The Chicago Symphony Center was
completed in 1997 and serves as both home to the Chicago
Symphony Orchestra and as a place visitors can come to be
educated and entertained daily. The Lyric Opera performs eight
different productions each season in the recently renovated
Civic Opera House. In addition to these two music giants, there
are famous Blues and jazz clubs all over the city, and venues
for live bands of every musical persuasion.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Orchestra
Hall-Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Avenue, 312.294.3000. The
Chicago Symphony Orchestra began in 1891, the first year in what
is now over a century of classical musical performances. The
orchestra continues its second century in Chicago in Symphony
Center, home to Buntrock Hall (a rehearsal and performance
space), ECHO, a new interactive education center and a newly
renovated Orchestra Hall.
Lyric Opera of Chicago - Civic
Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Dr., 312.332.2244. The Lyric Opera
of Chicago began as the Lyric Theatre in 1954 and was renamed
before the beginning of the 1956 season. In its 45 years it has
performed to international acclaim in the beautiful Civic Opera
House, opened in 1929 and recently renovated to the tune of $100
million. Regardless of the language of the current performance,
English translations are visible above the stage.
Buddy Guy’s Legends - 745
Wabash Avenue, 312.427.0333. Owner and legendary blues
musician, Buddy Guy can occasionally be found performing here
and the music is consistently good. Legends is located in the
South Loop, and you can take in a game of pool or sit down to
southern barbecue fare while enjoying the music Chicago is known
for.
Kingston Mines - 2548 N.
Halsted, 773.477.4647. Located north of the Loop, this is
one of the oldest blues clubs in the city. Big-name talent
performs on two stages during the weekends, and Doc’s serves
up barbecue and fried fare.
Green Mill - 4802 N. Broadway,
773.878.5552. Although this club is north of downtown
Chicago, in an area known as Uptown - away from most of the
Chicago-area attractions, it’s well worth a visit if you’re
a true jazz fan. The Green Mill has provided almost a century of
good jazz performances.
Pops for Champagne - 2934 N.
Sheffield Ave., 773.472.1000. Great jazz, a good selection
of champagne and a mellow, romantic atmosphere make for relaxing
evenings here. Snack on appetizers and desserts while you sample
the bubbly.
