The 18th annual African/Caribbean International Festival of Life, held in Washington Park (55th and Cottage Grove) from Fri 7/2 through Mon 7/5, features two stages of hip-hop, reggae, soul, gospel, calypso, soca, and more. The festival’s big names play the International Stage, among them RÂ &Â B songstress Angela Winbush, English-born Barbadian soca artist Alison Hinds, Jamaican dancehall deejay Admiral Bailey, Tobagonian singer Calypso Rose, Gramps Morgan of Morgan Heritage, and reggae star Shaggy, the man responsible for the 1995 hit single “Boombastic,” which has been seared into my brain for 15 years. The festival’s many other attractions include a slew of vendors selling international food, arts, and crafts. Hours are noon to 10 PM each day; admission per day is $10 before 5 PM ($15 after) for adults, $5 for seniors and kids under 12, and free for kids under six. Four-day passes cost $30. Advance tickets are available through the festival’s website. For more info, call 312-427-0266 or visit festivaloflife.biz.
African/Caribbean International Festival of Life
Marquee acts include Shaggy, Angela Winbush, Gramps Morgan, Admiral Bailey, and Alison Hinds.
