Enough about the weather; let’s talk strategy. There’s roughly a month and a half left of our beloved summer, which means time’s a-waning to fit in all of the festivals, patios and outdoor movies we need to hold us over till next year. What to do? Prioritize. Mark these 15 must-dos on your calendar now.
Eat brunch, sunny-side up. Join the legions of sunglasses-clad omelet-eaters on the spacious patio sunken below street level at Sarks in the Park (444 W. Fullerton Pkwy. 773-404-9000), a recently opened breakfast-all-day diner.
Get sauced. The inaugural Windy City Ribs Festival in Union Park (1501 W. Randolph St.) pits local ribsters such as Robinson’s No. 1 Ribs against Wisconsin, Michigan and Texas imports. With live music and retailers. Aug. 14-16. $7.
Listen local. You can’t do much better than a free night with Chicago rock vets Shellac, as Steve Albini and co. get fuzzy at Jay Pritzker Pavilion (201 E. Randolph St. 312-742-1168) in Millennium Park. Aug. 10.
Bike the town. Fill your tires for the Boulevard Lakefront Tour, where four tour options range from a 15-mile South Side architecture ride to a 62-mile tour through more than 30 neighborhoods. Sign up now; space fills fast. Sept. 13. $25-$30.
Actually see an outdoor movie. Yes, you said you’d go to the Outdoor Film Fest this year; no, you didn’t go yet. Get up and head to Grant Park (100 S. Lake Shore Drive. 312-744-3315) to see Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” which always makes showering a bit less carefree. Aug. 11.
Wine down in the sun.
A glass of rose or grenache is even sweeter when sipped outside. Try the recently opened sidewalk cafe at Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar (954 N. California Ave. 773-292-1616).
Shop fresh. You’ve been to Green City Market; now check out these lesser-known markets. Check out the snacker-friendly Logan Square Farmers Market(10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 25, Logan Boulevard and Milwaukee Avenue), themid-week Andersonvillemarket(4-8 p.m. Wednesdays through Sept. 9, Clark Street and Berwyn Avenue) or the new Bridgeport market (8 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 30, 35th andWallace Streets).
Float your boat. Sign up now for the popular Downtown Canyons Canoe Trip hosted by Friends of the Chicago River. The daylong trip meets at Lawrence’s Fisheries (2120 S. Canal St.) and features new views of familiar sights. And a darn good workout. Aug. 29. $45.
Dine alfresco. Grab lunch on the patio at chef Randy Zweiban’s Province(161 N. Jefferson St. 312-669-9900). The 40-seat oasis, covered with a large shade sailand enclosed by atiled wall and fence, isfinally set to open either late this week or sometime next week.
Celebrate local labels. Chicago-based Grape Juice Records toasts five years of releasing indie music at a bash featuring Phillip Morris, Inchworm, MPLS Henrys and more at Double Door (1572 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-489-3160). Sept. 3. $6.
Get pouring. Try a big ol’ pitcher of white sangria, on special for $18 through the end of the month at The Boundary (1932 W. Division St. 773-278-1919), arguably one of Division Street’s hottest alfresco options.
Run like the wind. Relive the drama of H1N1 with the Chicago Hash House Harriers’ Swine Flu Hash at Red Line Tap (7006 N. Glenwood Ave.). The 3- to 5-mile run includes a sudsy after-party. Aug. 10. $8.
Pump up the street jams. This year, the Hideout Block Party turns into the Bloodshot Beer-B-Q, saluting the local label’s 15th anniversary with performances by Alejandro Escovedo, the Waco Brothers and more. Sept. 12. $10 donation. Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave. 773-227-4433.
Shake your booty. SummerDance pops up in Washington Park (5531 S. King Drive) with can’t-stand-still beats from the Occidental Brothers Dance Band International and an African dance lesson. Sept. 2.
Park it on the sidewalk. Delicious cocktails, a good beer list, cool interior, great staff — what more could you want from North Center bar Tiny Lounge (4352 N. Leavitt St. 773-463-0396)? A patio, that’s what. Well, wish granted. The bar introduced sidewalk seating a few weeks ago.
