Bring the kids, bring the dog, bring yourselves but please leave your iguana at home.  On Saturday, July 11 and Sunday July 12 the West Town Chamber of Commerce presents West Fest.  West Fest is an annual Chicago neighborhood festival celebrating the eclectic persono of the West Town community.  The focus is on "all things local from the food to the talent".  Beginning at around 12:30pm three stages will feature local artists performing original music and entertainment. The main stage is located on Chicago Ave. and Damon.  There will also be a DJ stage and an Adventure Stage Chicago stage.  For a line up of West Fest entertainment click here.  

You can bring the entire  family to this festival.  The Kidfest at Wolcott and Rice street will feature programming and music for kids on the Adventure Stage Chicago stage.  The kids can also partake in crafts, face painting, pony rides, bounce houses and more.  Don't forget about fido!  Dogs are welcome and you can enjoy Petfest with your pet at Wolcott and Chicago Ave.  where there will be pup scrubs for charity.  This year's Petfest will have information for Chicago pet owners on how to keep their city pet happy, healthy, and safe.  There will be lots of free samples and give aways for pet owners and their pets.

On Sunday, July 12 at 2:00pm there will be a fashion show featuring fashions from Chicago's own Soko Fashion Boutique.  In addition to all of the above fun, over 80 vendors will be offering deals on clothes, food, and cold drinks.  You might want to ride your bike and take advantage of the free bike valet.  A $5.00 donation to the West Town Chamber of Commerce is requested to get into the festival.

     

   

Want a deal on some great skincare products?  This Saturday head over to the H2O warehouse at 845 West Madison Street (312-850-9283) for the H2O 11th annual warehouse sale.  H2O skincare products are water-based, oil-free, and up to 80 percent off  this Saturday.  This annual event runs from 7:00am-3:00pm.  Get there early and stock up for the year on H2O skin products.  Healthy skincare for a steal.  What a deal!      

One person's trash is another's treasure.  Find your treasure at Lincoln Square's Big Neighborhood Flea Market on Saturday, June 6.  Buisinesses and neighbors in the Lincoln Square neighborhood are cleaning out their basements and garages and offering deals at a one day outdoor market.  Wares will include hand painted Italian ceramics from Della Terra Ltd., Tribal Art from East Meets West World, and neighborhood treasures and antiques from deep in the attic.  The wheeling and dealing takes place at 2150 W. Lawrence in the Lincoln Square neighborhood.  All of you bargain hunters out there, come checkout the neighborhood deals this Saturday.  Who knows what you might find?   

Are you looking for a fun and inexpensive way to wrap up the week?  On Friday, May 15, Columbia College is celebrating creativity and the work of seniors and graduate students with the Manifest Urban Arts Festival.  Festivities run from 11:00am until 10:00pm and include performance art at various locations, an art walk through area galleries, an art sale at the student art store, music, and more.  The official festival kick-off is at noon and with give aways and music from Mucca Pazza, a punk marching band.  At 6:45pm until 7:45pm students will be marching in a parade featuring giant puppets created by students and faculty.  Columbia College is located at 640 South Wabash Ave.  Admission to the festival is free and open to the public.  

Check out the Manifest Urban Arts schedule page for a complete schedule, location of events.  What a great way to party and get those creative juices flowing!   

 

 

What are you doing this afternoon?  No plans?  Head over to the open house at Fulton Market.  Fulton Market is one of Chicago's newer hotspots and a growing neighborhood.  You'll find funky galleries, trendy boutiques, and innovative restaurants.  Some of Chicago's hottest fashion designers make this their home.  There's plenty of free parking and theres no admision price.  The festivities run from noon until 5:00pm.  Explore the Fulton Market neighborhood and have some fun!

Everybody deserves to be pampered so when it's free why pass it up?  Renew Spa at 980 N. Michigan Ave is Celebrating it's grand opening on Thursday, May 7, 2009.  Drop by between 6:00PM and 9:00PM and enjoy cocktails and a fashion show of sustainable clothing from  Bucktown's Roslyn Botique.  Indulge yourself with free mancures, pedicures, mini-facials, chair massages, make-up, and more.  What better way is there to destress after a long day without stressing about the price?  

It's true, one person's castoff can turn into another person's treasure.  Come see for yourself at the first Chicago Clothing Swap.  You know the skirt that looked so cute last year, but won't fit over your dang knees this year?  How about the reindeer sweater that Aunt Wilma gave you?  Or the jeans that you just know you'll fit into someday? Bring them all to the Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Avenue on this Sunday afternoon from 1:00 - 3:00.  For each item of clothing in good shape you bring, you'll get one chip that you can redeem for one peice of "new" clothing.   You can shop and swap untill 4:00.  All leftover clothes will be donated to Sara's place, a homeless women's shelter in uptown.  Can you think of a better way to clear out the closet and get a new wardrobe without spending a dime?  Now that's the kind of bargain I like!  Off to look through my closet!  

How about indulging in rich chocolate and fine wine while supporting world-wide sustainable businesses?  Greenheart shop, located at 3324 N. Clark Street in Chicago is hosting a fair trade wine and chocolate tasting on Thursday, March 19th from 6:30pm - 8:00pm.  The chocolate comes from a worker owned cocoa cooperative in Ghana and the wine is from Stellar Organics, made in South Africa.  Greenheart shop features merchandise made by fair trade artesians from around the world.  The tasting is free but donations are welcome.