HIDDEN AGENDA REDEYE TAKES YOU OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE
On the agenda: Cheesy Sundays at Taste Food & Wine in Rogers Park, 1506 Jarvis Ave., 773-761-3663; taste foodandwine.com
– Check it out if you … have never met a cheese sample you didn’t like, are looking for a snack food classier than Bagel Bites or are a sucker for free stuff.
– The deets: A European-style grocery, Taste Food & Wine offers free cheese and wine tastings from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Sunday. Shoppers trickle in throughout the day, said co-owner Eric Aubriot, sampling about four different cheeses with fruit and wine pairings. The shop offers cheeses from France, Italy, Ireland, California and Oregon along with local varieties. There’s no discount offered on the tasting items, though the wines tend to range from $8-$20 a bottle.
– The payoff: Free food, free wine, free advice
Saturday
‘Train Wreck Girl’ release party
BUCKTOWN/WICKER PARK
A punk lit party celebrates Sean Carswell’s new novel. 7 p.m. Quimby’s Bookstore, 1854 W. North Ave. 773-342-0910. Free.
Bowmanville Garden Walk
Lincoln square
Includes self-guided tours of 21 gardens, tips from master gardeners and an amateur photography contest. 11 a.m. Bowmanville Community Organization Garden Walk Headquarters, 5361 N. Bowmanville Ave. 866-837-1006. Free.
Volleywood
NORTH AVENUE BEACH
Vie for prizes in a sand volleyball tournament or just watch sit back and watch the action. 9 a.m. R.S.V.P. required: chicago social.com. 1600 N. Lake Shore Drive. 312-850-8196. Free for spectators.
REDEYE/MMX PICK
AleFest Chicago
MUSEUM CAMPUS
The second annual benefit showcases more than 150 craft beers from 50 breweries. 1 p.m. Tickets: alefest.com. Soldier Field, 1410 S. Museum Campus Drive. 937-298-4545. $40.
Sunday
L.A.T.E. Ride 2008
VARIOUS LOCATIONS
Expect plenty of revelry during the first half of this 25-mile “Long After Twilight Ends” ride through downtown and North Side neighborhoods. Neighborhoods include Greektown, River North, West Loop, Lincoln Park and more. 1:30 a.m. Information: lateride.org. Buckingham Fountain, 500 S. Lake Shore Drive. 773-918-7433. $35-$40.
Celebrate Clark Street Festival
ROGERS PARK
The annual community fete features 12 world music acts and food and arts vendors. 1 p.m. Clark Street and Morse Avenue. 773-508-5885. Free.
REDEYE/MMX PICK
Sixth Annual Tour de Beverly
BEVERLY
This non-competitive 5-, 10- or 25-mile family cycle is open to all levels and passes historic neighborhood homes and institutions. 9 a.m. Beacon School, 10700 S. Longwood Drive. 773-233-3100. $10 for singles; $25 per family.
All weekend
Rock Around the Block
lakeview
See more than 30 local bands on three stages. Noon Saturday and Sunday. Lincoln Avenue and Addison Street. 773-665-4682. $5.
Arts and Crafts Festival
HYDE PARK
An outdoor showcase of juried traditional, ethnic and multimedia works. 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. DuSable Museum of African-American History, 740 E. 56th Pl. 773-947-0600. Free.
Irish American Heritage Festival
NORTH PARK
Indoor-outdoor festival features live Irish and American music on five stages, folk dancing, instrument demonstrations, food and more. Noon Saturday and Sunday. Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave. 773-282-7035 ext. 10. $7-$12
Bucktown GardenWalk
Bucktown
View more than 100 area gardens and browse artwork. 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Club Lucky, 1824 W. Wabansia Ave. 312-409-4003. $5 donation.
Chicago SummerDance Festival
SOUTH LOOP
The 11-week festival includes one-hour dance lessons followed by live music and dancing. 6 p.m. Saturday; 4 p.m. Sunday. Grant Park, Spirit of Music Garden, 601 S. Michigan Ave. 312-742-4007. Free.
REDEYE/MMX PICK
Kwanzaa Summer Festival WASHINGTON HEIGHTS
A cultural youth and family celebration includes a poetry slam, a fashion show, African arts and crafts, performances and more. 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Abbott Park, 49 E. 95th St. 773-264-1298. Free.
THE GAMER
WHO’S PLAYING AT HOME
Cubs vs.
San Francisco
12:05 p.m. Saturday; 1:20 p.m. Sunday; Wrigley Field
Fire vs. Toronto
7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Toyota Park
