Sunday picks: Dance along with Laurie Berkner at Ravinia
Laurie Berkner in concert
Best-selling children's recording artist and Sprout TV channel favorite Laurie Berkner stars in a solo concert with her “Laurie Berkner — The You & Me Tour” at Ravinia, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $5-$15. Visit ravinia.org. 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug 25
Long and short of it
More than 100 juried artists will exhibit at the 25th Annual Long Grove Fine Art and Wine Festival. Browse art created in oil, acrylic, watercolor, jewelry, sculpture, wood, photography, fiber, glass, paper, metal and mixed media. Kids can head to the arts and crafts tent and all will appreciate live musical entertainment and festival food. A large selection of fine wines rounds out the festivities at 343 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Admission and parking are free. (847) 634-0888 or longgroveartfest.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25
Art and more
More than 260 celebrated artists will be on hand with their works, and more than 250,000 art enthusiasts are expected to attend the Port Clinton Art Festival and the Taste of Highland Park at Port Clinton Square, at 1st and 2nd streets, Highland Park. The Taste features food from notable Highland Park restaurants. Other highlights include a youth art show, an art scavenger hunt, interactive art demos, live music and more. Free admission and parking. (847) 926-4300 or portclintonartfestival.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25
Art full of soul
The Bucktown Arts Fest is celebrating its 28th year and has become a premier gathering of 200 painters, sculptors, photographers, craftspeople, jewelry makers, musicians, actors, poets and dancers. Bring the young artists for fast and fun make-and-take projects at the Kids Tent. The Collaboraction Theater also offers the Dome of Doom where kids of all ages strut their stuff in dance battles inside a geodesic dome. Food and refreshments also will be on hand. It all takes place at Senior Citizens Memorial Park, 2238 N. Oakley Ave. Chicago. Free admission. bucktownartsfest.com. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25
Heirloom Garden Show
The Garfield Farm Museum hosts its 24th Annual Heirloom Garden Show, featuring tours of the museum's gardens and produce from Midwestern gardeners. The gardeners will display and discuss their flowers, fruits, herbs and vegetables. Admission is $3-$6. The Garfield Farm Museum is on Garfield Road, off Route 38, in Campton Hills. (630) 584-8485 or garfieldfarm.org. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25
Zeus approved
Make like Zorba and live for fun, food and dancing at the 24th annual Taste of Greece held in Chicago's Greektown neighborhood along 100 to 400 S. Halsted St. Browse crafts and goods from the Greek Isles, stroll the new fine arts area, enjoy Greek bands and games for kids and families. There will be plenty of opportunities to sample food from the area's famous Greek restaurants. Count on gyros, kebabs, stuffed grape leaves, seafood, sweets and pitas filled with Greek delicacies. greektownchicago.org. Noon to 11 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25
Beachy goodbye
Wauconda Park District bids adieu to summer 2013 with its Final Beach Bash party featuring games, raffles and a big cookout. Join in the fun at the Wauconda Park District Beach, 112 Park St., Wauconda. $6; $8 nonresidents. (847) 526-3610 or waucondaparks.org. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25
Recycled art
Seven Chicago-area artists explore sculpture with a variety of materials ranging from found objects to salvaged wood inFLEX: 3-D 12 Sculpture Group. See it at College of Lake County's Robert T. Wright Community Gallery of Art, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. No admission charge. (847) 543-2240 or gallery.clcillinois.edu. 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays
Mangia, mangia
You might have had toasted ravioli here and an Italian ice there at fests across the area this summer, but this is the old neighborhood, so expect to be wowed by the possibilities. Chicago's own Festa Italiana attracts more than 50,000 to the Taylor Street stretch (between Racine and Ashland) of Chicago's Little Italy neighborhood. Don't miss the Turano Baking Company and Fontanini Meatball Eating Contest, grape stomping and bocce ball. Sway to crooners like Moreno Fruzzetti and Tony Spavone, reminisce with 1960s teen idol Bobby Rydell and enjoy a lineup of pop, rock and family entertainment on three stages. Bring your appetite and enjoy homemade Italian cuisine, from stuffed rice balls to beef sandwiches to gelato. Suggested donation is $5. festaitalianachicago.org. 2 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25
Banjo Buddies Dixieland Band
The Banjo Buddies Dixieland Band, led by vocalist and banjo player Ann Stewart, headline an outdoor concert in the band shell at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Guests are invited to bring a blanket or a lawn chair for seating. Admission is free; parking is $5. Visit cantigny.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25
Niche dinner on the farm
Niche takes dinner to the farm with its annual farm-grown dinner Sunday at the restaurant's sustainable farm at The Bull Run Estate, 3N065 Anderson Road, Elburn. Chef Serena Perdue will pick the menu based on the freshest ingredients that day and prepare a three-course family-style dinner. $75 per person with an additional $25 for wine pairings. Includes tax and gratuity. Call (630) 262-1000 for reservations. 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25