Things to do for July 07, 2011

The Weekender

Sand, Kickball and Chicago's Smallest Restaurant

The weekend smells a little like mesquite.<br />

Thursday
The New Hard-to-Get Table in Town
EL FIRE

The New Hard-to-Get Table in Town

Schwa. Next. Aviary. The Office. All checked off your to-do list. Your new challenge: El, an eight-seat kitchen/dining room hybrid with Phillip Foss (ex-Lockwood) and Andrew Brochu (ex-Kith & Kin) performing elaborate 11-course feats of gastronomic excess. Reservations are made via lottery. So plan on getting lucky.

Food Trucks and Doggy Dining
TRUCKED IN

Food Trucks and Doggy Dining

Damn crazy food trucks. You’re done chasing them like a dog... in fact, so is your dog. So Ethyl’s patio hosts seven of them—including the Gaztro-Wagon, Tamalli Space Charros, More Cupcakes and the new Fido to Go, a van catering to hipster pooches. Yes, you read that right.

Friday
Freedom Dance Party at the Red Canary
DANCE DANCE REVOLUTIONS

Freedom Dance Party at the Red Canary

You have a hazy memory of something people once did in this town. It involved a DJ... and a floor... and swinging body parts in syncopation. Oh, yeah: dancing. It makes a comeback with a late-night throwdown hosted by some NYC mega-party operators... so you got some representin’ to do.

Saturday
Volleywood Beach Bash with Lil Jon
CRUNK & YOUR TRUNKS

Volleywood Beach Bash with Lil Jon

Ah, summer at the beach. The sun. The sand. The crunk. All will be available in heaping doses at this volleyball tourney and afternoon beach bash. Lil Jon will perform a set, plus you’ll find games, food and lots of beverages—never crunk without proper hydration.

Jul 9, 8am tournament, noon-6pm party, $10, North Avenue Beach, 1603 N Lake Shore Dr, 312-850-8196, tickets here

World’s Largest Kickball Tourney
HERE’S THE KICKER

World’s Largest Kickball Tourney

It’s too late for your team of world-class kickballers to register for Chicago Bear Greg Olsen’s charity tournament. Instead, support the charity as a spectator, where you’ll meet the tight end, indulge in a complimentary beer tent and join the after-party at Joe’s. So you’re going to be pretty busy regardless.

Jul 9, 8:45am-6:45pm, $50, Hutchinson Field, Grant Park, 901 S Columbus Dr, more info here

Elsewhere on the Daddy

More Radar in Chicago