAT 6/9
It’s a Swede thing
From meatballs to Viking hats to IKEA, there’s no denying Swedish appeal. Here’s one more reason to toast Scandinavia: the 42nd Annual Andersonville Midsommarfest. The neighborhood bash fetes Swedish heritage with international food, arts and crafts, a pet parade and live music on four stages. Hear Funkadesi and Elevation (Saturday), and Two White Crew and Maggie Speaks (Sunday). 11 a.m. Saturday-Sunday. $5 donation benefits the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce. Foster Avenue and Clark Street. 773-665-4682.
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rkpalmore@tribune.com
