RSMI Alumni Marquis Hill Returns To Ravinia April 12

Chicago Jazz Orchestra trumpeter Marquis Hill will bring together his own ensemble for a concert that doubles as an album-release event this Saturday, April 12. Once a member of RSMI’s Program for Jazz andRavinia’s Jazz Scholars, he has since established himself among the vanguard of Chicago’s new jazz generation, both as a performer and a composer. Hill’s albums to date heavily feature his own charts, which the Chicago Tribune has recognized for their “melodic beauty.” Reserved-seat tickets are only $10.

The $10 BGH Classics series continues this summer with such artists as jazz pianist Dan Tepfer, saxophonist Ashu, the Lincoln Trio, violinist Rachel Barton Pine, Only Men Aloud and Musicians from Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute.

Kids Concert Series Revealed

Ravinia’s 2014 Kids Concerts series emulates the festival’s main-stage programming across a mix of genres and artists, all in a kid-friendly environment. This Saturday series directly connects to the mission of the festival’s REACH*TEACH*PLAY education programs. The fun kicks off with a double-header on June 14 with the world-renowned Chinese Circus of Beijing at 11 a.m. and Laurie Berkner—The You & Me Tour at 4 p.m. (separate admission required for these events). The series features Tom Chapin at 11 a.m. July 12; Ralph’s World at 11 a.m. July 19; and the Ruth Page Civic Ballet at 11 a.m. Sept. 13. To celebrate the 110th anniversary of Ravinia on August 15, there will be a free “Young*Musician*Concert,” featuring the Lang Lang International Music Foundation Scholars with the Midwest Young Artists Symphony Orchestra (reservations required through Ravinia’s box office).

“Lang Lang was little more than a child himself when he sprang to stardom at Ravinia, so we are ecstatic that the young musicians recognized by the biggest classical artist in the world will perform for other children,” Kauffman said. “We believe that children will be inspired in their personal discovery of classical music when they experience artists their own age finding both joy and pride in performance.”

Ravinia also aims to spark that discovery with its Kids Lawn (formerly known as Family Space) that will include enhanced activities this summer, including hands-on music-making opportunities prior to select concerts, including the Chinese Circus of Beijing and Laurie Berkner on June 14 and Sunday concerts by the CSO, July 13, 20 and 27 and Aug. 2 and 10. Lawn admission to all classical concerts is free to children and students through college. 

We're Not Done Yet! More Shows Added to 2014 Lineup

Just when you thought you knew everything Ravinia was featuring this summer. We are happy to announce a handful of new concerts to our already exciting 2014 "Summer of Love; Season of Stars" line up. New concerts include the Ravinia debuts of Grammy-winning R&B star Maxwell (July 2); Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins and Australian singer/songwriter Katie Cole (Aug. 30); and international soul sensation Joss Stone and Lisa Fischer, star of the documentary 20 Feet from Stardom (Sept. 10). Also announced was the return of Ravinia favorites John Hiatt & The Combo and The Robert Cray Band (June 29).

In a summer already packed with unique pairings and double bills, Ravinia also has added new artists to previously announced concerts. Current Top-10 group American Authors make their Ravinia debut with OneRepublic and The Script (June 18-19); alternative rockers Toad the Wet Sprocket and folk duo Daniel and the Lion both make their Ravinia debuts with the Counting Crows (July 14); Andrew McMahon, former front-man of Something Corporate and Jack’s Mannequin, makes his solo debut, joining Gavin DeGraw and Matt Nathanson (July 21); The live-wired Vintage Trouble makes its Ravinia debut with Heart (Aug. 3); The Wallflowers makes its Ravinia debut on a bill with Train (Aug. 22-23) and Katrina (ex-Katrina & the Waves) has joined the star-studded ’80s night “Retro Futura Tour 2014,” featuring the Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey and Howard Jones (Aug. 27).

“Despite a stubborn winter, we’ve already heard great buzz about this summer’s lineup, and we hope these just-added artists make the season even hotter,” said Ravinia President and CEO Welz Kauffman.

Tickets for these new additions, as well as the rest of Ravinia's lineup, go on sale to the public on April 24 at 5 a.m. exclusively at Ravinia.org. Donors of the festival at the Friend level or higher have from now until April 11 to place their early orders. See you this summer!

Just Announced: John Hiatt, Robert Cray, American Authors and More

A few more artists have been added to Ravinia’s already star-studded 110th anniversary season. John Hiatt and the Combo will share a June 29 bill with the Robert Cray Band, becoming the latest example of the unique pairings that define the summer.

American Authors has been added to the pairing of OneRepublic and The Script  on June 18 and 19, Daniel and the Lion and Toad the Wet Sprocket have been added to the Counting Crows show on July 14, and Andrew McMahon has been added to the July 21 show featuring Gavin DeGraw andMatt Nathanson.

Chicago legend Buddy Guy will be joined by a special guest artist whose name cannot yet be revealed. Other big-name double bills this summer include Willie Nelson and Alison Krauss, Cat Power and Rufus Wainwright, Bob Weir & RatDog and Dwight Yoakam, and Jeff Beck and ZZ Top. Tickets available to the public online starting April 24.

2014 "Summer of Love, Seasons of Stars" Lineup Released

Ravinia’s 2014 season, dubbed “Summer of Love/Season of Stars,” was announced today by Ravinia President and CEO Welz Kauffman. Brimming with talent and romance, the festival’s 2014 schedule brings some the biggest names in the world of music as well as repertoire that explores the theme of great love in its various manifestations. No fewer than three musical incarnations of the most famous love story of all time, Romeo and Juliet, will be featured, with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performing Tchaikovsky’s Overture-Fantasy (July 27), a suite from Prokofiev’s ballet setting of the story (July 16) and the score of West Side Story as the classic film is shown (July 17–18). In other examples of love, soprano Deborah Voigt describes it as “Something Wonderful” on a Broadway evening (July 13), the legendary Broadway team of Lerner and Loewe will be celebrated (July 20), and Chanticleer even jabs at the battle of the sexes in an evening titled “She Said/He Said” (July 6). In fact, love lurks, longs and lingers across genres in most of the more than 130 events that Ravinia will present in 2014, its 110th year and its 78th as the summer residence of the CSO.

            Most Pavilion tickets to all CSO concerts are only $25. Lawn tickets for most classical concerts are only $10. Children and students through college are admitted free to all classical performances. Tickets to all events go on sale to Ravinia donors on March 5 and to the general public on April 24, exclusively at Ravinia.org.

Include Ravinia In Your Charitable Year-End Giving

Only about half the money it takes to run Ravinia is raised through ticket sales. The rest comes from donors. Not only does your contribution help maintain Ravinia’s 36 beautifully landscaped acres, support and sustain classical music and the great Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and put music programs into schools and neighborhoods that need them most, but it also brings such special perks (depending on giving level) as priority on-site parking, access to special events, and the opportunity to purchase tickets in advance of the general public and at a 20 percent discount. Learn more.

Ravinia Makes Record Donation to Highland Park in 2013

Ravinia Festival, a not-for-profit that raises about half its annual budget through ticket sales and the rest through private donations, has contributed $1,054,573 to its hometown of Highland Park. This is the city’s share of a record-breaking 2013 season. Ravinia President and CEO Welz Kauffman, a Highland Park resident, presented the check at the Nov. 12 Highland Park City Council meeting. This is the fifth year of a 10-year agreement through which the festival donates 5 percent of its annual gross ticket revenue to the city. The amount of the contribution to the city has increased in each successive year of the program’s life for a total of more than $4 million at the halfway mark of the 10-year plan.

“We are grateful to have this world-class venue in our own backyard. Ravinia Festival is a perfect blend of culture and economic development,” said Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering, noting that Ravinia attracts about $7 in local spending for every dollar spent at the venue. “In addition, Ravinia is a good neighbor and works collaboratively with the City of Highland Park to share costs for its city services, such as hiring our police officers to not only patrol and protect the ground, but also to manage traffic in the community on
concert nights.”

You can find a copy of the full press release here.

Ravinia Treasurer Named One Of 25 Most Powerful Women In Finance

Ravinia congratulates Jennifer Steans, a second-generation Ravinia trustee and head of the festival's finance committee, for being named one of the “25 Most Powerful Women in Finance” by American Banker. Steans is CEO of Financial Investments Corp., which she co-founded with her father, Ravinia Life Trustee Harrison Steans. The Northwestern MBA sits on the boards of both USAmeriBank and Cole Taylor and also serves on the board of the Chicago Foundation for Women.

Welz Kauffman Honored At Kohl Children's Museum Gala

Ravinia President and CEO Welz Kauffman was honored Saturday night by the Kohl Children’s Museum at its annual gala. In an unusual twist, Kauffman performed a new arrangement of Brubeck’s classic “Take Five” with an ensemble of alumni and current players from Ravinia’s Jazz Scholars education program. They reprised their performance on the WCIU TV show You and Me This Morning. He was also surprised with performances by two Ravinia audience favorites, Sylvia McNair and Chicago Children’s Choir, led by Josephine Lee.  Kauffman had spearheaded the Ravinia Festival Music Makers interactive exhibit at the museum.

Calling All Artists For Your Chance to Win $1,000!

Here is your chance to become part of Ravinia history! The Ravinia Festival Women's Board is hosting their annual poster design contest, inviting artists to submit their creative, imaginative and colorful poster design for the 2014 season. This year the theme is "Season of Stars, Summer of Love." Work that features original drawings, paintings or graphic designs will be favorably regarded. Interested? We have provided guidelines below, but for the entire entry packet, please visit Ravinia.org/poster2014.aspx or email at postercompetition@ravinia.org.

THEME/DIRECTION

• Ideal themes:
  • "Season of Stars, Summer of Love"
  • Descriptive images of the Festival experience conveying the pleasure of listening to all types of music in a beautiful park, under the stars during the summer.
• Highland Park is a suburb of Chicago, so designs should NOT include Chicago city skyline or other iconic Chicago landmarks

GENERAL INFORMATION

Participants may submit only one entry. Entries due no later than Wednesday, November 27, 2013. Judging is on the basis of graphics and design quality and will take place in early December. All winners receiving monetary compensation must submit a W-9 form in order to receive cash reward. Participants must attach their personal information on the reverse side of their entry using the information form found at ravinia.org. REQUIREMENTS/SPECIFICATIONS

• Entry design should be 9” X 13.5” vertical format printed on 11” X 17” paper and mounted for possible public display.
• May be a multicolor rendering to print in six colors total:  four-color process + PMS + varnish or five flat colors + varnish; no foil stamping or engraving; may have bleed edges.
• NOTE! Final output size of poster is 24” x 36.”  Please keep in mind that original art will need to be high-resolution (at least 300 dpi) in order to scale up to final size.
• Ravinia name or logo included as part of design
• Final color determination and details are subject to review and possible modification by a representative of the Women’s Board.

Morgan Park High School Wins Cash Prize for CSO Attendance

The Ravinia Student Advisory Board and the Ravinia Associates congratulate Morgan Park High School, the winner of Ravinia’s third annual high school attendance contest for Chicago Symphony Orchestra concerts. More than 100 Chicago area high schools participated in the contest, which awards students points when they attend CSO concerts at Ravinia.

Morgan Park edged out last year’s winner, Central Burlington. Rounding out the top five schools this year, 2011 winner Highland Park High School took third, New Trier High School took fourth, and Libertyville High School took fifth.

Find full standings on our website. Morgan Park will be awarded a $5,000 grant generously donated by the Ravinia Associates, a board of young professionals who support Ravinia by raising funds and increasing awareness of the festival’s REACH*TEACH*PLAY education programs.

Find out what’s new with the Classical Youth Initiative on Facebook and Instagram.

Astronomers Share Telescopes On Lawn For Dark Side Of The Moon

The group Classic Albums Live recreates one of the most important recordings in rock history, track by track, when it performs Pink Floyd’s masterpiece The Dark Side of the Moon on Sunday, Sept. 8. Professional astronomers affiliated with NASA and The Adler Planetarium will share their equipment for all patrons to enjoy the night sky before and during the appropriately themed concert. The classic album was recently entered into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress.

Final Concerts With Video Screens Next Week

The final concerts of the 2013 season that will feature a large video screen on the lawn are coming up: the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performs the score to The Lord of the Rings—The Two Towers on Aug. 15 and Aug. 16; Buddy Guy and George Thorogood on Aug. 17; and The Goat Rodeo Sessions with Yo-Yo Ma, Chris Thile, Edgar Meyer, Stuart Duncan and Aoife O’Donovan on Aug. 18. Of course, video screens flanking the Pavilion stage are up for every concert and can be seen from parts of the lawn.

Guest Chef Erik Freeberg Makes Bar Toma Pizzas Outside July 26-27

Just who is Chef Erik Freeberg?

Erik Freeberg originally planned on being the next great general manager. However, while studying restaurant management at Purdue University, it was one class requiring hands-on restaurant experience where he opted to be in the kitchen that altered his plan and laid the groundwork for his current status as a rising culinary star. After graduating from Purdue in 2005, Freeberg applied and was accepted to the Culinary Institute of America's two year associates program. His first mentor was Dan Turgeon who not only taught the basics but also instilled the foundation that Freeberg continues to build upon today.   

At the end of his program in 2008 while waiting tables at the Culinary Institute’s Escoffier room, he had a chance encounter with a guest who worked at Levy Restaurants that passed along his resume to Missy Robbins, then executive chef of Spiaggia. Only a few days later, Freeberg was invited to stage at Spiaggia, upon arrival to the restaurant and hours into his stage, he was hired on the spot to work as garde manger in the dining room.  Freeberg worked his way up the line and after a year, Spiaggia Chef/partner Tony Mantuano invited him to assist at his WINE BAR FOOD pop-up at the U.S. Open Tennis Championship. While there, Freeberg was offered a role as sous chef which then led to being named purchasing manager in 2010.

After working under Executive Chef Sarah Grueneberg for three years, he gained the tools needed to become part of the opening team as chef di cucina at Tony Mantuano’s latest restaurant Bar Toma, an Italian neighborhood bar and pizzeria in Chicago’s Gold Coast. Freeberg was equally excited by the Bar Toma concept as he was able to use his knowledge from working at a local pizzeria during his summer breaks from college.

Bar Toma opened in November 2011 and under Freeberg the restaurant has received a three-star review from The Chicago Tribune, named one of the “Top 20 Best New Restaurants in 2012” by Chicago magazine and one of the country’s “Best New Pizza Places by Food & Wine magazine, among other accolades.

Chef Erik Freeberg will call Ravinia home on July 26 & 27, when he brings his unique flare to Italian cuisine from Bar Toma to you.

Entertainment Reporter Bill Zwecker To Judge Picnic Contest on Yo-Yo Ma Night

One of Chicago’s best-known entertainment journalists, Bill Zwecker of the Chicago Sun-Times and WBBM TV, will serve as celebrity judge of the annual picnic contest sponsored by Terlato Wines. Ticket-holders for the Aug. 18  performance of The Goat Rodeo Sessions, starring Yo-Yo Ma, Chris Thile, Edgar Meyer and Stuart Duncan, are invited to participate. Categories include “creativity” and “best use of space.” Prizes include a 2014 season lawn pass that gains admission for two to all of next season’s concerts, including any sold-out events.  Sign up today.

WGN Radio Broadcasts Garry Meier Live From Martin Theatre On Aug 1

WGN Radio will broadcast its popular The Garry Meier Show live from Ravinia’s Martin Theatre from 3 to 7 p.m. Aug. 1. Ticket-holders to that evening’s Steely Dan concert are invited to watch the broadcast. The theater will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Listeners will not be admitted to the lawn until the gates officially open. Lawn tickets for the Aug. 1 Steely Dan performance are available. Pavilion and lawn tickets are sold out for the Aug. 2 performance.

Terlato Wines Invites You To Pre-Concert Tastings In The Park This Season

Terlato Wines invites Ravinia patrons to sample some new wines from their luxury portfolio prior to the following concerts (ID required!): Lapostolle Casa Sauvignon Blanc and Casa Cabernet Sauvignon on July 2 (Matchbox Twenty / Goo Goo Dolls); Fizz 56 on July 20 (Smash Mouth, Gin Blossoms, Sugar Ray, Fastball and Vertical Horizon); Mazzoni Pinot Grigio and Vermentino Chardonnay on Aug. 2 (Steely Dan); and Mike Ditka Wines on Aug. 25 (Chicago).

Matchbox Twenty and Goo Goo Dolls In For Third Show on July 4

Due to popular demand Ravinia has added a third show for the double bill of chart-toppers Matchbox Twenty and Goo Goo Dolls on Thursday, July 4. Their previously announced July 2 and 3 concerts sold out in less than a day when all of Ravinia’s concerts went on sale last month. Tickets to the July 4 performance go on sale exclusively at Ravinia.org at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 14.

Matchbox Twenty made a splash with their debut diamond-certified album Yourself or Someone Like You. Their biggest hits include “3AM,” “Push” and “If You’re Gone,” and their 2012 release North debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. Goo Goo Dolls’ breakout single “Iris” spent a year on the Billboard charts, including 18 weeks at number one. Over its career the band has earned four Grammy nominations, scored 13 consecutive top-10 multiformat hit songs, and sold over 10 million albums. Both bands make their Ravinia debuts on July 2.

Tickets to most Ravinia shows are on sale now exclusively at Ravinia.org. The festival welcomes fans to follow, connect and interact online at backstage.ravinia.org, facebook.com/RaviniaFestival and twitter.com/raviniafestival. Ravinia is a not-for-profit organization.