Mayfest

Mayfest overtakes Lincoln Square this weekend. Festivities kick off Thursday, June 3 and continue through Sunday, June 6.

Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest

The 20th year of the Central Lakeview Merchants Association putting a stage in a parking lot and calling it a street fest. On Sheffield Avenue, between Belmont and School (i.e. in front of the Vic). $5 suggested donation for entry. The festival started Saturday, June 5. Today's lineup: 12:00pm, Roscoe Plush 1:30pm, Katie Todd Band 3:00pm, Underwater People 5:30pm, Von Bondies 7:15pm, Umphrey's McGee

DEPART-ment

DEPART-ment, craft fair extravaganza, happens this weekend at Open End (2000 W Fulton).

American Burqa

It's a compelling idea for a documentary: three Chicago women engage in the activities of a normal work day while wearing a burqa. The film, American Burqa, follows these women during their day and the reactions of their friends and co-workers. The film screens tonight at 5:15 PM at the Siskel Film Center; one of the directors, Hossein Khandan, and members of the cast will be present for an audience discussion after the film. Siskel Film Center: 164 N. State. (312) 846-2600.

Tuvan throat singing workshop

Okay, here's a music class you can't pass up: a Tuvan throat singing workshop at the Old Town School of Folk Music, this afternoon at 3:00 PM. Throat singing is that weird musical style where you make a guttural sound in the back of your throat, and you simultaneously have two or three overtones going at the same time, so you're singing more than one note. (See the documentary Genghis Blues for more information and plenty of demonstrations.) Sign up fast, because Old Town School classes usually sell out quickly. Old Town School of Folk Music: 4544 N. Lincoln Avenue. (773) 728-6000.

He Who Must Die w/ Studs Terkel

Studs Terkel and Tribune film critic Michael Wilmington are appearing this afternoon at 2pm at Facets Multimedia at 1517 W. Fullerton in Chicago. They will be on-hand for a special screening of a newly restored print of He Who Must Die (Celui qui Doit Mourir) directed by Jules Dassin from 1957. The film's subject revolves around a Turkish-occupied Cretan village preparing the Easter Passion Play. Turkel and Wilmington will be discussing the film and responding to Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. Visit the Facets website for more details.

Printers Row Book Fair

The 20th annual Printers Row Book Fair happens today. Plenty of new and used books for sale, authors reading their works, panel discussions, and other literary events. Check the Website for a complete schedule and directions to the fair.

57th Street Art Fair

The 57th Street Art Fair is celebrating its 57th year this weekend in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. More than 300 artists from across the country will be on hand. The fair will be open Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. And, unlike some of those other Chicago art fairs, admission to the 57th Street fair is free! Check out the official website for more information.

Adventures in Lesbian Sex

Join editor Rachel Kramer Bussel and writer GirlyNYC for some very naughty and very true bedtime stories from the anthology Up All Night: Adventures in Lesbian Sex, recently published by Alyson. At Early To Bed, 5232 N. Sheridan Rd. Call 773/271-1219 for more info.