You know these events by sight–city blocks cordoned off by barricades and tape. People milling in places where cars normally roam. Beer stands plunked in the middle of sidewalks. And the smell–corn dogs, hamburgers, brats and fried Snickers bars. It is the season of the street festival, a Chicago tradition in which a “suggested donation” allows organizations to charge people for access to public spaces. And with each year that passes, it seems more neighborhoods and community groups are getting in the game. Nearly every event features attractions such as live music and food, but the fact is that not all festivals are created equal. Here’s a rundown of some of the contenders, with On the Town’s Corn Rating:
1 Stay home, 2 Go only if the weather is perfect, 3 You’ll get your donation’s worth, 4 What are you waiting for?, 5 Must see.
WICKER PARK SUMMERFEST
July 28-29, 1800 N. Damen Ave.; 773-384-2672; $5
This festival, held in the notorious hipster mecca, is manna from heaven for hard-core music fans. The lineup doesn’t disappoint this year, pairing top-notch local talent (Russian Circles, Catfish Haven) with heavy-hitting indies (god-fearing punk thrashers the Thermals). The can’t-miss act on this bill, though, is metal trio High on Fire, guitarist Matt Pike and Co. stirring up ungodly thunder.
On the Town’s Corn Rating: (5 corn ears) Must see
– – –
Fetes in the ‘hood
Summer street festivals are bursting out all over, with food, music and visitors from other neighborhoods. If you’re planning to hit some of these often-very-good events, here’s a guide to some of the players, complete with On the Town’s Corn Rating:
LAKEVIEW MUSIC FEST
July 7
3600 N. Sheffield Ave.; 773-868-3010; $5
Expect the beer to flow at this Wrigleyville festival, which features music from local rockers Hello Dave and the good-time funk of Bumpus. A headlining appearance by mid-’90s soft-rock outfit the Verve Pipe means that this might be your only chance this summer to get sloshed and join a crowd of strangers singing “The Freshmen.”
On the Town’s Corn Rating: (3 corn ears) You’ll get your donation’s worth
ROCK AROUND THE BLOCK
July 14-15
3600 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-665-4682; $5
At least this Lakeview bash is true to its name. About 30 bands perform continuously on three separate stages, filling the four-block area with sound. While organizers claim to have recruited the city’s best local bands, as of press time few have been announced. Apart from the usual suspects and a handful of cover groups, don’t bet on Andrew Bird making an appearance.
On the Town’s Corn Rating: (3 corn ears) You’ll get your donation’s worth
WORLD’S LARGEST BLOCK PARTY
More Top Picks Best Poker Chip Sets
July 20-21
Madison Street at Des Plaines Avenue; 312-831-9369; $35-$65
After 23 years, the granddaddy of all street fairs is still going strong. Hosted by Old St. Pat’s Church, the adult-oriented shindig features a $25,000 grand-prize cash raffle, travel raffle and truckloads of beer. Chicago native Michael McDermott and trusty jam-band Rusted Root play Friday, while nostalgic pop-rockers Big Head Todd and the Monsters get bittersweet on Saturday.
On the Town’s Corn Rating: (4 corn ears) What are you waiting for?
SOUTHSIDE ARTS & MUSIC FESTIVAL
July 21-22
3500 S. Halsted St.; 773-868-3010; $5
With the White Sox slumping, this Bridgeport festival might be the best reason to venture to the area around U.S. Cellular Field. The fest promises “up-and-coming local blues and rock bands,” but as of press time, only the headliners have been announced: British ska sextet the English Beat and blues guitarist Linsey Alexander.
On the Town’s Corn Rating: (3 corn ears) You’ll get your donation’s worth
SUMMER ON SOUTHPORT
July 28-29
3700 N. Southport Ave.; 773-665-4682; $5
OK, kiddies. Most street festivals cater to adults and the single set. But this Wrigleyville party favors the wee ones. And kids love street fests. The Chicago Children’s Festival holds court both days, and Ralph Covert and Justin Roberts — all-ages musicians adored as much by parents as toddlers — spearhead the entertainment lineup. Neighborhood restaurants provide the eats.
On the Town’s Corn Rating: (4 corn ears) What are you waiting for?
TASTE OF LINCOLN AVENUE
July 28-29
2400 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-868-3010; $7-10
Possibly the most family-friendly (even withthe kids rockers at Summer on Southport) of all the summer street festivals, this Lincoln Park festival will offer a block-long kids carnival complete with face painting, a giant slide and petting zoo. Parents might be more taken with the musical options, however, including can’t-miss local singer-songwriter Kevin Tihista, who has been bubbling around the margins of real notoriety for some time now, and the Baby Boomer blues of Little Feat.
On the Town’s Corn Rating: (4 corn ears) What are you waiting for?
RETRO ON ROSCOE
Aug. 4-5
Roscoe Street at Damen Avenue; 773-665-4682; $5
Miss the days of hard rock’s ’80s peak? Here’s your chance to make amends. Tribute pros Hairbangers Ball will pay homage to the days of Aqua Net, spandex and poodle ‘dos. If that’s not enough karaoke-flavored action, U2 cover band Elevation will evoke the days when Bono had a mullet.
On the Town’s Corn Rating: (3 corn ears) You’ll get your donation’s worth
NORTHALSTED MARKET DAYS
Aug. 11-12
3500 N. Halsted St.; 773-883-0500; $5
The largest two-day festival in the Midwest boasts three stages of music, countless merchandise booths and some of the best people-watching of the summer (the diverse, colorful crowd often light on clothing, and heavy on drag queens and men who are an order of magnitude fitter than thou). Forget about getting a car anywhere near the fest, so you’ll be walking — and spending a lot of time sidling through the immense crowds that this fest draws. So spend your time checking out bands such as Lovehammers (featuring “Rock Star” runner-up Marty Casey), or Devin and the Straights, purveyors of the self-proclaimed “gayest country in the city.” Or knock back a few electric lemonades and score that perfect “Bottom” T-shirt.
On the Town’s Corn Rating: (4 corn ears) What are you waiting for?
NORTH SIDE SUMMERFEST
Aug. 17-19
2000 W. Belle Plaine Ave.; 773-665-4682; $5
You will know you’ve arrived when you reach the closed intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Irving Park Road, and it seems as if there are people everywhere. By late August, the street festivals tend to get repetitive. How many times do you need to hear Poison’s “Talk Dirty to Me” and Dave Matthews Band’s “Crash” ricocheting off buildings? You could find out here. Our advice? Skip the staid rock and predictable pop cover acts and munch at the Gospel Brunch. Maybe you’ll even spot alderman Gene Schulter and earn some clout.
On the Town’s Corn Rating: (3 corn ears) You’ll get your donation’s worth
WHOLE FOODS MARKET FLAVOR FEST
Aug. 25-26
1023 W. Wrightwood Ave.; 773-868-3010; $5
If you could pick Bobby Flay or Mario Batali out of a police lineup, this is the street fest for you. Local gourmands (and wannabes) can catch cooking demonstrations, sample organic fare and enjoy live music from Flock of Seagulls, or bands with names (Cracker) that might also stir hunger pangs.
On the Town’s Corn Rating: (3 corn ears) You’ll get your donation’s worth
RIVERVIEW MUSIC FEST
Aug. 25-26
3300 N. Campbell Ave.; 773-868-3010; $27.50-$33
More Top Picks Fertilizer
For fans of jam bands, this festival, featuring the likes of North Mississippi All-Stars and local noodlers Umphrey’s McGee, could be nearly as pleasurable as joining Phish’s Trey Anastasio in a drum circle. Others might be more taken with the on-site Air Guitar Contest, where one spastic, possibly inebriated, winner will walk away $500 richer.
On the Town’s Corn Rating: (4 corn ears) What are you waiting for?
THE LAST FLING
Aug. 31-Sept. 3
Main Street at Jackson Avenue, Naperville; 630-961-4143; Free
The city has the upper hand in festivals, but this family-geared fiesta shows that the suburbs deserve love, too. In addition to a carnival, craft fair, antique car show, square dancing, Big Wheel races, dog show and pie-eating contest, there’s plenty of music. Our bet is on Rockford’s finest, Cheap Trick. The power-pop legends headline Sunday, reminding everyone that Labor Day is the last holiday until Thanksgiving.
On the Town’s Corn Rating: (4 corn ears) What are you waiting for?
– – –
Want more street fests?
Wrigleyville Summerfest
Saturday, 3309 N. Seminary Ave.; 773-525-0605; $5
Performers: Cat Fight, 1 Hit Wonders, Too White Crew
Benfest
July 13-14, 2215 W. Irving Park Rd.; 773-588-6484; $5-$15
Performers: Mr. Blotto, Hello Dave
Southside Neighborhood Gospel Fest
July 21, 6500 S. Racine Ave.; 312-545-4866; Free
Taylor Street Festa Italiana
Aug. 10-12, Taylor St. at Ashland Ave.; 312-458-9401; $10
Performers: The Smithereens
West Fest 2007
Aug. 11-12, Chicago Ave. and Damen Ave.; 312-850-9390; $5
Edison Park Fest
Aug. 17-19, 6700 N. Olmsted Ave.; 773-631-0063; Free
Performers: Mighty Pilots, Cold Sweat