Millennium Park Summer Picks
Besides the many wonderful free performances of the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus throughout the summer at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion that are worth visiting, there are many other renowned organizations that showcase Chicago’s cultural excellence in Millennium Park. Here are the ones I don’t want to miss (and all are free!):
The Joffrey Ballet
June 13 through June 18, 2006 at various times
On June 16 at 6:30 p.m., the Joffrey Ballet performs Romeo and Juliet with the Grant Park Orchestra and on June 17 at 7:30 p.m. the Joffrey Ballet celebrates its 50th Anniversary Gala in a performance with the Grant Park Orchestra.
Yo-Yo Ma and The Silk Road Ensemble
June 26, 2006 at 6:30 p.m.
Yo-Yo Ma brings his Silk Road Ensemble to Chicago for this concert celebrating the citywide and yearlong Silk Road Chicago collaboration. This concert is sure to deliver phenomenal and more than interesting music from regions and countries unfamiliar to most people.
Redmoon Theater
July 22 through July 30, 2006 at various times
Although I am not familiar with Redmoon Theater, they have always intrigued me through their Web site and descriptions. At Millennium Park they will perform The Balloon Man, with “Redmoon’s signature blend of large scaled mechanical objects, innovative puppetry, raucous live music and performance.” It is listed as family fun.
Blockbuster Week: Lyric Opera of Chicago
September 9, 2006 at 7:30 p.m.
One of the world’s most excellent opera houses is showcased in Millennium Park. I saw Susan Graham this year in the Lyric’s Der Rosenkavalier and was blown away. Although she frequents Chicago, I don’t want to miss this chance to see her again, this time under the open sky in the heart of Chicago.
Blockbuster Week: Steppenwolf Theatre
September 11, 2006 at 6:30 p.m.
Maybe as an immigrant I feel obliged to see this performance that “will combine music and storytelling to explore citizenship.” The main reason, however, is still Steppenwolf Theatre. The Chicago Children’s Choir and Steppenwolf for Young Adults also participate.
Blockbuster Week: Chicago Symphony Orchestra
September 13, 2006 at 6:30 p.m.
Not just because I work there. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra performs Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet, He/Chen’s The Butterfly Lovers, with erhu soloist Betti Xiang, and Berlioz’ Symphonie Fantastique. David Alan Miller conducts.
Blockbuster Week: Chicago Symphony Orchestra
September 14, 2006 at 6:30 p.m.
The CSO opens the World Music Festival: Chicago 2006, collaborating with Chicago-based Radio Maqam Ensemble, and pipa soloist Yang Wei, who will perform Tan Dun’s Concerto for Pipa and Orchestra.
Leave a Reply