Up next in our series of weekend plans from notable, in-the-know locals—a.k.a. people we like: Vincent Lacey, executive director of the Chicago Fringe Festival. The Chicago Fringe Festival runs Thursday, August 29 through Sunday, September 8.

“Friday evening is our karaoke night. Karaoke with a bunch of actors is always fun. We’re taking over a space we call Fringe Central. Right next door is Fischman Liquors, an up-and-coming craft beer emporium. We’ll get drinks from there.

“Saturday, I’ll be at Fringe all day. Some plays I’m looking forward: Get Ready for the Vagina Fairy by Rebecca Kling. She’s a transgender artist in Chicago and she does this expert mix of humor and education that is just awesome. There’s another one on Saturday called Beware the Werecow! by the Sea Beast Company. It’s about a young girl who goes on a journey—it’s all done through puppetry and it’s set in the swamps of Louisiana. And then there’s another one called Caged In, that’s a crazy story—Nicholas Cage wishes for a friend and a shooting star sends a clone of himself. That [play] will probably end my night.

“The biggest change about Fringe this year is that we’re trying a different neighborhood—Jefferson Park. People don’t know how cool the neighborhood can be. On Sunday, I’m going to stop by Taste of Polonia [in Jefferson Park]. I’ll get a pierogi and maybe do a polka dance.” —As told to Tomi Obaro