Event: Sandcastle Building Competition Where: North Beach (behind Sports Pavilion and Aquatics Center) When: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, May 18 Celebrate the gorgeous spring weather with a sandcastle competition sponsored by the Happiness Club and Engineers for a Sustainable World. Check out their Facebook page to sign up your team of five for free. The event will also feature a bake sale and prizes. Event: Agnes Nixon Playwriting Festival 2012 Where: Struble Theatre, Theatre and Interpretation Center When: 8 p.m. Friday, May 18, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, May 19 See three completely new plays written by Northwestern students at this free annual festival. Each is diverse in scope, including tales of a dating game show, a jailed art forger and a building of quirky residents. -Iman Childs

Diversion and Excursions

Evanston Event: Musicals in Motion – 36th Annual Spring Ice Show Where: Robert Crown Center, 1701 Main St. When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 18 and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. May 19, Sunday, May 20 Cost: $8 general, $10 reserved Hear songs from your favorite musicals, from “Wicked” to “Moulin Rouge,” like you’ve never heard or seen them before – on ice. Local skating students, along with professionals, will perform on ice songs from the stage and the silver screen. Chicago Event: Music and Art Meet Culture Fest Where: Congress Theater, 2135 N. Milwaukee Ave. When: 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday, May 20 Cost: $10 Delight your five senses at Chicago’s largest indoor culture festival, featuring live music, top DJs and live art stations. Not to mention, there’s an open bar (for those 21+) from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m., along with a free glow sticks and raffle tickets.

-Iman Childs