Chicago Official Visitors Guide - Summer/Fall 2008 - (Page 13) 4 3 3. Chicago Gourmet Taste the culinary genius of Chicago Top Chefs at the first ever Chicago Gourmet festival celebrating the finest in food and wine. Famed Millennium Park will serve as the backdrop to the three-day festival which will run from September 26–28. This celebration of culinary cuisine will feature food tasting and demonstrations from internationally renowned chefs, such as Art Smith, two-time James Beard Award recipient and Oprah’s former personal chef; award-winning chef-restaurateur, cookbook author, and television personality Rick Bayless, most recently seen on Bravo’s Top Chef; and artist, chef, entrepreneur and inventor, David Burke, among many others. Nationally recognized wine distributors also will offer wine tasting, pairings and lectures emphasizing the true connection of wine and cuisine. To learn more, go to www.chicagogourmet.org. 1 Millions of foodies and families descend on the Windy City’s Grant Park every summer for Taste of Chicago, the nation’s largest free-admission food and music festival. More than 70 local restaurants serve up delicious plates ranging from simple, traditional festival food to gourmet delicacies. Visitors can learn cooking tips from the pros at Dominick’s Cooking Corner or work up an appetite during the Race to Taste, a 5K run or two-mile walk around the park and along the picturesque lake front. Little ones are also invited to take part in a kids’ dash. There’s plenty of entertainment for everybody during the 10-day event, which takes place June 27–July 6. Musicians and performers with household names take the stage at the Petrillo Music Shell, and much-loved local bands perform on the Taste Stage. Chicago’s Olympians and representatives from the city’s professional sports teams chat with visitors at the Taste Sports! showcase, and the International Pavilion presents flavors, art and culture from around the globe. Visitors of all ages are invited to the Family Village and Fun Time Stage to enjoy a carousel, karaoke, dance lessons and more. 1.Taste of Chicago 4. Chicago SummerDance From June 12–August 24 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights as well as Sunday afternoons, instructors give free, one-hour dance lessons, followed by two hours of live music and dancing. A different dance style is featured each night and may include classics such as swing, folk, ballroom, jitterbug, tango and mambo as well as more unusual genres such as Brazilian funk, bhangra and African expression. Chicagoans and visitors are invited to picnic, socialize and dance under the trees all summer long. 2 2. Summer Music Festivals Chicago’s “front yard” hosts several music festivals throughout the summer that rival any others in the country. Lollapalooza, the venerated annual celebration of music, culture, art and community, takes place August 1–3 and features some of the biggest names in rock n’ roll. Grant Park heats up August 23–24 with Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival, when the sounds of merengue, salsa, mariachi and more fill the air. And, the city celebrates one of its own signature music styles during the Chicago Jazz Festival, taking place August 28–31. The lineup for the 30th annual event includes top performers from Chicago and around the world. pg For a personalized tour contact the Chicago Greeter Program: 312-744-8000, www.chicagogreeter.com ¶ 13 http://www.chicagogourmet.org http://www.chicagogreeter.com
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