Stories by Meredith Francis

From performances to seasonal treats to a spirited class in Wicker Park, your springtime agenda is in full bloom this weekend.

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day a little early with three parades and the annual river dyeing. Live music, some impressive Lego-building skills and an acclaimed dance company round things out.

The longtime advocate for health care reform, whose patients included President Barack Obama and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., died Monday at age 92.

The Chi-Town Jazz Festival doubles as a fundraiser for area food pantries. The founder, a local priest, says jazz is a fitting genre to address social issues like hunger.

Soak up Irish films in Logan Square, take a dip in the lake for charity and see a new special exhibition at the Field Museum. Details on these events and more in our weekend roundup.

Early voting is underway at 51 locations across the city. Check out our interactive map to find a voting location close to you.

See Yo-Yo Ma perform with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, rub elbows with chickens at the Urban Livestock Expo and keep warm with homemade soup in Lakeview.

Enjoy another restaurant week in the Northwest suburbs, see the reinstallation of the "Above and Beyond" dog tag exhibiton and watch Shirley King pay tribute to the King of Blues.

Celebrate the Year of the Monkey or surround yourself with colorful flowers (or shiny new cars) this Valentine's Day weekend. We've got something for everyone in our weekend to-do list.

Find out what a "Strandbeest" is, see Ladysmith Black Mambazo perform and celebrate the Super Bowl with a bowl of chili.

Take a dip in Lake Michigan with the Lakeview Polar Bear Club, mellow out to the sounds of trumpeter Marquis Hill, sip wine and winter beer and more.