If you love Rick Bayless’ PBS show or his restaurants in Chicago, you may be interested in a live cooking demonstration tomorrow at the Green City Market.

The Green City Market is Chicago’s premier farmer’s market for sustainably grown/organic produce and more.  It occurs most Wednesdays and Saturdays in Lincoln Park.

USE YOUR U-PASS: This trip is either a bus ride or a few block walk from the Brown Line Sedgewick stop.  The Clark bus will get you close, as well as a few others.  You may just want to use the Google directions on this one.

Green City Market

Celebrating its 75th year, the Grant Park Music Festival is really the essence of Chicago summers and the vision of Chicago’s lakefront from generations’ past.  While it’s technically in Millenium Park now, the misnomer is easy to accept given how wonderful a venue the Pritzker Pavilion is.

The ‘festival’ happens most every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, though there are exceptions.  Featured is Grant Park Orchestra, as well as a number of guests and open rehearsals.

Visit the website to check on showtimes and to make sure the night you go out there is free.  Most nights are.

USE YOUR U-PASS: If you’re willing to walk a few blocks, it’s near a bunch of downtown ‘L’ stops, including Randolph/Wabash on the elevated lines.  Just take a look at the map, and you’ll find the best way for you.

Grant Park Music Festival

The Printer’s Row Lit Fest (formerly called the Printer’s Row Book Fair) is celebrating 25 years of the book fair this year.  Located in Chicago’s old publishing headquarters, Printer’s Row, the fair has nearly 125,000 visitors each year.  The fair features everything from large bookstores to independent publishers.  You’ll find cookbooks from the 1950s and New York Times bestsellers from just last week.

Tents line the streets for blocks in Printer's Row.

There will be two UIC LAS professors taking part in official events this weekend.  Luis Alberto Urrea and Eric Arnesen will give talks during the weekend.

Luis Alberto Urrea, UIC professor of English and author of “Into the Beautiful North,” will talk Saturday June 6, at 11:30 a.m. in University Center, Loop Room, 525 S. State St.

Eric Arnesen, UIC professor of history and African American studies, will host a discussion with Beryl Satter, author of “Family Properties,” Sunday, June 7 at 10 a.m. in University Center, Lake Room, 525 S. State St.

USE YOUR U-PASS: The Blue Line to LaSalle should get you very close.  Google Maps.

Printer’s Row Lit Fest

The food of Spain is one of the more varied cuisines in Europe, if not the world.  There are dishes that resemble Latin food in many ways, various paellas, dishes comprised of a majority of seafood, and various soups and stews.  The most famous food, at least in Chicago, however, is probably Tapas.  Tapas isn’t necessarily a type of food, but more about the manner in which it’s served.  It’s basically a whole bunch of appetizers.

A tapas meal is perfect for a medium-sized group who’s ready to share.  Patrons order a mixture of hot and cold plates that are shared with all.  In most cases, the portions are so small that everyone gets 1 or 2 tastes before trying something else.  Commons dishes are a aceitunas (olives, cold), gambas (prawns, hot), and albondigas (meatballs, hot).  Although tapas is technically a Spanish concept, the offerings at local tapas restaurants are usually varied enough to offer something for everyone.

Below are a few great options for tapas in Chicago, as well as a link to directions.

Cafe Ba Ba Reeba – Google Map

Cafe Iberico - Google Map

Azucar! - Google Map

Emilio’s Tapas - Google Map