Midwest travel: See experimental artists take chances at Chicago's OnEdge series
Chicago
Edgy stuff
Snag the opportunity to witness free experimental solo performances, live music, spectacles and dance by national and international artists and companies during the fourth annual OnEdge live performance series. It takes place at venues across the city, including the Chicago Cultural Center, Dfbrl8r gallery, American Theater Company, The Reva, David Logan Center for the Arts and the Hamlin Park Theater. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis 60 minutes before each performance. Thursday, Feb. 23, through March 25 at various venues in Chicago. For a schedule, go to tinyurl.com/hdbc32t.
Head over heels
If the fiery 15th Chicago Flamenco Festival doesn't warm you up, nothing will. The Instituto Cervantes of Chicago is partnering with the Old Town School of Folk Music, the Flamenco Arts Center and City Winery to present concerts, Flamenco brunches, symposiums, dance and guitar workshops, family programs and other events over five weeks. See up-and-coming as well as established artists kick up their heels and play guitar and other instruments.
Friday, Feb. 24, through March 25 at the Instituto Cervantes of Chicago, 31 W. Ohio St., Chicago. Tickets cost $20-$35. (312) 335-1996 or chicago.cervantes.es/en/default.shtm.
Everything old is new again
Fifty dealers of vintage fashion, estate jewelry, accessories, shoes, dresses from the '50s to the '70s, vintage costume jewelry, handbags, textiles and fabric will offer up their best at the Chicago Vintage Clothing & Jewelry Show. The show promises to be jam-packed with vendors offering upscale designer wear like Chanel, Ralph Lauren and Dior from all eras, fashion-related memorabilia (magazines, patterns), Victorian clothes and jewelry, and kitschy items like sunglasses of the 1970s. 3 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at 5649 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago. Tickets cost $8 and are good for both days of the show if purchased online in advance. See vintageclothingandjewelry.com/.
Midwest
Week of eat
Downtown Kenosha Restaurant Week began Saturday, but there are eight more days to discover the lakeside town's dining scene. From inexpensive diners to stylish bistros, participating eateries offer multicourse meals at a real savings: breakfast ($10), lunch ($10) and dinner ($20 and $30). Just visit a participating venue and ask for the Restaurant Week menu. Check the website for special Restaurant Week hotel rates, too. Now through Feb. 26 in downtown Kenosha, Wisconsin. (800) 654-7309 or downtownkenosha.org/rw.
Global entry
The International Festival in Madison, Wisconsin, presents more than 30 free performances by local artists as well as global cuisine, exotic arts and crafts available for purchase and information about Madison businesses with global connections. See dance, live music, puppetry, storytellers and unusual performances such as a Swiss alphorn duet, Yiddish dance music, tropical Cuban sounds, traditional dancers from Anatolia, German choral music and Scottish bagpipers, among others. 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Overture Center for the Arts, 201 State St., Madison, Wisconsin. (608) 258-4141 or overture.org/events/international-festival.
No fool like an old fool
The oldest city on the upper Mississippi River, Wabasha, Minnesota, is the ideal spot for the Grumpy Old Men Festival, held on the last Saturday of February each year. Count on eagle viewing in the area. Plus, there will be an ice-fishing contest, a polar plunge, an ice bar, live music, poker, hot lunch, platters of spaghetti, bingo and cribbage tournaments and minnow races. Wabasha's historic district has more than 50 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, so be sure to take a walking tour while in town. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, in Wabasha, Minnesota. Get details and book a hotel at (800) 565-4158 or wabashamn.org/grumpyoldmenfest/.