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Greetings Sophisticate!
What is a festival? According to www.Dictionary.com, it's a period or program of festive activities, cultural events or entertainment. Well, at Soleil's To-Dos, we err on the side of reckless abandon when it comes to our festival schedule! You'll find big fests, neighborhood fests, film fests, book fests, music fests, food fests and more!
Okay - it may not feel like it - with the weather fluctuating between 84 degrees and freezing - but, festival season is here! I started out the season this past weekend by trying out the Lakeview MayFest at 3100 N. Ashland. They bill themselves as the "kickoff" to the festival season. Not! Why not? Because it's a small, parking lot "asphalt fest" with hokey music and $10 admission. (I couldn't even bring myself to pay it!) In our book, the festival season still kicks off on the first weekend of June with the 57th Street Art Fair! This sprawling festival provides a nice variety of art, food and fun for the whole family (including dogs!) as you meander through a small neighborhood park and tree-lined streets. And it's free!
Soleil's To-Dos will continue to bring you our pick of festivals and more, with a little commentary on what you can expect. And here's a rundown on what you can expect this season!
 Taste of Chicago: For a while it was uncertain as to whether there would actually be an admission charge for The Taste this year. Well, there will be no admission charge, but the City has found other ways to cut costs. This year, Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival, the Chicago Country Music Festival, Celtic Fest Chicago and the Chicago Gospel Music Festival will be incorporated into The Taste, with each fest representing a themed day of music. The music line-up suggests that some cost-cutting was done - the only names I recognize are Loretta Lynn and Natalie Cole. It's a shame that four of our music fests have been cancelled, but at least they'll still have a chance to represent!
SummerDance: Happy Fifteenth Anniversary, SummerDance! Every year, that dance floor gets tighter and tighter, but this year, a dance floor expansion is underway! That's right - the dance floor expands from 4,600 to 5,000 square feet. Okay, that's a little roomier, but not as roomy as SummerDance In the Parks! As in the past couple of years, on select Wednesdays you'll be able to enjoy SummerDance at Humboldt Park Boathouse, Jackson Park/63rd St Beach and the Athletic Field Park. If you want to spread out your blanket or chill in a lawn chair with some food and libations, SummerDance In the Parks is a nice, uncongested opportunity to get your picnic on! SummerDance starts on July 7th, but the schedule hasn't been released yet. You can bet we'll have it posted as soon as we get it!
Outdoor Film Festival: Cancelled, but . . .
 Movies In the Parks: . . . Is on! There are tons of movies being shown in parks all over the City! We're especially excited about some documentaries such as Straight, No Chaser - Thelonious Monk; Listen Up: The Lives of Quincy Jones; and, The Hip-Hop Project. Young and old will enjoy The Wiz; Let's Do It Again and ET. We've made our picks based on neighborhoods (parks we love and parks we'd like to discover) and the movies themselves, but you can also explore the full schedule on the Chicago Park District website. At MIP, you'll find plenty of room to spread out and even barbeque. Amble on in at your leisure and you'll still find room to enjoy the flick! MIP is free(!) and a perfect night out for families, loving couples and . . . hmmm GROUP OUTINGS!!! Yeah, I'll pick a movie and a date and I'll bring the mojitos (uh . . . I mean fresh lemonade with mint leaves, Officer)!!! Stay tuned for details on this Soleil's Simply Social Outing . . . [Read the rest of this post and get links for Summer Favorites!]
Be sure to also visit our To-Dos page for all the best in music, art, galas, film and more! Whatever you decide To-Do, have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!
Stephanie!
Soleil@so-LAZE.com
www.so-LAZE.com
**I hope you take advantage of the work we do in compiling these listings and if you value what we do, please share our website with your friends, family and colleagues. And when you attend an event that you heard about through us (shoot, even if you heard about from someone else (okay, just jokin'!)), tell 'em you heard about it from Soleil's (so-LAZE) To-Dos!
   
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