Peruse African fine art and celebrate African culture and cuisine during this Labor Day weekend festival at Washington Park. Kool & the Gang, Big Daddy Kane (above), Rachelle Ferrell and Diblo Dibala are among the performers you can catch on stage. With the lineup of artists and musicians, this year's festival carries the title "Nuah Woo," which means "voice of the community" in the Kpelle language of Liberia.
Start the evening with a free swing dance lesson. Then show off your moves on the 6,000-square-foot dance floor as the Gina Knight Orchestra performs at the Willowbrook Ballroom. Dress in vintage attire.
Ms. Silverman sometimes cushions her biting satire with some nice guitar playing. See the latest pop culture topics she's taking on during an evening of stand-up at the Horseshoe Casino's new venue.
Join runners in 25 cities across the world, including Istanbul, Turkey; Lima, Peru; Madrid, Spain, and Melbourne, Australia, to run a 10K as part of the Nike + Human Race. Participants can choose to have their registration fees benefit the World Wildlife Fund, the Lance Armstrong Foundation or NineMillion.org. Chicago runners are treated to a Fall Out Boy concert at the finish line, where they can dance right on Soldier Field, alongside the band.
Naperville's Riverwalk is home to this four-day festival of carnival rides, food, drinks, a children's play land and lots of music. Dennis DeYoung of Styx fame takes the stage on Friday night performing Styx classics, while the Doobie Brothers bring their energetic show on Saturday. Gavin DeGraw headlines the festival on Sunday.
"Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk"
Feel the exhilaration of white-water rafting on the Colorado River and take in the beauty of the Grand Canyon while learning about the issues that threaten the rivers and water supplies of many of the Earth's populations. For every adult admission ticket purchased through August, a child gets free admission to the museum. An Omnimax ticket is $7 per child.
A quiet man convinces an entire town, and the world, that he is a superhero. But one skeptical woman sets out to prove he is a fraud. This is a love story that examines faith and what it takes to believe in something. This production at the Theater Building Chicago is presented by Collaboraction.
Imagine what might have happened in the Lincoln sitting room the night before President Richard Nixon resigned. This award-winning production at the Writers' Theatre features actors William Brown as Henry Kissinger and Larry Yando as Nixon on that stressful but undoubtedly interesting evening. Through Oct. 19.
The 30th annual jazz festival gets a grand start with Sonny Rollins (above), a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner. Mr. Rollins performs in a free concert at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park on Thursday night. The festival then moves to Grant Park for the weekend, with saxophonist-composer Ornette Coleman closing things out on Sunday. Dee Dee Bridgewater, Eddie Palmieri and the Gerald Wilson Orchestra also perform.
Rising to fame during the New Wave era, Squeeze is best known for "Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)" and "Tempted," but longtime fans and casual listeners are sure to find plenty to enjoy during this evening of music at Ravinia. The exquisite Aimee Mann also performs.
The band will fill the skies of Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island with their special Southern rock. The evening's jam starts off with Bob Weir & RatDog performing.
An arbor covered with red and white grape vines sets the scene at the Chicago Botanic Garden for an evening that celebrates grapes and hops. Professionals offer tips on how to select the right varietals or best brew. Cheese, crackers and crudités also will be served. Designated drivers receive free admission.
Rick Bayless, who shares his love of Mexican cuisine through his cookbooks, TV show and restaurants, is inducted into the Chefs Hall of Fame of the Chicago Culinary Museum at a ceremony at the Palmer House Hilton. Charlie Trotter, who received the honor in 2006, presents the award to the owner of Topolobampo and Frontera Grill. The evening begins with a cocktail reception, followed by the awards presentation and dinner.