Night riders
A sunrise spin on the lakefront sounds refreshing, but who wants to rise early on a weekend? Ride by the light of the moon during L.A.T.E. Ride 2007 instead. Gear up for the 25-mile ride at Buckingham Fountain (500 S. Lake Shore Drive), where the fun includes live music (11 p.m. Saturday) and “best lit bike” and “best decorated helmet” contests (12:45 a.m. Sunday), before you hit the streets. Includes snacks en route and breakfast in Grant Park. Helmets required. Ride starts at 1:30 a.m. Sunday. $35-$40. 773-918-7433. Route: lateride.org.
Finger pickin’ good
Think all the rockers in the world can’t hold a candle to Woody Guthrie? You’ll fit right in at the 10th Annual Chicago Folk and Roots Festival. The two-day event features more than 70 live music acts, including The Knitters (8:15 p.m. Saturday), Grupo Fantasma (8:15 p.m. Sunday), Woody Guthrie’s Folk Jam (1:30 p.m. Sunday) and more. Noon. Saturday and Sunday. $3-$7 donation benefits Old Town School of Folk Music. Welles Park, 2333 W. Sunnyside Ave. 773-728-6000.
Music in motion
If you’d rather rock and roll than get strung out on acoustic, head to the 14th annual Rock Around the Block. The fest tunes up with 30 bands on three stages, including local faves Elevation (8 p.m. Saturday) and Maggie Speaks (4 p.m. Sunday ). Other high notes include crafts, food, drink and street performers. Noon. Saturday and Sunday. $5 donation benefits the Festival Foundation. Lincoln Avenue and Addison Street, 3600 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-665-4682.
On the ball
Forget the bright lights of Hollywood — the sparkling sands of Volleywood are right at your feet this weekend. Get bumpin’ early Saturday with a 9 a.m. volleyball tournament, then dig in for pickup games, a bean bag toss and more — including sets by celeb DJ AM. Tournament sign-up ends 5 p.m. Friday. Tournament at 9 a.m. Saturday; party at noon. Free. North Avenue Beach, 1600 N. Lake Shore Drive. 312-335-9596. Reservations required: chicagosocial.com.
Freaky Friday
Even a witches’ brew can’t help you avoid Friday the 13th. Best to get spellbound at Weather Mark Tavern’s Friday the 13th Party. Learn your fate when Edward Shanahan, host of paranormal radio show “The Unexplained World,” reads your palm, or bring an item from a loved one to hear Shanahan’s clairvoyant insights. If it’s all too much to handle, just down $2 Miller drafts. 7 p.m. No cover, $10 per reading. 1503 S. Michigan Ave. 312-588-0230.
Irish aye
Recover from Friday the 13th with the luck o’ the Irish at the Irish American Heritage Festival, an annual bash featuring more than 50 Irish and American music acts. Get jiggy to tunes by The Tossers (9 p.m. Friday), Black 47 (9 p.m. Saturday) and Gaelic Storm (7 p.m. Sunday). Then, kick up your heels for folk dancing, contests and more. 6 p.m. Friday; noon Saturday and Sunday. $7-$12. Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave. 773-282-7035 ext. 10.
Canvas the street
If highfalutin galleries and stuffy salespeople always hamper your search for the perfect piece, take it outdoors this weekend. The 16th Annual Chicago Tribune Magnificent Mile Art Festival showcases wares from more than 200 award-winning painters, sculptors, potters, jewelry-makers and photographers. 10 a.m. Friday through Sunday. Free. Chicago Tribune Pioneer Court, 435 N. Michigan Avenue, (south of building). 954-472-3755.
Art attack
If you’re still feeling crafty after a spin through Pioneer Court, head south to the 33rd Annual Arts and Crafts Festival. The juried fest of traditional, ethnic and multimedia works features paintings, jewelry, sculpture, clothing and photography, plus a diverse lineup of food, music and crafts. Noon. Saturday and Sunday. Free. DuSable Museum of African-American History, 740 E. 56th Pl. 773-947-0600.
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