Look at the setting. You have Navy Pier and Lake Michigan as your backdrop - how could you not…read morelike it? Entrance is complementary as long as you prove your vaccinated. I use a picture of my vaccine card. Today we're hear snippets of Broadway and Musicals around Chicago such as Teatro Cinzani, Frozen, Rent etc - I mean common!! The duet by Mulan Rouge, the solo's of Frozen and Teatro Cinzani were simply Amazing!! Im buying tickets and so should you.

Robbie Fulks "and Friends" were here playing a concert with a theme about Chicago's connection to…read morecountry music. I've never been a fan of the overly-glitzy, outrageously-expensive-rare-animal-boot-wearing "entertainers" who now prowl the enormous country music stages that might make people proud in Dallas or Houston. Give me the small-stage, singer-songwriter with a capable backing band on Broadway Street in Nashville, or--now wait a doggone minute--we have Robbie Fulks right here! And who better to christen my first visit to the Lake Park "Stage," AKA the large riser at the bottom of the well-groomed hill that I never noticed before (probably because it's only weeks, at most months, old) just outside and south of the entrance to Navy Pier. It was a gorgeous night until it started drizzling, but Robbie is one of those acts who makes you just sit in the rain, lapping it all in, as it were. The sound here is impeccable--a real treat for the ears that I believe would stand up to orchestral sound (though still permeated by a pleasure boater or some noise from the locks between the lake and the river, next door). Bring your chairs and blankets, they won't be provided, and bring an ear for good music, because if they have more acts like this, I'll be back for more. The only pity is that you won't just happen upon this place--it's not between any places you'll be walking from or to. Oh, and did I mention that it's free? At least tonight it was, though perhaps not for too long with this good scenery and sound. And there is even a dance floor up-front, whether you're scooting boots or waltzing Mathilda.

25 years ago this band played at our wedding. 25 years…read morelater people are still talking about the band. Enough said. Hands down one of a kind with the best musicians around.

Bandleader Dave Farley and Orchestra 33 are absolutely fabulous. I hired them for my wedding…read moreceremony and reception on October 2 and they were the hit of the night. I HIGHLY recommend them. Dave responded promptly to my initial inquiry last winter. Over the course of the year we exchanged emails and phone calls. He sent me a detailed questionnaire which was a huge help in planning the timeline for the evening. They provided a string quartet for my ceremony, jazz during cocktails, piano during dinner, and a 9-piece band during the reception. This amount and quality of entertainment doesn't come cheap, but it's worth every penny. Definitely go to their website. They have song clips available that illustrate just how dead-on their sound is. I hired them because they can do La Bouche, Katy Perry, The Supremes, Sam Cooke, and Beyonce without batting an eye. The band was happy to learn the obscure song we chose for our first dance. They also gave us some beautiful suggestions for ceremony music (courtesy of Dave's classical music specialist, aka his wife! so cute). Many guests have said the highlight of the night was when a singer from the band came out onto the packed dance floor during "Shout!" This band knows how to gage a crowd and have fun while keeping the evening flowing smoothly. They graciously accepted a couple of last minute changes and even allowed us to pump iPod music through their speakers after the set was done so we could all sway to "American Pie" while they packed up. Orchestra 33 provides first class entertainment that will make any event fun and memorable. They were the single best decision I made while planning my wedding (besides saying yes to my husband of course).

I cannot speak highly enough of Clint and the Swing Assembly band, but I'm going to try…read more From the moment we booked them, every question, every concern, every comment was answered within 24 hours. They were prompt with responses and knowledgeable with their recommendations, and very accommodating to our (many) requests (even going as far to lend us a microphone and speakers for the ceremony). As for the night itself... I think every single wedding guest made it a point to compliment us on the band. Their song selection was spot on, keeping interest from all the generations present and the keeping the dance floor packed until the night ended. And while it probably goes without saying, they are all outstandingly talented musicians (and how awesome is it to have both a male and female lead singer?). I highly recommend this band for anyone looking to liven up an event at what I think is a steal of a price.

This band is incredible!! If I could give them more stars, I would! My husband and I decided to…read morehave a 1920s themed wedding and were looking for a band that would help create the swanky atmosphere that we envisioned for our event! Once we heard Swing Assembly, we knew our search was over! Our guests entered the venue to the sounds of the most exquisite jazz trio, were escorted through dinner by a jazz quartet complimented by a muted trumpet, and danced the night away to the swinging sounds of the incredibly talented ensemble and the two epic singers!!! Their music kept our dance floor packed all night (from the older aunts and uncles to our college friends to the tweens) and our guests are still talking about the band! I have to also mention that Cliff was incredibly easy to work with and super professional!! He had the band arrange a special song for my dad and I and he was a great MC!!! If you are looking for an amazing band for any event, look no further!! As Cole Porter would say, "They're the tops!"

Let's go over theatre etiquette. Turn your dang phone off. Don't video like you're at a rock…read moreconcert. And don't wear so much perfume that people 5 rows ahead can smell you. Gross I didn't even know that Elgin had a symphony, but someone gave me free tickets and I was game. I really enjoyed it. The symphony has so many very talented musicians and the theatre small enough that there isn't a bad seat in the house. Would I drive all the way to Elgin again for another concert? That's undecided. But I wouldn't discourage anyone from going. It really was a beautiful evening

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra is absolutely phenomenal! A powerful performance, moving, and…read morebeautifully executed. The musicians are incredibly talented!

This fest is held every year for 4 days Thurs-Sun over July 4th weekend. There's local food…read morevendors, live music (very loud--bring earplugs), a bingo tent, and carnival rides. 7th Heaven (a super popular Chicago area cover band) seems to play here every year, which draws a lot of crowds. I've been going to Bartlett fest since I was a child and the food/vendor quality, carnival prices, and general vibe has definitely just gotten worse over the years. I paid $7 for a hot dog and the bun was super dry and stale. I guess that's my fault for getting a hotdog at a fair. I also paid $5 for a tiny thing of Italian ice. If you buy any food at this fest, go with the fresh squeezed lemonade My sister got it and I think it's like $10, but it's sooo refreshing. It's usually my go-to at this fest! The price for wristbands for the rides is nearing the price to get into Six Flags Great America--$37 for some carnival rides is crazy!!! Pretty sure you can go to Six Flags starting at $45. It was $10 for 20 tickets, which can only get you on two of the baby rides (9 tickets each) and leave you with 2 tickets leftover. I'm sure the prices in 2027 will be even more because it tends to go up a few dollars every year. Unfortunately this year the entire fest (later Saturday and all day Sunday), plus the July 4th firework show got canceled due to the heavy flooding that ruined the fireworks and flooded out the grassy area. I guess they left the fireworks in the grass and the water damaged them all? I know they can't control the weather, but it seemed like bad planning and I'm saddened about all the money wasted on all those fireworks. I haven't been to the Bartlett fest fireworks show in a long time, but from what I remember it's a really great show if you sit in the grass. Hopefully next year is better!

Went on July 4th to see the band Anthem (Classic Rock and Styx) and the fireworks. This festival is…read morealways crowded! Parking is difficult since most of the neighborhood streets allow for no parking. We parked at Rt 59 and Stearns and walked. The carnival area is always super crowded and the area with the band is connected to the food tent. They do have it fenced off which makes no sense since no one was checking if people were leaving the area with alcoholic beverages. Most people bring their own chairs even tho there are tables and chairs in the food tent. Fireworks begin around 915pm and are launched over the adjacent golf course. You can pretty much see them from anywhere so ng Stearns Rd. A fun neighborhood festival but expect it to be very crowded!

I loved this event way too much. I came the year before…read moreCovid hit. So 2019? And obvi Covid killed it in 2020 and not sure if they plan on doing it this year 2021? BUT well organized, Kubo catered and the food was delicious. The edamame they served paired perfectly with the beer. They had white claw for the ladies LOL which is funny I decided to try it and hated it. hahahahaha Anyways so many craft beers to tasted and it was truly an amazing experience. Worth the price. I suggest you take a taxi or walk. Or truly have a designated driver. I love how our Elgin Cops kept us safe as they always do. They keep the area secure. Thank you.

First Elgin Craft Beer Fest was just held on Aug. 12th & it is supposed to be an annual thing going…read moreforward. They did a really nice job and they have a great spot along the Fox River at the Elgin Riverside Promenade with 30 breweries (each with usually at least 2 different brews to try). Tickets were $40 per person ahead of time and included 20 beer samples & a commemorative sample-size glass to take home (it was an actual glass, too, not the cheapy plastic ones like you get at most other beer fests). They also had a VIP ticket option that included food and early entry along with Designated Driver tickets for $15 that included craft soda samples. They had a few options of food for purchase and also had plenty of porta-potties. They also had some games and live music. The only downside is there really isn't any shade in that location they held it at unless you were standing directly in front of a vendor stand on the river side....but at least it was a nice sunny day and it wasn't raining.

Super fun and unique event with plenty of drinks and food to choose from at a great venue in the NW…read moreBurbs. What works well: -Addition of cocktails instead of just beer. -80's lounge with great music and more samples. -Maine lobster rolls. Wow! Delicious and filling. -16" of steak on a stick! Heck yes! -The Messengers band was fantastic and fun to sing along with. -Lucha Libre wrestling was a fun add in 2019. -Plenty of parking or access for drop off for Shared rides. -Plenty of restrooms at the site. What can be improved: -Adding some round high boys in the food area would be helpful. They had them near the band in 2018 but absent this year. It's hard to balance food and drink while walking around. This would really be a helpful add. -I don't recall seeing any maps of the layout at the door. Unless I just missed them, this would be helpful too. -More live music would be nice. Overall a fun event worth what you pay for VIP or G.A.

The Union is an amazing little nook in downtown Naperville. You would never suspect that hiding…read moreinside of this old white church is one of the best music venues in the area. They bring in really talented local and non-local bands. It is a small place with a very personal feel. If you want to meet the band, you'll be able to. The cafe is cheap, the music sounds great, and it has a warm atmosphere. What's best is that they focus on social change, and act on it through the products they sell, the coffee they brew, and the bands they bring in. You must check this place out!!