When: Noon-6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Where: Between State and Wells Streets, from Erie to Superior Streets. Free. 847-444-9600. www.amdurproductions.com.
What: The Gold Coast Art Fair, often called the “Granddaddy” of Chicago’s art festivals, features more than 400 artists from around the country displaying their wares.
The River North Gallery District’s Huron and LaSalle Street intersection will be the festival’s center of activity.
From the fine arts to fine eating, the Taste of the Fest will offer visitors samples of cuisine from restaurants in the Gold Coast area, from burgers to bruschetta.
Family activities–in the Blick Art Tent–include hands-on arts and crafts demonstrations, and art instruction.
Forget about parking, which is bad even when there isn’t a festival. The surrounding streets will be closed to traffic, and nearby parking lots have been reserved for the participating artists.
What’s new: Continuous live music throughout the fair. Performers include folk-duo Cirrus Falcon, Clifton and Sei deMarks, flamenco guitarist Russell Donnellson, strolling street musicians and barefoot violinist Malcolm Watson.
Forecast: Early showers, followed by partly sunny skies. Artists will present artwork in a rainbow of colors and designs, hoping visitors will appreciate the rays of sunshine fine art can bring.