At 5 a.m. on Wednesday, April 27, tickets will go on sale to the general public for all concerts at Ravinia this summer, and the only place you’ll be able to get them is on the Ravinia website.
Ravinia’s season line-up offers a variety of musical styles, so there will likely be something to suit almost everyone’s musical tastes. Those interested in classical music can join the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as it celebrates its 75th year at Ravinia and see such favorite soloists as Lang Lang, Izthak Perlman, Andre Watts, and Yo Yo May perform with the CSO, enjoy the music of one of America’s favorite composers in an all-Gershwin evening, or watch Lord of the Rings while the CSO performs the film’s entire score.
If you want to hear some great jazz, take in a concert with the Ramsey Lewis Trio, Dave Brubeck & Sons, or Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center.
If pop/rock/country is more your style, Ravinia will have some major headliners this summer, including Carrie Underwood and Jennifer Hudson.
Also appearing will be Mandy Patinkin, the Moody Blues, the Doobie Brothers, and Tony Bennett in an 85th birthday celebration, among others.
If you want to enjoy a day at Ravinia with the entire family, there will be a number of kids concerts: Ko-Thi Dance Company, Dirty Sock Funtime Band, Tom Chapin & Friends, Ralph’s World, Justin Roberts, The Mariachi Divas, the Highland Park Strings, and Momix.
To view the entire Ravinia schedule, click here.
There are several options for getting to Ravinia: Metra train (which stops right at the Festival grounds), driving (get directions), and Park ‘N Ride, which offers free remote parking with shuttle service. If you’re going to a concert that is sold out, plan on arriving early if you want to park in the main parking lot (opens one hour prior to published park opening time). Click here for complete information on parking prices.
If you’re not familiar with the park, this map will familiarize you with the layout.
Ravinia Festival is located in Highland Park on Green Bay Road just north of Lake Cook Road.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
The Madness of George III is Chicago theater at its best
Alan Bennett’s The Madness of George III has opened at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and this is one play that should be seen by everyone interested in the best that Chicago theater has to offer.
The story centers on King George III, the King of England at the time of the American war of independence against England. Five years after that war ended, the king became afflicted with an undiagnosed illness that tormented him both physically and mentally and rendered him incapable of ruling for a time. This play takes place during the time of the king’s illness and his son’s subsequent attempt to ascend to the throne.
At its core, this is a very human story of one man’s battle against the revolt of his own body and mind and the pain that suffering causes those who love and depend on him. Through the king’s illness, the play also looks at the struggles most of the characters face over the loss of control, whether political or emotional.
Harry Groener is superb as King George III. Watching his painful descent into madness, his helplessness in the face of physical indignities forced upon him, and his heart wrenching attempts to overcome his illness, it’s easy to become so immersed in what’s unfolding before your eyes that you forget you’re watching a play –one of the best measures of the quality of a performance and a play.
Ora Jones brings a quiet and regal dignity to the role of Queen Charlotte while also poignantly conveying the emotions of a woman helplessly watching the man she loves suffer. Her understanding and compassion during the king’s worst moments underscore her character’s dignity and capacity for love.
Richard Baird as the Prince of Wales and Alex Weisman as the Duke of York provide many of the comedic moments in the play with their frequent displays of ineptitude and foolishness. They are great fun to watch and offer momentary releases from the play’s intensity.
Nathan Hosner as William Pitt, the Prime Minister, Erik Hellman as Captain Greville, and Kevin Gudahl as Captain Fitzroy turn in fine performances in their steadfast support of the king during his illness.
Penny Metropulos’s direction creates such full characterization in many of the roles that the audience is drawn into the story and really cares about what happens with the characters.
The set design provides the perfect backdrop to the storyline; the palatial beauty serves as a contrast to the undignified and tortured nature of the king’s illness.
The Madness of George III runs for 2 hours 45 minutes (including intermission), but you won’t feel like you’ve been there that long, because it’s so easy to get completely immersed in the story.
The Madness of George III runs through June 12, 2011 at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, which is located at Navy Pier.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Galley News Launch Party and Third Fridays at Zhou B. Art Center
Here’s an event that art enthusiasts won’t want to miss. A launch party to celebrate the new issue of Chicago Gallery News will take place on Friday, April 15 at the Zhou B Art Center and coincide with the Zhou B Art Center's monthly Third Fridays Bridgeport Art Walk.
The public is invited to attend and celebrate the Zhou Brothers, Chicago Gallery News, and the dozens of studios and independent artists at the Center. Under a single roof, guests will enjoy special musical and artistic performances on multiple floors, drinks and refreshments will be served, affordable art will be for sale, guests can interact with working artists, and Afro-Futurism, an exhibition of work by Hebru Brantley, will be on view.
The 87,000 square foot Zhou B Art Center is Chicago's newest art destination, presenting a vibrant mix of art galleries, studios, shops, and the Zhou B. Café. Founded in 2004 by the brothers Shan Zuo & DaHuang Zhou and designed to facilitate the exchange of contemporary art between Chicago and the international art community, the Zhou B Art Center is located in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago.
When:
Friday, April 15, 2011
6-10 pm
Zhou B Art Center 3rd Friday Event - April CGN Launch Party
Free and open to the public.
Where:
The Zhou B Art Center, 1029 W. 35th Street, Chicago, IL 60609
Tel: 773-523-0200
Travel: Street & lot parking available. Transit: CTA Red Line 35th-Sox stop; #35 Westbound CTA bus.
The Zhou B Art Center was recently honored with a visit by President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao when Hu visited the U.S. in January.
In addition to the launch party on April 15, The Zhou B Art Center will open an exhibition of new work by the Zhou Brothers on Friday, April 22, Time - Portrait of History, running through June 12.
Chicago Gallery News is featuring the Zhou B Art Center on the cover of its new issue covering April-August 2011, the magazine's longest issue of the year. The issue covers three art fairs at the Merchandise Mart, highlights a range of new museum exhibitions, and spotlights several of Chicago's most prominent artists, dealers, and art collectors in its interview series.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
In the Works theater season ends this week at Millennium Park
The season for In the Works theater comes to an end at Millennium Park this week with a production of Eastland by Lookingglass Theatre Company.
Eastland recounts a tragic event in Chicago’s history. On the morning of July 24, 1915, a ship named The Eastland was docked at the Chicago River downtown before heading out to Lake Michigan for a cruise. Shortly after 2,500 people boarded the ship, and while it was still moored to the dock, the boat tipped over. While some people were spilled into the river, many others were trapped underwater in interior cabins. In just a matter of minutes, 844 men, women, and children were dead.
Lookingglass Theater Company’s Eastland uses a musical tapestry to focus on the day’s events through the eyes of three characters by weaving moments form the past with their life-and-death struggles aboard the ship.
In the Works offers audiences the chance to experience works in development by local theater artists and offers audience members an intimate theater experience by placing the audience on stage with the performers.
You can learn more about The Eastland tragedy by visiting the Eastland Memorial Society’s website.
Eastland can be seen at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park this week, Thursday through Saturday. Tickets are only $10, and you can order by phone at 312-742-TIXS (8497) or online by clicking on one of the dates below:
Friday, April 15, 7:30pm
Saturday, April 16, 7:30pm
The Jay Pritzker Pavilion is located on the Great Lawn in Millennium Park. Click here for driving directions, public transportation options, and information about car and bicycle parking.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Bring out your inner artist with hands-on workshops in Chicago
The second full weekend of every month offers multiple opportunities for you and your friends and family to let the creative person within come out to play.
Cocktails and Clay, Hyde Park Art Center
Second Friday of every month
If you’ve ever thought about trying to create a masterpiece – or just a functional dish – from clay - here’s a great way to do it with a little flair and minimal expense. The second Friday of each month, Hyde Park Art Center hosts Cocktails and Clay from 7-11pm. In a 45 minute session, you can practice shaping a lump of clay on a potter’s wheel into anything of your choosing and enjoy some music with a DJ while doing so. The remainder of the evening can be spent sipping drink specials, dancing, and browsing the artwork throughout the Center’s galleries.
There is no set price, but donations are suggested and much appreciated. Hyde Park Art Center is located at 5020 S. Cornell Avenue in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago. Click here for directions and information about parking and public transportation.
Family Day at Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Second Saturday of every month
On the second Saturday of every month from 11am-3pm, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago invites families to learn about art through a variety of hands-on activities, such as Look ‘n’ Learn stations where families can view artwork and then create some of their own, scavenger hunts, and Creation Stations. Families can also enjoy live musical and dance performances.
Admission to both the museum and the Family Day activities is FREE for families with children 12 and under. The activities are appropriate for all ages.
You can get information for each month’s activities on the MCA’s website in the Programs & Events link.
The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is located at 220 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago. Get directions and parking information here.
Fun for All at Hyde Park Art Center
Second Sunday of every month
The second Sunday of each month, The Hyde Park Art Center opens its doors from Noon-4pm for everyone to enjoy a FREE day of art. There are workshops, special guests, and live performances. While the workshops are typically suited for children, many of the demonstrations by special guests and the live performances can be enjoyed by everyone.
To find out what’s happening at Fun for All each month, go to the Hyde Park Art Center’s website and click on the second Sunday in the calendar.
Hyde Park Art Center is located at 5020 S. Cornell Avenue in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago. Click here for directions and information about parking and public transportation.
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