First Festival Weekend!

Because it's the first real festival weekend and because (fingers crossed) the temperature will consistently be above 65...we decided to dedicate today's post to this weekends festivals; see below!


June 4-5: June Jam
Showcasing the Arts to Engage & Inspire. Marking the end of the school year, the fifth annual Roscoe Village fest, held partially on the grounds of Audubon School, expands this year to feature two days of interactive rides, exhibits, live music and food.

Other links/information:
Metromix
Schedule


June 4-5: Do Division Street Fest and Sidewalk Sale

 

Other Links/Information:
Metromix

Event Overview
Line-Up
Price: $5 Donation



June 4-5: 57th Street Art Fair (FREE)
More than 250 artists showcase glass, jewelry, leather, photography, printmaking, painting, sculpture, wood, ceramics and fiber at the 63rd annual event, billed as the oldest juried art fair in the Midwest. The event is alcohol free and is Chicago’s oldest juried art fair in the streets of the historic Hyde Park neighborhood


Other Links/Information:
Metromix
History
Artist Search


June 4-5: SausageFest (NEW FEST! Formerly Lake View Music Fest)
The 10th annual event, formerly the Lake View Music Fest, just outside Wrigley Field gets a slight rebranding but still features live music, arts and craft vendors and food from area restaurants, specifically encased meats. Vendors include Bobak's Sausage Company, Paulina Meat Market, Chicago's Dog House, Murphy's Bleachers, Notolli & Son Italian Sausage Shop and Greek Delights.

Other Links/Information:
Metromix
For a list of vendors and festival line-up, click HERE

HAPPY FESTIVALLING (it's a word!!!!)

Event Recap - Summer 2010 Series (3 of 3)

Steven Gross
Real Life Weddings

We know it's well into late winter and a whole new year, but we're still tickled to see these pictures! Thanks Nara and Raj :)

All photos by Steven Gross of Real Life Weddings







Steve Gross
Real Life Weddings





Steven Gross
Real Life Weddings





Steven Gross
Real Life Weddings





2011 Festival Schedule - It's Here!

[Source]

The 2011 Chicago Summer Festival schedule has been posted, and we're finding it hard to focus on anything else these days!

Who doesn't love a hot, sticky weekend with tons of places to go and foods to eat?!  Or being outside, enjoying all our great city has to offer?

It all kicks off with the Cinco de Mayo Festival May 6-8th. Check out the full list of festival dates HERE, and mark your calendars for some fantastic summer nights.

Happy ALMOST Summer-time everyone!

Suggestion Saturday: Farmer's Market

If you haven't been to a farmer's market lately, you are really missing out.  With markets set up in more than 20 neighborhoods across Chicago, five days a week, you're always able to find a market near by. 

[source]

What: Chicago Farmer's Market

When: 5 days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) from May 1st to October 31st

Where: In neighborhoods across the city; For a complete list, check out the official website here

Who: Anyone! Farmer's Markets are perfect for the entire family. Bring the kids, bring your dog, bring your friends. 

Why: The farmer's market is a great place to find fresh, local produce, baked goods, and more.  Planning a dinner party? Check out the market for the freshest ingredients. Need a gift for your sweetheart? Bring home a bouquet of gorgeous flowers.  Searching for a thank you gift for a hostess? Pick up a jar of local honey or potted herbs as a thank you.

Check out your local farmer's market this week. And if you've used farmer's market products to help with an event, send us an email at info@wevegotitchicago.com to share your story.

Taste of Lincoln

The Summer Festival Season continues!! 

This week's event: The Taste of Lincoln Avenue

One of the city's largest and most popular summer celebrations, the Taste of Lincoln Avenue will be celebrating its 27th year in 2010.

Taste of Lincoln Avenue began as a small neighborhood fundraiser and has grown to become the second largest street festival in the region. The event features 350 vendors and more than 40 music acts on five stages. Every music genre is represented: from blues and country to rock and folk. There's also a one-block kids' area with entertainment, pony rides, a petting zoo and much more!

Music highlights include the Freddy Jones Band, Journey Unauthorized, Otis Clay, Soul Asylum and Harper.


July 24 : 12 p.m. - 10 p.m.

July 25 : 12 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Price: $7-$10 donation

For More Information and a Schedule of Events (including a listing of all musical acts on all stages) Click Here

Suggestion Saturday - DuChamp Restaurant

Suggestion Saturday is back! We've been busy here at WGIC and unfortunately Suggestion Saturday took a hit...but fear not, it has returned!

DuChamp Restaurant: Affordable Outdoor Fine Dining

What: Bucktown's finest. A collaboration between chef Michael Taus and the guys behind Lumen (Jason Freiman, Peter Gogarty and Nick Podesta), DuChamp features delicious food with a French twist. All very reasonably priced, and artfully presented.

Where: 2118 North Damen Avenue (Just north of Armitage on Damen) - (773) 235-6435

When: While the indoor space is small, the outdoor patio more than makes up for it. We suggest visiting during the summer months.

Why: We are currently planning a 30th birthday party at DuChamp.  It's a small, intimate get together with passed hor' devours (personal sized ice cream sandwiches included!) and a drink package.  With long, over-sized tables, the patio is also great for rehearsal dinners or a pre-bachelorette party dinner.

Who: For our event the guest list includes all adults and we'd suggest keeping it that way for yours. Good for first dates, birthday bashes, or just an evening with the girls!

2016 Olympic Dreams Gone

Chicago 2016 is no more.

One thing on all Chicagoans minds today was the announcement that we will NOT be hosting the Summer Olympic Games in 2016. With Rio de Janeiro coming out on top, one has to wonder what it was that took Chicago out of the running.

We want to hear from you!

Let us know why, you think, Chicago got eliminated first. What was the biggest factor against our great city? Do you think President Obama, Oprah, Mayor Daley and the First Lady helped or hindered our chances?

Olympics Fever!

It's official: Chicago has Olympics Fever! With only 16 days until the bid city winner is announced, the race to the 2016 Olympics is heating up. Chicago is one of four finalist cities, competing with Tokyo, Madrid, and Rio de Janeiro.

Here at We've Got It! Chicago, we couldn't be more excited . . . Chicago 2016 promises us some of our favorite things: amazing feats of sport, a culmination of world cutures and of course TONS of events to plan. BUT our favorite thing is that Chicago 2016 promises to be the greenest Olympics yet. To read more about the "Blue-Green Games" check out the plan here.

And be sure to watch the decision live at Daley Plaza on October 2nd at 9:00 a.m. Go Chicago!

Caipirinha - Great Summer Drink

recently had the pleasure of attending a wonderful summer birthday celebration and I just loved the drink that was served. I had previously never heard of it before but was totally sold after the first sip. It is called Caipirinha and is made with the Brazilian liquor Cachaca.

We've Got It! Chicago

Do you have a recipe that you love during the summer? Leave a comment below and tell us all about it!

This is a strong drink and is to be sipped slowly, not gulped. Yet this lime and sugar mixture is incredibly refreshing; great for an outdoor party or BBQ on a beautiful summer day in Chicago!

There are three major ingredients needed for the Caipirinha. The following recipe is what I thought were the best levels of each - Enjoy!


Ingredients
Cachaca (ca-sha-sa). Not available at all liquor stores, Dominics on Chicago Ave. in Bucktown carries it - will run you about $30 per bottle

Lime. Lots of limes are needed for this drink. Stanley's Produce on North and Elston usually runs a great deal of 10 limes for $1. Cut limes in half, then quarter each half. Use four pieces (1/2 a lime) per drink.

Brown Sugar. The amount needed for each drink depends on your individual taste. This is because the sugar offsets the strength of the other ingredients. A large teaspoon is usually sufficient.

Ice. Crushed ice works best, enough to fill serving glass 3/4 of the way full.

Muddle. Used to mix the drink

Glass. Having two works best


Directions
Starting with the glass the drink will be served in, fill 3/4 of the way with crushed ice. In separate glass, add limes and brown sugar. Muddle until all sugar is dissolved. Add 1 1/2 ounces of Cachaca. Muddle briefly. Pour mixture into serving cup (over ice). Muddle until limes are pressed to bottom of cup.

CHEERS! - It's that simple

Fresh, Cool Cocktails for Summer

June is here, and summer is almost upon us. Although, we have to admit that we've been in a summer state of mind for quite some time now. When we think of summer, two things come to mind: cool cocktails and watermelon. What better way to kick off warmer weather than by combining the two?!

We've poured over cookbooks, perused websites and finally compiled our four favorite watermelon cocktails. Here they are, in no particular order. Drumroll, please . . . .

Watermelon Punch (from InStyle.com)

Ingredients:

6 cups watermelon juice (puree seedless watermelon)

3 oz frozen lemonade

6 cups vodka

1 liter club soda

Directions:

Combine first three ingredients and chill overnight. Add the club soda just before serving. Float small watermelon wedges and lime slices in the punch bowl. For an added touch, freeze balled watermelon and float in the punch to keep it cool without watering it down with conventional ice.

Watermelon Margarita (from drinksmixer.com)

Ingredients:

2 cups watermelon juice (puree fresh seedless watermelon)

juice of 1/2 lime

6 oz gold tequila

3 oz triple sec

1 tbsp sugar

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth. Add 1 cup of ice and blend again. Coat the rim of a glass with sugar by dipping it onto a saucer with lime juice and then into a saucer with sugar. Pour margarita into the glass and garnish with a small wedge of watermelon.

The Watermelon Wave (from Cocktail Times)

Ingredients:

4 oz tequila

3 oz orange liqueur

3 oz marischino liqueur

20 oz watermelon juice (puree seedless watermelon)

2 oz pomegranate juice

2 oz lemon juice

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a large pitcher and stir. Strain into glasses and garnish with watermelon wedges or balled melon on a toothpick.

Watermelon Martini (from About.com)

Ingredients:

1 cup watermelon juice (puree seedless watermelon)

1/2 cup vodka

1/2 cup simple syrup

juice of 1 lime

3 tbsp salt

3 tbsp sugar

Directions:

Wet the rim of the martini glass with a piece of watermelon and dip the rim into the sugar/salt mixture. Combine the remaining ingredients in a shaker and add ice. Shake to mix/chill. Strain into the martini glass. Garnish with a watermelon wedge.

And there you have it, our 4 favorite watermelon cocktails of the season. Have fun trying these out at home or serving them up at your next big summertime event! And for the really brave, why not make a drink dispenser out of a watermelon?