On the road: DubuqueFest fetes the arts
Art west
DubuqueFest is an all-arts festival held in Washington Park and the Town Clock Plaza in the heart of historic downtown Dubuque, Iowa. Among the many events over three days are free concerts, a dance and storytelling on two stages, two days of a juried fine art fair featuring the work of more than 70 artists and the annual Dubuque Old House Enthusiast's Old Home Tour. The weekend also offers free children's hands-on art activities and storytelling, an annual book release and reading by the Dubuque Area Writers Guild and an evening reception honoring art fair artists.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday to Sunday, May 20-22, in Dubuque, Iowa. Free admission. Call (563) 451-7985 or visit dubuquefest.org.
Chicago
May we suggest Mayfest?
Chicago has to be the most festive city on the planet as soon as spring kicks into high gear and the 17th annual Chicago Mayfest launches the city's festival season. Everyone is invited to enter the Big Top for food from neighborhood eateries, cold brews, local artisans and hot tunes from bands such as the Hairbanger's Ball and Mike & Joe. Kid's Day on Saturday offers interactive games, entertainment, free health screenings and safety information for kids. Sunday is all about the German tradition of Mayfest with German music, warm pretzels, dancing and a pet parade.
5 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 20, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 21-22, at 3100 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago. $10 suggested donation. Call (773) 665-4682 or starevents.com.
Close to home
Under the yum yum tree
Foodies unite at the 18th annual Chefs' Fest when 35 restaurants offer food and drink samplings for three hours of luscious fun at Arlington Park. Eateries include Birch River Grill, Bob Chinn's Crab House, Francesca's Tavola, Joe's Crab Shack, the Lucky Monk and Ruth's Chris Steak House. Get ideas about where to hold your special events and places you'd like to dine in the Northwest suburbs. Before the food event begins, enjoy an afternoon of thoroughbred racing. Purchase a Chefs' Fest ticket and you're allowed entrance into Arlington Park for the day.
Racing begins at 11:15 a.m.; Chef's Fest will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, at Euclid Avenue and Wilke Roads, Arlington Heights. Individual tickets cost $35 the day of the event or $30 in advance. Parking is free. Call (847) 490-1010 or order online at ChefsFest.com.
Free to be you and anime
Rosemont will be the place to celebrate Japanese animation when Anime Central 2011, or “ACen” for those in the know, comes to town. It will be the Midwest's largest anime, manga and Japanese popular culture convention. Join panel discussions on favorite series, browse dealers' rooms with anime and Japanese culture merchandise, enjoy autograph sessions and 24-hour video rooms, anime-style art displays, and meet and greet with voice actors.
Noon to 2 a.m. Friday, May 20; 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, May 21; and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 22, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. Single-day entrance costs $25-$35; three-day admission is $55 for adults and $15 for children. Call (847) 692-2220 or see acen.org.
Midwest
Spring swing through Wisconsin
In preparation for the growing season, Old World Wisconsin presents “Rituals of Spring” on Saturday, May 21. There will be hands-on opportunities to learn how the region's farm folk prepared for the growing season in the late 1800s. The following Saturday, the outdoor museum offers plenty of seasonal activities for visitors including working in the gardens, rope making, a horse-drawn omnibus ride, taking lessons at the one-room schoolhouse and planting pumpkins.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, May 21 and 28, at Old World Wisconsin, W372 S9727 Hwy 67, Eagle, Wis. Admission is $16 for adults, $14 for students and seniors 65 and older, $9 for children 5 to 17; $43 for families (up to two adults and two or more children 5-17). Download, print and present a buy one/get one coupon for admission at oldworldwisconsin.org, which is good through May 31. Call (262) 594-6301.
Worth the trip
Have a head-turning adventure on Adventure Center's 11-Day Headhunters of Borneo trip that includes an overnight stay with members of the Iban tribe renowned for their blowpipe prowess and headhunting traditions. The trip offers a peek into the old ways of this once-feared tribe, enjoying traditional dances and foods. Other highlights include the city of Kuching, the coral islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, guided treks through rain forests and nature preserves filled with exotic wildlife, and a cruise down the Kinabatangan River. An optional five-day post-trip in Mount Kinabalu challenges guests to climb Southeast Asia's highest mountain before spending a day in Kota Kinabalu.
Nine departures begin on July 24 and run through 2012. Costs range from $2,973 to $3,061 per person and cover entrance fees, activities, accommodations, most meals, a group leader and transportation including domestic flights. Optional extensions and international air are extra. The five-day add-on trip is priced at $768 per person. Call (800) 228-8747 or visit tinyurl.com/3sajpmv.