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Grant Park Music Festival
Categories: Local Flavor, Performing Arts [Edit]
Neighborhood: The Loop205 East Randolph Dr.
(at Stetson Ave)
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 742-7638
- Nearest Transit:
-
Washington/Wells (Orange, Brown, Purple Express, Pink)
Clark/Lake (Pink, Brown, Green, Blue, Purple Express, Orange)
Washington (Blue, Red)
- Hours:
Wed., Fri. 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sat. 7:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
4 reviews for Grant Park Music Festival
What a great festival. And I'm not just saying that because it's free, or because I know half the musicians in the orchestra. It really is something special.
The GP Orchestra is made up of musicians from Chicago and around the country who have auditioned and won positions for the 10 week festival. It's an excellent group of talented performers who put on two completely different shows a week with very little rehearsal time, sometimes doing rarely heard works, contemporary pieces, or old war-horses like Beethoven and Brahms.
The Pavillion is free for these concerts (3x a week, Wed - Fri - Sat - usually at 6:30 or 7:30), save for a few reserved seats up front for those who choose to give money in support of the organization.
The plushy, well-maintained grass "seats" are ALL free, of course. Bring a blanket and a picnic and make yourself at home!.
Needless to say the Pavillion is close to the loop and public transportation... the restroom facilities are also pretty impressive and can handle the sometimes 10,000+ crowds that come out to hear the orchestra. This may sound like a lot of people... but when you're in the midst of this sea of humanity, it is an incredible feeling to know that you're all witnessing and experiencing the same thing, together, with all of these wonderful strangers.
Leave the cellphones off, though, and keep the chatter to a minimum. There is also no smoking or dogs allowed.
If you're wary of classical music, this is a great place to try it out for free. And if it's not your cup of tea, you can just leave - no harm done. :)
It's easy to love something when it's free, especially when it's as good as the Grant Park Music Festival. This is the perfect place to relax are a long day's work in the loop.
Every June - August, the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus play classical music in Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, with performances typically taking place Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
I've gone alone and with groups of friends. And while conversation flows freely before the performance, once it begins, the diverse crowd is respectful of the music.
I love classical music, but CSO tickets are a bit pricy for my budget, so the Grant Park Music Festival fulfills my need for music perfectly. The performances are top notch (I typically go for symphonic performances instead of chorus), and the sound system on the lawn surrounds you with music. It's like being wrapped in a cozy blanket.
A picnic of some sorts is a must. I often get takeout from a local restaurant, but some people go crazy and bring mini tables set with gourmet homemade meals. The most popular picnic option seem to be wine, cheese, and bread.
Number one- it's great music, number two- it's Millennium Park, and I should not have to add it's free because the first two should be reason enough. My favorite time of year in Chicago-Grant Park Music Festival
i can't argue with classical music, especially when it's free. the grant park orchestra & chorus generally stays away from the "pops" type stuff and tends to put on pretty decent programs. they stage concerts almost every wednesday, friday & saturday evenings throughout the summer AND you can drink outside! it's a really nice place to sit and relax with a bottle (or three) of wine. if that's not enough, the tourist/douchebag factor is virtually non-existant, though it's funny to see the occasional family of confused cub fans staring at their hands. turnouts can be pretty large, so arrive a little early to get a good seat. go and get some culture in that thick head of yours! who knows, you might actually like it.