On the road: American idols circa 1900
Return to 1900 in Rockford
Meet Buffalo Bill, Annie Oakley, the Rough Riders, Mark Twain and other turn-of-the-century personalities at the 1900 America Chautauqua in Rockford. Experience a typical 19th-century traveling medicine show, see demonstrations of trick riding, sharp shooting and other western acts, learn the art of self-defense and listen to ragtime music. The 1900 America Chautauqua offers two days of entertainment and interactive history programs that explore the events, popular entertainment, culture and famous people of the year 1900.
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 11 and 12, at Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students and children 3 to 17 for a one-day pass; $16 for adults, $8 for students and children for a two-day pass. Call (815) 397-9112 or visit midwayvillage.com.
Nothin' but the blues
The Chicago Blues Festival, the largest of the city's free music fests and largest free blues festival in the world, draws some 750,000 music lovers from all over the planet. The 28th annual fest kicks off with a tribute to the 100th birthday of Robert Johnson, king of the Delta blues singers and writer of renowned tunes such as “Sweet Home Chicago” and “Crossroad Blues.” See acts on four stages, including Shemekia Copeland, Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues, as well as Lonnie Brooks and Eddy Clearwater.
11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday to Sunday, June 10 through 12, at 300 E. Jackson Drive, Chicago. Call (312) 744-3316 or visit explorechicago.org.
Art smarts
If Lady Gaga is as avant-garde an artist as you've seen lately, head to the Art Institute of Chicago's newest exhibit — “Avant-Garde Art in Everyday Life” — for an education. The landmark acquisition includes photography, photomontage, book and poster design, and household objects such as rare examples of porcelain and glassware.
10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Wednesday; 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday; and 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday to Sunday at 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Exhibition on display from Saturday, June 11, to Oct. 9. Admission is $18 for adults, $12 for children, students and seniors; free for children younger than 14. Call (312) 443-3626.
Buttery goodness
Who will be crowned 2011 Sparta Butterfest Festmaster and Lady Butterfest? You'll have to visit central Wisconsin to find out during Butterfest. Browse an arts and crafts show, flea market, car show, antiques fair and carnival. Don't miss the firefighters' water fight, the big Sunday parade, lumberjack show and milking competition.
5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, June 9; noon to 11 p.m. Friday, June 10; 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 11; and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 12, 1000 Montgomery St., Sparta, Wis. Call (800) 354-2453 or visit spartabutterfest.com.
Ooh-la-la lilacs
The Mackinac Island Lilac Festival is 10 days of breathing deeply the island is filled with sweet scent and fun events. Take a sunrise legends & lore trek or an architectural walking tour before indulging in the luncheon buffet, a grand afternoon tea or the Lilac Festival wine and beer tasting. Musicians and DJs take over the stages in downtown pubs and see first-run films at the historic Mission Point Theatre.
Event times vary from Friday, June 10, to Sunday, June 19, at Mackinac Island, Mich. Call (906) 847-3783 or visit mackinacislandlilacfestival.org.
Worth the trip
The Riverbend Festival is nine days of music in the heart of Chattanooga, Tenn., on the 21st-century waterfront along the Tennessee River. Some of the performers on five stages will include Huey Lewis & the News, the Beach Boys, Casting Crowns, Miranda Lambert, Brian McKnight, Alan Jackson and Kellie Pickler. The annual event also features a Children's Village, exhibits, a marketplace, fireworks and lots of food.
Friday, June 10, to Saturday, June 18. General admission pins are $30 until midnight June 9; $40 on June 10. One-night wristbands are $24, senior citizen and military one-night admission is $12, and children 10 and younger admitted free. Call (423) 756-2211 or visit riverbendfestival.com.