Lifestyle

Best bets: Fast horses, little cars, tall ships

Posted August 17, 2010 11:00 pm

Daily Herald Staff Report

Navy Pier in Chicago plays host to Tall Ships Chicago, a display of 20 historic sailing ships from around the world.

Full gallop

Jockeys and horse owners from around the world vie for the Arlington Million this Saturday at Arlington Park, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. This signature horse racing event also includes the Grade 1 $750,000 Beverly D, the Grade 1 $400,000 Secretariat States and the Grade III $100,000 Stars and Stripes Handicap. $12-$15 admission. (847) 385-7500 or arlingtonpark.com. 10 a.m. gates open; 12:15 p.m. first post Saturday, Aug. 21

Artists of Laos

Laotians from around the country gather this weekend for the Lao Artists Festival at two locations: Elgin Community College's Seigle Auditorium, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin; then at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Tickets depend upon the event. $15 for the 7 p.m. cultural performance and fashion show. $5 for 10 p.m. party. Other events have no admission charge. (847) 877-8224 or laofestival.com. 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, at ECC; 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday, Aug. 21, at the Hemmens

Micro/mini mania

More than 350 small-sized vehicles culled from around the globe go on display and compete for prizes at the Micro/Mini Car World Meet this weekend at the University Center, 100 S. Main St., Crystal Lake. No charge for spectators. (815) 459-5005 or worldmeet2010.com. noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20; 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22

Silk Road decade

Musical intersections between Asia and Europe continue on a 10-year anniversary concert featuring The Silk Road Ensemble with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma tonight at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $75 pavilion tickets; $25 lawn tickets. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20

Big pants person

Comedian Kevin Meaney is famed for his impersonations of nightclub singers and for his man-on-the-street interviews. Catch Meaney this weekend at two Zanies locations: Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles; also at 230 Hawthorn Village Commons, Vernon Hills. $25 plus a two menu-item purchase. (630) 584-6342 or (847) 549-6030 or zanies.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, in St. Charles; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21

Latin pop stars

Big stars of Latin music like Enrique Iglesias, Daddy Yankee, Gloria Trevi, Xtreme and many more are set to appear at MegaFest 2010 this Saturday at the Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $20-$99. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21

Dance action

The "Dance for Life" brings together local dance companies like The Joffrey Ballet, Thodos Dance Chicago, Ensemble Espanol Spanish Dance Theatre and more to raise funds for HIV/AIDS care, prevention and education. Catch the 19th edition on Saturday at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $75 performance only. $150-$500 show and gala reception. (312) 922-5812 or danceforlifechicago.com. 5 p.m. reception; 7:30 p.m. show Saturday, Aug. 21

Sail away

More than 20 sailing ships from around the world come to the Windy City next week as part of Tall Ships Chicago at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Prices vary depending upon access, but are mostly $15-$20. (312) 595-7437 or navypier.com. Noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, Aug. 25-28; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26

Dream photo

See what happens when a cancer-diagnosed photographer decides to travel to find an elusive image that came to him in a dream when the Latino Cultural Center of Chicago screens the 2010 Venezuelan film "Un Lugar Lejano" ("A Distant Place") on Wednesday as part of its summer Film in the Park series at Festival Park, 136 S. Grove Ave., Elgin. No admission charge. (312) 431-1330 or latinoculturalcenter.org. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25

Navy Pier in Chicago plays host to Tall Ships Chicago, a display of 20 historic sailing ships from around the world.

The Silk Road Ensemble appears with world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park.

The 19th Dance for Life in Chicago is Saturday, Aug. 21, at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance.

The Micro/Mini Car World Meet features more than 350 vehicles in Crystal Lake.

Comedian Kevin Meaney appears at Zanies in St. Charles and Vernon Hills.

Gio Ponti, left front, with jockey Ramon Dominquez won the 27th Arlington Million at Arlington Park in 2009. See who wins the 2010 prize this weekend in Arlington Heights. George LeClaire.| Staff Photographer

Gio Ponti with jockey Ramon Dominquez won the 27th Arlington Million at Arlington Park in 2009. See who wins the 2010 prize this weekend in Arlington Heights. George LeClaire.| Staff Photographer

The 19th Dance for Life in Chicago is Saturday, Aug. 21, at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance.

The Micro/Mini Car World Meet features more than 350 vehicles in Crystal Lake.

Horses are led out for the running of the 27th Arlington Million at Arlington Park in 2009. See who wins the 2010 prize this weekend in Arlington Heights. George LeClaire.| Staff Photographer

Enrique Iglesias is slated to appear as part of the MegaFest at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont.

Gio Ponti with jockey Ramon Dominquez won the 27th Arlington Million at Arlington Park in 2009. See who wins the 2010 prize this weekend in Arlington Heights. George LeClaire.| Staff Photographer

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