West Fest

West Town’s big-time summer shindig goes down Sat 7/7 and Sun 7/8 on Chicago between Damen and Wood, with an excellent main-stage music lineup booked by the Empty Bottle. Atlanta garage punks the Black Lips headline Saturday, after sets from outer-space surfers Man or Astro-Man?, Pet Lions, Stagnant Pools (see Soundboard), He’s My Brother She’s My Sister, and others. On Sunday adorable indie-rock couple Mates of State headline; earlier in the day you can hear the likes of Crooked Fingers, Bad Veins, and R Ring. There’s also a DJ stage, headlined on Saturday by Chicago dance-party staples Flosstradamus; among the day’s other acts are Sinden, Zebo, and the Dark Wave Disco DJs. Sunday’s DJ lineup ends with house-music legend Derrick Carter, after sets by Diz, Jesse da la Peña, John BID Simmons, and others. The Kid Fest area, at Wolcott and Rice, features a huge lineup of activities—an electronic drum circle, a b-boy battle, pony rides, stand-up comedy, and unusually ambitious live-music bookings that include Void Pedal and Qwel & Maker, among other things. For festival-happy dogs there’s Pup Fest, which includes an agility course, a mud pit, and paw painting; your furry friend can get in with a $5 donation, and $10 more gets a postfest bath from Suds for Strays charity dog wash. Admission to West Fest is also a $5 suggested donation, and proceeds go to the West Town Chamber of Commerce. The festival runs from noon to 10 PM both days; entertainment begins on the Kid Fest stage at noon, the main stage at 1 PM, and the DJ stage at 3 PM. For more info, see Fairs & Festivals listings by day, call 312-850-9390, or visit westfestchicago.com.