EDGEWATER — There's a major problem in Edgewater this weekend: too many festivities afoot and not nearly enough time.
Heading into the first full weekend of official fall in the 60660/40, Chicagoans from neighborhoods across the North Side (and beyond) will gather in Edgewater to peruse local wares at the Edgewater Arts Fest and participate in the Back To School 5K Run/Walk.
But that's not all.
Check out a few of the many worthwhile things to do in the neighborhood this weekend:
Friday
• See A Half-Priced Show With Beer, Cheese And Wine: Friday is Neighborhood Night at Raven Theatre, one of the community's most treasured theaters at 6157 N. Clark St. You can see a half-price 7:30 p.m. performance of "Direct From Death Row The Scottsboro Boys," a show about "nine African-American teenagers falsely accused in 1931 of assaulting two white Alabama women who spent decades in the legal system fighting for their lives," the theater's website says. If you'd like to feel fancy, you can enjoy cheese, wine and beer selections during the pre-show reception. Regular full-price tickets normally cost $39 online.
• Grab A Daytime Martini For The Special Olympics: There are McCutcheon Elementary students currently working their way toward the Special Olympics — but to get there they'll need your help in drinking a few martinis first. From 2-5 p.m., Marty's Martini Bar, 1511 West Balmoral, will hold one of its regular Martinis That Matter events in which 100 percent of the sales go toward uniforms and equipment for soccer, basketball and track events. Can you be the hero these kids in need?
Saturday
• Support Art/Music/Kids/Tacos At Arts Fest: Between 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, the Edgewater Fall Arts Fest will be in full swing with more than 120 artists, food vendors, beer, three music stages (and yes of course a circus-themed pet parade) in the 1000 to 1100 blocks of West Granville. There's a $5 suggested donation, but entrance to the festival is free. Bring your family, your pet and most importantly yourself to this favorite annual event.
• Shop Outdoors At The Farmers Market: There's less than a month left of the Edgewater Farmers Market, so make sure to get in while you can. Showcasing handmade local wares from the heart, the community staple, now in its 25th year, hangs out at its new Broadway Armory parking lot digs at the corner of Thorndale Avenue and North Broadway and is open from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sunday
• Get Out And Move For Neighborhood Schools: The Edgewater Back To School 5K Run/Walk is returning to the neighborhood's streets and lakefront this year, with $5 from each registration fee going toward a neighborhood school of your choice. Last year, organizers raised nearly $6,000 for local schools — so that little bit goes a long way. Finish off the end of a good run with a beer and some food at the fall arts fest.
• Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month With Food, Rum And Music: The period from Sept. 15-Oct. 15 is celebrated as Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States. The date was chosen because Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua all declared independence on Sept. 15, 1821. Independence anniversaries are also celebrated in Mexico, Chile and Belize on Sept. 16, 18, and 21, respectively. La Fonda Latin Grill at 5350 North Broadway will be kicking off the month-long festivities with live music, authentic Colombian food and rum sampling from Parce Rum between 5-8:30 p.m.
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