Flamenco A3 at the Instituto Cervantes of Chicago. Friday June 15 and Saturday June 16 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets $25 at the door.

Traditional Flamenco usually involves groups of up to 20 members. But, Justine Bayod, creator and producer of Flamenco A3 (pronounced ah-TRES), felt there must be a more economic way for a Flamenco troup to tour internationally. She and three artists — David Coria, Flavio Rodrigues and Ismael de la Rosa — teamed up to create an intimate program of dance, singing and guitar. While flamenco can sometimes be very taxing to the ear, Flamenco A3 kept their international audince in mind to bring you a taste of this 100-year-old art form.

Check them out, as guitarist Flavio Rodrigues strums poetic:

The Scottish Festival and Highland Games at Hamilton Lakes in Itasca, Ill. Opens Friday June 15 at 4:00 p.m. ‘till 10:00 p.m.; continues Saturday June 16 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tickets $20 at the gate.

Open the gates and let the Scot inside you free! The Chicago Scots present the 26^th annual Scottish Festival and Highland games – a weekend of traditional Scottish food, dance and of course, highland games. According to legend, the highland games originated when King Malcom of Scotland challenged men vying to be his body guards. He chose the men who stood up against the uphill races, log tosses, hammer throws and many other physically challenging tasks. Fortunately, attendees of this festival will only be challanged by the large selection of whiskey and haggis.

Denise Milan: Mist of the Earth Exhibition at the Chicago Cultural Center. Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sundays 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Denise Milan is an environmental activist as well as artist. She is currenly working on a public art project in the favelas of Sao Paolo, Brazil. Her exhibition at the Chicago Cultural Center expolores the definitions of humanity, failure and triumph. Her peices take you on a journey to Brazil through sculpture, photo-collage and stone work.