Best festivals: from concerts to crawfish to deep-dish pizza, some of the best fun happens under the sun

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MIAMI: Zo's Summer Groove, July 9-July 13, www.zsg.com

Now entering its 12th year of celebration, Zo's Summer Groove invites you to party hard with NBA All-Star Alonzo Mourning and his fellow Miamian Dwyane Wade in a weekend's worth of events--from the deadly serious to the seriously fun. There is a youth summit, a golf and basketball clinic, all adults-only comedy jam and concert, a block party and an all-star basketball game. And when you're ready for a time-out, you can take a dip on Miami Beach. Many events are flee. For others, prices vary.

NEW ORLEANS: Satchmo Summerfest, July 31-Aug. 3, www.fqfi.org

Enjoy some crawfish etouffee along with a smorgasbord of all that is wonderful about jazz in New Orleans at the Satchmo Summerfest. This three-day extravaganza is one of your more low-key festivals, perfect for a lazy weekend of eating, listening and people-watching. It's part of the yearlong French Quarter Festivals.

CHICAGO: Taste of Chicago, June 27-July 6, www.tasteofchicago.us

Come visit the granddaddy of all summer food festivals. Sample a tiny "taste" of Chicago's deep-dish pizza, fried ice cream, fancy scallops in butter sauce, medieval turkey legs basted in beer and even French crepes while perusing the city's historic rose gardens, Buckingham Fountain and the lakefront. It'll be sweaty and hot, but oh so good. Plus, arrive early to get a scat for the tree Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan concerts. Fantasia, loss Stone and Plain White T's are in the weeklong lineup as well. Walking around and listening is tree. On average, a couple can expect to spend about $50 on purchasing tiny "tastes" of food.

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