Features
Chicago’s Ravinia Festival Takes Shape
The annual summer concert series, which kicks off with a pair of shows by Taylor June 6-7, takes place in Chicago suburb Highland Park, Ill., at Ravinia Park, summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1906.
Other jazz offerings for this year include Gilberto Gil (June 19), Dave Brubeck Quartet on a triple bill with the Ramsey Lewis Trio and the Turtle Island Quartet (June 21), Reeves and The Manhattan Transfer (June 22), Jane Monheit and Michael Feinstein in “Gershwin Under the Stars” (August 17), Tony Bennett (August 22-23), and a “Legends of Jazz” show, featuring the Ramsey Lewis Trio, plus Kurt Elling and Ernie Watts performing music of John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman (September 12).
Pop acts on the schedule include Taylor, Isaac Hayes and Roberta Flack (June 13), Kenny Loggins (June 15), Willie Nelson (June 20), Boz Scaggs (June 27), The Temptations and The Four Tops (June 28), Feist (July 11), Lyle Lovett and His Large Band (July 12), Punch Brothers, featuring Chris Thile (July 21), Hootie & the Blowfish (July 25), Los Lonely Boys and Los Lobos (August 8), UB40 (August 20), Backstreet Boys (August 24), Jonny Lang and Buddy Guy (August 28), Dave Stewart (August 29) and Donna Summer (August 30).
The “Martinis at the Martin” cabaret series features Kevin Cole performing “In the Words of Ira: The Songs of Ira Gershwin” (June 8), Barbara Cook (July 6-7) and Carol Lawrence (September 4).
World music fare on the roster includes Tiempo Libre (May 31), Los Tigres del Norte (June 14) and Gipsy Kings (August 2).
Other various offerings include Garrison Keillor presenting a live national broadcast of “A Prarie Home Companion” (July 5), “Lawn of Lincoln,” a free day of music featuring Tony Andriacchi, the Harlem Quartet, Chicago Tap Theatre and others (September 7) and the Ruth Page Festival of Dance, featuring Luna Negra Dance Theatre (May 31), Concert Dane, Inc. (June 11-12), Natya Dance Theatre (June 28), Joffrey Ballet (August 16) and River North Chicago Dance Company (September 13).
Tickets for the series go on sale online April 17 at Ravinia.org and via phone May 18. Cabaret shows can be purchased only as a series, though lawn seats will be sold for individual concerts.