Get an early start if heading today to Taste of Chicago in Grant Park.
Fireworks fans start staking out spots at 10:45 a.m. for the traditional Independence Eve concert and sky show.
To be blunt, blankets are considered good form. Lawn chairs are taboo unless you're sitting waaaaay in back. Not that the city is taking sides. "We just ask everyone to be polite and considerate," says Veronica Resa of the Mayor's Office of Special Events. "We don't have opinions on the 'blanket people' or the 'chair people.'"
Other tips: bring sunscreen, take public transport, stay hydrated "and prepare to make a day of it" Resa said. "There are 108 items you can eat for $2 (apiece) or less."
The 85th Army Band begins its star-spangled set at 7:30 p.m. at Petrillo Music Shell. The fireworks begin at 9 p.m. and WTMX-The Mix 101.9 will broadcast the synchronized soundtrack ("American Girl," "Get this Party Started," "Beautiful Day" and more). WGN-Channel 9 will televise the mob scene and pyrotechnics live.
For public transport info, call (312) 836-7000.
The 29th Taste runs through Sunday.
Taste tips
Mmmmm ... check out the guacamole and chips at Adobo Grill (Booth 54), Eli's "skinny" no-sugar cheesecake (Booth 22) and the popcorn "popsicle," a frozen caramel-and-cheese corn mix on a stick at Garrett Popcorn (Booth 52).
Talk about a working woman
Sarah Jessica Parker is working it. As if the "Sex and the City" star wasn't busy enough juggling new twins, "Sex and the City 2," signature perfume and fashion lines, she's branching into reality TV.
Not just another fashionista, Parker, head of Pretty Matches Productions, is teaming with Bravo to bring an artsy series to the small screen. The still-untitled show, coproduced by Magical Elves ("Top Chef," "Project Runway") will pit 13 artists against each other for cash, a gallery show and a museum tour. Contestants must create unique pieces on command in a variety of disciplines including sculpture, painting and photography. Now that's one way to expedite creativity.
Writers need not apply. What a rip-off!
Local artists willing to sell out should report to an open call from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at the School of the Art Institute Sullivan Galleries, 33 S. State St., Chicago.
Grapevine
Spotted: Actor-director Harold Ramis sipping a Vodka Collins at Sepia ... "Public Enemies" director Michael Mann is from Chicago, which explains why he required three tables for relatives at the post-screening cast party at the River East Art Center ... Speaking of all things John Dillinger, view the robber's infamous wooden "gun" plus the Tommy guns he stole during his escape from Lake County Jail in 1934. These infamous relics will be on display July 22 -- the 75th anniversary of his death -- at the John Dillinger Museum inside the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond. The Lake County and Porter County Sheriff departments are loaning the rarely seen machine guns and the Dillinger museum traditionally displays a copy of the wooden gun. Why? To avoid theft, of course. Admission is $4.
The opinions expressed are solely the writer's. Reach her at molly.woulfe@nwi.com or 219.852.4329
