From world-famous concerts with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to Tony Award-winning musicals at the Nederlander Theater, Chicago is known for its music, theater and art. Dive deeper into Chicago’s music and theater scenes with these little-known performances that won’t break the bank.
1. Millennium Park Summer Music Series
Every summer, the City of Chicago puts on a free concert series at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. The concerts range from classical music to rock, highlighting the cultural diversity of Chicago’s music scene. This year will feature nine concerts, with artists like Sheila E., Sir Chloe and Aterciopelados. Bring a picnic and some friends, and enjoy the free music.
2. Midsommer Flight: As You Like It
The Midsommer Flight theater company presents a new production of Shakespeare’s “As You Like It.” From June 26-Aug. 2, the play will be performed for free in six Chicago public parks, including Nichols Park in Hyde Park. “As You Like It,” Shakespeare’s pastoral comedy, tells the story of Rosalind, who leaves home disguised as a shepherd with her cousin Celia, and falls in love with Orlando. This summer, all the park’s a stage at “As You Like It.”
Summer is the perfect time to try new things. Constellation, located in Roscoe Village, is the perfect place to start. From the Sun Ra Arkestra, an experimental jazz group founded in Chicago, to Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek, a band performing Anatolian folk music, Constellation hosts jazz, experimental, improvised and contemporary classical music. Tickets range from $15-50 and the venue is about a 30-minute drive from Hyde Park.
4. Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts
Every Wednesday at 12:15 p.m., the auditorium of the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, located just north of the Loop, fills with the sound of classical music. The Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts, inspired by Dame Myra Hess’ World War II lunchtime concerts, are free performances by emerging classical musicians such as pianist Oscar Jiang and violist JungAhn Shin. The concerts are hosted by Classical Music Chicago, a nonprofit committed to bringing classical music to every corner of Chicago.
