CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Bucktown and Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, River North, Lincoln Square, Portage Park

Bucktown and Wicker Park: Now that the weather is finally nice, it’s running season! Join HealthSource of Wicker Park for their May Pub Run. On Wednesday, May 30, the group will meet at HealthSource (1448 N Milwaukee Ave) at 6:30 pm. Then, you’ll head out on a 30 minute run (or walk!) on the 606 and finish up with a beverage at Swig. Find more information here!

Lincoln Park: It’s time for Lincoln Park Greek Fest 2018! The 41st annual festival returns to the grounds of St. George Greek Orthodox Church from Friday June 1 to Sunday June 3. For all you Chicago foodies, there will be Greek street foods, baklava, loukoumades (honey puffs), pastitsio (Greek-style lasagna), vegetarian moussaka, gyros, Greek chicken, and more. The stage will feature traditional and modern Greek music, dance troupes, and the pop/rock stylings of 16 Candles and Karma Committee. There will be kids activities, including a bounce house and games, and an all-new craft area featuring more than a dozen artists! Hours are Friday from 5 to 11 pm, Saturday from noon to 11 pm, and Sunday from noon to 10 pm. Any donation is accepted as admission. Find more information about this exciting festival here!

Lakeview: Do you want to learn more about the traditional art of Japanese painting? Well, now is your chance! The Japanese Culture Center is hosting a Japanese Painting Weekend Workshop on Saturday June 9 from 2-5 pm and Sunday June 10 from 11 am-2 pm. Taught by Japanese Arts Foundation and Japanese Culture Center artist-in-residence Mami Takahashi, this workshop will introduce fundamental skills and knowledge of this traditional art form. Students will be taught basic methods of pigment making and application of gold and silver leaf as a background. Students will also be taught the importance of line drawing using a special brush. All materials and tools are provided. The course is $120 and tickets are available here.

River North: Mark your calendars for Wednesday, May 30! The Green City Market Dinner Series is a four-course table dinner series featuring market fresh ingredients. The culinary team hand selects the best offerings each Wednesday morning from the Green City Market in Lincoln Park, Chicago’s year-round sustainable farmer’s market. Inspired by in-season and local produce, they create a new menu each week! This special menu is available for guests until they run out. 10% of the proceeds from the menu benefit Green City Market, a non-profit organization. The dinner is held weekly at Travelle Kitchen + Bar (330 N Wabash) through October 24. The meal is $55 per person with an optional $20 wine pairing.

Lincoln Square: It’s time for Mayfestiversary 2018! Join Begyle Brewing and Dovetail Brewery in celebrating spring, the neighborhood, good food, music, and beer at this 2nd annual festival. The two-day festival (May 26-27) will feature more than a dozen locally brewed beers, a variety of cuisine from some of the best food trucks in the city, live music from local Chicago musicians, and activities for the whole family (including pups!). The festival is free, with a suggested $5 donation benefiting Foundations of Music, CHIRP Radio, and One Tail at a Time. Find more information here!

Portage Park: It’s not too early to mark your calendars for County Fair Chicago! This fall, urban will meet rural at the County Fair. The fair is September 8 and 9 and is Portage Park’s newest event. You can stroll the Midway, graze on delicious locally-made cuisine, check out educational and interactive workshops, listen to bluegrass, rockabilly, and country music on the Grandstand Stage, and even attend a traditional barn dance on Saturday night! Find more information about this exciting new event here!

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO