It isn’t often that you get to see an orchestra performing all dressed up in elaborately ghoulish costumes, but the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, i.e., the superb training orchestra of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, does exactly that in what has become an annual Halloween tradition called “Hallowed Haunts,” where Orchestra Hall is transformed into a gigantic haunted house and the COC performs “spooky” music. The audience for this family-friendly event is also encouraged to come in costume as well, so that shy orchestra members won’t feel too self-conscious (actually, most of them really get into this) and there are pre-concert family activities starting at 1:30pm throughout the hall. (Dennis Polkow)
Cooling It: A Preview of Colleen Green at Cole’s Bar When Green strums power chords or chiming notes on top of her backing track, you might think you’re at Ramones karaoke night and Madonna is taking her turn.
Brutal Finesse: A Preview of King Crimson at Ravinia There have been few new compositions from King Crimson these past two decades, but the live arrangements of songs from its catalog are often strikingly different than the recorded versions.
