Happy Father’s Day! If you are looking for ideas on where to spend this day, consider going to the Southside Polish Fest. Today is the last day . The organizers say that this is a family-friendly event. Besides the carnival, live music on 2 stages, and lots of traditional Polish cuisine with Polish and American beer, the fest will also feature the Chicago’s Original Pierogi Eating Contest at 4:30pm.
The festival will run today from 1:00PM to 11:00 PM at TOYOTA PARK( 7000 S. Harlem Ave Bridgeview, IL. 60455)
Admission is $5.00 – Children under 12 and Seniors 65+ are FREE
Click here for a list the bands scheduled for today.
Did you know that Chicago currently has the third largest Greek population of any city in the world? Maybe that is the reason why there are so many Greek festivals going on during the Summer. My favorite thing about these festivals is the circle or communal dances in which perfect strangers (Greeks and non-Greeks) get together and dance to the music of a live Greek Folk band. I have done this many times and have always had a great time. I also love to see single dancers do the Zeibekiko, which consists of a man or a woman dancing in the middle of a circle of friends who are on their knees clapping to the rhythm of the music. Here is a video showing you some Zeibekiko moves danced to the music of my favorite Zeibekiko song:
If you would like to try this on your own, then go to one of the festivals going on in the city this Summer. Something to keep in mind is that if you are coming to these festivals to eat, try to get there early because it gets quite crowded after 6 pm and some fests have run out of food in the past. Here is a list of them:
Here is your world music itinerary for this weekend in Chicago. Click on the links below or on the calendar link in the right column of this page for more information. I hope you can attend one or more of these events. And if you do, please share your comments/pics/videos with me. I would love to hear about your experiences exploring the city. Thanks!
While President Obama is visiting Puerto Rico (who, by the way, is the the first sitting U.S. president to visit Puerto Rico in 50 years), the Puerto Ricans living in Chicago already started their Patron Saint festivities in the Humboldt Park neighborhood today. According to the Puerto Rican Parade Committee, this six-day festival is the largest Latin Music Festival in the Midwest. “Humboldt Park is Chicago’s area’s historic Puerto Rican center and home to the city’s third-largest concentration of Puerto Ricans. About 113,000 Chicago residents claim Puerto Rican descent, second only to New York” reports the Chicago Tribune.
Salsa and Bomba lovers will have the chance to dance to the music of many of the local bands and others such as Herman Olivera (ex-singer of Eddie Palmieri’s Orchestra) and two-time Grammy Award winners Spanish Harlem Orchestra. For a detailed schedule and a list of the musicians performing at this festival, click here. If you want to attend the parade on June 18, go to downtown Chicago at 12 noon, by Columbus Dr. & Balbo Dr. And If you decide to go to Humboldt Park after that, I would recommend going to Coco’s restaurant on 2723 West Division Street and try their Coconut martini. It may be too sweet for some, but for me it is just delicious! Do any of you have any other recommendations for things to do in Humboldt Park?
….at the Andersonville Midsommarfest. This is an annual Summer festival located in the Andersonville neighborhood on Clark Street , between Foster and Catalpa, in which vendors from around the region sell their wares to passers-by while ethnic dance troupes and cutting-edge bands keep the party going. There is a significant number of Middle-Eastern businesses in this neighborhood, as well as a new influx of families with children, and a large lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gender population. I came to the Festival to see the local Brazilian band Chicago Samba perform. They gave a very entertaining show thanks to the dancers dressed in colorful and flashy outfits, but they paled in comparison to the outfit of this passer-by:
I took this picture during the performance of the 80s music band 16 Candles (who were a great discovery for me. Except for a few songs, their music selection and rendition was very engaging). Andersonville Midsommarfest is a definitely a good option to see great local bands perform and for seeing interesting outfits and beautiful men (who, unfortunately for me, happen to be gay. My friend said that she had never seen so many beautiful men in one place). By the way, this reminds me that I have to mark my calendar for the Chicago Gay Pride Parade on Sunday June 26 . I attended this parade a few years ago and had a great time. Let the fun begin: Summer in Chicago is just starting!
Did you go to the Chicago Brazilian Music Festival that was held last June 2nd? Everybody was there! Certainly, it was a unique opportunity to see six of the most popular local Brazilian bands at the same time and those of us who love Brazilian music did not want to miss the chance to be part of it. The bands performing during that memorable night were A Cor do Brazil. Bossa Tres, Beaba do Samba, Sergio Pires, Chicago Samba, and Luciano Antonio and Planeta Azul. Congratulations to Ed Gerber for organizing this! Here are some pics, audio and video of that night (thanks to Todd Beauchamp for sharing his pictures with me).
GLOBE SONICO @ Cafe D’Noche
2710 N. Milwaukee Ave. 10pm-3am
Join Aguzate & Sound Culture on Fridays and Saturdays as they remix the world!
They’ll be hanging out and playing the best in Afro Latin, Tropical Bass, Global beats and International grooves in the heart of Logan Square.
D’Noche is an intimate lounge that serves up cocktails and pan-latin cuisine. (Kitchen is open until 11 pm). Patio is open.Free Parking in the Rear.
See menu and drink selection: dnochechicago.com
No Cover, Drink Specials, Friends, Family, and Global Grooves.
Sonic Diaspora at Butterfly Social Club
722 W Grand Chicago 9pm-3am
On the second Saturdays of each month, Brotha Onaci and guest selectahs play the best music of Africa and the African Diaspora, including Afrobeat, High Life, Soukous, Afro-House, Afro-Latin, and much more. This month DJs AfroQbano, Sherwin O and David Nallah Marques will be holding down rhythmic sets to keep you dancing all night long. No Cover
Red Rat (Jamaican Dance Hall Reggae)
Cubby Bear (1059 W Addison St. Chicago) $10-20
Also featuring Chicagos own “Kofi” & DJ Slacky J
Andersonville Midsommarfest
Clark St. betwen Foster and Balmoral)
Midsommarfest is one of Chicago’s most unique street fairs. Born out of Andersonville’s Swedish heritage, Midsommarfest retains its quaint, international flavor. Old-world Swedish traditions, including a festive dance around the Maypole, are incorporated into an unrivaled array of entertainment for families and adults. Click here for the list of world music performances at this fest, which include Funkadesi , Chicago Afrobeat Project, and Chicago Samba
Chiara Mangiamelli Ensemble
“A spectacular ensemble! Captivating and inspiring… With every move, Chiara Mangiameli brings vitality to the stage. Her performance was spectacular in every regard – from the circle of her wrist to her rhythmic footwork, Ms. Mangiameli captivated every member of our audience!”- Christina Salerno, Director for Salt Creek Ballet. Uncommon Ground on Devon 9.30pm $15
1401 W. Devon Ave, Chicago
Balkan Sounds Party
DJ Romasoul(Balkan beats via Chicago house) and DJ MG (“Turkish remix master”), two of the most famous Deejays of Balkan origin in the Greater Chicago area are coming together at the Stone Lotus downstairs lounge for one of the most attractive summer kick-off parties of the year.
Stone Lotus 10pm password “balkan” $5 before 11, and $10 thereafter.
873 N. Orleans Street, Chicago
Latin and World music tonight at ñ
The people at ñ invite us to another wonderful musical evening with Mauro Frosio trio ( old world music and tango ) and DJ Charrua ( Electronic and Latin beats )They promise a great atmosphere, authentic Latin food and exotic cocktails along with great Latin music that includes salsa, bachata, merengue, mambo, cumbia and electronic music. No cover
Peruvian Guitar and Andean Folklore with Julio Humala
One of the greatest Peruvian guitarists of Andean Popular music is offering a concert this afternoon. Don’t miss the chance to see him perform: Julio Humala en concierto
5:30-8:30pm
Bar El Balcon
3466 N Pulaski Chicago
Donation: $15
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Spanglish Rock Every Sunday
Cobra Lounge 235 North Ashland
Sundays, 8pm – 2am.
DJ’s + Live Music every Sunday.
El Frozty, Resistol 5000 + Live Performances
Drink Specials: $3 Victoria or Corona · $3 Jameson shot / $4 cocktail · $3 Patron shot / $4 cocktail
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Latin and World music tonight at ñ
The people at ñ invite us to join them tonight for their Latin night with DJ Charrua. They promise a great atmosphere, authentic Latin food and exotic cocktails along with great Latin music that includes salsa, bachata, merengue, mambo, cumbia and electronic music.
The people from Mixed Motion art invites you to a night of awesome music and dance performances by some of our good friends of the Salsa/Mambo scene and beyond!
Music by El Caobo
$10 donation at the door
Mixed Motion Art
2355 N. Milwaukee Ave. www.mixedmotionart.com
773-888-1MMA
$10 cover
9:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
FEx 1st Saturdays @ Sub-T guest DJ JESSE DE LA PENA & MR. JAYTOO
$5 Cover / 21 & OVER
2011 West North Ave
Chicago, I
10pm-3am
1st Saturday of every month @ Sub-T!! AFROBEAT – BHANGRA – KUDURO – BAILE FUNK – BRAZILIAN – DUBSTEP – REGGAE – LATIN – & other worldly rhythms infused with chest pounding bass, dirty synth and hypnotic drums.
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Las Guitarras de Espana CD Release Concert featuring music by Patricia Ortega
Tantas Cosas, the fifth CD release by Las Guitarras de Espana, features compositions by long-time collaborator and band member, Patricia Ortega. Tantas Cosas (which translates to “Many Things”) continues to add musical flavors to the Spanish guitar-based mix, borrowing influences from West African music, pop ballads, 60’s rock and Gypsy jazz.
Mayne Stage 7.30pm Concert
1328 W Morse Ave, Chicago
Megitza Quarter Live & Balkanksie Disco with DJ Romasoul
The band is fronted by Malgorzata Babiarz – also an upright bass player – with her strong, expressive voice and a Highlander Gypsy soul, Andreas Kapsalis, -an exceptional guitarist of a Greek descent, who uses a unique technique of finger tapping and incorporates his guitar’s body as percussion instrument, together with Marek Lichota – a Polish bayan virtuoso, and all backed by an excellent innovative drummer Jamie Gallagher, who uses a hybrid, multicultural drum set.
9pm at Cafe Nanuco’s (651 W Railroad, Round Lake, IL) (847) 740-3540
Cover: $10
Soda Stereo is one of the biggest Latin Rock bands in recent history. The vocalist of the group, Gustavo Cerati, has been in coma for 11 months, and the people from Rockoticlan Chicago had the brilliant idea to pay tribute to him and the band with a series of concerts featuring New Jersey’s band RUIDO BLANKO. I attended the first concert last Thursday and I was highly impressed by the performance of this band. Their rendition of Soda Stereo’s songs is very close to the originals. If you can make it to Round Lake tonight, don’t miss the chance to go see them. Here is a sample of their concert last Thursday
– GLOBE SONICO @ Cafe D’Noche
2710 N. Milwaukee Ave. 10pm-3am
Join Aguzate & Sound Culture on Fridays and Saturdays as they remix the world!
They’ll be hanging out and playing the best in Afro Latin, Tropical Bass, Global beats and International grooves in the heart of Logan Square.
D’Noche is an intimate lounge that serves up cocktails and pan-latin cuisine. (Kitchen is open until 11 pm). Patio is open.Free Parking in the Rear.
See menu and drink selection: dnochechicago.com
No Cover, Drink Specials, Friends, Family, and Global Grooves.
Salsa Saturdays at Alhambra Palace-Nabori live on stage
1240 W. Randolph Chicago, IL
$15
Grand Opening night of Saturdays of Salsa at Alhambra Palace with DJ FRANKIE J & DJ PRIETO
This has become one of Chicago’s biggest Latin Nights. Come out and see what the buzz is about. The organizers promise beautiful people, great food and terrific atmosphere that only Alhambra Palace can offer.
While 
Chicago Urbanite 
