All weekend
REDEYE/MMX PICK
1. Jazz Fest
GRANT PARK
The city’s longest-running lakefront music festival features local, national and international performers on several stages. 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Grant Park, 300 S. Columbus Drive. 312-744-3315. Free.
African Festival of the Arts
WASHINGTON PARK
Features three music stages, ethnic cuisine and marketplace. Kool & The Gang and Rhymefest are scheduled performers on Monday. 10 a.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Washington Park, 5100 S. Cottage Grove Ave. 773-955-2787. $10-$15.
Bash on Wabash
LOOP
Signature fare from area restaurants and live music highlight this annual Labor Day treat. This year’s performers include alt-country band Waco Brothers. Noon Saturday and Sunday. 1300 S. Wabash Ave. 773-868-3010. $5 donation.
Taste of Polonia
JEFFERSON PARK
Dine on pierogi, Polish sausage, sauerkraut and beer at this annual cultural celebration of Polish traditions. Polka bands play all weekend. Noon, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Copernicus Cultural Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave. 773-777-8898. $6-$7.
Saturday
REDEYE/MMX PICK
2. Art on Track
LOOP
An eight-car Orange Line train is transformed into a mobile exhibition. View works by local artists as the train circles the Loop. 6 p.m. Adams and Wabash “L” platform. Tickets: chicagoartontrack.com. $5.
First Anniversary
LINCOLN PARK
A birthday celebration for Vain Nightclub & Lounge includes music by Madd Soul, a champagne toast, dancers and more. 9 p.m. 2354 N. Clybourn Ave. 847-924-0204.
Workouts in the Park
LOOP
Take a free, 45-minute exercise lesson on the Great Lawn every Saturday during the summer. 8 a.m. Through Sept. 27. Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St. 312-742-1168. Free.
Sunday
REDEYE/MMX PICK
3. Nike + Human Race
SOUTH LOOP
Chicago joins 24 other cities in hosting a 10K race. Includes live post-run tunes by hometown favorite Fall Out Boy. 6:30 p.m. Soldier Field, 1410 S. Museum Campus Drive. 800-379-6453. Registration: nikeplus.com. $35.
Labor of Love
RIVER NORTH
An outdoor bash on the front lot of the luxe lounge includes performances by Sugar Ray and Makeshift Prodigy. 5 p.m. Enclave, 220 W. Chicago Ave. 312-654-0234. Tickets: neptix.com. $10-$20.
Avondale Bike Tour
AVONDALE
Meet at Brands Park for a 12- to 20-mile guided architectural cycle through Avondale. 1 p.m. 3259 N. Elston Ave. 773-481-0244, ext. 1. Free.
Martini Park Labor Day Party
RIVER NORTH
Includes complimentary appetizers from 6-8 p.m. 6 p.m. Martini Park, 151 W. Erie St. 312-640-0577. No cover.
HIDDEN AGENDA
The Best Church of God at Donny’s Skybox Theatre, 1608 N. Wells St., 312-337-3992; bestchurchofgod.org.
Repent, sinners!
Check it out if you … have ever wondered what “the flesh” really would taste like, think church would be more interesting with a few dance numbers thrown in or are looking for a good reason to start your Sunday early.
The details: A hilarious caricature of religious conservatism, Best Church of God offers an original hour-long “service” at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. But hurry on over: Since there’s no service scheduled for this Sunday, there are only two left — Sept. 7 and 14 — until the show “goes into hiding,” as the Web site notes. Not for the easily offended, shows can include prayers of praise that seem ripped out of a smutty romance novel, sermons preaching against welcoming immigrants into your white-American Christian family and a cooking show-style introduction to communion.
Despite the early hours, the show has brought in crowds that include some dedicated regulars who enthusiastically sing along with the cast during hymns. Admission is free, but a collection plate is passed around, and you should be prepared to be mocked if you don’t contribute.
The payoff: If you believe laughter is good for the soul, your in great shape.
