Printers Row Lit Fest
When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Where: Dearborn Street between Congress Parkway and Polk Street
Entry: Free
Get there: No. 29 State Street bus; Harrison Red Line “L” stop
The basics: Now in its 25th year, this Tribune-organized event, formerly known as the Printers Row Book Fair and billed as the largest of its kind in the Midwest, offers new, used and specialty books for sale, plus author readings and signings, panel discussions, cooking demos and wine tastings. Free tickets are required for programs at the Harold Washington Library Center (400 S. State St.), and while many of these events are full, you still could score tickets (yes, even to see heavyweight Dave Eggers at 10 a.m. Saturday) if you show up one hour prior to scheduled times Saturday and 30 minutes prior to scheduled events on Sunday. 312-222-3986. Complete schedule and maps: printersrowbookfair.org
Don’t miss: Appearances by “Top Chef” contestant Radhika Desai (11:15 a.m. Saturday), author Chris Ware (3:15 p.m. Saturday), playwrights Tracy Letts and Mary Zimmerman (noon Sunday) and more.
MORE FESTIVALS
– Chicago Gospel Music Festival
The 25th annual event features more than 50 performances in Millennium Park. Highlights include Donnie McClurkin and Jonathan Nelson (Saturday) and Kirk Franklin and “American Idol” winner Fantasia (Sunday). 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. 201 E. Randolph St. 312-744-3315.
– 57th Street Art Fair
The streets of Hyde Park are stocked with art during the 62nd annual event, billed as the oldest juried fair of its kind in the Midwest. Browse jewelry, photography, prints, paintings and more. Also features a daily Art Buying Boot Camp (11:30 a.m. daily) and a food court (no alcohol). 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. 57th Street and Kenwood Avenue. 773-493-3247.
– Community Art Fair
Running concurrently with the 57th Street Art Fair, this showcase of mostly local artists offers a more casual, eclectic feel. Browse pottery, glass, paintings, jewelry and more. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Bixler Park, 5643 S. Kenwood Ave. 773-870-0395.
– Metronome Celebration
Logan Square plays host to this new music fest featuring five stages and food from more than 20 restaurants, plus arts and crafts. Music highlights: Future Rock and John Vanderslice (Saturday) and Ezra Furman and the Harpoons and Deals Gone Bad (Sunday). Noon-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $5. Milwaukee and Armitage Avenues. 773-934-6451.
– The Raven: Experience the Magic of Ravenswood
Bands Too White Crew (Friday), Catfight and Trippin Billies (Saturday) and Wedding Banned and Mike & Joe (Sunday) highlight the music lineup. Also features a marketplace, food, beer and wine vendors, a Saturday afternoon bags tournament and more. 5-10 p.m. Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturday; noon-9 p.m. Sunday. $5 donation. Chase Park, 4701 N. Ashland Ave. 773-665-4682.
FIND MORE FESTIVALS AND EVENTS AT METROMIX.COM
