African-Caribbean International Festival of Life

This 12th annual event celebrating African-Caribbean culture features more than 70 performers on two stages, plus food, arts and crafts, games, kids' activities, and much more. The festival runs from 10am to 10pm every day, July 2-5 in Washington Park at 5100 S. Cottage Grove. Admission ranges from $5-$10.

Eyes to the Skies Balloon Festival

Twenty hot air ballons will be launched every day during this festival at the Lisle Community Park located at Ill. Hwy. 53 and Short Street in Lisle, Illinois. The festival will also include nightly fireworks displays beginning around 10:15 p.m. July 1-4. Some major music acts will also be performing including the Spin Doctors (Thursday at 9pm) and Big Bad VooDoo Daddy (Sunday at 9pm). Admission is $8; $2 for kids ages 5-12. Visit the official website for more information.

American Music Festival @ Fitzgerald's

Fitzgerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd. in Berwyn, finishes off its American Music Festival, highlighting excellent folk, blues, country and rock. Playing on two stages tonight are:
• Pat McLaughlin
• Dave Alvin & The Guilty Men
• Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas
• Tito Jackson & The Jackson Five Band
• Waco Bros. With Paul Burch
• Ann Rabson
• Reckless Kelly
• Eric Ambel and the Roscoe Trio
• Chicago Jazz Orchestra
• Lurrie Bell & Dave Specter
• The She Demons of Rockabilly, featuring The Casey Sisters (Austin, TX), The Honeybees (Chicago,IL), & Dawn Shipley & the Sharp Shooters (L.A.)
• Jackie Greene
• Jeff & Vida

Doors open at 1:30pm. Tickets are $20 per day, but you can get $5 off if you show up before 6pm -- which is worth doing, so you can get some of Fitzgerald's great cajun BBQ before the best parts are gone. For more info and a full schedule, check here or call 708/788-2118 ext20.

Burlectro @ darkroom

Join DJ Franky Vivid and the girls of LavCab for the "Amazing BURLECTRO Show" at darkroom, 2210 W. Chicago Ave., 10 p.m.-? Come out for some tassle twirlin' techno remixes of classic burlesque tracks, a multimedia burlesque extravaganza and Live! Dancing! Girls! featuring the luscious Miss Michelle "Toots" L'amour and her fabulous Sugarbabies. The show is free, you don't have to work tomorrow—what are you waiting for?!

ABBA Brunch @ Ann Sather

Here's a goofy-fun way to celebrate the nation's independence: Ann Sather Restaurant, 1448 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Wicker Park, transforms into a disco today for their monthly ABBA Brunch. Enjoy the music of the Swedish supergroup while you sample the Swedish diner's morning fare. You can also register to win two free tickets to see the musical "Mamma Mia!," opening at the Oriental Theater this November. From 8am to 3pm today.