Lip @ Neo-Futurarium

Performance poet Lisa Buscani, a former Neo-Futurist, returns to her old stomping grounds this month and presents Lip, a weekly spoken-word extravaganza. Every Friday and Saturday night in July will feature a different lineup of writers and performers, each one delivering 15 minutes of scintillating verbiage. This week's Lip lineup: Dave Awl, Lisa Buscani, Mary Fons, Nicole Garneau, Jenny Magnus, and Marc Smith. Fans of the spoken word will definitely want to listen to Lip. Show starts at 8:00, doors open at 7:30. The Neo-Futurarium: 5153 N. Ashland (at Foster). More information and reservations: (773) 275-5255.

St. Andrew's 43rd Annual Greek Festival

This annual festival of Greek culture includes traditional food, folk music and dancing, stuff for the kids, a raffle, and a silent auction. On Friday night, get $1 beers from 5-7 p.m. and hear live performances from Jon Allmett and Scott Besaw and The Business. The fun all happens at St. Andrew's Greek Orthodox Church at 5649 N. Sheridan Road July 9: 5 p.m. - 11 p.m., July 10: 4 p.m. - 11 p.m., and July 11: noon - 11 p.m. Admission is $2.

Magnificent Mile Art Festival

This free art festival will feature more than 200 local and national artists exhibiting their stuff at the Chicago Tribune Pioneer Court located at 435 N. Michigan Avenue. Hours are July 9: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., July 10: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and July 11: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Did I mention that it's free?

Chicago Folk & Roots Festival

The Old Town School of Folk Music presents its 7th annual Chicago Folk & Roots Festival today and tomorrow at Welles Park. Lots of music (folk, blues, Cajun, country, Afrobeat, children's music, etc.), and a dance & workshop area featuring plenty of chances to try out different dance steps (samba, salsa, hula, etc.). If the music and dance interests you, then consider taking a class at the school (have a look at their class schedule; the next adult class session begins August 30). Admission to the festival is a suggested donation of $5, or $1 for seniors and kids. Welles Park is at the corner of Lincoln and Montrose. The festival runs noon to 9:30 on both days. See the Old Town School Website for a complete schedule.

Bastille Day Celebration

Party like it's 1789! July 14, 1789, to be exact, the day the French masses stormed the Bastille prison and ignited the French Revolution. Join Pops for Champagne at their 22nd annual block party magnifique celebrating this auspicious French holiday. 3 p.m.-10 p.m., 2900 block of North Sheffield.

Drinking & Writing @ T's

Beginning Thursday July 8th "Drinking & Writing" will once again cozy up to the bar where it all started, T's Bar and Restaurant, 5025 N. Clark St. (at the corner of Winnemac) in the heart of Andersonville. Every Thursday and Saturday at 7 p.m. for the whole month of July you are cordially invited to join them for drinks and performances of "Drinking & Writing". As a bonus, not only will you be able to see the original "Drinking & Writing," but you'll also be able to see the all new "Drinking & Writing Volume II, The 'Nobel' Experiment". That's right, an all new show written and performed by Neo-Futurists Steve Mosqueda, Sean Benjamin, and featuring Chloe Johnston. This all new Volume of Drinking & Writing focuses on the years of prohibition and features many new writers such as Edna St. Vincent Milay, H.L. Mencken, Upton Sinclair, Sinclair Lewis, Jack London, and many more. The two shows will be performed in rep on Thursdays and Saturdays, so to find out more about the schedule visit their website, where you can also purchase tickets in advance. Tickets are $12 and $8 for students with ID and can also be purchased at the door.

Barrington Microbrew Fest

Taste some of the area's finest microbrews along with the monied residents of Barrington! From 1 - 6 p.m., join other microbrew enthusiasts in downtown Barrington for tastings, food, and music. Cost is $30 for day-of tickets which includes a t-shirt, tasting glass, and more.