Latest news with #Ravinia
CBS News
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Ravinia wrapping up One Score, One Chicago program for the year with concert this weekend
Ravinia will wrap up its One Score, One Chicago program for the year with a celebration and performance at the Highland Park venue. Throughout the year, young people have been learning, playing, and dancing to Beethoven's "Symphony No. 7" as this year's selection. The program's mission is to bring classical music to schools and children as part of Ravinia's "Reach, Teach, Play" program. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra will cap things off with a performance at Ravinia Sunday afternoon. More information about the program, including tickets to Sunday's event, can be found on the Ravinia website.
Chicago Tribune
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Review: At Ravinia Festival, ‘Irakere 50' is a joyous musical reunion
The thing about the Martin Theatre is there's not quite enough room to dance. That didn't stop audiences from trying anyway on Wednesday, when Irakere, the storied Cuban band, visited Ravinia for its ongoing 50-year anniversary celebrations. It was a dance-worthy occasion, times three, with original Irakere members Chucho Valdés, Arturo Sandoval and Paquito d'Rivera — now all Latin jazz titans in their own rights — reunited onstage. But this was no mere nostalgic retrospective. An exciting two-hour set posited that Irakere was celebrating not just five decades but a boundless future, assured by up-and-coming Cuban talent. Halfway through the set, singer Emilio Frías, aka 'El Niño' — a star on the Cuban music scene as the bandleader of the orchestra 'El Niño y la Verdad' — joined the group to supercharge standards like 'Ilya' and 'Por romper el coco.' The band's rhythm section was sourced from Valdés's recent Royal Quartet with bassist José Armando Gola, drummer Horacio 'El negro' Hernández and percussionist Roberto Jr. Vizcaíno; Valdés' son Julian, who sometimes interprets his father's interviews with English media, joined Vizcaíno on batá. Bridging past and present, Carlos Averhoff Jr., the son of late Irakere saxophonist Carlos Averhoff Sr., held down tenor sax. Valdés, leading them from behind the keys, turns 84 later this year. But age hasn't dimmed his dexterity and power one iota, bursting forth early on with a crawly, chromatic starring role in 'Congadanza.' Later, a balladic intro to 'Estela va a estallar' sparked into an uptempo dance rhythm, into which alto saxophonist Luis Beltran promptly snuck a reference to 'Careless Whisper.' Often, Irakere's musical references were more than passing. D'Rivera blues-ified the second movement of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto (previously recorded as 'Adagio on a Mozart Theme'), played on soprano sax. D'Rivera's cheeky cadenza tested the audience's Mozart cred, inviting them to call-and-response along to 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik' and 'Rondo alla Turca.' For his turn, Sandoval kept the audience on its toes by not just playing but singing a husky, mellow rendition of 'When I Fall in Love,' accompanied by Valdés on piano. In the middle of the tune, he provided his own instrumental interlude on trumpet, playing his custom, rich-toned red trumpet. Most touching were the moments of partnership between not just the three veteran maestros but the band. Sandoval and d'Rivera huddled around a single microphone for a charming 'Blue Monk,' backed by Valdés, Gola and Hernández. But when they weren't up front and center — which was most of the show — the two eminences melted into the bands' horn section, swaying along with their compatriots. On more than one occasion, Sandoval's eyes popped appreciatively at the athletic chops of young trumpeter Thommy Lowry, who traded bars with Osvaldo Fleites in a mid-program medley. The only damper on this festive evening was the venue. Irakere's concert was meant to take place in the Pavilion, only to be moved to the more intimate Martin Theatre ahead of the performance. During Wednesday's show, however, that change proved unconvincing. The Martin, more often utilized for unamplified concerts, was at times overpoweringly loud, with an acoustic that tended to muddle speech and singing in particular. Then, of course, there's that dancing issue. With tight seats, narrow aisles, and a general expectation to remain seated, any possibility of getting on one's feet, except at the very end of the evening, went out the window. That is, unless you were a member of the band. Rather than do a traditional encore, Irakere briefly reprised their final number, seamlessly melding 'Lo que va a pasar' and, of course, 'Bacalao con pan,' the song that launched their career. One by one, musicians picked up the tune during their bows, keeping it going even as they boogied offstage. Long may Irakere dance.
Chicago Tribune
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Lake County arts website launched; ‘A place for the promotion and connection … to arts and culture'
Arts venues in Lake County — from globally known Ravinia in Highland Park, to professionally produced stage plays at Three Brothers Theatre in Waukegan, to a variety of spots for poetry readings or art exhibits — are plentiful. Many people know about places to see an art exhibit, hear a concert or catch a movie, but John Carlson, the senior director of community engagement at Visit Lake County, said there are many more opportunities unknown to the same individuals. Carlson is part of a group of people who spent 18 months developing a website — ArtsLink North ( — where people can learn about scores of venues, the events they offer and buy tickets if it is a show, concert or another event requiring an admission charge. 'We want to elevate the arts-and-culture niche and promote it in Lake County,' he said. 'There are dozens and dozens of resources and organizations, and now we have one resource that puts them all together.' ArtsLink North launched its website in early June for residents of Lake County and visitors to the area, giving them an opportunity for one-stop shopping for a wide variety of artistic and cultural events from Highland Park to Antioch, and Waukegan to Barrington. At the top of the website are eight headings — theatre and dance, music, film, visual art, literary, museum, family and festivals. A click on one of the headings, like theatre and music, shows 'Hairspray' at the PM&L Theatre in Antioch through June 22. A click on any of the events gives more detailed information, as well as the opportunity to buy tickets. A participant is able to click on an event, learn more about the artist and click their way to the venue's website to purchase tickets. Joanna Rolek, the executive director of the Lake Forest Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce and the chair of the board of ArtsLink North, said the website helps visitors learn about events in the area and county residents find entertainment without the expense of going to Chicago. 'This is a place for the promotion and connection of the community to arts and culture,' Rolek said. 'It's a way for everyone in the community (and beyond) to participate. They can see what they want to do and then do it. We have 52 organizations and hope to get more.' While topics like music, film, museums and festivals are self-explanatory, Carlson said the opportunities are wide-ranging. Visual art is found in museums, private galleries and other places. The Waukegan Public Library has periodic art exhibits. 'They are any handcrafted items which can be displayed in a gallery or museum,' Carlson said. 'Literary events can be poetry readings, book signings or author fairs.' Members of ArtsLink North — Rolek said there are 56 so far and more are sought — put the events on the website themselves. Carlson said the venues enter the events, but they are reviewed by website personnel and an executive committee before they go live. For the rest of the week, there are 10 events listed, including 'Hairspray' on Friday and Saturday. Comedian Tom Cotter performs Saturday at The Lighthouse at the American Place casino in Waukegan. A showing of 'Fall Guy' will be at the Gorton Center in Lake Forest Friday, and 'Silver Screen Society' shows at the Wayfarer Theater in Highland Park Saturday. There are two art exhibits taking place. Future Voyagers is on display at Brushwood Center in Riverwoods through July 6, while the Artists on the Bluff art show takes place Saturday and Sunday in Lake Bluff. For individuals with a literary bent, they can participate in the Mystery Book Group on Thursday at the Lake Forest Library and listen to a poetry reading by James Lowell Howell at Highland Park Poetry's monthly gathering Saturday at the Wayfarer Theater. There is an open mic. The Lake Bluff History Museum is hosting a Hysteri-cal Trivia Hunt Saturday, and the Bitter Jester music festival continues through Saturday in Highland Park.
Chicago Tribune
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
What to do in Chicago: Blues Fest, the ‘Grand National Tour' and Jeremy Piven doing standup
Kendrick Lamar and SZA: You got a taste during the Super Bowl, but now you can see the full show. Kendrick Lamar and SZA bring their 'Grand National Tour' to a sold-out Soldier Field. Expect the two to trade off sets before performing together during the nearly three-hour show. Rolling Stone called it 'a spellbinding display of star power.' Chicago Blues Festival: Mavis Staples caps off the Chicago Blues Festival on Sunday, but in the meantime, you have dozens of reasons to head downtown. Catch Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram Friday in a B.B. King tribute, along with D.K. Harrell and Jonathan Ellison with the B.B. King Centennial Band. Or, see him Saturday night when he headlines on his own. 57th Street Art Fair: If you'd like to browse some art and also work in some blues, head to Hyde Park. Now in its 78th year, the juried fair offers the opportunity to browse the works of more than 150 artists. Buddy Guy's Legends also hosts a stage. Jeremy Piven: Evanston native Jeremy Piven brings his stand-up routine to The Vic. Perhaps best known for his Emmy Award-winning performance as a Hollywood agent in HBO's 'Entourage,' Piven has had a long acting career that started with training at the Piven Theatre Workshop, founded by his parents, Bryce and Joyce Piven. Caamp: The folk-rock band's two-night stand at the Salt Shed coincides with the release of their new album, 'Copper Changes Color.' Following an initial burst of success a few years back, the Ohio-bred Caamp canceled shows in 2023 to work on their mental health. This international tour marks their return — and clearly they've been missed. Ravinia Festival: Get thee to the Metra! Ravinia kicks off its summer season this weekend with Heart on Friday and Grace Jones and Janelle Monáe on Saturday. Ann and Nancy Wilson return to Ravinia with the rest of Heart, marking the 50th anniversary of the release of their debut album, 'Dreamboat Annie.' Then, on Saturday, Jones and Monáe light up Highland Park as only they can. Get there early for LGBTQ+ dance party Queen! Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals: Last month, the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter released a new song, 'Before the Rain Dried.' Now he's on a world summer tour that stops at the Auditorium Theatre before rolling on to a couple dozen other venues, including the Montreal International Jazz Festival. Lincoln Park Greek Fest: Maybe you've been to Greektown, but have you enjoyed the filoxenia — hospitality — of the Lincoln Park Greek Fest? Centered around St. George Greek Orthodox Church, the festival offers a mix of traditional Greek music and folk dancing, Greek food and a lot of the standard fixings of a Chicago summer festival. Ribfest Chicago: Smoke will rise in Northcenter this weekend, as crowds gather to binge on barbecue. It's the 25th annual Ribfest, featuring more than 20 food vendors, whiskey tastings, live music and kids entertainment. Dinopalooza Dino Derby: Faster than a nanotyrannus? Break out your best dinosaur duds and head to the Field Museum for its Dino Derby. The winner gets a $1,000 cash prize. It's part of Summer of Sue, the museum's 25th anniversary celebration of its beloved display. While you're there, see the Jabberworcky Marionettes' dinosaur puppets, see show off your dino smarts during live game shows, participate in arts and crafts and more family fun.
Time Out
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Here's everything you'll be eating at Ravinia Festival 2025
Ravinia's not just feeding your soul this summer—it's coming for your stomach too. As the 2025 Ravinia Festival kicks off its summer season on June 6, with over 100 concerts and an eye-popping 40 artist debuts (hello, Janelle Monáe, Kygo and Nas), festivalgoers can expect more than just top-tier tunes. The food lineup, curated by Levy and Executive Chef Mark Hill, is a headliner in its own right. Returning guests will find classic comforts with serious upgrades, like the Pulled Pork Stack, a decadent layering of creamy mac and cheese, barbecue mole-drizzled pork and crispy tortilla strips; or the Cappuccino Crunch Float, featuring cappuccino chip ice cream topped with whipped cream for the ultimate caffeinated cool-down. But the biggest culinary glow-up might just be at Park View, where new fine-dining flair includes lamb tartare with house tzatziki and oregano, and a smoked short rib served over annatto potato purée with roasted corn and mole demi-glace. Would you prefer to graze while watching the show? The revamped Tree Top Lounge is now a chic communal hangout with a full bar and live concert feeds. It plans to serve small plates with global flair, like burrata with Thai pesto, cured tuna with kimchi and sesame leaves, and wagyu sliders spiced up with togarashi tomato jam. Even the seafood fritto misto gets the Chicago treatment: calamari, shrimp, scallops and giardiniera with lemon aioli. And for one night only, Ravinia is serving up a menu as iconic as its guests. On June 7, in honor of Grace Jones and Janelle Monáe (who share a love for Jamaican flavors), you'll find jerk chicken with brown sugar glaze, pigeon peas and cornbread, plus jerk pork tacos at the Lawn Bar—because nothing says 'festival royalty' like spiced meat and a side of mac.
