Of course, the Taste of Chicago continues on through the weekend! Fantasia performs tonight and, if you can squeeze in, the Independence Eve Concert and fireworks is always exciting! There's a lot of asphalt out there, so if it's hot, it's gonna be really hot, and if it's peak time, too - you're in for a real treat!
While you're downtown, stop in at SummerDance and take part in tango dancing, jitterbug lessons, swing or country stepping! Each date features a one-hour dance lesson, then you get to perfect your moves to the sound of great live music. This
To-Do takes place in the Spirit of Music Garden, which is under a canopy of trees and full of lush gardens. It's truly a beautiful place to spend a summer evening. SummerDance has gotten really popular over the years, so just swing your arms wildly, step long and wide and you can carve out your own personal dance floor! Cocktails are available for purchase.
Be sure to search the calendar for "Chicago SummerDance In the Parks" to find a SummerDance at a neighborhood park. You might also want to check out salsa lessons and music at Chicago Botanic Garden's Hot Summer Nights: Chicago con Clase with Saladeen Alamin. Work up a nice glow on the dance flo,' then cool off with glass of wine and a stroll around the splendor that is the Chicago Botanic Garden! (Then get to Nordstrom's Rack before it closes!)
Don't forget about Jazzin at the Shedd on Thursday - this week featuring
Detour! Funkay, funkay, funkay - this band grooves! The combination of covers and originals, combined with the energy and talent of this group are sure to keep you moving - or, at least make you want to move! Phil Seed is a powerhouse of energy on vocals and guitar (you can't help but be reminded of Jonathan Butler) and Kenery Smith, on bass, liberally adds the funky bassline!
The views from the Shedd terrace are gorgeous - the perfect backdrop for a Chicago summer evening! Jazzin' at the Shedd draws visitors and locals and you can expect to find some children under-foot. Seating is a little limited, so try to get there early. Parking is a little walk from the entrance, so plan accordingly!
Starting Thursday, you can mellow out a bit and escape to the International Festival of Life in the lush Washington Park. You'll be greeted by the pulsing groove of multiple reggae and African songs; the sweet, musky fragrance of incense; bright smiles of vendors welcoming you to their tents; the spicy aroma of jerk chicken; and, lots of festive people engaged full-throttle in Chicago's Summertime!
The 18th Annual House Music Reunion makes its return on July 5th and you know the househeads will be out! This
To-Do is like a reunion (high school, family, friends). Die hard House fans (and the not-so-die-hard who really come to people-watch/mac) gather for an afternoon of going nuts when they hear their "cut." DJs do their thang for hours and plenty of dancing goes on in the dance "floor" area. While it's kinda underground (only in terms of an advertising presence), plenty of people know about it! You'll find folks in tents, on blankets and on lawn chairs - and plenty of BBQing! Popular, but not overcrowded, you'll find this a cool way to enjoy a Chicago summer day-turned-to-evening!
This is a mature event and seems to attract mostly people over 30. Parking will be crazy, so be sure to visit
www.ChosenFewDJs.com for tips and information about the pre-party and afterparty. Got a bike? Ride it. Don't drink and ride.
Parties!
In addition to the
House Music Reunion parties running all through the weekend, at
Soleil's To-Dos, you'll find a number of listings of parties for a more mature set. (View all parties at a glance by selecting "none" at the bottom of the list of categories on
www.so-LAZE.com; then click "Party" on the category list.) Start your party weekend on Thursday with
Summer Dreams, brought to you by the team of Mark Fuller, Shun Dyes, Bryan Wallace & The Network (BPN). On Friday, try
In the Know - Fashion * Music * Luxury * Lifestyle, featuring a fashion presentation by
Z - Ziami, the new clothing line by Boris Kodjoe. On the turntables, DJ Kid Capri. Hosted by Kenny Johnson, Keenan Towns, Stephen Mitchell & Shun Dyes.
Also on Friday -
First Fridays: Essence de Chicago, featuring a live performance by
Syleena Johnson. On Saturday, Miracle Entertainment, 432 Entertainment and The Enve Groupe present
Indulgence, with music by DJ Third Degree and Mark FullaFlava.
Sippin' on Saturday is a reliable holiday favorite! Hosted by Kenny Johnson and Teri Day, Sippin' on Saturday at the Hotel Sax is sure to be swanky!
I remember the first party of Kenny Johnson's that I went to (I think at the old Circus) - I walked in and it was like being on a movie set! Just a surreal kinda glamorous feel . . . Shun created a similar feel at a party he did a few years ago at a spot just west of Rush Street. You'll find that parties included on
Soleil's To-Dos are those that are more than a room and music. (And, of course, those that require you to be searched or repeatedly warned about a dress code are excluded.) So, go 'head - gitcho groove on!
But, if that's not enough for you, you know there's far more
To-Do at
Soleil's To-Dos! Visit the website to browse categories, save
To-Dos to your calendar, send reminders and coordinate your weekend with friends and family. Forward a number of
To-Dos to your circle, do some polling and set that weekend calendar loosely! With
Soleil's To-Dos at your fingertips, you can't help but make it a fabulous Fourth of July Weekend!
