CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Lakeview, Bucktown and Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, Old Town, Logan Square, Oak Park

Lakeview: Join F.A.M.E. (Foundation of Artists Mentored in Entertainment) for their 7th Annual Fundraising Gala! The Dinner Dance Gala will be held this Saturday, April 28 from 6 to 11 pm at the Chicago Yacht Club Belmont. This gala supports some of the most talented artists in Chicago! This year, the audience will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite dancer and singer. Celebrity judges include Candace Jordan, Michael McStraw, David O’Connor, and Denise Tomasello. One dancer and one singer will be award $1200 each. Tickets are $75 and include the final round of the talent competition, a cocktail reception, dinner, raffles, dancing, DJ, live entertainment, and a cash bar (1 free drink ticket included). Learn more and buy your tickets here!

Bucktown and Wicker Park: The Wicker Park Farmers Market plans to kick off another season on Sunday, June 3! Between 8 am and 2 pm, local vendors will be offering all the best in handmade and homegrown to get the summer started right. There will be fresh fruits, veggies, baked goods, meats, cheese, and flowers! The market is a great opportunity for kids and adults alike to learn about the food we eat from the farm to our tables. Find more information here.

Lincoln Park: It’s that time of year again! Lincoln Park Uncorked: An Armitage-Halsted Wine Stroll is back! This is one of Chicago’s premier wine tasting events. Enjoy over 30 curated samples of red and white wines, all while strolling through one of the city’s most famous shopping districts in the heart of Lincoln Park. This years participating wine stroll stops include All She Wrote, Barry’s Boot Camp, Chez Moi, J9 Wine Bar, Via Strozzi, and more. Last year’s event sold out, so don’t delay in getting your tickets! Tickets include wine samples and light food fare from over a dozen local businesses. Groups of 5 or more are eligible for a 15% discount per ticket, bringing the price down to $34 per ticket. General admission tickets are $40. Purchase yours now, before they sell out!

Old Town: As the weather gets warmer, the festival calendar starts to ramp up! Mark your calendars for the Wells Street Art Festival on Saturday June 9 and Sunday June 10. The festival is from 10 am to 10 pm on Saturday and 10 am to 9 pm on Sunday. The festival features over 225 juried artists from across the continent, a dedicated performance stage with local music, performance artists, and cover bands, a children’s play area, and over 20 food and drink vendors serving up local Old Town treats! If you want to get the most out of your festival experience, purchase your “Best Fest” ticket now! For $40, you get two gate donations, two beverage tickets ($5 value each), four food tickets ($5 value each), and two commemorative cups. Purchase yours here, now!

Logan Square: Mark your calendars! The Logan Square Arts Festival returns to Logan Square June 22 through June 24. There will be two stages of live music, art installations, and food and drink from the neighborhood. Tickets are only $5 and all proceeds benefit neighborhood non-profits, including Logan Square Preservation, an organization dedicated to preserving the history and beauty of Logan Square. This year’s festival is particularly special as it coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Illinois Centennial Monument, the focal point of the festival and the neighborhood. Find more information about this exciting festival on their Facebook page.

Oak Park: Get yourself out to Oak Park for the “Tales of the Twenties in Oak Park House Walk”! The Historical Society presents the 15th annual Spring Housewalk on May 6 from 1 to 5 pm. The walk features interior tours of six beautiful homes in North Central Oak Park! Designed in a variety of architectural styles, these featured houses were built in the Roaring Twenties, when the area north of Division Street was transformed from vacant fields to luxurious brick homes. Presale tickets are $30 for the general public, $25 for members, and day of tickets will be $35. Ticket pickup will be at Oak Park River Forest Museum on the day of the walk. Tickets may be purchased online, at the museum, or by calling 708-848-6755. Find more information here.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO