WEEKEND BEST BETS
Aw, shucks
Like a little music with your mollusks? Check out the Guinness Oyster Festival. The annual bash moves to new digs in Roscoe Village this year, but never fear: It still serves up the same fresh-shucked oysters, pints and live music. Bands include Heavy Manners (4 p.m.), Powder (8 p.m.) and others. Noon Saturday. $5. Proceeds benefit Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce. 3400 N. Damen Ave. 773-868-3010.
Nothin’ to hide
Before fall temps drive you inside, take the beat to the street one last time at the Hideout Block Party. The 11th annual outdoor music fest features nearly 20 rock acts from Chicago and beyond. Look for performances by Chicago indie idol Andrew Bird (8:30 p.m. Saturday) and Brit rockers Bloc Party (8:30 p.m. Friday). 5 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. Saturday. $20-$25; $35 for two day pass. Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave. 773-227-4433.
Germania!
Ever wonder why Oktoberfest takes place in September? Don’t get hung up on the details. Just don your lederhosen, shout out “Prost!” and kick off the Oktoberfest season at the 87th Annual German-American Festival with brats and beer, oompah bands, folk dancers and more. Don’t miss Saturday’s highlight, the 42nd annual Von Steuben Parade (2 p.m.). The parade travels along Lincoln Avenue between Irving Park and Lawrence Avenues. 5 p.m. Friday; noon Saturday and Sunday. Free. Lincoln Square, 4700 N. Lincoln Ave. 630-653-3018.
Island time
A Caribbean vacation in the heart of hurricane season? We’ll pass, thanks. We’d rather soak up the sun at the Caribbean Festival. The fourth annual fest makes a splash with 20-plus Latin and Caribbean music acts and more than 100 food and craft vendors. Performers include Belizean calypso star Lord Rhaburn (7 p.m. Sunday) and reggae sensations Barrington Levy (8 p.m. Saturday) and Maxi Priest (8:30 p.m. Sunday). Noon Friday through Sunday. $5-$10. Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St. 312-559-1212.
Village people
We hear it takes a village to raise a child, but it only takes Ukrainian Village to get us to raise a glass. The annual Ukrainian Village Fest serves up a slew of brews, plus ethnic eats, live folk tunes, dancers and more. 3 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m. Sunday. $5 donation. Saints Volodymyr and Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church, 2245 W. Superior St. 312-829-5209.
Play the field
Tag is outlawed, dodgeball’s for bullies and Red Rover is just a thinly veiled excuse to clothesline your friends. You could have a field day with today’s playground no-nos — or you could play it safe with a good old-fashioned Field Day. Team up for childhood games and contests, including a tug-o-war and a three-legged race, at this benefit. Includes a T-shirt and a post party with food and drink at John Barleycorn (658 W. Belden Ave.). 11 a.m. Sunday. $50 person; $250 per team of six. Proceeds benefit Youth Guidance. Oz Park, 2021 N. Burling St. 312-253-4900. Registration: www.youth-guidance.org.
Beat it
Butterscotch’s rousing beatbox number on “America’s Got Talent” was sweet, but it’s hardly as raucous as the scratch performances you’ll see at “Beatbox.” Watch as comedy group Dirty South Chicago performs a fast-paced, interactive improv set featuring hip-hop, a human beatboxer, rap battles, scratched scenes and a spontaneous rap jam. BYOB. Midnight Friday. $5-$10. The Playground Improv Theater, 3209 N. Halsted St. 773-968-6363.
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metromix@tribune.com
