West Fest 2007
When: Noon Saturday-Sunday
Where: Chicago and Damen Avenues
Entry: $5 donation
Get there: No. 66 Chicago bus; No. 50 Damen bus; Chicago Blue Line “L” stop
The basics: Do you have a carbon footprint-fetish? Minimize your imprint at West Fest. The West Town Chicago Chamber of Commerce keeps things local with neighborhood designers, crafters and musicians at this block bash along Chicago Avenue between Damen Avenue and Wood Street. Three stages of music feature The Ponys, Waco Brothers and DJ Jesse de la Pena (Saturday); and Local H, Baby Teeth and The Sound Republic (Sunday).
Don’t miss: Bring home a doggie bag after a stop at the Pet Fest area, featuring pet-related vendors, activities for pooches, grooming and more.
MORE FESTIVALS
* Calsfest 2007 moves indoors this year due to Loop construction. See nearly 20 bands perform Saturday and Sunday at the sixth annual fest, including White Devil and Rabid Rabbit (Saturday); Romance Novels (Sunday) and more.
* Ginza Holiday fetes Japanese culture Friday, Saturday and Sunday with folk dancing, taiko drummers, crafts, food vendors and other outdoor/indoor events at the Midwest Buddhist Temple.
* Pilsen Arts and Cultural Festival highlights sculpture, paintings, photography and glasswork by national and international artists in Harrison Park on Saturday and Sunday.
* The 12th annual Korean Street Festival showcases traditional and contemporary entertainment, such as dancing, drumming, wrestling and live music, Saturday and Sunday along Bryn Mawr Avenue, from Kedzie to Kimball Avenues.
* Northalsted Market Days, billed as the largest two-day outdoor fest in the Midwest, comes to Lakeview for the 26th year Saturday and Sunday. Read more about the blockbuster event — and why we love it — on page 37.
* Palmer Square Boulevard Arts Festival lets loose in Palmer Square Park Saturday and Sunday with arts and crafts, a beer garden, live music, local fare and more.
* Taylor Street Festa Italiana cooks up a party in Little Italy with live music and Italian eats Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Hear The Smithereens (Friday), Old 97’s (Saturday) and crooner Jimmy Damon (Sunday).
————
* FIND MORE FESTIVALS AND WEEKEND EVENTS AT METROMIX.COM
