Stay in Town This Weekend for Artwork, Bikes, Celebratory 5K

Sam Bauc has a down-to-earth way to describe her artwork and that of her husband, Kevin Bauc.

“It’s kind of taking what we have here and getting creative with it,” she said. “You use what you have and you can make masterpieces.”

And although her description of the process seems mundane, her artwork is anything but.

Much of what she and her husband produce through their art collective Allusionary Abstractions began as something designed for a stage.

“A lot of our things started out as costumes,” she said.

They share the collective with Douglas Hawksworth and Christina Boles, who create a large amount of art for the stage as well.

But since she prefers to work in leather and he in chainmail, these are quite the costumes.

“Were all over the place when it comes to our art and why we do the things that we do,” Sam Bauc said.

In addition to producing visual art, she and Kevin perform – both as musicians and she as a dancer. In fact, the two have been creating a lot of art that functions as costuming for her belly dancing.

The Baucs will be among 16 artists showcasing work, six performers, four chidrens' art activities and three live art events at the Art in the Park event Saturday in Channahon. The entire group of Allusionary Abstractions will be on hand.

There also will be a farmers market, which is returning from last year, and a raffle for Lollpalooza, Ravinia and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

takes place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in  in Channahon. This is the second year for the event.

“I'm completely excited to be holding our second annual Art in the Park this year,” said .  “We had a great and amazing event last year and expect another excellent day for art Saturday. It's really inspiring to see the community come out and support our great local artists.”

Among those local artists are Patch’s own Dulcinea Hawksworth who will be doing body painting and Denise M. Baran-Unland, who is promoting her book, “Byrony,” which will be released in late 2011.

From Art to Bikes

If Art in the Park is not your speed, head east down Route 6 to . Although the bar, that is in the building formally occupied by Sarah's, has been open a couple weeks, their grand opening is this weekend.

"Hopefully, we are going to be the hottest bar with a nightclub atmosphere on the weekends," said Jason Daniels, manager of Liquid Therapy.

For its grand opening, the bar will have a bikini bike wash and bike show starting at 3 p.m. The show will include bike-related vendors, such as ProLine Leather.

Beginning at 10 p.m, Candi from KISS FM will be on hand.

"Were going to be the best thing to happen to Joliet since the (Chicagoland) Speedway," Daniels said.

Liquid Therapy is just east of the Channahon village line, in unincorporated Will County.

Speaking of Joliet

This weekend is the Taste of Joliet. In addition to musical acts - Loverboy on Saturday, KC and the Sunshine Band on Saturday and Kenny Rodgers on Sunday - the event has food from local vendors, a carnival for the kids and a special appearance by Cody Simpson, of Radio Disney, at 1:30 on Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults, with special pricing for the concerts.

Children are free when accompanied by adults. Food and carnival rides are priced separately.

Need to Walk Off That Food?

Channahon will be home to a 5-kilometer walk/run starting at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. The run is in honor of the village's 50th anniversary and will take place at . The walk/run is sponsored by the Forest Preserve of Will County. Registration details are available online.

Editor’s Note: This story has been revised. An earlier version stated incorrectly the date of one of the events.