Three seats for the world stage

The London 2012 Olympic Stadium with the Orbit tower, left, in the Olympic Park.
The London 2012 Olympic Stadium with the Orbit tower, left, in the Olympic Park. AP/Sang Tan
The London 2012 Olympic Stadium with the Orbit tower, left, in the Olympic Park.
The London 2012 Olympic Stadium with the Orbit tower, left, in the Olympic Park. AP/Sang Tan

Three seats for the world stage

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The London 2012 Olympic Stadium with the Orbit tower, left, in the Olympic Park. (AP/Sang Tan)

WorldChicago Opening Ceremony Viewing Party; Dave and Buster’s, 1030 N. Clark; Friday, 6:30 p.m.; $30 (advance registration)

Celebrate the Opening Ceremonies of the 2012 Summer Olympics and mingle with an international crowd — including past Olympians  —  at WorldChicago’s viewing party Friday night. In Partnership with International Trade Club of Chicago, American Women for International Understanding-Chicago Chapter, Midwest Chapter of U.S. Olympians and Paralympians and World Sport Chicago

Attending Olympians include:

  • Rower Tony Brooks, Olympian-Rowing (1972, 1976) Vice President, Midwest Chapter of U.S. Olympians and Paralympians
  • Cassandra Francis, Elite Rower
  • Dr. Allison Jones, U.S. National Team Modern Pentathlon and Shooting
  • Twila Majkowski, Olympian (1976) Cross Country Skiing
  • Stephanie Miller, Pan American Games Gold Medalist, World Championships Team Member(2003) Olympic Trials Archery (2012)
  • Danielle Slaton, Olympic Silver Medalist (2000) Soccer
  • Hungarian Bela Szabados, Olympian, (1992, 1996, 2000) Swimming for Hungary
  • Steve Williams, Track & Field Sprinter, World’s Fastest Man (1973, 1974) and World Record-holder

Mingle, compete in a trivia contest at the cash bar or retreat to a quiet conference room dedicated to viewing the festivities. Dinner buffet included in ticket price, advance registration strongly preferred.

Celebrate Clark Street Festival; Clark Street between Morse and Touhy; Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.; suggested donation ; $5 per person, $10 per family

Stroll down Clark Street through the world of Pan-Latin music, culture and food. Experience 20 bands across two stages and two days of performances from headliners Mali’s SMOD and New York’s Los Empresarios, to Janka Nabay, the king of bubu, a frantic dance beat with origins in Sierra Leone. Food and craft vendors will line the streets throughout the festival. Donations support the Rogers Park Business Alliance.

Yo Solo Theatre Festival of Latino Solo Shows; Flatiron Arts Building, 1575 N. Milwaukee, Room 336; showings vary; July 26-August 12; festival pass $35, student festival pass $20, single show $15, single show (student $10)

Step into a collage of the Latino experience, told through the individual stories of six solo performers at this unique collaboration between Chicago art and theater companies Teatro Vista and Collaboraction. Each show features a pair of one-person plays written and performed by Latino playwrites about their experiences growing up Latino and American — and sometimes, somewhere in between.

Juan Francisco Villa in Empanada for a Dream

Festival producer and performer Sandra Delgado hopes the solo shows’ power of specificity hits home with audience members, no matter their background. “In the unique solo there lies a universality that everyone can see in themselves,” she said. “I want people be inspired to own their stories and tell their stories. Everyone’s story is imporant.”