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Five things to do in Chicago, from the obvious to the absurd.

Thursday May 14, 2009.     By Centerstage Chicago Staff

Lifestyle Feed

Lottie's 75th Anniversary
Friday-Saturday at Lottie's Pub
You know how your corner bar seems to change its name every year, as ownership changes? Yeah, if you lived by Lottie's, you wouldn't. The place has been holding strong since 1934 - that's 75 years. To celebrate, the Bucktown pub is throwing two parties. First, there's "Flip for the 75th," a flip-cup tournament in the famed basement (8 p.m. Friday; co-ed teams of 5, $8 domestic pitchers). The big birthday party is on Saturday; there will be live music and giveaways starting at 1 p.m., along with live band karaoke at night. The best part: Miller Lite drafts are just 75 cents.

Great Chicago Places and Spaces
Saturday
In honor of the 100th year of the Daniel H. Burnham Plan, this architectural fest will offer six tours highlighting his work, including Gateway to India in Chicago (Devon Avenue), Chicago's Gateway to the World (Northwest Side), Discover Pilsen, From Civil War to Civil Rights and Beyond, From Pollution to Solution: 'LEEDing the way in the Midwest' (Southeast Chicago) and Rebuilding a Classic Chicago Community (Auburn-Gresham). Day-of registration begins at 7:30 a.m. at the ArchiCenter, 224 S. Michigan.

Chicago Blues Tour
8:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Saturday; $40
Can't wait for the Blues Fest to get a super-size fix of Chicago's most famous music? You don't have to. This nightlong tour features artists like Johnny Drummer, Lil' Ed and Vance Kelly, and includes stops at Lee's Unleaded Blues, Rosa's Lounge, Checkerboard Lounge, Rooster's Palace and Catcher's Inn, as well as the tour "hub," Wabash Tap.

CircEsteem's Spring Circus
Friday-Sunday at Truman College; $10-$15
This 8th annual event will feature trapeze, juggling, clowning and acrobatics performances by children ages 8-20 (from the Chicago Youth Circus). It'll also include a gym wheel performance by students from CircEsteem's adult classes - including one seriously youthful 64-year-old.

Green Festival
Saturday-Sunday at Navy Pier; $15
Over 300 exhibits will be featured at this fest, including eco-friendly merchandise, how-to workshops, green career info, a Kids Zone and organic food and drink (from Chicago Diner, Cousin's Incredible Vitality, Soul Vegetarian East and others). Plus, there will be more than 150 renowned speakers on hand for panel discussions and presentations, including William Ayers (pictured) and Bernardine Dohrn, famous for their involvement in the Weather Underground movement of the '60s (and now both local college professors). Other keynoters include Ron Reagan and Alice Waters.