What: The Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival
Where: LakeviewHow Much: free, $5 "suggested donation"
How to get there: Red line to Belmont

There was no need to google map this fair- it could be seen from the window of the El. As the first true street fair of the season, the Belmont- Sheffield Music Festival was packed. Sheffield was closed off from Belmont to School and a little in each direction on School street. Not much room for a full crowd who wanted to see the musicians plus a throng of people just looking to score some beer and food. Several times I resorted to my usual polite way of letting people know they need to move : "Excuse me, you stopped right in the middle of the street." It never ceases to amaze me how unaware people are about their own personal space and what is going on around them.

There were several jewelry and clothing vendors set up but not nearly as many as at your run of the mill Chicago fest.
The skirts that I am browsing here appear to be the next big thing. I saw no less than three stands selling this type of skirt. The women manning the booths were demonstrating the seemingly endless ways of wearing them. You can see that this mannequin has hers wrapped as a fashionable but potentially illegally short dress.
I'm a sucker for a good dress, so there is a good chance I will own one of these by the end of the summer if they keep cropping up at fairs.

Food was pretty typical- standard fair fare. I promised to try new things along this road, so I went for a Mediterranean veggie plate. You can see from my face that I was really excited to eat it. It consisted of a greek salad, yellow rice, grilled veggies (really just onions and peppers) and two delicious dolmatas. A dolmata is a pickled grape leaf wrapped around tasty stuffing. I thought they only came in meat versions, so imagine my delight to discover that you can also get them stuffed with... whatever the hell was inside them. It tasted like sour rice, in a good way. I had t get away from the crowds and onto the sidewalk to eat in peace. That's a Shocktop beer, in case you were wondering. MMMMMMM.

This guy was there. That is all.

Of course, this festival was about the music. I am using that term loosely. The bands that were booked were... fine. I'd really like to see some more local actual talent. This is a huge festival and there is a lot of opportunity for exposure to new and exciting acts. I do have to say the Too White Crew was satisfyingly hysterical. Not as hysterical as the little blonde woman beside me who knew literally EVERY word to EVERY mid eighties to late nineties song they played. At one point she looked over and apologized to me for yelling, and I told her not to worry, she was increasing my enjoyment tenfold.

A word to the wise, people. PLEASE do not bring your small child to these festivals and tote her around on your shoulders. There are lots of problems with this. First of all, no one behind you can see. Also, children's ears aren't built to withstand the kind of decibels blasting out at these concerts and you could be permanently damaging their hearing.

These are adult events for a reason. I am sure you love your kid as much as I love my dog, but please get a sitter.

In between acts there wasn't much to do but stand around and wait for the next band to take the stage, which could take some time given the set up and take down. My last act of the evening was to buy an $8 pina colada in a pineapple, which I realized as i was drinking it couldn't possibly contain alcohol because I hadn't been carded or wristbanded. So there went $8 worth of frosty coconut goodness. Here's a tip: the guys that cut the pineapples have a big bin full of pineapple pieces that didn't make a full round. If you ask nicely and show them your boobs they will give you a free cup of them. Just kidding, the asking should be enough.

You'll notice that the sign behind us says "Robots". Did you know there is a store in Chicago that only sells Robots? Now you do. It's on Sheffield between Belmont and School.

My parents decided to steal my dog for the weekend, so I'm off to pick him up and get some free grilled memorial day food. Hope you all had a great weekend!

Next week you will find me at: Mayfest in Lincoln Square on Friday night. This is a super cute neighborhood if you have never been there before, so check it out. On Saturday I am going to a Muslim fest with my friend Robin. I'll have to get back to you with details about that one. Then you'll find both of us at the Do-Division Street Festival. This stretch of Division street has vendors and a sidewalk sale as well as music. On Sunday, meet me at the June Jam. In between those, I am going to try to make it to the Gospel Music Festival and the 57th street art fair. Whew!