- 40th Annual Chicago Blues Festival at Millennium Park!Millennium Park, Chicago, IL
Experience Chicago’s rich blues music legacy at the 40th Annual Chicago Blues Festival happening in our own back yard! With a diverse lineup celebrating the blues’ past, present and future, the Chicago Blues Festival shares the great Chicago-born music tradition with the world while shining a spotlight on the genre’s contributions to soul, R&B, gospel, rock, hip-hop and more.
We will meet way at the back of the lawn, right next to the sidewalk.
Bring wine, snacks, blankets, chairs if you like. Dress for the weather. Look for us in our spot way on the back of the lawn near the sidewalk. You can't miss us! See map pin or this image at the link: http://bit.ly/2H6tuWwCome later, if you can't make it at 3 pm as we will stay until 9 pm! Note, it is closing night and Buddy Guy is playing so it will get full early!
IF ANYONE HAS A SMALL PORTABLE TABLE TO BRING THEN PLEASE BRING IT! IT MAKES IT EASIER TO PUT THE WINE & SHARED FOOD FOR ALL TO ENJOY! I HAVE 2 TABLES BUT WE ALWAYS NEED MORE!!! (if you been to these you know we have a lot of food and wine!!!)
Bring some wine, beer, and some food/snacks to share and enjoy! Mariano's is close by on Randolph St. and Macy's on State St. Food suggestions include cheese & crackers, fruit plate, baked goods, hummus & chips.
It's always a nice gesture to bring some extra cups, napkins, toothpicks or small plates if you can. I will try to bring what I can but since I take the bus I am limited. Those who drive or live close by can really help by bringing some extra items!
NOTE THAT OUTSIDE ALCOHOL IS USUALLY NOT ALLOWED AT BLUES FEST! This one of the events at Millennium Park where outside alcohol is sometimes banned. You can bring food and any non-alcoholic drinks. They will be doing bag checks before entering so be prepared for a slight wait to get it in. Corkscrews and cheese knives also not allowed. You can buy alcohol inside the park at one of the park vendors.
NOW YOU DID NOT HEAR THIS FROM ME, BUT IF WANT TO BRING A BOTTLE OF WINE FROM THE OUTSIDE, I WOULD SUGGEST HIDING DEEP IN YOUR BAG OR BACKPACK UNDER A BLANKET OR BUNCH OF FOOD SO IT IS NOT EASILY VISIBLE. THEY DO A LIGHT SEARCH OF BAGS. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SNEAK SMALL THINGS IN BEFORE BUT IT IS NO GUARANTEE. THEREFORE DO NOT BRING AN EXPENSIVE BOTTLE IN CASE IT DOES GET CONFISCATED. PREFERABLY BRING A TWIST OFF BOTTLE FOR EASE OF USE, AS CORKSCREWS ARE ALSO NOT ALLOWED. BEST IF PUT IN PLASTIC WATER BOTTLE OR TRAVEL CONTAINER. SOMETHING NOT OBVIOUS.
The annual Chicago Blues Festival in June is the city’s largest music festival. More than 500,000 blues fans gather in Chicago’s Millennium Park for three days of performances — all free and open to the public — featuring some of the genre’s most revered musicians, along with up-and-coming and local talent.
A Chicago staple for over 40 years, the festival’s diverse lineup has included everyone from B.B. King and Buddy Guy to Etta James and Koko Taylor and beyond. Performances showcase the genre’s contributions to soul, R&B, gospel, rock, hip-hop, and more. The festival also features local food and drink vendors, along with “Blues Village” featuring different record companies and blues groups.
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_blues_festival10.htmlSunday, June 9, Jay Pritzker Pavilion Lineup/Schedule:
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
4:45-5:00pm - National Anthem + Commissioner's Welcome
5:00-6:15pm - Centennial Tribute to Otis Spann
6:30-7:30pm - Cash Box Kings (WE WIL WATCH THIS BAND)
7:45-9:00pm - Buddy Guy (WE WIL WATCH THIS BAND)
Visit Mississippi Juke Joint Stage (South Promenade)
12-1:15pm - Southern Komfort Brass Band
1:30-2:45pm - Jonathan Ellison & The RAS Blues Band
3:00-4:15pm - Anissa Hampton (WE WIL WATCH THIS BAND)
4:30-5:45pm - Jaye Hammer
Rosa’s Lounge (North Promenade)
12:30-1:45pm - Nate Manos Band with Alicia “Ya Yah” Townsend
2:00-3:15pm - Joey J. Saye Trio
3:30-4:45pm - Omar Coleman Westside Soul
5:00-6:15pm - Melody Angel
6:30-7:45pm - Last Call with WDCB Radio and The Stephen Hull ExperienceIf you are taking public transportation please check Google Maps for directions or use CTA trip planner. https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
If you drive,use SpotHero or ParkWhiz as it is a challenge over there. Look for the Grant Park North Parking Garage. There is some metered parking but best to use a parking lot or garage
PLEASE KEEP RSVP UP TO DATE AND DO NOT BE A NO SHOW!
## COVID-19 safety measures
Event will be outdo
- Arrival From Sweden: The Music of ABBA at RAVINIA (TIX REQUIRED!)Ravinia Festival, Highland Park, IL
Do you love all things Swedish? Do you love Abba, Mama Mia and Dancing? Then you will just love the group, Arrival From Sweden: The Music of ABBA. They are coming to Ravinia on Friday evening 7/5/24 We have seen them before and they are fantastic! I know it is way early but these tickets just went on sale 4/24/24 and they will go fast! The Music of ABBA: Arrival From Sweden is very popular so if you want to join us, buy your tickets soon! We will sit in the lawn and make a party out of it! Bring your chairs, blankets, food & wine~ We will have a picnic and dance the night away!!!
**Tickets are $46 for GENERAL ADMISSION LAWN SEATS + service fee. You can also rent a chair and/or table if you do not want to lug one from home. Chairs are $10 and tables are $12. I already got 1 table so maybe we only need 1 more? Go here to purchase ticket, Pick 7/5/24 GENERAL ADMSSION LAWN "ARRIVAL FROM SWEDEN"** Ravinia.org/Online/Article/070524-MusicOfABBA
Please try to come early so it is to meet at the front & sit together. I will post my location once I arrive. I plan to arrive at 5 pm when gates open!
If you drive it is $25 for parking. For bigger shows, they made send you to satellite lots so I strongly suggest coming early if you can! Otherwise you will have to wait for shuttle buses to bring you to the venue. More details here:
https://ravinia.org/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=Ravinia_Parking&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::context_id=I will probably take the Metra. You will need to take the Union Pacific North line. You can get on at Chicago OTC, Clybourn, Ravenswood etc. If you want to ride the Metra with me, meet me at the Ravenswood station or if you get on before me, then we can meet on the train. Once it gets closer I can coordinate train time as the summer schedule is not out yet! The train stops at Ravinia’s Tyler Gate (“Ravinia Park” stop)*.
The nearby “Braeside” stop is only a quarter-mile walk from Ravinia. For more info go here
https://ravinia.org/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=Ravinia_MetraRail&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::context_id=ARRIVAL from Sweden was founded by Vicky Zetterberg in 1995 in Gothenburg, Sweden and very soon became one of the world’s most popular and most selling ABBA show bands. Since the start in 1995 the band has toured in over 70 countries, done 82 successful USA tours and has appeared in several TV and radio shows all over the world. Selling out arenas seated up to 50 000 people. The ABBA-fan club consider ARRIVAL From Sweden as ”The Closest You Will Ever Get To ABBA!”
ARRIVAL from Sweden is the only group that has been given a previously unreleased ABBA song directly from Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson of ABBA. The song “Just A Notion” was released by ARRIVAL from Sweden in 1999 and was yet again released by the original ABBA in 2021 on their latest record “Voyage.”
ARRIVAL from Sweden in the production “The Music of ABBA” has sold out arenas and venues all over the world since 1995 and is the absolute best and most authentic ABBA show there is. https://www.themusicofabba.com/
Ravinia Festival is an outdoor music venue in Highland Park, Illinois. It hosts a series of outdoor concerts and performances every summer from June to September. The first orchestra to perform at Ravinia Festival was the New York Philharmonic under Walter Damrosch on June 17, 1905. It has been the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) since 1936. Located in the Ravinia neighborhood, the venue operates on the grounds of the 36-acre (15 ha) Ravinia Park, with a variety of outdoor and indoor performing arts facilities, including the architectural prairie style Martin Theater. The Ravinia Festival attracts about 600,000 listeners to some 120 to 150 events that span all genres from classical music to jazz to music theater over each three-month summer season.
https://ravinia.org/If you are taking public transportation please check Google Maps for directions or use Metra trip planner. https://ridertools.metrarail.com/maps-schedules/train-lines/UP-N
If you drive, see info above I gave on parking or check Ravinia's website
PLEASE KEEP RSVP UP TO DATE AND DO NOT BE A NO SHOW!
- Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes at RAVINIA (BUY TIX NOW!)Ravinia Festival, Highland Park, IL
Do you love bands who play a blend of Catalan rumba, flamenco, salsa, and pop? Then you will love Gipsy Kings! They are coming to Ravinia on Wednesday evening 7/31/24. I know it is way early but these tickets just went on sale 4/24/24 and they will go fast! The Gipsy Kings always sell out so if you want to join us, buy your tickets now! We will sit in the lawn and make a party out of it! Bring your chairs, blankets, food & wine~ We will have a picnic and dance the night away!!!
Tickets are $49 for GENERAL ADMISSION LAWN SEATS + service fee. You can also rent a chair and/or table if you do not want to lug one from home. Chairs are $10 and tables are $12. I already got 1 table so maybe we only need 1 more? Go here to purchase ticket, Pick 7/31/24 GENERAL ADMSSION LAWN GIPSY KINGS: https://ravinia.org/Online/Article/073124-GipsyKingsReyes
Please try to come early so can meet at the front & sit together. I will post my location once I arrive. I plan to arrive at 5 pm when gates open!
If you drive it is $25 for parking. For bigger shows, they made send you to satellite lots so I strongly suggest coming early if you can! Otherwise you will have to wait for shuttle buses to bring you to the venue. More details here:
https://ravinia.org/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=Ravinia_Parking&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::context_id=I will probably take the Metra. You will need to take the Union Pacific North line. You can get on at Chicago OTC, Clybourn, Ravenswood etc. If you want to ride the Metra with me, meet me at the Ravenswood station or if you get on before me, then we can meet on the train. Once it gets closer I can coordinate train time as the summer schedule is not out yet! The train stops at Ravinia’s Tyler Gate (“Ravinia Park” stop)*.
The nearby “Braeside” stop is only a quarter-mile walk from Ravinia. For more info go here
https://ravinia.org/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=Ravinia_MetraRail&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::context_id=Gipsy Kings (originally Los Reyes) are a musical group founded in 1979 in Arles, France. The band, whose members have Catalan heritage, play a blend of Catalan rumba, flamenco, salsa, and pop. They perform mostly in Catalan but also mix in Spanish and languages of southern France, such as Occitan. Although the group members were born in France, their parents were mostly gitanos (Spanish Romani) who fled Spain during the 1930s Spanish Civil War. They are known for bringing rumba flamenco, a pop-oriented music distantly derived from traditional flamenco and rumba to a worldwide audience, and for their interpretations of English-language pop hits.
It has been twenty-five years since the Gipsy Kings captured the world’s imagination with their self-titled debut album—a record that became a genuine phenomenon, certified gold and platinum around the globe, introducing millions of listeners to a unique, irresistible blend of traditional flamenco styles with Western pop and Latin rhythms. Since then, the band has toured virtually non-stop, to the farthest-flung corners of the planet, and sold almost twenty million albums, all the while retaining the same line-up of virtuoso musicians. They are one of France’s most successful musical group of all time
https://www.gipsykings.com/Ravinia Festival is an outdoor music venue in Highland Park, Illinois. It hosts a series of outdoor concerts and performances every summer from June to September. The first orchestra to perform at Ravinia Festival was the New York Philharmonic under Walter Damrosch on June 17, 1905. It has been the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) since 1936. Located in the Ravinia neighborhood, the venue operates on the grounds of the 36-acre (15 ha) Ravinia Park, with a variety of outdoor and indoor performing arts facilities, including the architectural prairie style Martin Theater. The Ravinia Festival attracts about 600,000 listeners to some 120 to 150 events that span all genres from classical music to jazz to music theater over each three-month summer season.
https://ravinia.org/If you are taking public transportation please check Google Maps for directions or use Metra trip planner. https://ridertools.metrarail.com/maps-schedules/train-lines/UP-N
If you drive, see info above I gave on parking or check Ravinia's website
PLEASE KEEP RSVP UP TO DATE AND DO NOT BE A NO SHOW!