Feed your eyes, ears, and stomach in this sensational fete that benefits South Loop Neighbors, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the neighborhoods as well as preserve its landmarks. Attendees will even get to experience the festival’s after party at Randolph Street.’s Nellcôte in the swanky Randolph Corridor.

The festivities will commence at noon both days at the historic Dearborn Train Station at the intersection of of Dearborn and Polk Street. Don’t miss another one of Chicago’s amazing street festivals while doing some good for one of its ‘hoods.

And don’t worry about feeling famished! The street fair has food to please everyone’s palate available from multiple venues. Along with the general opportunity to speak with artists from around the country, the fair is offering an exciting program playfully titled, Art Buying Boot Camp. It is a guided tour through the fair with art-buying experts who can help you with everything from determining the best price for a piece to the best colors to match your living room.

Seeing as we are inching ever closer to the Chicago’s infamous summer heat, it is indeed great news that some of the festival will also be located in the historic–and air-conditioned–Plumbers Hall. And if your tummy gets to rumbling, you can head over to one of the annual fair’s themed mini-markets that offers fancy foods such as chocolates, cakes, and spices.

But, I am sure you get a chance to completely immerse yourself  within the world of deals and discounts all the time. Yea right! It would be complete madness to pass up this opportunity to attend one of Chicago’s most popular shopping extravaganzas!

For full information on the event, click here. See you there!

The exhibition has a complicated history, exploring the relationship between social enterprise, contemporary art practices, and architectural and cultural redevelopment. In 2009, Gates hired a team to help assist him in dismantling the interior of a Chicago building slated for demolition. The salvaged materials were then used to mend a historically significant hotel in Kassel, Germany, known as the Huguenot House. The process was documented and now, most of the materials have made their way back to Chicago.

The MCA’s new exhibit is a continuation of Gates’ original work. 13th Ballad is housed in the MCA’s front atrium. It includes a wooden double cross that follows the contour of the building and contains boxes that will display objects from Huguenot House. Church pews discarded from the University of Chicago serve as a space for performances and provide a quiet space for contemplation.

Theaster Gates’ 13th Ballad opens at the MCA tomorrow, May 18th and continues until October 6th. Admission to the museum is $12.

Finding yourself an aficionado of all things sickening and vile as well? Well you are the perfect candidate for WildClaw Theatre’s upcoming DEATHSCRIBE 2013. This contest is for anyone interested in writing innovative and interesting horror-based radio scripts. Submissions must be 10 minutes-sound and music cues included-and sent via email by midnight on August 1st. Of all the submissions, 5 entries will be chosen to be performed as an evening of Live Radio Drama  at the Mayne Stage in Rogers Park on Monday, December 2nd and recorded for future WildClaw Blood Radio Podcast. With no restrictions on submission content, feel free to let your repulsive imagination run rancid.

If you are interested in participating in this year’s contest, please visit the WildClaw Theatre website for full information on format, guidelines, the submitting process, and more.

The festival has been a great success in past years and has been predicted to, again, allow the talent of their student body to  “spill out from Columbia’s South Loop Campus and onto the streets.” This event will indubitably be a fantastic celebration of young talent that is filled with an incredible combination of artistic appreciation and fun for all.

Thanks to the contributions of its sponsors and the creativity and gifts of the Columbia faculty and graduating student body, Manifest 2013 has remained a free event that is open to the public. The all-day event marks the 13th year of the festival, and it will be filled with engaging, thought-provoking and playful art, music and visuals that showcase the talent and creativity of Columbia students. We are excited for its arrival and we hope to see you there!

For full information on the event, visit Columbia College Chicago’s website.

Yeah right.  In all honesty, what more can be said about Mr. Dylan?  He has been an American music staple through good times and bad, through folk genius and questionable electric guitar choices, and through America’s triumphs and slip-ups.  In the past year he released his 35th (!) studio album, Temptest to universal praise and high sales.

Now, alongside such great acts as My Morning Jacket, Ryan Bingham, and Chicago’s own Wilco, he is headlining the Americanarama Music Festival.  It comes to the Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois on July 12.  The event will begin at 5:30, with doors opening at 4:30.  Pre-sale tickets are available at Ticketmaster now.

The scholarship application includes brief personal information and activities/interests sections, as well as a short essay portion and “free form” essay.

The application can be found here and is due by July 1st and can be submitted via email to Susan@mightyquinnfoundation.com. The winner will be announced on their website shortly after the submission deadline.

Quinn Rooney

Don’t worry, we didn’t notice that it was a Chagall either.

Remember that part in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off where Ferris and Sloane are making out in the Chicago Art Institute in front of a big, blue, stained glass window? Although easily overlooked by the untrained (or unaware) eye, this is Marc Chagall’s famous America Windows.  Created in 1977, this massive piece was housed in the Art Institute until 2005 when it was removed for conservation.

This deinstallation was prompted after construction of the Art Institute’s Modern Wing began after 25 years of being on display. In 2010, the Windows made their grand reappearance after construction had ceased, causing a resurgence in interest about the piece. Few hands at the Art Institute had handled this work considering it was created in Charles Marq’s European studio, but this deinstallation allowed for more research to be conducted concerning the piece.

Tomorrow at Loyola University’s Museum of Art, art historian and Loyola alumna, Dr. Michelle Paluch-Mishur, will hold a lecture concerning the themes, technical processes, and history of these large-scale artworks. This also coincides with LUMA’s very own exhibition of Chagall’s Bible illustrations entitled Graven Images.

This event is free for LUMA Members, Loyola students, faculty, and staff but is $4 for the general public. Please RSVP by calling 312.915.7608 or by emailing luma@luc.edu. The lecture will begin promptly at 6PM.

Photo of Giordano Dance Company’s JOLT by Gorman Cook Photography.

Roosevelt University presents their Music and Movement Showcase: Featuring Giordano Dance Chicago in part with the Music and Movement Festival on Wednesday, May 15th at 7:30PM.  Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students, and can be purchased in advance online.

The Music and Movement Festival allowed eleven different dance companies a chance to compete and work with a variety of musicians to explore and create new pieces.

The Music and Movement Showcase will be performed by the six finalists, as well as the Giordano Dance Chicago company.  The six finalists include Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre, Chicago Human Rhythm Project, DanceWorks Chicago, Kuumba Lynx, Mexican Dance Ensemble, and Thodos Dance Chicago.

The show will be taking place at Roosevelt’s Auditorium Theatre located at 50 E. Congress Parkway.  Directions to the Auditorium Theatre as well as parking information is available online.