The Renovo String Orchestra is one of the best that the Chicago area music scene has to offer. You…read morecan tell that everyone who is associated with this place (performers and staff) cares deeply about bringing high quality performances to its audiences. The folks here are friendly and passionate patrons of the arts. I had a chance to see this group perform at Rockefeller Chapel, among other fabulous productions, and they simply brought the house down. The praise showered down, non stop, from the last row in the balcony to the first row of the orchestra. This is the quintessential Chicago ensemble. Go see them live - You will love it!

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.

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.

I am honored to write the first review for one of the nicest Jewels in the Chicago New Music scene…read more(now that I have the time to explore it more!): The MusicNOW series. MusicNOW is Chicago's most innovative new music series, featuring the best in modern composition performed by musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. I have been to almost every concert for the last 2 years. The best features: very diverse types of styles of music, concerts not too long, and free beer and pizza after the concert. Even better: musicians, composers, and audience can mingle afterwards. They also almost always have the composers present in person, who you can talk with as well (but I haven't since I'm chicken and don't want to look like a groupie!). Big names: Salonen, Knussen, Golijov, Turnage, Muhly, Wallin, just this year. Very cheap tix, just 20$ (15 in advance/season) which is how much you could pay for the food anyways. Never sold out, and pretty big crowd for New Music concerts. My mind expands with every concert.

Normennenes Singing Society is an adult Choral Organization for both Song and Social. We invite…read moreyou to contact us at 847-296-2568. Established in Chicago, Il. 1870. Yes, this is our 154th anniversary. Actively accepting new singers both Men and Women.

I have always enjoyed this event. It reminds me of the old time dinner and entertainment scene that…read moreyou see in old movies. On stage is Elysabeth Alfano - Creator, Executive Producer, Producer & Host, and four guests, each with a specialty, usually related to the arts, and one of the guests is always a chef from a local establishment. My very first one, March 26, 2012, was with the Green Mill Poetry Slam founder Mark Smith ( who gave a wonderful performance), Chicago blues legend Billy Branch performing "Hoochie Coochie Man" on his harmonica, Naomi Beckwith Curator at the MCA, and Matt Troost from the restaurant Three Aces, making gnocchi and ribollita, and Guest artist Nicholas Barron performed that night as well! Elizabeth starts out interviewing each person, but also encourages conversation between the guests. In this case (March 2012) the guests got up and performed, and it was so wonderful. Then the chef gives a cooking lesson on the video monitor of the meal that he is preparing for the guests and then the meal is brought out with a tasting of wine to go with each and Voges Chocolates are served for dessert. It was a night to remember! So much fun, and interesting! PS - I posted the Fear No Art presents The Dinner Party's May event here on Yelp, not because I have anything to do with it, because I don't, but because they don't seem to have a presence on Yelp, and I was doing a review of it, so thought that I should give them a presence here.

Wow, not at all what we expected. City Winery is a great venue but the Fear No Art dinner party is…read morenot the best way to appreciate the space. The tickets were $40/pp (plus service charge) and promised wine tastings, dinner, dessert and great panelists. First of all there was 1 wine tasting (about an ounce of wine) other drinks need to be purchased. The food was tasty but very small & we had to wait and wait some more for it to be served. The panelists were entertaining but seemed much more interested in talking among themselves than to the audience. Tried to tweet in questions but they were not addressed. Not a great evening overall.

First Date was so great we saw it twice in one night. What an amazing cast. My roommate and I love…read morethe arts and have a soft spot in our hearts that appreciates the heart of the entertainer just as much as the entertainment. The actors were so talented, personable and so sweet. We sat in the first row. In my best choir voice: drink service!!!! The acting waiter also waited on us before the show began. What a great way to connect with the audience. We definitely recommend the show and will visit the venue again.

My wife and I went and saw First Date on our anniversary. It was a really great night out. In the…read moreday and age of Broadway in Chicago, it's good to see a show in an intimate space. The songs were good and the story was fun. The real reason for the fifth star was the cast, they were all really talented.

They are horrible. You can give them all the information in the world and they will wait to show up…read moreand then say they can't help you. They make promises that aren't kept and are just terrible. I don't recommend them at all. Imagine booking a company and then they leave you without any movers after showing up late.

During the winter and spring of 2012-2013, I took Professor Nana Shineflug's Qi Gong class at…read moreHamlin Park and it was excellent. Nana has a long history as a dancer and has studied Qi Gong in China. This is an exercise class that re-aligns and re-trains your body mechanics. The class improved my posture. Also, the movements and exercises strengthened my pelvic floor, which, as a mom, is an ongoing issue for me. She and the senior students are welcoming and encouraging. Sign up is through the Chicago Park District website or at the park.