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[title]1. R&B and soul singer Maxine Nightingale is best known for the disco-era hit “Right Back Where We Started From,” a staple at Sidetrack’s Sunday retro night. Nightingale performs Saturday 13 at 3pm at the Rivers Casino Stage.
2. Glee’s dreamy Darren Criss performs Saturday 13 at 4:30pm at the Rivers Casino Stage. The University of Michigan graduate cofounded Team StarKid, a student-formed theater production troupe now based in Chicago.
3. Glam aristocrat and America’s Got Talent finalist Prince Poppycock hits the Rivers Casino Stage Saturday 13 at 7pm.
4. Gloria Gaynor is best known for the feminist/gay anthem I Will Survive. Like a true diva, she insists on being called Ms. Gloria Gaynor in all media. She closes out the fest Saturday 14 at 8:30pm at the Rivers Casino Stage.
5. Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam enjoyed mainstream success in 1987 with their No. 1 singles “Head to Toe” and “Lost in Emotion.” Lisa Velez (a.k.a. Lisa Lisa) performs minus her band at the Rivers Casino Stage Sunday 14 at 4:30pm.
6. Play Twister with porn stars Alessio Romero and Hunter Marx (not real names, we’re guessing) at the Steamworks booth on Saturday 13 and with Trent Diesel and Roman Heart on Sunday 14.
7. Skip the nasty street-fair crap and hit the Black Dog Gelato (of Ukrainian Village fame) booth instead for a scoop of its heavenly goat-cheese cashew caramel.
8. Go local by supporting the Locals, a Chicago-based band fronted by out singer Yvonne Doll and rocking out Sunday 14 at 12:30pm at the Roscoe Stage.
9. Eighties cover band 16 Candles (Saturday 13 at 8pm at Roscoe Stage) has become as ubiquitous at Chicago street fests as gooey funnel cakes. Out frontman Adam LeBlanc also spins as DJ Adam El at Euro-pop party Glo Wednesday 17 at Berlin.
10. Sidetrack will sell Champagne-based slushies at the fest. For the vodka versions of its beloved Ketel One Krush, Stoli Blueberi Pink Lemonade and Effen Black Cherry Buzz, visit the inside of the bar.
11. Say hello to the indefatigable Carlotta Gurl at the Tourism Vancouver booth, where we won a vacation at last year’s fest (no kidding), and check out our take on that trip in next week’s TOC.
12. Lesbian-owned and -operated North Side kitty shelter Feline’s Inc. is getting ready to expand its walls to include dogs. Swing by its booth to learn how to meet one of its adoptable residents like this little love machine named Charm.
13. Kit Kat will peddle mimosas, steak dogs and truffle fries at the fest. Beat the heat and the crowds by retreating to its renovated outdoor patio just a stone’s throw off the festival path at 3700 North Halsted Street.
The 2011 Northalsted Market Days happens 11am to 10pm Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 in Boystown.