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Cynthia Erivo, Kurt Elling, Brian McKnight, Ides of March, Madeleine Peyroux, Midori, Joshua Bell, Pinchas Zukerman, the Chicago Sinfonietta and the Joffrey Ballet are among the artists in addition to the previously announced Chicago Symphony Orchestra residency who will be participating in a season of music under the stars at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, it was announced Thursday.
After the pandemic forced the venue’s shutdown and the cancellation of the 2020 season more than one year ago, Ravinia will reopen July 1 for an abbreviated season this year 64 concerts through Sept. 26, highlighting Chicago artists, music by women, and Asian, Black and Latinx composers.
Published May 6, 2021 •
Updated on May 7, 2021 at 7:21 pm
As the weather warms and COVID-19 vaccinations increase, activities around the Chicago area that were previously closed are seeing a big return this summer.
From concerts to farmers markets, Chicagoans will likely be able to feel a taste of normalcy in coming months as businesses and events reopen citywide. Don t miss local breaking news and weather! Download our mobile app for iOS or Android and sign up for alerts.
Take a look at things to do across the city and around the area this summer:
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See an Outdoor Concert at Ravinia
Ravinia Festival has announced its summer concert lineup, preparing to reopen the park for the first time in more than a year for an in-person 2021 season.
Emmylou Harris, the Sam Bush Band and Greensky Bluegrass are among the acts on the 2021 Telluride Bluegrass Festival lineup. The beloved event returns for its 47th annual installment next month, albeit in different form than usual as Telluride Bluegrass will be held at limited capacity over two weeks at Telluride Town Park in Telluride, Colorado June 11 – 13 and June 17 – 20.
Attendance will be capped at 2,500 people per day. “Corrals” spanning 12 feet in every direction will be set up throughout Town Park with each holding 10 festivalgoers. Limited camping will be available.
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The first weekend will feature performances from Greensky Bluegrass, the Sam Bush Band,
Some of the featured pop, rock, indie, country and reggae artists in the lineup this year include:
Classic Albums Live: Led Zeppelin IV, July 24
Yacht Rock Revue debuts at Ravinia, July 31
Sideline makes its Ravinia debut, August 11 Carousel Concert
Willie Nelson & Family and Nate Smith, August 14
Gladys Knight, August 18
The Beach Boys, August 21 and 22
John Hiatt and the Jerry Douglas Band, August 24
Lake Street Dive, August 26
Train, August 27 and 28
King Crimson and The Zappa Band make their Ravinia debuts, August 29
Collective Soul, Better Than Ezra, and Tonic share the bill on September 1
Indigo Girls and Ani DiFranco, September 10
Black Violin and Blind Boys of Alabama, September 11
The summer lineup will include 64 performances between July 1 and Sept. 26, organizers said, and will be the 85th season in Ravinia s history as the oldest outdoor music festival in the country.
The season will begin with three free events on July 1, 2 and 3 for invited audiences of essential, frontline and health care workers, Ravinia said.
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra will once again return for a six-week summer residency beginning in July, featuring 15 programs led by Marin Alsop and seven guest conductors.
Some of the featured pop, rock, indie, country and reggae artists in the lineup this year include:
Classic Albums Live: Led Zeppelin IV, July 24