Win Free Tickets to See Don McLean and Judy Collins at Ravinia!

Just sign up for our free daily newsletter and you'll be entered into the drawing for tickets to their June 6 show.

Returning hit-makers Don McLean and Judy Collins open Ravinia's 2013 season on a double bill early next month, and we want you to be there! McLean’s 1971 hit song “American Pie” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and he was inaugurated into the National Academy of Popular Music Songwriters’ Hall of Fame. Known for her blend of folk songs and contemporary themes, Collins has enjoyed a career that has spanned over 50 years. She continues to produce new music and recently released her album Paradise, a collection of songs and duets. We want to send you and a friend to their show at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 6 for free. All you have to do is sign up for our free daily newsletter.  The deadline to enter is 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 28, when we…

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Ravinia Tickets Go on Sale Thursday

See who's performing this summer at the North Shore's biggest music festival. Tickets go on sale at 5 a.m. Thursday, April 25.

Tickets will go on sale Thursday for all shows at Ravinia in Highland Park this summer. From classical to pop to '90s rock, this season is overflowing with the acts you expected to see again at Ravinia and ones you never saw coming. Below is a list of the bands playing at Ravinia Festival during the 2013 season. Tickets will be available for purchase on April 25 on the Ravinia Festival website.  June  Thursday, June 6, 7:30 p.m.—Bennett Gordon Hall $10 BGH Series  Ruth Page Festival of Dance  Concert Dance, Inc.  Tickets: $10/No Lawn Sales/Park opens at 5 p.m.  Thursday, June 6, 7:30 p.m.—Pavilion  Judy Collins and Don McLean  Tickets: $55-$45/Lawn $22**/Park opens at 5 p.m.  Friday, June 7, 7:30 p.m.—Bennett Gordon Hall  $10 BGH Series  …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (6)

Bob Bernstein

2:36 pm on Friday, April 26, 2013

Read Post above Mr. Pidasso. This is a Mickey Mouse operation maquerading as a top noth venue where only the rich get the best seats.   more ›

District 112 Students Perform with Renowned Choral Artist

More than 200 middle school students performed Friday at Ravinia’s beautiful Bennett Gordon Hall.

Photo Gallery: Carrie Underwood, Guster at Ravinia

Two renowned rockers help close out Ravinia's summer.

Last Labor Day weekend brought two lively shows to Ravinia: Jack's Mannequin with Guster and Carrie Underwood. Saturday night, Jack's Mannequin shared a bill with Guster, though the bands also played together briefly. Despite turbulent weather before the show, a mostly young audience braved the wet lawn with ponchos and umbrellas. Jack's Mannequin also lost power briefly during their set but played on regardless to loud cheers from those in the pavilion. Sunday night, Carrie Underwood made her third appearance at the outdoor venue and was joined on stage by the Ravinia Festival Orchestra. Young girls in country attire lined up outside the pavilion gates to catch a glimpse of the former American Idol contestant.

•  2 Comments
• Photos (29)

Dave Smith

5:44 pm on Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Mike Allen. If I may, actually it's over 15,000 people on the lawn. I was there in the "O" row. I saw Carrie there two years ago. She sold out the 1st concert, and so they booked up a SECOND, the next day, and she sold that one out also. I had row 7 for that one. LOVE her!   more ›

Photo Gallery: Chicago At Ravinia

Legendary band plays two hometown concerts

Legendary band Chicago played a weekend of hometown concerts this past Saturday and Sunday at Ravinia Festival. This was only the second time in its long careers the band played the outdoor venue. Read the review: Chicago Plays Old and New at Ravinia The set for the night covered many of their hits from their classic catalog, including "Make Me Smile," "Old Days," "Saturday," and many more.  Half the proceeds from the weekend shows will go to fight breast cancer. Fourteen-year-old Isabela Nanni opened the show both nights. Editor's note: This article originally stated that Isabela Nanni bid through Chicago's website to play with the band. She actually was discovered by Chicago's manager when she performed at a Notre Dame football game.

• Photos (19)

Photo Gallery: Tony Bennett At Ravinia

Singer celebrates 85th birthday in Highland Park.

Tony Bennett celebrated his 85th birthday Friday night at Ravinia in front of an exuberant, sold-out crowd. Read the review: Bennett Wows at 24th Ravinia Performance The legendary performer drew an audience of nearly 20,000 and eight standing ovations after he sang hits like “I Left My Heart In San Francisco,” “The Shadow of Your Smile” and “I Wanna Be Around.”  The singer's daughter, Antonia, opened the show with several numbers before her father took the stage.

• Photos (16)

Photo Gallery: Lyle Lovett At Ravinia

Country singer brings his large band to music festival.

Lyle Lovett and His Large Band came to Ravinia Sunday night to play to a packed house and lawn. Lovett's large band features several guitar players, keyboards, back-up singers, a cellist, a violinist and several others. The country singer sang fan favorites spanning his 13-album career. Check out photos from the performance above and stay tuned for a review of Lovett's show.

• Photos (19)

Viewfinder

Photo Gallery: Steely Dan

Legendary band makes two-night stop at outdoor venue.

Steely Dan brought its mix of pop and jazz to Ravinia last weekend with two nights of shows, Friday and Saturday. Despite the wet weather, thousands of fans filled the pavillion and lawn to hear the band play its hits. Read the Review: Steely Dan at Ravinia Saturday night, Steely Dan treated the audience to a show entirely of songs requested online by fans plus a number of greatest hits. For Friday's show the band played their classic album Aja from first to last. Special guest Sam Yahel opened both shows.

• Photos (18)

Ravinia Recap: Los Lobos, Los Lonely Boys

Bands Bring Tejano Rock To North Shore

Ravinia was on its feet and rocking last Wednesday night as brown-eyed soul bands Los Lonely Boys and Los Lobos brought the house down with their mix of rock n' roll, blues, and latin music. Los Lonely Boys took the stage first, playing a number of their songs both new and old. Los Lobos joined the band halfway through their set.  Los Lonely Boys then joined Los Lobos on stage partway through their subsequent set. The groups co-headlined the event.

• Photos (18)

Man Sentenced to 22 Years for Rape By Ravinia Metra Station

Eduardo Franco blamed drunkenness for attacking a woman on Green Bay Trail.

Eduardo Franco was sentenced to 22 years in prison for raping a woman on the Green Bay Trail by the Ravinia Metra station two years ago, Triblocal reports. Dubbed the "Ravinia rapist" by prosecutors, Franco pled guilty in May to raping a woman as she got off the Metra train on July 15, 2009. The 32-year-old North Shore woman was attacked from behind while walking north on the Green Bay Trail, according to Triblocal. Franco avoided a possible 90-year prison sentence by pleading guilty.  “I want to apologize to the victim and her family,” Franco said just before receiving his sentence. “You may think I am a bad person, but I am not. I was very drunk. I had four 44 ounces that night.” Read more here.

• Photos (2)