Weekend Chock Full of Choices

After a long, chilly, and even snowy winter that kept us inside and pushed spring's opening bell back several weeks, it now seems like there's a backlog of stuff to do nearly every day around here. This weekend's no exception, and if you don't get out, you have no excuse. Here's some of the community options for this weekend:

You could start tonight with a visit to the Heartland Cafe at 7000 Glenwood in Rogers Park (1 bl. north of the Morse L stop) where 5 poets and several exciting young bands, including The Audians and The Jesters, will continue the "Art Against War" series, starting at 9 pm and co-sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee. Proceeds will benefit the Chicagoland Coalition Opposed to the Militarization of Youth, www.ccomy.org. $5 donation. Of course, the Heartland's signature dishes and excellent beer selection will be available.

Or, closer to home and less political, check out Bill's Blues Bar on Davis St. The Prohibition Band is playing big-band jazz, for free, starting at 5:30; then at 9:00, the Louisiana sounds Les Getrex & Creole Cooking will be on display ($10 cover).

The 9th Annual Ricky Byrdsong Memorial 5K "Race Against Hate" takes place Sat. morning, June 21, starting at Lincoln & Sheridan here in north Evanston. Registration & packet pickup starts at 6:30; if you want to run, you'll make it easier on yourself and race organizers by registering today at the YWCA, 1215 Church, from 10am-4pm. Non-runners are more than encouraged to come cheer on the participants, or to donate. Proceeds benefit the YWCA’s racial justice and violence prevention programs.

After the race, have a muffin: local supporters of Barack Obama will be having a bake sale to benefit the campaign on Sat., June 21, at the corner of Green Bay and Central (outside of Chase Bank) between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. If you are a baker, bring your cakes, pies, cookies, brownies, etc. If you don't want to run your oven but enjoy eating, just bring some change.

If you're still in a do-gooder mood, get on the L or bus, take a pleasant bike ride, or even drive down to Loyola University Saturday afternoon, where best-selling author David Sirota will be discussing his new book Uprising at 2:00 PM in the Simpson Multi-Purpose Room, 6333 North Winthrop. See separate post to follow.

Saturday evening, the adventurous can wander down to Hyde Park, where Chicago Fair Trade is having its annual benefit, GlobalFest, at the Little Black Pearl club at 10160 E. 47th St. The celebration will feature food, a fair trade marketplace, beverages including a special organic beer from Goose Island, and world music including the Andean sounds of Inti Raymi and Jamaican reggae from The Hurricane Band.

Meanwhile, all weekend long, the Custer Street Fair will be ongoing, between Chicago and Sherman Aves., south of Main to Madison, from 10am-9pm both Saturday and Sunday. Sidewalk arts, crafts, and other vendors, plenty o' typical street fest food, kids' activities, and ongoing live entertainment ranging from Native American performers to blues, make this an Evanston tradition.

Those of a blue hue can finish up the weekend by attending the Democratic Party of Evanston Annual Meeting at the Levy Center on Sunday from 4-6 pm. In addition to speeches by every elected Evanston Democratic official, the program features State's Attorney nominee Anita Alvarez, and political consultant Bob Creamer discussing his recently-penned (so to speak) Stand Up Straight! How Progressives Can Win.

And, oh yeah, I hear that a couple of local baseball teams might be playing...

These events represent a sampling of what comes across my mailbox or interests me, and does not necessarily represent the viewpoint of CSNA or any other CSNA officer, director, or member.