Pay to sweat in July
Get at tan while working out at Beach Blanket Abs, sponsored by Lakeshore Athletic Club Downtown, 441 N. Wabash Ave. It means getting up early on Friday – the jog to the Olive Park and Ohio Street Beach ab workout begins at 7 a.m. Entrance for non-members is $15.
A summer read
Need an excuse to be a nerd? Try the Annual Book Fair and Bughouse Square Debates held at Washington Square Park, 901 N. Clark St., this weekend. Bargain books on anything from the classics to cookbooks will be on sale. Debates taking place Friday night and Saturday afternoon recall the soapbox oratory tradition. Still looking for a title? Head to the Newberry Library Annual Book Fair, 60 W. Walton St., which promises more than 100,000 donated books in 50 categories – with many tagged under a dollar. Both fairs run Thursday through Sunday.
Blinded by the boats
Chicago has found yet another reason to celebrate on Saturday with the 44th Annual Venetian Night at Monroe Harbor. A boat parade starting at 8:30 p.m. will be followed by fireworks.
Fast times
The 225-lap, open-wheel Target Grand Prix will take place Friday through Sunday at Sportsman’s Park and Chicago Motor Speedway, 3301 S. Laramie Ave. in Cicero. Champion Crisiano da Matta defends his title in a race where cars can reach speeds of 240 mph.
bless the rains down in africa
Southern soul food and an African feast are only some of highlights of the Tastes of Africa Festival held at Jackson Park, this Saturday and Sunday at 63rd Street and Hayes Drive. African dancers, singers and drummers as well as African art and antiques will be featured from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sweatin’ to the salsa
If it’s not too hot to move Sunday, combine fun and sun at the Salsa Summer Beach Bash at Oak Street Beach, located at Division Street and Lake Shore Drive. Pour on the sunscreen and merengue from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For tickets, e-mail [email protected].
Creative endeavor
Want to live on the edge – or at least see some art? Take a visit to An Arts Adventure held Sunday at Superior and State streets. Sidewalk exhibits and demonstrations by artists in paint, pottery, sculpture and more will be on display from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
