Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
or go to
www.whitesox.mlb.com
. Make your plans early to get
tickets for this eagerly awaited day. Early April.
Chicago Improv Festival.
Big names and lesser-known (but tal-
ented) comedians converge for a celebration of silliness, with large
main-stage shows and smaller, more experimental pieces. Most
performances are at the Athenaeum Theater on the North Side
(2936 N. Southport Ave.;
&
773/935-9810;
www.chicagoimprov
festival.org). Last week of April.
May
The Ferris Wheel and Carousel
begin spinning again at Navy
Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave. (
&
312/595-PIER;
www.navypier.com).
The rides operate through October. From Memorial Day through
Labor Day, Navy Pier also hosts twice-weekly fireworks shows
Wednesday nights at 9:30pm and Saturday nights at 10:15 pm.
June
Printers Row Book Fair,
Dearborn Street from Congress Park-
way to Polk Street (
&
312/222-3986;
www.chicagotribune.com/
about/custom/events/printersrow). One of the largest free out-
door book fairs in the country, this weekend event celebrates the
written word with everything from readings and signings by big-
name authors to panel discussions on penning your first novel.
First weekend in June.
Chicago Blues Festival,
Petrillo Music Shell, Randolph Street
and Columbus Drive, Millennium Park (
&
312/744-3315
).
Muddy Waters would scratch his noggin over the sea of subur-
banites who flood into Grant Park every summer to accompany
local legends Buddy Guy and Lonnie Brooks on air guitar. Blues
Fest is free, with dozens of acts performing over 4 days, but get
there in the afternoon to get a good spot on the lawn for the
evening show. Second weekend in June.
Ravinia Festival,
Ravinia Park, Highland Park (
&
847/266-
5100;
www.ravinia.com). This suburban location is the open-air
summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the
venue of many first-rate visiting orchestras, chamber ensembles,
pop artists, and dance companies. June through September.
Old Town Art Fair,
Lincoln Park West and Wisconsin Street, Old
Town (
&
312/337-1938;
www.oldtowntriangle.com). This
juried fine arts fair has drawn crowds to this historic neighbor-
hood for more than 50 years with the work of more than 250
painters, sculptors, and jewelry designers from the Midwest and
around the country on display. Second weekend in June.
