Are you wary of the swarms of festival zombies at Taste this 4th of July? You should be -- especially if you're equally wary of twentysomething John Mayer fans with a knack for high-pitched screaming. So run far away from Grant Park, party people, and head to Washington Park for the African-Caribbean Festival of Life. The 15th annual cultural bash teems with ethnic beats, eats and a marketplace. Tonight's musical heavyweight, Jamaican reggae singer Buju Banton, takes the stage at
Fresh-faced actor/comedian Hal Sparks doesn't exactly bring to mind the image of buff leathermen. But, sure enough, the funnyman will entertain the crowd at the 29th annual International Mr. Leather contest. (At least last year's IML joke-teller Bruce Vilanch looked like someone you'd find at Jackhammer.) Still, the ex-Boy Scout and "Queer as Folk" star (who got a start at The Second City at age 16 while attending New Trier High School) will headline the title event on Sunday at The Chicago Theatre, where one of 50 fierce contenders will claim the coveted title of International Mr. Leather. So, um...what's up with that? Well, in addition to working the room fro laughs, maybe the comedy cutie also hopes to hype his upcoming CD release from his band Zero 1. On his Web site, Sparks says, "If you don't sing your song... nobody will." We can't wait to hear his "song" this weekend.
It was crowded, it was cold, but I managed to get an eyeful at Looptopia. Was it all that I hoped? Not really. Was I glad we checked it out? Sure. Here's a recap of my night:
7:00:I escape the cold with a generous pour of red wine at the Art Institute (the Hard Rock Hotel was my first choice for an afterwork drink and peek at Miss Looptopia hopefuls, but the swarms trying to squeeze inside turned me right off). Inside the museum, Alfonso Ponticelli and Swing Gitan tuned up but didn't start playing until my plastic cup was nearly empty and the gallery was teeming with Chex Mix-crunching refugees from the wind.
Next stop, 7:45: Daley Plaza to see what was going on. Midnight Circus was on the stage... I think. (Should've worn heels because I couldn't see anything.) Wandering some more brought one of several Redmoon Theater installations into view. It was a mesmerizing scene with live music, a potato patch and huge hanging lanterns. The crowd was impressed. Big win.
9:30: Searching for food and a place to sit, we stopped into Macy's and found the lower level court closed. Gen Art's seventh floor dance party featured a long line (we didn't wait; MFchicago's dance party at Sullivan Dock looked much more promising). I sat and watched a video installation across the street from Daley Plaza while The Ponys played to a receptive crowd.
10 p.m.: Eventually, the cold and wind got the better of me. My friends' hunger (and car parked nearby) convinced me to call it a night. Stuff I would've liked to visit: Jazz lounge at the Chicago Theatre, "365 Days/365 Plays" at Goodman Theatre, MFchicago Dance Party.
Looptopia? A lot of people still don't know what it is. Let us help:
Here's what we can tell you about Looptopia: For starters: It's an all-night, Loop-wide party. It starts 5 p.m. Friday and offers theater, music, dance, and general spectacle until dawn and beyond on Saturday. It's going to be "uge." Seriously. Think Redmoon Theater, The Ponys, Brickheadz, dance parties, comedy, late-night exhibits, installations, music and, well, you get it, right? Get top picks in our Looptopia guide and find out where the indoor-outdoor party goes down. (Download our map.pdf)
Here's what we can't: Will this be an annual affair? TBD. How much did it cost? Can't say. What happens if it rains? Um, nothing: Indoor programming will suffice. Looptopia organizer, The Chicago Loop Alliance, is pretty tight-lipped about some of these more newsy item. Still, the Extrovert thinks the event's going to be a mob scene -- at least as people leave work on Friday. But will the Loop still be trendy at 3 a.m.? Will hipsters and culture vultures heave a collective sigh in Millennium Park over a free breakfast at 5:30 a.m.? We can't say. But if you see us there, save us some coffee, OK? Thanks.
Feeling a little smug because you’re not part of the tax-procrastination set? (Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone you only sealed your IRS-bound envelope at 3 a.m. this morning.) Even if you’re still sorting through forms to meet Tuesday’s deadline—-that’s right, slackers, the deadline has been extended—-you should treat yourself to a moment of relaxation today. Head to River North spot Zocalo for specially priced entrees ($10.40 and $10.99—get it?). Each dish comes with a cocktail pairing, thank goodness. If that's not enough, get $5 house margaritas, too.
