For the adventurous concertgoer, we’ve compiled a list of a handful of our unique attractions, complete with videos that encapsulate these events better than any words could.
With over 120 different concerts to choose from this summer at Ravinia, you might be interested in some help finding the perfect fit. We asked our eclectic and knowledgeable staff which concerts they are most excited to see this season in order to give you the inside scoop and perhaps introduce you to some quality concerts you may have overlooked.
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Highland Park High School’s acclaimed biennial arts-immersion program, “Focus on the Arts,” kicks off its 25th anniversary at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, with a special event honoring lifelong Chicagoan Ramsey Lewis. The jazz legend himself Read More Allstate Named Ravinia's First-Ever Lead Classical Sponsor
in Park News
Ravinia, North America’s oldest and most programmatically diverse music festival, is proud to welcome Allstate Insurance Company as its Lead Classical Sponsor. This is the first time in the festival’s 111-year history that one organization has received this designation. John Legend Takes Home 2015 Golden Globe
in Artist News
John Legend is certainly living up to his surname taking home American Music, BET, Grammy, MOBO and Soul Train awards throughout his music career. Now he's now added a 2015 Golden Globe for Best Original Song for his collaboration with hip hop artist Common for their song "Glory," which appeared in the movie Selma. What will he win next!? Announcing Concerts with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga
in Artist News
 Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, following the success of their number-one, critically acclaimed album Cheek To Cheek, will perform two concerts together at Ravinia on June 26 and June 27. This will be Lady Gaga’s Ravinia debut and the 28th season Tony Bennett has appeared at the festival, where he first performed in 1984. Both artists will be accompanied byRavinia: There and Back Again #2
RSMI Alum Marquis Hill Wins International Accolade Chicago native and 2010 Ravinia Steans Music Institute Jazz Alum, Marquis Hill, has taken top honors at the 2014 Thelonious Monk International Trumpet Competition. He adds this an already impressive streak over the last few years with his Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition win in 2013 and International Trumpet Guild Jazz Improvisation Competition in 2012. The win comes with a $25,000 music scholarship and guaranteed recording contract with Concord Music Group. Marquis talked briefly about his time here as a fellow of the Ravinia Steans Music Institute Program for Jazz in the video celebrating 25 years of the Ravinia Steans Music Institute in 2013 below. Ravinia: There and Back Again #1
Three Improvement Projects Under Way
in Park News
This fall Ravinia is working on three projects recently approved by Highland Park City Council: rebuilding the north bus turnaround to make it safer and more efficient, reducing noise and exhaust; refacing the back of the Harza Building to match the south entrance; and widening the south parking lot gate to the same width as the street that feeds it, removing the bottleneck. For more information: click here Hey, Kids, Send Us Your Arts and LettersRavinia is developing a new section of its website called Kid Zone, geared for kids ages 5–10. One of its functions will be to share the Ravinia-inspired art, drawings and writings about music online with other festival-loving children. This work could include reviews of concerts, short prose and poetry about music, and drawings of the park. Associates Board's Music Matters Honors Kauffman, Supports Education
The Ravinia Associates Board will host its most important event, the annual Music Matters fundraising dinner, dance and auction at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, at Radisson Blu Aqua, 221 N. Columbus Drive, Chicago. Performing live will be one of Chicago’s most popular bands, the high-energy Maggie Speaks. Proceeds from this spirited black-tie event support the not-for-profit Ravinia Festival’s REACH*TEACH*PLAY education programs. Last year’s event grossed a record $494,214 for the programs, which reach 75,000 people in Cook and Lake Counties, largely in underserved Chicago Public Schools. Each year, a person or group who has made a tremendous impact on Ravinia’s education programs is honored at Music Matters. This year’s honoree will be the man who actually gave REACH*TEACH*PLAY its name, Welz Kauffman, who celebrates his 15th anniversary as President and CEO of Ravinia in 2015. Remembering Composer Stephen Paulus
in Classical
We were saddened to learn on Monday of the passing of the great composer Stephen Paulus. He suffered a stroke last summer, mere weeks before he was to join the faculty of Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute (RSMI) to work with our fellows in the Program for Singers. Stephen was one of seven composers commissioned to write a song to commemorate the 25th anniversary of RSMI in 2013, and his song, “Was It All a Dream,” was premiered in Bennett Gordon Hall by bass-baritone Musa Ngqungwana and pianist Renate Rohlfing on August 12 of that year. This was one of the last compositions of a prolific and celebrated career. Listen to Musa's performance on InstantEncore. RSMI Alumna Joins 2015-16 Lyric Opera Of Chicago Ensemble
Every summer Ravinia's Steans Music Institute has the opportunity to work with a handful of talented musicians. Once they depart our program we make a point to keep in touch and are always excited to hear about their next milestones. With that in mind, we are happy to share the news that 2014 alumna Diana Newman has become part of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center Ensemble for the 2015-2016 season at the Lyric Opera of Chicago! Congratulations Diana! You can learn more about Ms. Newman on her website and by watching the video of her August 11, 2014 performance (below) of three songs by George Crumb in the Bennett Gordon Hall. Thanks For All The Love!
in Park News
Our official 2014 Summer of Love, Season of Stars has come to a close! Thank you for joining us for another wonderful season of music under the stars. We'll see you next summer! 2014 Ravinia Selects - Pedro
in Opinion
Ravinia is a very unique place in that there is a such a variety of concert experiences, I am still learning more and more every summer. From the picnic on the lawn, to dining on the Park View Terrace, to Lawncierge, or sitting in reserved seating, everyone ones experience is unique.
2014 Ravinia Selects - Patrick
in Opinion
In his selects, Patrick aims to capture the essence of the Ravinia experience. While for some that means sitting inside the pavilion, getting as close to their favorite stars as they can, for others that might mean sitting on the lawn with a picnic getting as close to their favorite people. This variety of experience is what makes Ravinia such a special venue to see a performance. Below he shares his favorite captures in no particular order.
2014 Ravinia Selects - Russell
in Opinion
After a deep breath we plunge—spiraling into each day of our lives with as much fortitude and focus as we can muster. Many times we loose our way and have to reset ourselves, begin again with fresh eyes and mind. For the last 9 years, I have dedicated my Ravinia career to helping millions find that escape and rejuvenation in their lives—as music can heal all. Often times, one thinks of a sticky floored theatre with egregious beer prices and bad sound to be an agreeable concert experience. I, on the other hand, am spoiled with the offerings of our famous lawn and any beverage I choose to bring in. This place is so much more—Ravinia changes you.
The first of my three image choices from this summer is a whimsical one. Richard Hunt, a Ravinia Life Trustee, world-famous artist and, more important, a man whom I call my friend, is pictured here interacting with a sculpture. Food Network Addiction
in Opinion
A while back, South Park aired a very funny episode in which one of the boys’ fathers becomes hooked on cooking shows. I can sympathize; I should be standing in front of a self-help group and declaring, “My name is John, and I am |
