Handpicked: Summer solstice potluck, BBQ and more

Handpicked: Summer solstice potluck, BBQ and more

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Housemade jams at Bang Bang Pie Shop in Chicago (WBEZ/Louisa Chu)

Friday, June 21
Annual Sweet Summer Solstice Potluck at Rancho Verde. Slow Food Chicago, the Chicago Honey Co-op, and Christy Webber Landscapes present a benefit potluck. Main course and drinks are included with Goose Island Brewery beer, featuring the Saison Sofie; Virtue Cider; Candid Wines; Crumb bread; and Fortune Fish Company smoked whitefish. Plus Chicago Honey Co-op hive tours on the green roof and live classical guitar. Bring a potluck salad, side dish, or dessert; plus a blanket or chairs. Admission $10 for Slow Food Chicago and Chicago Honey Co-op members, $15 general, children under 12 FREE; donate $5 extra to help send a delegate to Slow Food International’s Terra Madre in 2014.

Summer Solstice BBQ at Iron Street Farm. Growing Power Chicago presents an equal opportunity BBQ, with vegan and vegetarian food too, plus local brew and lemonade. And it’s pygmy goat Billy Ray Valentine’s first birthday! He’ll celebrate with farm grown Swiss chard and tummy rubs in the Pallet Palace. Growing Power will NOT be BBQ’ing their sweet goats, just celebrating with them. Admission $25 each, $100 table for 6 including custom centerpiece; RSVP at 773-376-8882.

Sunday, June 23
June Food Swap at Gallery 1028. Chicago Food Swap presents a gathering of food lovers to trade homemade or homegrown goods. No cash is exchanged, and no goods are sold. Bring cookies, muffins, cakes, candies, chocolates, granola, pickles, spreads, jam, jellies, vinegar, herbs, spices, vegetables, fruits, pasta, sausages, backyard eggs, honey and more. Tasting samples are encouraged. Admission FREE, but you must pre-register.

Monday, June 24
Amigos of Pintxo featuring guest chefs Jason Hammel of Lula Cafe and Jason Vincent of Nightwood at Barcito. Chef/partner Ryan Poli presents this bi-weekly night of Basque country inspired bites, drinks and music. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Pilot Light. Admission $25 all-you-can-eat, drinks additional.

Wednesday, June 26
Inaugural Logan Square Night Market at Milwaukee and Logan CTA plaza. The new stand-alone weekly night markets will include vendors from other city farmers markets, local restaurants, artisans, live performances, and arts and crafts. Admission FREE.

Thursday, June 27
Inaugural Argyle Night Market at Argyle and Broadway. Admission FREE.

Grow With Us at The Plant. Plant Chicago presents a casual meal by Pleasant House Bakery with ingredients grown on-site, guided tours, discussions with growers, and remarks from founder and Executive Director John Edel. Proceeds from the event will support the non-profit mission to promote closed-loop food production and sustainable economic development through education and research. Admission $75 advance, $90 at the door.

Follow Louisa Chu at @louisachu.