Midwest travel: Taste of Korea fest takes over Skokie's Old Orchard
Chicago
Lights, camera, kimchee!
Explore the new Taste of Korea Festival, which highlights the country's food and culture with activities, items from Chicago's best Korean restaurants, and 20 traditional and contemporary performances. The opening ceremony honors Korean War veterans. Relax in the beer and soju garden or watch the singing and POP dance contests while sampling authentic Korean food. K-pop rap stars Gemini and Apollo headline at 8:15 p.m. Saturday. Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 5-6, at Westfield Old Orchard, 4999 Old Orchard Center, Skokie. Entry is free, but suggested donation is $5 individual, $20 family. ascenechicago.com/events/2017-chicago-taste-of-korea.
You say you want a revolution
The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center helps recall a pivotal era of rock music history with its new exhibition, “Bill Graham and the Rock & Roll Revolution.” This exhibition explores the extraordinary life of renowned music promoter Bill Graham (1931-1991) who helped launch and promote the careers of artists like the Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, The Who, Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones. It also traces the spirit of a man brought to the U.S. as an 11-year-old Jewish refugee fleeing the Nazis, fueling a lifelong passion and advocacy for social justice. See memorabilia from the Fillmore Auditorium, photographs from famous rock photographers, costumes, musical instruments and artifacts from the careers of Janis Joplin, Keith Richards, Pete Townshend and other artists. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; open until 8 p.m. Thursdays. The exhibit runs now through Nov. 12 at the Illinois Holocaust Museum, 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie. Admission is $6-$12. (847) 967-4800 or ilholocaustmuseum.org/.
Famous for more than 15 minutes
Organized in collaboration with the Museum of Contemporary Art's “Takashi Murakami: The Octopus Eats Its Own Leg” exhibit this summer, Thompson Chicago features a display of two original Murakami prints signed by the artist in the hotel's lobby. Known as the “Japanese Warhol” and named one of Time Magazine's “100 Most Influential People,” Takashi Murakami blurs the lines between high and low arts. Consider booking the exclusive Thompson Murakami Experience package featuring discounted hotel stays, hands-on classes at the Hyde Park Art Center, a Murakami poster souvenir, shopping discount at the MCA Store and reduced-price tickets to the MCA exhibit. Through Sept. 24 at the Thompson Chicago, 21 E. Bellvue, Chicago. Book at (312) 266-2100 or thompsonhotels.com/hotels/chicago/thompson-chicago.
Midwest
Mile of Music
From alternative and Americana to rock and soul, ready your senses for the four-day multivenue Mile of Music in downtown Appleton, Wisconsin. There will be newcomers and favorites from North America and beyond adding up to more than 225 duos, singer-songwriters and bands performing in 70 venues plus unscheduled music pop-ups, jams, workshops and interactive experiences. Noon to 12:50 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 3; 10 a.m. to 12:50 a.m. Friday, Aug. 4; 9 a.m. to 1:10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 5; and 10 a.m. to 7:25 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6, in downtown Appleton, Wisconsin. Get updates and hotel information at mileofmusic.com/.
Sausage party
Sheboygan, Wisconsin, is the seventh heaven of sausage during its 64th annual Brat Days. Expect wall-to-wall music, a carnival, a parade and buckets o' beer to wash down specialty items like brat-on-a-stick, brat egg rolls, brat Jambalaya, brat corn dogs, brat pizza and tacos plus food starring that other Wisconsin favorite - cheese. Watch or enter the brat- or cake-eating contest and check out the handmade crafts and bargain shopping. 4 to 11 p.m. Thursday, Aug; 3; 4 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4; and 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, at Kiwanis Park, 726 N. 17th St., Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Admission is free, but food tickets cost $5 for 10. (920) 803-8980 or brat-days.com/.
Down by the river
Riverfest in Ottawa, Illinois, celebrates both the Fox and Illinois rivers with a carnival; paddleboat races; a farmers market and an agricultural street fair; Art in the Park; Taste of Ottawa; live music from Allman Brothers, Beatles and Bob Seger tribute bands and others; and a parade on Sunday, Aug. 6. Fare includes faves like brats and burgers to blackened duck breast with Bernaise sauce and smoked pulled pork nachos. 5 to 11:15 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3; 6 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. Friday, Aug. 4; 8 a.m. to 12:15 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 5; and 8 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6, in downtown Ottawa, Illinois. $2 gate admission Thursday through Saturday (kids 16 and younger admitted free) for the Taste of Ottawa; free on Sunday. Food and beverage tickets cost $10 for a strip of 9 tickets at the gate. ottawariverfest.org/.