Starting tomorrow, Chicago’s Croatian-American community celebrates Croatian American Days with several free events. On Fri 5/14 from 10 AM to 3 PM, Daley Plaza (50 W. Washington) hosts a festival with Croatian food, pastries, folk dancing, arts and crafts, and performances by Club Stepinac, Sacred Heart Kolo Group, Croatian Vines, and Srdjan Bulat. Bulat, a Croatian classical guitarist, also plays a free show Sun 5/16 at 6 PM at the University of Chicago’s International House (1414 E. 59th).
On Mon 5/17, author Maria Dugandzic-Pasic signs copies of her new book, Croatians in Chicagoland, at Borders (150 N. State) from 4 to 6 PM. Afterward, a book launch gala for Dugandzic-Pasic takes place at the Chicago Cultural Center’s Preston Bradley Hall (78 E. Washington) from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. The gala also celebrates recipients of the 2010 Pleter Award, which recognizes individuals for saving and promoting Croatian heritage. Registration for the gala is required, and formal business attire is requested; RSVP here. For more info, call 312-482-9902.