SUMMERDANCE: Grant Park's Spirit of Music Garden transforms itself into one of the hottest spots to cut a rug this summer during the annual Chicago SummerDance. Beginning tonight, the garden will host dance lessons and an open dance floor every Thursday through Sunday until September 18. Put your dancing shoes to the test with the various musically themed evenings throughout the summer, including a celebration of Soul Train's 40th anniversary. Tonight's dance session includes live Bollywood, Bhangra, reggae and funk music from Funkadesi as well as Bollywood and Bhangra dance lessons. Dance lessons, 6-7pm, Live music and dancing, 7-9pm, Free
LOFT PARTY: See why the chicks at Cheeky Chicago are known for throwing great parties by hitting up their soiree tonight at The Aeree Loft. Master Sommelier Alpana Singh will be manning the bottles and Top Chef contestant Radhika Desai is the chef du jour. 7-9pm, 1250 W. Fulton Market, Free with RSVP
HAPPY HOUR: The Aparecio Foundation challenges Chicagoans to get smart tonight at Public House as part of its "Smart is Sexy" competitive happy hour fundraising series. Twenty bucks gets you cocktails and appetizers and a chance to compete in various brain-racking challenges throughout the night. Profits from the teams most able to get the mental cogs in motion will benefit low-income youth in Chicago Public High Schools. 5-8 pm, 400 N. State St, Tickets $20
FREE DESSERT: One of the hottest -- or, rather, coolest -- frozen yogurt brands, Pinkberry, is popping onto the dessert scene in Chicago. Fro-yo fans can help celebrate the opening of Pinkberry's first Illinois location tonight by stopping by the store on the eve of its grand opening and snagging a free small cup of Pinkberry frozen yogurt. 635 N. State Street, 5-9pm, Free
CIRQUE DE SOLEIL: The Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center and Cirque de Soleil are teaming up for a night of celebration and dance. Catch Cirque's eye-popping show OVO, playing at the United Center now through August 21, and help benefit some of Chicago's finest local talent. All ticket sales from tonight's show will go toward scholarships presented to students of the Dance Center. Ticket holders are invited to attend a reception at the CMDC (47 W. Polk Street) prior to the show. Reception, 5:30pm; Performance, 8pm; Tickets are $150
