I wait for it every year, and 2010 was no different. Chicago’s famous Lollapalooza festival happens every August and this year’s lineup was enough to have me camp-out. We’re talking Phoenix, Metric, The Black Keys, Lady Gaga, Yeasayer, Chromeo, and so many more. If the lineup wasn’t enough reason to shell out a stiff $215 for the tickets, perhaps the celebrity appearances were? Spotted throughout Grant Park all weekend were celebs ranging from Ke$ha, to Gaga, to Perez Hilton. I myself spent the weekend seeing favorites live, discovering new music, and attempting to stay hydrated regardless of scorching temps.

The weather was fantastic, the water was cheap (and environmentally friendly!), and the music was on point. As always, there were disappointments and acts that failed to deliver, but all in all it was absolutely a Lolla to remember.

For one extended weekend in August, the place to see the oddest gathering of celebrities and fan-boys of the obscure isn’t Hollywood… it’s Rosemont, Illinois. Wizard World held their annual Chicago Comic-Con at the Donald E. Stevens Convention Center and the featured guest list was as varied as the dinner choices at Old Country Buffet.

Sharing floor space with genuine thespians like Wiliam Shatner, Linda Hamilton and Adam West were even those who reached fame by acting like themselves; Survivor’s Jonny Fairplay and The Surreal Life’s Adrianne Curry. But by far, the highlight of the weekend was Blago in the Batmobile. Holy Helmet-Head, Batman!

All kidding aside, Comic-Con is probably the only place where you can geek out about the silliest obsession and feel safe in assuming that it’s not the weirdest interest in the room. Well, not the only place… there is Anime Central, the annual anime and manga convention.