Bring some friends out to the fifth annual Great Performers of Illinois celebration on July 9-11 that includes more than 50 diverse musical performances as well as interactive events, hands-on activities for kids, square dancing, Chainsaw Art Demonstrations, regional foods and wines, artwork from Illinois artists and artisans and an 8,000-square-foot corn maze. This year’s performers include:
Scotland Yard Gospel Choir – Scotland Yard Gospel Choir has been described as one of the best-kept secrets of the local indie music scene. The Chicago-based collective brings their distinctive brand of chamber pop to Millennium Park this Saturday evening.
Rachel Barton Pine – The “Great Performer of Illinois” Award Recipient will play her violin in Concert on Sunday, July 11, 7 – 10 pm at Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park. For outstanding contributions to music and the cultural life of Illinois, internationally acclaimed violin virtuoso Rachel Barton Pine will receive the third Great Performer of Illinois award. A lifelong Chicago native, her concert activities have taken her across the world to work with some of the most prestigious orchestras and conductors of our time. Pine’s appearance this evening will showcase her multi-genre talents – as soloist with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, from Springfield and Bloomington-Normal; chamber musician with her period instrument ensemble, Trio Settecento; and rockstar with her 6-piece doom/thrash band, Earthen Grave.
Yuri Lane – a self-described human beatbox. His unique a capella vocal percussion and harmonica skills have made him a YouTube sensation and brought him to venues and cities around the world. See Yuri in action this Saturday at noon.
Millennium Park
Visit greatperformersofillinois.com.Admission is free.
6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 9;
7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 10;
11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 11
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrF_69VWMzg
Also check out Chainsaw Carving – Wielding chainsaws as deftly as a painter handles a brush, ECHO’s award-winning carving team consists of the country’s best professional chainsaw carvers, including Mike Bihlmaier from Marengo, IL and multiple champion Bob King from Edgewood, WA. They will be on hand to demonstrate their Full Throttle Art for the public all weekend long. The carvers will create several works including smaller pieces every day while also working on a larger ‘Masterpiece’ to fit within the festival’s theme – “Spirit of Illinois”.
