Photo: Courtesy of Chicago Summerdance

Chicago Summerdance is happening through September 15.

Festivals, Parades, Parties

AFRICAN FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
Through 9/1 The R&B singer Brandy headlines this Labor Day weekend jamboree in Washington Park, which features a drum village, a spirits garden, and many works of art. $20–$30. 5531 S Martin Luther King. africanfestivalchicago.com.

APPLE FEST Free! Child Friendly
9/21 at 8 Usher in the unofficial start of fall at this Lincoln Square salute to the fruit. Consume various forms while kids enjoy the activities at the children’s stage. 8–5. N Lincoln between W Leland and W Lawrence. lincolnsquare.org.

DESIGN HARVEST
9/28–29 Score some locally sourced furniture from 50 juried designers at this aesthetically pleasing street fest in West Town. There’s an after-party at Yuro Furniture on Saturday too. 11–8. $5 suggested donation. Grand between Damen and Wood. design-harvest.com.

FESTIVAL DE LA VILLITA Free! Child Friendly
9/6–8 Celebrate Mexico’s independence from Spain at this popular Little Village fiesta, which includes carnival rides, music, and games. Friday 6–11, Saturday 2–10. 2600 S Kostner. chicagoevents.com.

RANDOLPH STREET MARKET FESTIVAL
9/28–29 In addition to browsing hundreds of vendors plying everything from artisanal cheese to vintage jewelry, you can trade old treasures for new ones at the fest’s vinyl swap. 10–5. $25. $20 in advance. 1350 W Randolph. randolphstreetmarket.com.

RENEGADE CRAFT FAIR
9/7–8 Nab handmade goods at this popular Wicker Park market. 11–7. Division between Damen and Paulina. renegadecraft.com.
 

Readings & Lectures

HAROLD WASHINGTON LIBRARY
9/25 at 6 Thomas Keneally. The Schindler’s List author promotes his new book, The Daughters of Mars.
9/30 at 6 The Congo Square Theatre Company: Reading of The Warmth of Other Suns. As part of the city’s One Book, One Chicago program, the theatre troupe performs an excerpt from Isabel Wilkerson’s Pulitzer Prize–winning tome about the Great Migration.
Cindy Pritzker Auditorium, 400 S State. chipublib.org.
 

Sports & Rec

CHICAGO SUMMERDANCE Free! Critic’s Pick
Through 9/15 Get a one-hour lesson in various dance styles, then show off what you’ve learned. Thu–Sat 6–9:30, Sun 4–7. Spirit of Music Garden, Grant Park, 601 S Michigan. Details, schedule: chicagosummerdance.org.

More events:
Theatre: Comedies, Dramas, Musicals | Music: Classical, New Music, Opera | Music: Jazz
Best of the Rest | Music: Rock, Pop, Hip Hop | Dance | Music: Classic Rock, Blues, Soul
Music: Folk, Country, World | Art Fairs and Galleries | Museums