Things To Do Archives

Each weekday Taste of TLT tells you where to go in Chicago.

Each weekday Taste of TLT tells you where to go in Chicago.

It's the weekend edition of Taste of TLT, when we tell you where to go all weekend long.

Each weekday Taste of TLT tells you where to go in Chicago.

Each weekday Taste of TLT tells you where to go in Chicago.

Each weekday Taste of TLT tells you where to go in Chicago.

In today's Taste of TLT we invite you to go ice skating, find out what a "Doodleganza" is, and laugh the night away.

I am pleased as punch to present the very first Taste of TLT! What's that, you ask? It's a daily podcast highlighting places to go and things to do in Chicago! Each weekday we'll post a quick audio of our picks for the day.

In 2008 - 2009 there were almost 75,000 homeless in Chicago. Over 12,500 of them were children, an 18% increase from the previous year, and this year it's tracking 20% higher*. Homelessness, to put it lightly, is a problem.

I'm only a quarter Irish, but like any good Chicagoan when March rolls around I am all about St. Patrick's Day. This year I'm breaking out the brogue in a really big way.

It's tradition to start the new year with a toast of champagne. Keep the celebration going with not just one but a whole flight of the sparkling beverage.

Man, it is bitter outside! No need to be bitter inside, though, because there are a couple of events tonight put on by a couple of my favorite Chicagoans!

Chinatown is just a short train ride from downtown Chicago, but it feels worlds apart. This community celebrates its heritage, and now the Chicago Museum of History does as well.

Black Friday. While I assumed the day after Thanksgiving was called that because it puts retailers in the black, it was actually given that name back in the mid-60's by the Philadelphia police because of the massive traffic jams and the phalanx-like crowds that darkened the sidewalks. That's a definition that seems a bit more along the lines of my personal feelings. I don't like shopping in the first place; add a few thousand people ravenous for a good deal and that's pretty much my idea of scraping nails on a chalkboard then having them pulled out. Not a fan.

Tomorrow is the 76th McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade. There will be over 100 parade units, 20 marching bands watched by about 400,000 people. Interested in more numbers, like how many people pick up the doo-doo those 142 horses drop along the way? Read on.

I guess if you work in the Loop lunch is more than just about eating. A couple of days ago I recommended Eat To The Beat, where the Harris Theater invited you to eat during a performance. Today I'm recommending Gallery Talk.

Tomorrow is Beaujolais night in Chicago! It's actually Beaujolais Nouveau Day everywhere, but two restaurants are highlighting the wine, one the new and one a little more seasoned.

It's been my long-standing joke that my job is to tell people where to go. Tomorrow I'll get the chance, with a bunch of people I respect greatly, to tell some big name companies what to do. You can, too.

Lunch can be so ho-hum. You sit. You eat. Harris Theater brings a little excitement to your afternoon repast with Eat To The Beat.

I've lived in the Midwest most of my life, but I'm sad to say I've never heard a jug band. The closest I've even come is the Song Of The South animatronics at Disney World's Splash Mountain. That can be fixed this weekend at the 2nd Annual Battle of the Jug Bands.

Seems like lately everyone's been going whole hog for pork. We've gorged on bacon for so long that we're beginning to squeal like little piggies. I've always been a bit of a ham, but now my nose is looking more like a snout and I seem to snort more often when I laugh...Anyway, I've been hearing rumors of bacon-overload, but some of Chicagoland's top chefs are going to give it one more try, because apparently we haven't had pig until we've had The Mangalitsa.

Millennium Park's Crown Fountain has quickly become a Chicago signature. With its videos of Chicagoans and spouting water it's both art and entertainment  It was created by artist Jaume Plensa to restore "the concepts of water and the fountain to the public space, and turning them into a new experience for all the senses." It's certainly become a favorite spot for tourists and locals, and any warm summer day invites countless children to play in its reflecting pool.

This is a pretty cool week to be in Chicago. For one, it's what - 70 degrees outside? Then we can get $5 burgers at David Burke's Primehouse. Plus the Shedd Aquarium is free today and tomorrow, and the Field Museum is free Wednesday and Thursday. Score!

As a redhead, if I get even slightly embarrassed my face flushes like a ripe tomato. Tonight I think I'm going to spend most of the evening looking like I'm ready to top some pasta. I've been invited to participate in Authenticity: The Game. This is a new game designed for couples, but most of us on the panel tonight are single. Mom & Dad, please stay home tonight!

If you've ever wanted to be on a variety show with Joe Piscopo, which any fan of the good SNL years would, now's your chance.

If Chicago is the home of the blues, Buddy Guy's is the front porch and tonight all the neighbors are dropping by for a spell.

There are tons of free museums this last week of October. Today the Shedd Aquarium and the Museum of Science & Industry are no charge. The Museum of Contemporary Art is always free on Tuesdays and is open until 8pm. If you're a bit thirsty after all of that activity, stop by Smoke Daddy for a free Harpoon Beer tasting.

So you thought just 'cause it's cold and rainy and icky outside that you'd stay inside and be all warm and snugly? HA! One look at this week's picks and you'll be grabbing your coat and umbrella.

I may be crazy, but I really don't mind the winters in Chicago that much. However, I do miss (in addition to the obvious sunshine & warmth) the farmers markets. I live in Logan Square and my neighborhood market has already closed, but several more are open. By Saturday, though, all of the outdoor markets will be gone.

It's too nice to stay home tonight, and fortunately there are so many specials you can have a fun night out and spend about as much as if you ordered in.

They say that laughter is the best medicine. When it comes to cancer that may not be literally true, but tomorrow night it may be figuratively so.

Speaking of chefs....This Wednesday get up close and personal with Osteria Via Stato's Chef David DiGregorio at Chef's Table.

If you missed Friday night's Celebrity Chef Ball don't be sad. There's another one tonight! "Cooking Up A Cure" benefits the Scleroderma Foundation.

One of the best ways to see Chicago is in the company of locals. When those locals volunteer their time to share their passion and knowledge it's even better. And when there's no charge to experience that expertise, you have the Chicago Greeter program.

If you can play hookie this week, do. The Museum of Science & Industry free all week, the Field Museum is free Wednesday through Sunday, and the Adler Planetarium is free on Tuesday. Since you most likely can't, here are some suggestions for things to do in Chicago when you finish your time in the office.

The Joffrey Ballet has just announced their perennial holiday favorite, "The Nutcracker". They'll be performing it in the simply gorgeous Auditorium Theatre. The full company will be featured, as well as local childrens' choruses and 120 young dancers from the Chicagoland area.

This is going out a little late today, so no intro, just straight to the good stuff:

No matter how you feel about it, tomorrow's a BIG day for Chicago. At 10am we find out if we're hosting the 2016 Olympics in Chicago or if the games go to some other city. Since Daley Plaza is like the city's "town hall", that's where the big announcement will be made. That also means downtown is going to be packed. Think people-to-space-ratio election night in Grant Park packed.

This weekend we've got some big name artists hitting some of Chicago's more intimate music venues. It's a great opportunity to get up close and personal with some top musicians! (Click on their names to get tickets.)

The weather's chillin', but Chicago isn't. We're still as busy as ever in the Windy City. This week I've got a couple of free things to do and a couple of paid, and they're all fun.

If money's tight it's a good day to be in Chicago. There's a plethora of free things to do today!

What do you get when you put a bunch of bloggers in a shopping mall and give them booze?

This is a good week of things to do in Chicago: a Benefit and Blogapalooza, Magic & Mikhail - hope you got some rest over the weekend, 'cause you're going to be busy this week!

Did you feel that chill in the air this morning? It doesn't just mean football season; it also means hockey's here. The Chicago Blackhawks' Training Camp Festival is tomorrow and their first pre-season game is tomorrow night.

Tonight the Joffrey Ballet is performing some of their favorites in Millennium Park. This is a magnificent event in Chicago to see one of our top cultural attractions in one of the city's best venues.

Last Friday I announced a new feature called Ask TLT, where I'll provide customized itineraries to help you figure out what to do when you're either coming into town or have guests visiting on the weekend. Now I'm announcing another new feature: Week In Preview. Each week I'll highlight one cool event through Thursday to help you wade through the endless options.

You may have heard by now that Oprah's taking over Michigan Avenue on Tuesday, September 8, for her season opener. Whether you think it's the bees knees or like being stung by a swarm of them, here's how to make the most of it.

Yesterday afternoon I strolled through rooms filled with art by Picasso, Renoir, Whistler, and Rembrandt. I gazed upon a Chagall and marveled at a Degas. They were all originals, and I was close enough to see the impressions the pen left behind or the brush strokes through the paint, and yet I wasn't at the Art Institute. I was at Atlas Galleries, in The 900 Shops on North Michigan Avenue.

Two of Chicago's treasures are Lyric Opera and The Joffrey Ballet. They are a significant part of what makes this a world class cultural city. Normally they perform in the prestigious Civic Opera house and Louis Sullivan-designed Auditorium Theatre and ticket prices are prohibitive for many. This September they'll both be performing in the also magnificent Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion, and everyone can afford these.

Kids just love to dance, and tonight parents will want to join in with "Robbert Bobbert and the Bubble Machine" and "Bunny Clogs".

It may be the waning days of summer (and feel like fall), but there's no let up in festivals this weekend. Chicago's streets and parks are as busy as ever, and here's a quick round-up:

Chicago is the way it is today, in large part, because of Daniel Burnham. I'm not talking about the bad stuff: not the parking meter fiasco, or the political corruption that gives comedians and columnists so much material, or the taxes that escalate faster than condos in the South Loop. Burnham is responsible for much of the good stuff that makes this the beautiful city we Chicagoans are proud to call home.

When I moved to Chicago 8 years ago, if you were anywhere near the Gold Coast, were young or young at heart, and it was summer, you went to Melvin B's and Cactus. The two neighbors created an enormous patio space on State Street in the heart of the Viagra Triangle. When they closed it was like a vital organ had failed. Now the space has been reinvented as the Cedar Hotel.

This just in: according to a post by Navy Pier on Twitter tonight's Water Fools is cancelled due to weather conditions. They're rescheduling to Sunday. I've got a message in to find out if bleacher seats will be honored or if people will have to re-register and I'll post when I hear.

Last month I mentioned the Garrett's Popcorn opening up in Navy Pier. This month a new location is opening in another Chicago landmark, the Merchandise Mart.

The waters off of Navy Pier are a backdrop for fireworks and a playground for the Lake Michigan cruise boats. This weekend it's also a stage.

Wicker Park is known for its unusual, eclectic, avant garde (dare I say - hipster) fashion sense. It's also known for its nightlife, with bar after bar lined up on Milwaukee, North and Damen inviting you to show off cool attire. But being casually cool can get pricey and eventually the bars ask you to leave.

Go to Navy Pier this weekend and you'll hear more than just jets flying overhead. The Third Annual Chicago Turkish World Festival is taking place both Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 10pm. Despite the name, the event actually represents six countries in addition to Turkey, honoring their shared heritage as well as their diverse cultures: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Bosnia.

One of the coolest things about summer in Chicago is the free fireworks every Wednesday and Saturday. A barge floats into Lake Michigan and shoots a 15 minutes show just off of Navy Pier.

Chicago is known for its architecture, and one of our most beloved architects is Frank Lloyd Wright. A significant example of his work is the Robie House in Hyde Park. It's now in the final stages of a 10-year restoration project and you can see it After Hours.

Ya' know those people who stand on sidewalks holding binders who stop you and say "do you have one minute for the environment?" This weekend instead of sheepishly walking by them, because who doesn't feel bad that they can't spare one lousy minute to help our lovely earth, you can say "One minute? I've got two days!"

Two of Chicago's finest assets come together in the final days of summer: Lake Michigan and live music.

Ravinia was one of the sponsors of The Music Lounge for Lollapalooza artists and VIP's in the Hard Rock Hotel. Located in the northern Chicago suburb of Highland Park, Ravinia is the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's summer home and also features popular musicians, from John Legend to Goran Bregovic. Popular, yes, but you don't expect to see Lollapalooza performers Snoop Dogg or Jane's Addiction at the relatively serene and sedate location, so I was surprised to learn that Ravinia'd sponsored a room complete with DJ and tattoo artists and carpeted with Astroturf to replicate their grassy lawn.

My first stop today had to be The Music Lounge. Press check-in was between 12 and 12:30 and Cara was on-air until 2, so I picked up badges for the both of us and headed into the I <3 Cafe Bustero for a quick bite. And because Chicago is a big city that may as well be called "Cheers", they sat me down across from Alexander Lurie of The Chi Guide. Of all the people in the room to be seated with it was someone I know! 

I have a confession to make: I've never been to Lollapalooza. I'm a music fanatic and a big supporter of the local scene in Chicago, but this extravaganza I've never attended. Until today. And I promise you, my first time is going to be a doozy.

The Chicago Jazz Festival is Chicago's oldest lakefront music fest, but it's still a month away. You don't have to wait that long for some fantastic (and free) jazz; you can get your fix now with "Made In Chicago: World Class Jazz".

Opera is normally reserved for people with fairly deep pockets. It's an expensive genre to enjoy. Tonight, however, everyone can experience the pleasure of this dramatic art form.

Chicago's Loop is a favorite for those Hollywood movie types. The Fugitive, The Untouchables, The Dark Knight, Ferris Beuller's Day Off, and Spider Man are just a few of the movies that have been filmed here.

It's the middle of the week and it's a beautiful summer day. What better way to celebrate than with champagne and hors d'oeuvres, followed by wine and hors d'oeuvres, followed by fireworks?

Have a date tonight and no clue where to go? Head up to Botanic Gardens for a relaxing evening, with soothing sounds in an idyllic environment. Every Monday the Carillon Bells ring across the water from Evening Island. You can bring a picnic or you can buy sustenance there, including bottles of wine. Get there a little early and you can take a tour and see a demonstration, and even ring the bells yourself.

River North has the highest concentration of restaurants in Chicago, so it's only fitting that they have their very own taste.

One of the most popular summer activities is the Outdoor Film Festival, and it begins tonight! 

11am Wilbert Jones, Healthy Concepts and Sergio Bondi of US Foodservice
Noon Chef Linda Szarkowski, Green Spirit Living
1pm Lori Parett, Lori's Cakewalk
2pm Shaun L. Raja, Palm Court, Special Events Mgr & Chef Patrick Crane, The Drake Hotel
3pm Ying Stoller, Ying's Kitchen, Inc

4pm Chef Hector Marcial, Mundial Cocina Mestiza

11am to 6pm Interactive sports such as volleyball, chess, track and much more!

11am to Noon Bally Total Fitness Morning Work Out

Noon to 1pm Chicago Fire

1 to 2pm Meet and Greet Olympians and Paralympians

2 to 6pm In the Paint Basketball

Family Village

11am to 6m Green activities for kids, Civil Air Patrol: Come Fly With Me - Airplanes & More, Free Stamps for Kids with the Chicago Philatelic Society (ages 5 to 16)

11am to 3pm Fun craft activities for kids with Michaels (ages 3 to 12)

11am to 2pm Face painting (ages 16 & under)

2:30 to 6pm It's U Caricatures (ages 16 & under)

4 to 6pm Play the giant Twister game

Fun Time Stage (part of Family Village)

11:30am Taste of Talent Contest for Kids (finalists ages 4 to 14 compete for prizes)

3pm Be a Karaoke Star (ages 18 and under)
5:15pm Jesse White Tumbling Team

"Gospel & Jazz Sunday"

Noon Hip Chicks Jazz (Big Band Sound)
1:30pm Arthur Sutton & The Gift of Praise
3pm Shekinah Glory Ministry (Gospel)
4:30pm Von Freeman (Jazz)

Best Buy Stage

11am Absolutely Perfect

12:30pm 1969

2pm Lucid Ground

3:30pm Soul Chasers

5pm Banda Nueva Raza

11am Derryl L. Reed, Smokin' Joe Products
Noon Dublins own Stuart O'Keeffe
1pm Chef David Richards, Sweets & Savories
2pm Radio Legend - Steve Dahl, Bears Analyst Tom Thayer and Chef Hans, Trader Vic's
3pm Chef Joey Morelli, Joey's Brickhouse

4pm Chef Gloria Hafer, Washington RJD Culinary Institute/After School Matters

5pm Jennifer Gavin, Executive Chef, Catered Excellence - Finalist, Hell's Kitchen, Season 4

11am-6pm Interactive sports such as volleyball, chess, track and much more!

11am to Noon Bally Total Fitness Morning Work Out

1 to 2pm Meet and Greet Olympians and Paralympians

2 to 6pm In the Paint Basketball

Family Village

11am to 7pm Green activities for kids, Arts & crafts for kids with JoAnn's (ages 5-14)

11am to 2:30pm American Girl Place: 2009 Girl of the Year Chrissa Friendship Bookmark Craft (ages 8-12), Make patriotic crafts with the Bronzeville Children's Museum (ages 3-9)

11am to 2pm Face painting (ages 16 & under)

2:30 to 5pm It's U Caricatures (ages 16 & under)

3:30 to 7pm Civil Air Patrol: Come Fly with Me-airplanes and more, Fun craft activities for kids with Michael's (ages 3-12), Play the giant Twister game

Fun Time Stage (part of Family Village)

Emcees: Young Chicago Authors Word Play Performers

11:30am Eric Galven (2007 Taste of Talent All-Star)

11:45am On Broadway Dancers from Coal City, IL 
12:35pm The Trouble With Boys (2008 Taste of Talent All-Star)

1:35pm Tri-Town Raiderette Dance Team

1:55pm Maya Tatum-Lattimore (2005 Taste of Talent All-Star)

2:20pm Ashika Sachdev (2008 Taste of Talent All-Star)

2:50pm Chi-Town Cheerleaders (2002 Taste of Talent All-Star)

3:15pm Faith Bardney (2008 Taste of Talent All-Star)

3:45pm Chi-Town Cheerleaders (2002 Taste of Talent All-Star)

4:10pm Asha Kamali's Kids J.A.M. (celebrity choreographer)

5:30pm Radio Disney Road Crew 4th of July Dance Party (games, music, prizes)

"Independence Day Celebration"

Noon Taste of Chicago and The Hideout Present an Independent Independence Day Extravaganza: Songs for Presidents
3:30pm The Boy Named Crow
5:15pm Big Sky Stringband (roots rock/bluegrass)
7pm Lubriphonic (groovy funk rock)

Best Buy Stage

11am All This Talk About Whales

12:30pm Lovers In Arms

2pm Imminent

3:30pm Workout Music

5pm Low Of The Low

11am Amy Donati, Fox & Obel
Noon Michael Scicolonce, author of "1,000 Italian Recipes" & "The Soprano's Cookbook"
1pm Chef Daniel Ovanin, Glen Prairie Restaurant
2pm Luca Corrazino, Executive Chef, 312 Chicago
3pm A.J. Rudis, Chef Chicago White Sox

4pm Chef Angela Douglas, The Parrot Cage

11am to Noon Bally Total Fitness Morning Work Out

Noon to 1pm, 2 to 6pm Chicago Machine

1 to 2pm Meet and Greet Olympians and Paralympians

Family Village

11am to 2pm Meet your favorite Wiggles costumed characters, courtesy of Six Flags Great America; Family activities with Shedd Aquarium; Make a spin art creation; Face painting (ages 16 & Under); Kite making with Wonder Works Children's Museum, Oak Park (ages 3 & up)

11am to 5pm Working Bikes Cooperative, Bike-powered machines

2 to 5pm Meet Bugs Bunny and Friends, courtesy of Six Flags Great America

2:30 to 5pm It's U Caricatures (ages 16 & under)

3 to 5pm Family Bingo (win prizes), Mask making (ages 4 & up, while supplies last), Paint a magnet with Plaster of Paradise (while supplies last)

Fun Time Stage (part of Family Village)

Emcees: Young Chicago Authors Word Play Performers

11:30am Six Flags Great America presents the Wiggles
12:10pm It's Hip Hop, Baby!

12:45pm Super Stolie and The Rockstars

1:40pm It's Hip Hop, Baby!

2:15pm Six Flags Great America presents the Wiggles

2:55pm It's Hip Hop, Baby!

3:30pm On Broadway Dancers from Coal City, IL

"Variety Day"
Noon Chris Gelbuda (singer/songwriter)
1:45pm Liz Toussiant (country)
3:30pm Dan Hubbard & The Humadors (pop/folk)
5:15pm Recorded Music/Open Dance Floor

7:30pm Independence Eve Fireworks Spectacular
The 85th Army Band

11am Chef Steve McHugh, John Besh Restaurants, Louisiana
Noon Alekka Sweeney, Executive Chef, Give Me Some Sugar
1pm Philip Potema, Food Columnist, The Times Newspaper of IN & IL
2pm Maneet Chauhan, Executive Chef, Vermilion
3pm Carlyn Berghoff, Berghoff Catering & Restaurant
4pm Alpana Singh, master sommelier, host of WTTW Channel 11's "Check Please!"
5pm Chef Victor DeLeon, O'Donovan's Pub & Restaurant

11am to Noon Bally Total Fitness Morning Work Out

Noon to 1pm Chicago White Sox

1 to 2pm Meet and Greet Olympians and Paralympians

2 to 6pm World Sport Chicago

Family Village

"Healthy Kids Days" presented by United Healthcare

11am to 7pm United Healthcare; Green activities for kids with Soul Vegetarian East; Chicago Department of Family & Support Services - face painting, crafts & games; Healthy Kids Challenge Walk-Thru Pyramid

11am to 1pm Play the Giant Twister Game

1:30 to 4:30pm Design your own sun visors & goofy glasses (ages 4 & up, while supplies last)

2 to 4pm Block Party (ages 4 & up)

5 to 7pm Family Bingo (win prizes)

Fun Time Stage (part of Family Village)

"Healthy Kids Days" presented by United Healthcare

Emcees: Young Chicago Authors Word Play Performers
11:30am Come Out and Play kids fitness demos
12:15pm Healthy cooking with Chef Gloria D. Hafer, Vicky Solczak, & After School Matters

1pm Stretch-n-Grow, Fabulously Fun Fitness for Kids

2:15pm Healthy snacks with The Spatulatta Girls

3:15pm Hip-Hop Yoga with Mindful Practices

4:45pm Healthy Cooking with Michelle O'Malley, Executive Chef/Owner, A Kids' Kitchen

"Thrill Jockey Records Day"
Noon Doug McCombs and David Daniell
1:45pm Fred Andersons Trio
3:30pm Bobby Conn
5:15pm Eleventh Dream Day
7pm 8 Bold Souls

5:30pm

Afrodisiacs

Superdiamond

11am Roberta Trenbeth, Jersey Mary BBQ
Noon Chef Steve McHugh, John Besh Restaurants, Louisiana
1pm Chef David Oland, David's on Jefferson Hill
2pm Chefs Robert & Allison Levitt, Mado
3pm Chef Sherman Scott, Harvest Grill, Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile
4pm Lisa Williams of Lisa Cooks Allergen Free
5pm Michael Niksic, The Food Mercenary

11am to Noon Bally Total Fitness Morning Work Out

Noon to 1pm Chicago Blackhawks

1 to 2pm Meet and Greet Olympians and Paralympians

2 to 6pm World Sport Chicago

Family Village

11am to 1pm Play the Giant Twister Game

11am to 2pm Paint a magnet with Plaster of Paradise (while supplies last)

11am to 2:30pm Hands-on activities with the Museum of Science & Industry

11am to 7pm Chicago Department of Family & Support Services - face painting, crafts & Games

1:30 to 4:30pm Design your own sun visors & goofy glasses (ages 4 & up, while supplies last)

3 to 7pm WTTWKids presents Sid the Science Kid (meet & greets, activities & more)

3:30 to 7pm Green activities for kids with the US Environmental Protection Agency

5 to 7pm Family Bingo (win prizes)

Fun Time Stage (part of Family Village)

Emcees: Young Chicago Authors Word Play Performers
11:30am Magic That Quacks You Up with Steve Belliveau
12:45pm Nelson Gill Duo

1:45pm Getting Excited About Science with Steve Belliveau

3pm ComedySportz US vs. ComedySportz UK

3:40pm The Poetic Storyteller

4:10pm  ComedySportz US vs. ComedySportz UK
4:50pm Wheeling High School's Crucial Step Clique

5:45pm Emerald City Theatre Company's Jolly Rogers

"Tribute Bands"
Noon Marrakesh Express (tribute to CSNY)
1:45pm Tribute to Luther Vandross
3:30pm Heartache Tonight (tribute to The Eagles)
5:15pm Hot Rocks Rolling Stones Show
7pm Elevation (tribute to U2)

5:30pm

Keri Hilson

Ne-Yo

Think your kid oughtta be in pictures? Give them a shot with Green Screen Photography. If they're aspiring musicians inspire them with Paul Green's School Of Rock followed by the Battle of the Bands.

11am Elena Marre & Erin Haswell, The Kids' Table
Noon Lucinda Scala Quinn, host of "Everyday Food" PBS TV
1pm Ana Victoria Belaval & Ana Belaval, reporter for WGN Morning News
2pm Chef Patrick Quakenbush, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
3pm Devin Alexander, Host, Healthy Decadence, Fit TV, Author of "Biggest Loser Cookbook"
4pm Laura Vaughn, Pastry Chef, Sikia Restaurant
5pm Chef Daniel Humm, Eleven Madison Park

10am to 4pm Register for Race To Taste

11am to Noon Bally Total Fitness Morning Work Out

Noon to 1pm Chicago Bears
1 to 2pm Meet and Greet Olympians and Paralympians
2 to 6pm Northwestern University - athlete, coach & mascot appearances, clinics & contests

Family Village
11am to 7pm Mayor Daley's Bicycling Ambassadors, Dinosaurs Alive! with Brookfield Zoo

11am to 7pm Civil Air Patrol: Come Fly With Me - Airplanes & More

11am to 7pm It's Kids Time Extreme

11am to 2:30pm Adopt-a-Beach with the Alliance for the Great Lakes
3:30 to 7m Play chess with the Illinois Chess Association
3:30 to 7pm Go Green with the Little Environmentalists

Fun Time Stage (part of Family Village)
11:30am The Little Miss Ann Band
12:30pm, 2:45pm Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
1:45pm Just Us Kids of the All-City Elementary Youth Chorus
4:05pm CircEsteem & The Chicago Youth Circus
5:05pm Kidz Clog & Cloggin' Craze
6:10pm 2nd Thought

"Bloodshot Records Day"
Noon Andre Williams
1:45pm The Deadstring Brothers
3:30pm Dollar Store
5:15pm Scotland Yard Gospel Choir
7pm Waco Brothers

5pm
Augustana

Counting Crows

When you think of the Olympics it seems they've been around forever. They did start back in Ancient Greece, after all. But the modern games have only been around for 115 years. Back in 1894 the International Olympic Committee was formed on June 23 and the modern games began.

As soon as summer rolls around Chicagoans flock outside like seagulls to a busy harbor. We go shopping at farmers markets and art fairs, dine at the hundreds of outdoor cafes, and attend as many street fests and outdoor concerts as possible. We even watch our movies outside.

Poor Mondays have the worst reputation, but it doesn't need to be that way. For example, today you can enjoy some of Chicago's top attractions for free!

Today's weather could put a damper on your plans to visit one of the many street fests occurring this weekend, but there's one that'll keep you dry all day long.

Chicago's Lake Michigan shoreline is lined with 26 miles of beaches. There aren't many dining options on the lakefront, but there are two notable ones on the near north side.

The Great Lawn in Millennium Park is a fantastic spot for picnics and watching concerts. It's also a wonderful place for a workout. This Saturday you can practice Yoga, Tai Chi, or Pilates in front of the Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Like my suggestions for the rest of the day, these are also free!

This weekend you can visit the Midwest's largest book fair, browse art surrounded by skyscrapers, and listen to some amazing music, all for free.