On the road: Crush in Old Town fest

Chicago

We are the world

More than 80 artists will perform at 30 venues across the city at the 15th Annual World Music Festival Chicago. The 11-day event presents music from Africa, Eastern and Western Europe, the U.S. and Latin America. Witness slide guitarists, bansuri flute work and enchanting vocals.

Thursday, Sept. 12, to Sunday, Sept. 22. Various hours and locations, including the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. Most performances are free, but some events will have ticketed admission. (312) 744-3316 or cityofchicago.org

Sing, dance, schunkeln

The tradition of Berghoff beer began in 1882 and you can still wet the pipes with Berghoff beer and Berghoff root beer in the heart of Chicago’s Loop during Berghoff Oktoberfest. The largest, longest-running Oktoberfest in Chicago features traditional German musical performances and nightly shows with some of the city’s favorite bands.

11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday to Friday, Sept. 11-13, at the Kluczynski Federal Plaza on west Adams Street and Dearborn Street, Chicago. Free admission. (312) 408-0200 or theberghoff.com

Crush on you

The Crush in Old Town is back for its 11th year with post-Labor Day festivities including wine-tasting tents, craft beers, the works of juried artists and a kids’ crafts activity area. Something new for 2013 are special macaroni dishes prepared by several of the neighborhood’s restaurants, including Fireplace Inn, Kamehachi, Dinotto Ristorante, Orso’s, Adobo Grill and O’Briens. Visitors will also be able to text votes for their favorite macaroni dishes at the fest, too. The music stage presents the funk/soul of The Business, the Trippin Billies and Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press.

Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept, 14; noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15; north Wells Street between North Avenue and Schiller Street. $5 admission. (312) 951-6106 or chicagoevents.com.

Midwest

Dreamboats

Take part in a one-of-a-kind experience with a multiday windjammer cruise aboard the Tall Ship Manitou in northern Michigan. Spots remain for the four-day Astronomy Cruise, the four-day Wine Tasting Cruise and the four-day Fall Color Cruise. The sailing adventures on Grand Traverse Bay and into northern Lake Michigan feature stops in quaint coastal villages and panoramic views of the autumn shoreline. One of the largest sailing ships on the Great Lakes, the Manitou is a replica of an 1800s “coasting” cargo schooner. Accommodations are provided in double-bunk cabins, and fare includes lodging, all meals and sailing activities.

Sept. 13-16, 20-23 and 27-30. Tickets for all remaining berths are being offered at a 25-percent discount ($515 per person for the Astronomy and Wine Tasting cruises and $476 per person for the Fall Color Cruise). (800) 678-0383 or TallShipSailing.com.

Michigan goes green

The weather will be patently better than in March, so get your Irish on at the Michigan Irish Music Festival in Muskegon. There’s music on three stages, dance and session tents, a cultural village, Celtic Kitchen and a limerick contest. Irish acts include The Irish Descendents, Seamus Kennedy, Burning Bridget Cleary, The Tosspints and Fiddle Face. At the Irish Market and the Irish Store purchase apparel, jewelry, pottery, Irish woolens, kilts, caps, Guinness products, soccer gear, scones and Welsh cookies, as well as recorded music, Irish coats of arms and histories. Belly up for a boiled corned beef dinner and a variety of Irish food.

5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14; and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Heritage Landing, downtown Muskegon. Tickets range from $10-$40, kids 12 and under free. michiganirish.org/home.

Wow-za

After a couple of weeks in school, give the kids a reason to cheer with a return to the Wisconsin Dells. Visitors can come and enjoy the annual Wo-Zha-Wa fest, a three-day weekend festival that will include outdoor live music and a street carnival, arts and crafts, antique flea markets, food vendors and a 75-unit parade. “Wo-Zha-Wa” actually translates to “time of fun” in the Ho-Chunk language.

7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday to Saturday, Sept. 13-14; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15; Downtown Wisconsin Dells and Bowman Park. Free admission. (800) 223-3557 or wisdells.com