Chicago: Ravinia Festival 2010

Founded in 1904, the Ravinia Festival is the oldest outdoor music festival in North America and is lauded for presenting world-class music. The festival attracts over 600,000 visitors to some 150 events that span all genres from classical music to jazz to music theater over each three-month summer season. Over the last century, Ravinia has played host to such luminaries as Louis Armstrong, Leonard Bernstein, Frank Zappa, George Gershwin, Leontyne Price, Stephen Sondheim, Duke Ellington, Janis Joplin, Aaron Copland, Luciano Pavarotti, Ella Fitzgerald, Renee Fleming and Jascha Heifetz.





A highlight of this 2010 season is the July 31st Gala Benefit Evening honoring Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday with a concert featuring Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, George Hearn and Michael Cerveris accompanied by the world renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra performing many of the great American composer's best-loved tunes. This black-tie evening includes cocktails and dinner with pavilion seating ($750.00) For tickets call 847-266-5045 or visit Ravinia.org for a complete schedule of this summer's concert season.