Photo courtesy of Janey Henning | Flickr
Music lovers in Chicago have been spoiled the past few weeks as the Grateful Dead had their epic final three shows here, U2 played a weeks’ worth of concerts, and the Woodstock of House music took place on the city’s South Side.
This weekend will not disappoint either as Steve Miller Band will perform at Ravinia Friday night with Aretha Franklin following up on Saturday night.
With hits like “Fly Like an Eagle”, “The Joker,” “Rock N’ Me,” and many more, Steve Miller Band forms the backbone of classic rock radio with its ’70s rock sound.
Aretha Franklin, on the other hand, has earned the respect of her peers and fans over a more than 50-year career in music. The unidsputed Queen of Soul has won 18 Grammy awards and is one of the bestselling female artists of all time.
Ravinia is the oldest music festival in the United States dating back to 1904 and features performances from a diverse selection of artists throughout the summer. So far this summer has featured performances from Cheryl Crow, Brian Wilson, and Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga. Concert season goes until mid-September.
Gates open at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. on Friday while gates open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets for lawn seating start at $43 and $85 for reserved seating on Ravinia’s website, but secondary outlets such as Stubhub appear to have discounted tickets for those looking to save a few dollars.
The use of public transportation is encouraged. The Union Pacific North Metra line has three stops within a half mile of the venue. Get off at the Ravinia Park station if possible, Ravinia and Braeside stations work as well. Parking is also available for $20. For more information, visit ravinia.org.