Tuesday, July 8
Get around to City Winery (1200 W. Randolph St., West Loop, 312-733-9463) where a $25 ticket gets a seat at a performance by She's Crafty, the all-female Beastie Boys tribute band. Bonus: a five-drink tasting flight from Metropolitan Brewing. The show starts at 8 p.m.
The crew from Homestead on the Roof (1924 W. Chicago Ave. , Ukrainian Village, 773-332-2354) will collaborate with Paul Virant, pastry chef Elissa Narrow, and others from the teams at Vie and Perennial Virant on a four-course rooftop dinner celebrating the summer harvest. You have to buy tickets in advance for the $75 meal, which includes drink pairings as well as tax and gratuity.
Friday, July 11
There is that one giant food-related festival this weekend, but that’s hardly the only outdoor dining and music extravaganza on the docket. You can also swing by the Windy City Smokeout, which starts today and runs through the weekend at Grand Avenue and the Chicago River, for country music and 'cue from both locals (such as Bub City and Smoque) and out-of-town pitmasters from all over the country. You can pick up tickets here.
Did you know today is National Mojito Day? Now you do! You can toast this very official celebration at Nacional 27 (325 W. Huron St., River North, 312-664-2727), where they’ll be offering an array of the drinks in both solo form for $9 and three-flavor flights for $25.
Saturday, July 12
Grab a freshly grilled burger without opening a bag of charcoal at the Roscoe Village Burger Fest, which sets up at the intersection of Belmont and Damen today and tomorrow. Vendors include DMK Burger Bar, John’s Place, and last year’s overall winner in both the visitor and critic judging panels, Cortland’s Garage. Entry to the fest, which runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. both days, is a donation of $8 to the neighborhood's Chamber of Commerce.