These are the bravest artists in Chicago. Their performances are always beautiful and unique. They…read morehave a huge repertoire that includes some highly original collaborations - Gina Patterson's ballet with Sons of the Neverwrong (My Witness), Alex Ketley's tribute to Otis Redding (Wish for Even Ground), and his ongoing open collaboration with musicians on If Ever (an Ocean) Relinquished. But the bravery happens when after each performance the Artistic Director - Julie Nakagawa opens up discussion between the dancers and the audience. Inspiration is revealed, and you become connected. Always something unexpected - it sticks with you. very cool.

Fabulous and free jazz festival over Labor Day weekend in Chicago…read more Although it is not as big as other jazz festivals that I've been to like the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, French Quarter Festival (my personal favorite), or Montreal Jazz Festival, the Chicago Jazz Festival was perfect for a couple of hours to relax and enjoy some jazz. We walked to Millenium Park and then had a short wait to go through a limited security screen. Took a few photos of Jaume Plensa's Crown Fountain and Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate (aka The Bean) before heading to the pavilions to enjoy some cool jazz. Loved the Sharel Cassity Alliance. So nice to see an all female jazz group. The Charlie Johnson Quartet was also quite good. Plenty of seating was available, but you could bring lawn chairs or even snacks into the park. Will have to come back again when we can spend more time enjoying some cool jazz on a hot summer day. Great way to end the summer in Chicago.

Jazz fest 2025 was fun. The fist band Ben Waltzer Quartet was amazing. But it went downhill from…read morethere. Abigail Richard's has a terrific voice but she had poor song selection and I think the sound was off a bit for her. The Beatles song was not good though people seemed to enjoy it. The Madison Electronique was not for me. And I don't think jazz fest liked the political commentary. We only saw one band on the main stage. They seemed mediocre. Overall a fun day for a few hours. We went to a great local jazz bar that night and the band was awesome.

I attended the CJH's Miles Davis 100th Birthday concert at the Kehrein Center. It was great, and…read morethe hall was packed. The combo consists of really outstanding musicians, several very well-known as solo acts.

Great philharmonic to hear while in the Windy City. True musical talent and wonderful jazz pieces…read morethe musicians played.

I'm almost ashamed to review the Civic Orchestra because it will illustrate that I've had my head…read morein the sand for many years. The Civic Orchestra, the training wing of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, was established in 1919, but I've only discovered this group of talented young musicians in the last couple of years. I haven't been living in a cave, and I've been a classical music fan since college. How did I not hear about this marvelous group until 2016? The members of the Civic Orchestra are professional musicians. They are not full-time students, as one friend of mine assumed. They get paid. They have to audition to join. They are at the beginning of their careers. The Civic Orchestra's mission is to bring classical music to Chicagoans, both in concert at Symphony Hall and in the community. Because the orchestra is subsidized by the CSO, the concerts are free. Yes, free. I've seen small groups perform in the community (Indian Boundary Park District, Senn High School, and South Shore Cultural Center), at Buntrock Hall at Symphony Center, and in the main hall at Symphony Center as well. Next week, I'll see them perform at Fourth Presbyterian Church. The only time I've paid anything was a $5.00 ticket free for a full, two-hour concert that closed out their season in spring, 2018, at Symphony Hall. The concerts feature everything from the full orchestra, to chamber groups (four or five musicians), or six members of the brass section. Programs vary as widely, from a full orchestral night of Mahler to Mozart and Dvorak in chamber music. Members of the Civic joined students at Senn High School for a full concert in spring, 2018. Every fan of classical music in Chicago should get on the Civic Orchestra's mailing list and "like" the orchestra on Facebook. You don't want to miss one performance -- unless it's Mahler. I don't like Mahler. The opportunity to hear live world-class music for free is a rare thing in the United States. We are incredibly fortunate to have this available to us in Chicago.

The Civic Orchestra of Chicago is the perfect means for listening to beautiful music in the…read moreSymphony Center (also home to the CSO) without spending more than $1. That's right - tickets are free, with only $1 convenience charge if you pick them up at the door. You can also order tickets online. In a city the size of Chicago, free entertainment of this caliber is popular, so pick up your general admission tickets at least a few hours in advance and make sure to arrive not long after the doors open, as choice seating fills up quickly. The COC is a great alternative to the CSO for those thrifty persons like myself or those who aren't sure if they enjoy classical music, but want to give it a whirl.

The lobby for this part of Roosevelt University sits on the busy corner of Michigan Avenue and…read moreCongress Parkway. An elevator takes you to the 7th floor and after a maze of hallways, you arrive where history, music, and architectural excellence converge. Rudolph Ganz Memorial Hall is a treasure of Chicago and not yet that well-known. I was there to attend the season closing concert for Contempo (Contemporary Chamber Players), which is a collective for modern music with eighth blackbird and Pacifica Quartet as their Artists-in-residence. The combined groups were assembled along with additional players to form three different orchestras. They would be playing the final thesis of three doctoral candidates in music composition from the University of Chicago: The first was for soprano and orchestra, incorporating an electronic accompaniment, the second was a brief chamber opera for tenor, baritone, and orchestra, and the final was a study of romantic emotions drawn from 19th and 20th century poems with the orchestra plus soprano and tenor. The Hall was created in the time of the giants of American architecture and three of those giants, Louis Sullivan, Dankmar Adler, and Frank Lloyd Wright had a hand in conceiving and actualizing this hall and the building it sits in. It was probably lovely in its day, but since it was designed for another purpose than it is used for now, many changes were made in the years since then. What you see today is the best approximation that research and concerned renovation can accomplish. Read more about the transformations since 1956 at the link above and at http://www.boothhansen.com/projects/roosevelt-university-ganz-hall/ also http://www.sejongsociety.org/info/ganz_hall/ganz_hall.html and http://www.custommetals.com/fabrication/light_fixtures/ganz_hall.html Take any opportunity you can to view this space. If it coincides with a musical performance, you will also experience the fine acoustics of what used to be a hotel dining hall, but now a fabulous place for music. Fittingly, you will be atop another great performance space, the Auditorium Theatre.

A surprisingly nice venue for concerts, hidden in the high floors of the Roosevelt/Auditorium…read morebuilding, a side pocket off of what otherwise seems like a drab old academic hallway. The larger foyer is dark and moody with dark rich wood paneling, leading into the main hallway with its unique space-age-looking lamps and detailed stained glass windows. According to online sources this was originally designed as a banquet hall for the Auditorium theater but fell into disrepair for many years before complete restoration was finished in the early 2000's, with conversion to a concert hall. The original builders included Sullivan and Wright. A hidden architectural gem as well as an amazing concert space for more intimate chamber music performances.

I saw the "Time Flies" show over the weekend at the Ruth Page Center - what a great show! I just…read morelove the combination of aerial and modern dance. Very inspiring, and so athletic! I was very impressed1 Can't wait to see another show

The Blues Heaven Foundation is located in the building of the former Chess Records. It's on S…read more Michigan in Motor Row District - between 14th St. and the Stevenson Expressway, with the core from Cermak Road to 25th Street. My husband coordinated this visit for us. He emailed the non-profit and signed up for a group tour of the landmark on June 9th. Tours are only done by appointment. We were in the city during Chicago Blues Festival, so this was their very active time of the year. Our tour guide, the Executive Director of the BHF, was telling us how their was a private concert the night before. The tour is amazing, and starts on the ground level in their gallery (which has rotating works on display). Then you get to see Chess Records offices and also go upstairs to sit in the recording studio. From my gift shop, I bought a key chain and a tee-shirt for my husband. Proceeds go to the works of the Foundation, which include educational youth programs, assistance to musicians, and outreach to the community. Right next to the building is a small fenced off garden where concerts are held during the summer. Note: You can take still pictures but absolutely no video or audio recording. They are very strict about this and will remind you about it. No joke.

1st time in Chicago and Chess Records was my 1st point of interest to visit. Now, it's the Blues…read moreHeaven Foundation run by Willie Dixon's family. Our tour was run by Jacqueline Dixon, who did a great job. She presented its history with numerous facts and with great respect! Hearing all of her stories about Willie and his musician friends was absolutely fascinating. This is a must see and do...set up an appointment, get there on time and get a great history lesson about Chicago blues.

Really nice auditorium for smaller performances, excellent acoustics, decent seating and friendly…read morestaff. Would love to attend more events here

I just took part in a poetry festival at this venue last week, and I've got to say, it was by far…read morethe best experience I've had. The concert hall is absolutely beautiful and totally intimate, despite seating a good number of people. The sound system is great and the lighting was perfect. So many times at readings you have to squint through blaring lights to see the audience. The boards on the stage creak and your voice sounds like it's trickling from a tin can. Not here. The space offers a professional and comfortable atmosphere, for both performers and audience members. Everything from the equipment to the the seats looked brand new. The staff at Columbia was really attentive during the whole thing. Again, I can't think of a better environment. I'd love to get another chance to read in the hall.