Buddy Guy plays Taste of Chicago on Saturday July 4.

FRIDAY 3
SHOPPING & STYLE - Gap Outlet sale
There’s more to celebrate than the good old U.S. of A. this July 4th weekend. All shorts are marked $10 at the Gap Outlet, plus you’ll receive up to 70% off everything else in the entire store. The Gap Outlet, 2778 N Milwaukee Ave (773-252-0594). El: Blue to Logan Square. Bus: 56, 76. Fri 3, 10am–8pm.

ART & DESIGN - “Primal” at Carl Hammer Gallery
This fine survey of (mostly) drawings by Chris Ware, Henry Darger and other contemporary and outsider artists closes today. Through Jul 3. Carl Hammer Gallery, 740 N Wells St. 11am–5pm. FREE!

MUSIC - Castanets + The Horse’s Ha
The gothic ghost-folk of Castanets should pair nicely with the Horse’s Ha, an elegant local chamber combo teaming Janet Bean (Freakwater, Eleventh Dream Day) with Jim Elkington (The Zincs). Listen to an exclusive performance and interview with the Ha on our Infinite Loop podcast for a taste of what to expect. Schubas, 10pm, $10.

THEATER - Up
Bridget Carpenter’s play about a man with his head stuck in the clouds and his wife and son trying to keep him anchored gets a warm Chicago premiere from director Anna Shapiro and a spot-on cast. Steppenwolf Theatre Company, 7:30pm, $20–$70.

NIGHTLIFE - Djinji Brown
When legendary jazzman Marion Brown is dad, you’re bound to feel the music in your bones. Which is why it’s always a treat when Djinji rolls through town. He’s got an extensive background working in hip-hop but of late he’s moved on to channel African and Latin rhythms through a spiritual house framework, signing to Osunlade’s Yoruba Soul label and heading out on the road to big up his DJ career. Tonight he joins the Low End Soundsystem, Yazi the DJ and Daryl Digs for a one-off dance party at darkroom. darkroom. 9pm. $10.

SATURDAY 4
MUSIC - Taste of Chicago: Buddy Guy + Guster + Booker T. & The Drive-By Truckers
Today’s musical pinnacle hits early on the Petrillo Music Shell at 3pm with a set from Stax soul stalwart Booker T., supported by the Drive-By Truckers, playing tunes from this year’s Potato Hole. Massachusetts’s Guster follows with breezy soft pop before a headlining set from master bluesman Buddy Guy. Grant Park, 3pm, FREE!

NIGHTLIFE - Porn on the Fourth
Officially minted as an annual tradition—and one that could only take place in the good ol’ US of A—crobar rings in Independence Day 2009 with equal doses of boobs and booze. Porn starlets Jesse Jane and Riley Steele strut their stuff before an aroused crowd of onlookers til the wee hours of the morning. So once the coals on the BBQ’s have cooled and the barrage of explosions have subsided, you know you’ve got one last debaucherous option to keep the party going. crobar. 9pm. $10.

AROUND TOWN/MUSIC/DANCE - Independence Day in Millennium Park
As part of the Grant Park Music Festival’s 75th anniversary season, the Grant Park Orchestra has a special Fourth of July concert planned, complete with traditional and patriotic tunes and an appearance by tap-dance master Lane Alexander. Millennium Park, Pritzker Pavilion. 1:30pm, FREE!

ART & DESIGN - SALUTE
Artists—including some veterans—celebrate patriotism and the U.S. military, but not in the wingnutty way you’re imagining. Flatiron Arts Building, 1579 N Milwaukee Ave (flatironartists.org). El: Blue to Damen. Bus: 50, 56, 72. Noon–10pm. $5 suggested donation.

GAY & LESBIAN - Reunion
DJs Corey, Stoney and Kenae spin at this megawatt Black Pride party. Reunion Nightclub, 811 W Lake St (312-491-9600). El: Blue to Grand. Bus: 8. 10pm, $10-$20.

SUNDAY 5
MUSIC - International Festival of Life
“Haitian voodoo rock” sounds way fucking cooler on paper than it does on record, but Port-au-Prince’s Boukman Eksperyans (6pm), who proudly carry that tag, are still reason enough to make the trek to Washington Park for the 17th annual installment of this African/Caribbean blowout. Southwest side of Washington Park, 11am–10pm, $15.

ART & DESIGN - “Ruse“
Ben Russell and Brandon Alvendia showcase video, performance and more by Paul Chan and other former and current Pilsen artists-cum-gallerists. Ben Russell, 1716 S Morgan St, no. 2F (alvendia1@gmail.com, br@dimeshow.com). Bus: 8, 18, 62, 168. 6–10pm. FREE!

AROUND TOWN/SHOPPING & STYLE - Wolff’s Outdoor Flea Market
Purportedly Chicago’s largest outdoor flea market, this one serves up a full gamut of ephemera—from antique furniture and collectible toys to fishing rods, baseball mitts, plants, jewelry and more. Allstate Arena, 6am-3pm, $1.

THEATER - Dead Wrong
Manny Tamayo’s noir-ish detective story keeps us on our toes with tons of unexpected twists and lots of awesome blood effects. No, seriously, LOTS of blood. Prop Thtr, 7pm, $20.

COMEDY - The Free For All
It’s three for free at this Sabbath night of improvised hilarity. The Playground Theater, 3209 N Halsted St (773-871-3793). El: Red, Brown, Purple (rush hrs) to Belmont. Bus: 8, 77. 8pm, FREE!