WEEKEND FREEBIE
Glenwood Avenue between Lunt and Farwell Avenues. 773-761-4477
Art in Rogers Park
The Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest kicks off with Friday performances by honky-tonk band the Hoyle Brothers and fire-arts troupe Pyrotechniq, as well as a fashion show by local designer George Melichar. On Saturday and Sunday, browse nearly 100 artists’ booths and catch live music by more than 35 bands and entertainment on three stages, including Taiko drumming, breakdancing and juggling. Through Sunday. Free.
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THU 21
Outside-the-box beats
Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. 773-327-5252
Known for banging on a trash can or two, local performance ensemble Be the Groove has been compared to international touring show “STOMP” more than once. The company breaks out of its routine in a new show, “Embrace the Fire,” which introduces video and spoken word into a percussive program that relies more heavily on body and voice than found objects. 8 p.m. Through Aug. 31. $10-20. Tickets: ticketmaster.com
Caught on tape
Portage Theater, 4050 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-736-4050
No juries, no judges — just fun. That’s the premise of the Fractured Lens Video Festival, a DIY event that co-founder John Keller calls “the bottom rung of Chicago film festivals.” Watch back-yard combat antics in “Ninja Power Hour,” toothbrush-meets-toilet saga “Le Toothbrush” and animated parody “Rich Daley for the Olympics.” 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. $5 for one or both screenings.
FRI 22
Triple whammy
Mary-Arrchie Theatre, 735 W. Sheridan Rd. 773-871-0442
Watch three days of nearly non-stop theater at the Abbie Hoffman Died For Our Sins Theater Festival, the 20th annual performance marathon celebrating the anniversary of the 1969 Woodstock Festival. Catch Rush Pearson’s frenetic rendition of “Diary of a Madman” and company classics such as interactive talk show “Bitch with Rich” among more than 50 performances. 7 p.m. Through midnight Monday. $10-$25. Tickets: maryarrchie.com
SAT 23
Vampire weekend
Dave & Buster’s, 1030 N. Clark St. 847-317-8877
Everyone’s favorite vampire-fighting chick, Buffy, and her love interest, Angel, take center stage in Slay-A-Thon 2008. Watch 13 consecutive hours of “Angel” episodes, play themed games and bid on autographed items to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Food and drink available for purchase. 11 a.m. Free.
Get sauced
Charlie’s on Webster, 1224 W. Webster Ave. 773-871-1440
Can the South really do barbecue better? Let your taste buds be the judge at the Fifth Annual Southern Boy BBQ, where ribs, beef brisket and pulled pork are flown in from as far away as Texas and Tennessee. Sample at will and vote for your favorite. Proceeds benefit Griffith Tutoring. 1 p.m. $40. Tickets: griffithtutoring.org
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lmarnett@tribune.com
