Cost: Free

Organizer: 57th Street Art Fair Committee

What to expect: A wide range of painting, sculpture, photography and more.

Why to go: The free Art Buying Boot Camp (register on the website) should get you in shape for the upcoming season. You'll take a guided tour through the fair with local artists experts who can answer the dos and don'ts of buying art.

Additional info: This is a notable one: The 57th Street Art Fair is an unofficial kick-off of sorts to a summer packed with arts festivals. It's also the Midwest's oldest juried art fair, featuring the work of more than 250 artists. Now in its 63rd year, the fest draws more than 100,000 attendees. It's also one of the country's largest not-for-profit art fairs, dedicated to displaying original art by artists who sell their own work.

A quick history lesson: The 57th Street Art Fair originated in 1948 thanks to the talents and vision of Hyde Park gallery owner Mary Louise Womer, who saw a need for networking between local artists and their public. Initially open to all artists, its juried status is a testament to its popularity among submitting artists.

Centerstage Reviewer: Ben Rubenstein