Midwest travel: Talent winner kicks off Randhurst Village Street Fest
Chicago
Taking it to the streets
Suburban Chicago's Got Talent winner San Star Sandburg will show off her vocal talents, along with finalists from the competition, during a concert at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, as part of the inaugural Randhurst Village Street Fest in Mount Prospect. Head over early to see the classic car show and hear a talk by classic car expert Matt Avery from noon to 1 p.m. Modern Day Romeos takes the main stage at 3 p.m. Dance ensembles will show their steps throughout the fest, too. There will be food tastings and demonstrations by Randhurst Village restaurants, including BlackFinn Ameripub, Buffalo Wild Wings, e+o food and drink, Jersey Mike's Subs, Nothing Bundt Cakes and Outback Steakhouse. Don't miss the interactive activities for kids and adults, too. Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Randhurst Village, Rand and Elmhurst roads, Mount Prospect. Free. (847) 259-0500 or randhurstvillage.com/events/street-fest/.
We are the whirled
If the Olympics piqued your interest in all things Brazilian or reggae is your rock, check the schedule for the World Music Festival showcasing more than 80 artists performing at venues across Chicago. The 18th annual event offers plenty of free performances including Ragamala, an Indian tradition, which is an all-night classical concert at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. Get in on workshops; hear instruments such as a calabash, a wooden stomping box and an oud; and experience exotic sounds from Inner Mongolia, Germany, Italy, South America, Poland, Zanzibar, Senegal, Quebec and more. Sept. 9-25 at various venues throughout Chicago. Get the full schedule at cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/world_music_festival2.html.
Tut approved
Look forward to camel rides, Coptic souvenirs, church tours and Egyptian cuisine, from pita wraps to desserts, at Egypt Fest. Visit the henna tattoo booth and kids' interactive activity stations, enter a raffle to win prizes such as an iPad and gift cards, listen to live Egyptian music and more. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Saint Mary Coptic Orthodox Church of Chicago, 2100 W. Frontage Road, Palatine. Free. (847) 303-5377 or facebook.com/events/1611774145819915/.
Midwest
Girls' getaway in Galena
BFF's can expect great food, shopping, raffles, a jewelry party, wine tours, live entertainment, trolley tours, a haunted pub crawl, cooking classes and more during the Ladies Getaway Galena weekend. Take part in the popular Quartermania auction where participants buy a roll of quarters, bid on a variety of appealing items and see who goes home with great bargains. Many businesses throughout Galena are extending specials, drawings and various events all weekend long. Friday through Sunday, Sept. 9-11, in Galena, Illinois. (815) 777-4100 or bestofgalena.com/bandb/bbigevents/ladies-getaway-galena-weekend-2/.
Stranger things
Celebrate the1962 crash-landing of a 20-pound hunk of Russia's Sputnik on a street in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, at the annual Sputnikfest. Arrive on Friday for "Aliens in the Alley," which offers food, refreshments, music, space trivia and the Ms. Space Debris pageant. On Saturday, there's a costume contest for pets and humans, music, a space-themed film and kids' entertainment. The festival was voted "One of the Top Five Funkiest Festivals in the Country" by Reader's Digest. 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Rahr-West Art Museum, 610 N. Eighth St., Manitowoc, Wisconsin. (920) 686-3090 or manitowoc.org/index.aspx?NID=1937.
Very telling
Combine an early fall getaway to a Wisconsin river town with the old-fashioned art of storytelling during the 2016 La Crosse Storytelling Festival. Enjoy the musings of storytellers, comedians, authors, singer-songwriters and magicians among others. Perhaps an outdoor evening episode of "Tales of the Creepy and Scary" appeals to you (after intermission, the stories get scarier). Also, there's a food tent, a silent auction and family-oriented storytelling. 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9-10, at Myrick Park, 2000 La Crosse St., La Crosse, Wisconsin. Admission for Friday and noon to 4:30 p.m. Saturday is $5 per person, $15 per family; 4:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday adult cabaret is $8. Weekend pass costs $25 per family. lacrossestoryfest.com/.