Music of the Baroque/Photo: Elliot Mandel Photography
1
Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Symphony Ball: Lang Lang & The Firebird
(Symphony Center)
A big city night for the fall arts season—CSO rolls out the red carpet for their annual gala, launching their 134th season with a performance featuring pianist Lang Lang. The night’s program includes Berlioz, Stravinsky and Saint-Saëns’ Second Piano Concerto. It’s a perfect night to enjoy dressing up, as to quote New York Times fashion critic Vanessa Friedman, “a new age of capital-D Dressing may be about to dawn.”
September 21
2
Charli XCX & Troye Sivan
(United Center)
A chartreuse harvest to mark brat summer’s turn to election fall: Charli XCX graces the same stage as Vice President Kamala Harris a month after the DNC. In this instance the smoke-filled rooms are the bathrooms closest to the stands selling Mai Tais.
September 30
3
Music of the Baroque’s “The Chicago Water Music”
(Chicago River)
Since the Carol Ross Barney-designed Riverwalk debuted last decade, the city’s become more oriented around the river. Enter Music of the Baroque: they’re hosting a special concert on a Shoreline Sightseeing boat, performing Handel’s “Water Music”—originally composed for the River Thames—as they sail from the Ogden Slip to Merchandise Mart. The night is also a kickoff for Navy Pier’s Chicago Live! festival.
September 18
4
Warm Love Cool Dreams
(Salt Shed)
Named after a Nelson Algren quote from “The Man With The Golden Arm,” this new festival at the Salt Shed was dreamed up by Brent Heyl, longtime programmer for 16” on Center venues like The Empty Bottle and Thalia Hall. The festival is split between two thematic days: the fiery, raucous “Warm Love,” headlined by The Jesus Lizard and Sextile, followed by the mellow, pensive “Cool Dreams,” headlined by Floating Points and Kelela.
September 28-29
5
Thirsty Ears Festival
(1758 West Wilson)
Chicago’s street festivals are a mainstay of summer culture, and while we all appreciate the odd John Mellencamp cover, the format can feel a bit cut-and-paste. The Thirsty Ears Festival breaks the mold as the city’s only classical music festival, bringing a lineup that includes Fulcrum Point and Chicago A Cappella to an idyllic stretch of Ravenswood.
September 7-8
