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Weekend Warrior

Hit South Asia, the Middle East and Africa this weekend, all without filling up the gas tank.

Thursday Nov 13, 2008.     By Centerstage Chicago Staff

Lifestyle Feed

Always wanted to travel around the world but just don't have the vacation time or the money to pay for it? Well this weekend, you can jet-set your way to South Asia, the Middle East and Africa without the hassle of booking expensive airline tickets or even filling up the gas tank.

Imbibe away
Aperitif 21
Stop into this new Lincoln Park lounge for a happy-hour full of Mediterranean flavors. Start off with the Persian martini, a combination of vodka, cranberry juice, pomegranate molasses and lemon. A few sips in and you'll be ready for a little something edible, like the spinach and artichoke-stuffed mushrooms and the Persian-style lamb kabobs. Each kabob gets skewered with grilled tomatoes and served with a housemade yogurt-mint sauce and your choice of white or dill rice.

Looking for more ways to prep your palate? Here are some before-dinner drinks we love.

Listen here, now
Toumani Diabate
7:30 p.m. Friday at Old Town School of Folk Music; $22
A 20-block trek north will take you to another continent, as Malian kora sensation Toumani Diabate brings his internationally acclaimed skills to the comfortable Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall at Lincoln Square's Old Town School of Folk Music. Using his 21-string harp-lute, Diabate fuses traditional West African music with other worldly styles, so prepare for a cosmopolitan end to your evening.

If your ears prefer to stick to domestic sounds, we've got some must-see shows for you, including a visit from the Rodney Dangerfield of hip-hop and the debut of the Chicago Noise Machine.

Dig in
Jaipur
Wander over to this West Loop hot spot on Saturday for some authentic Indian cuisine. Menu options range from popular entrees like Tandoori chicken to a sweet carrot pudding. Or just order fresh naan bread, which is baked in-house and served with a tamarind sauce. Arrive around midday and you'll be treated to the restaurant's lunch special, which includes an appetizer, main course and dessert for $14.99.

Can't get enough curry? Make a weekend trip to Devon for all the Indian you can handle.

Get cultured
Africa Hi-Fi
9 p.m. Saturday at Sonotheque; $10
Complete your weekend safari with a night of culture, music and dancing courtesy of Africa Hi-Fi. Host Sonia Hassan celebrates her birthday with a special live-percussion and dance performance from the African-influenced group Seneke and screenings of films from Nomadic Wax showcasing the intersection of hip-hop, politics and youth around the world. As always, the talented Ron Trent provides the dance sounds.

Double your dance fun this weekend with these other events, including a Justice movie and Lupe Fiasco's new favorite band.