BUCKTOWN — Happy Friday and Bastille Day!
Here are some things to do this weekend in Bucktown and Wicker Park.
Tour Bucktown Gardens — Partake in myriad festivities connected to the Bucktown Community Organization's Bucktown Garden Walk. In addition to strolling into more than 75 public and private gardens, there are children's activities (temporary tattoos, live music, puppet shows, crafts, fitness) at the walk headquarters in Churchill Park, a block party with beer, rose and food vendors, and a petting zoo at Lottie's Pub. See the full schedule of events here. The garden walk is free but guides are a $10 donation; hours are 10 a.m to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 1825 N. Damen Ave.
Stargaze Along 'The 606'. Since the Exelon Observatory is closed until fall, the free "For the Love of Stars" event on the second Friday of each month has been relocated to Julia de Burgos Park. Bring your own telescope or use the one provided, from 8:25 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday. 1805 N. Albany Ave.
Sugar Rush On Bake's Back Patio. The made-from-scratch popsicle flavors at Bake rotate often (peach, raspberry yogurt, lemon, fudge pop on on the menu this week) but owners Jennifer and Eric Estrella tell DNAinfo they always have strawberry. The family-run bakery also features new summer cookies too, which like the popsicles, cost $3 each. Take it to go or sit in the fenced-in serene side patio. Bake weekend hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m to 5 p.m Saturday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. 2246 W. North Ave.
New summer cookies and popsicles at Bake. [Jennifer Estrella]
Celebrate Women in Comedy. Female comedians will be convening again in Bucktown for Ladybits, a show offering improv, sketch, storytelling, stand-up, singing, burlesque, and more. Doors open at 5 p.m. for a two-year anniversary party BBQ, the free show starts at 8 p.m. 1728 N. Wilmot Ave.
Free Family-Friendly Theater in The Park. Guided by a band of roaming gypsies, the audience of "Around the World in 8 Plays" gets transported from the ancient Far East, where a hero must kill a giant centipede to save a dragon king, to the Russian countryside, where a poor orphan must defeat three witches who stole his grandfather's eyes. The interactive show from Theatre Hikes and Pullman Morris & Sword Dance Group is free, and runs from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Sunday at the Schiller/Damen corner of Wicker Park's park, 1425 N. Damen Ave.
Get Your Child's Eyes Examined for Free. Children in need of the state-required vision screenings for newly-enrolled students can pop by Lumen Optical locations for a free exam, which normally costs $79. Weekend hours are 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. Fri-Sat; 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Sunday, 2520 N. Elston Ave.
Enjoy A Classy French Meal. To honor Bastille Day on Friday and all week long, Chef Michael Taus at Taus Authentic Food & Drink (who started his career working in French restaurants) has devised a "French Week" prix fixe dinner, including a choice of four appetizers (steak tartare, onion soup, salad and chicken liver mousse), an entree (steak frites, duck confit with cassoulet style white beans, striped bass almondine) and a glass of sparkling wine, for $38 per person, at 1846 W. Division St.
Duck confit at Taus Authenic. [Provided]
Keep Looking For Waldo. Volumes Bookcafe has partnered with local businesses who've been "hiding" the red-and-white striped Waldo within their shops all month long — and those carrying Find Waldo passports get a stamp for each Waldo they spot. Seekers can turn in their passports for a grand prize drawing on July 29, where the top prize is a deluxe set of Waldo books. Passports can be picked up at various locations, including Volumes Bookcafe, 1474 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Shop At Sunday Farmers Market. Score fresh produce, cheese, meats and specialty items, like crepes, cookies and Ipsento's Nitro coffee at the Wicker Park Farmers Market. Hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, 1425 N. Damen Ave.