Nope - I'm not making it easy on you this week either, but here are some highlights!

Fiesta del Sol is going to be Latin-party-central starting today, running through Sunday.  The music line-up is exclusively Latin; DJs will be rockin' house music continuously at the House of Sol (that pun is so cute!), now in its second year of affiliation with the Fiesta.  Check out varied activities including Capoeira, ceremonial dance, theater and graffiti arts.  And, I assume that there will be ample regional food liberally sprinkled with cilantro!!

The Black Women's Expo hosts its annual Phenomenal Woman Awards Gala tonight.  And the Phenomenal Woman of the Year is?  Michelle Obama!  Also enjoy music by Darius Brooks.  Be sure to take advantage of some of the special programs during the expo, including the Leadership Summit, with Keynote Speaker, Anita Hill and literally tons of professional and personal development seminars.  Really.  They've got quite a schedule!  Musical performers include MC Lyte, Lalah Hathaway, Syleena Johnson and Rahsaan Patterson.  (Hey!  That's a dude!)

Hang out downtown afterwork today and start with The Spam All Stars (Miami's Electronic Discarga) at Chicago SummerDance.  Latin, funk, hip hop and dub provide the backdrop for your newly acquired New Funk/House dance skills.  Okay - what the heck are "New Funk/House" dance lessons all about?  I'd love to find out . . .  Anyway, bust a move over to Millennium Park for a free performance by Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble.  Or, cool off with a Mean Summer Tiki drink at Sam's, where for a mere 25 bucks you'll not only toss 'em back, but can learn the history of the tiki drink and how to make 'em yourself with aplomb!  Walk east on Roosevelt Road and continue to chill out at Jazzin' at the Shedd with Detour.  This could be the perfect end to your Thursday evening!

Moving on to Friday . . . Another dress-up opportunity with the Jazz Unites "We Love You Madly" Awards Gala, which serves to open the annual Heritage Jazz Festival weekend at South Shore Cultural Center.  Lollapalooza also starts on Friday with a line-up that includes Lineup includes Kanye West (Sunday, 8:30pm), Lupe Fiasco (Saturday, 6:30pm), Amadou et Mariam (Sunday, 3:15pm) and Saul Williams (Sunday, 5pm).  The Black Harvest Film Festival begins on Friday, though if you haven't bought your ticket for the opening night festivities, it's too late now!  But you can still enjoy a rich crop of African-American film every night (at least once each evening) throughout the month of August and we've got the complete schedule!

Start your Saturday morning with Millennium Park Morning Fitness, then head north to Café Ba Ba Reeba for their Paella Cooking Class.  After cooking it up, enjoy your dish with wine and sherries!  On Sunday, you can spend some mellow time at Washington Park with Belize Day.  Historically, this fest has felt much more like a family reunion, but it is gradually becoming more of an "event."  But there's always more To-Do!  Also in town this weekend:  Chaka Khan, Kindred the Family Soul and Musiq Soulchild. 

But, wait - check this out.  Did you know that there are also To-Dos on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday?!?!  Yes - there are!!!  Corey Wilkes at Tuesdays at the Terrace (Museum of Contemporary Art); The Day the Earth Stood Still shows at the Outdoor Film Festival; Tiaybe at the Summer Breeze Jazz Concert Series; and, Mamadou Diabate at the Old Town School's World Music Series all help you make it over the hump, in addition to film, live music and theater.