2020 Named the “Year of Chicago Music”
May 29, 2020 Update:
Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events named 2020 the Year of Chicago Music, designed to highlight Chicago’s musical legacy and promote the city as a music destination.
As the music industry, much like every industry, has moved to #dostuffathome, the program has gone virtual. Now, Chicago music experiences can be enjoyed every day of the week, from anywhere in the world!
A lineup of concerts, kid’s shows, workshops and more can be found at: https://do312.com/yearofchicagomusic.org.
The 2020 Year of Chicago Music was launched as a year-long initiative including a marketing campaign, financial grants for music projects, an industry dialog around inclusion and equity, and a call for civic, philanthropic, arts, and business leaders to support the music industry.
Original Post:
The initiative will be anchored by an expanded, 17-day celebration combining the Chicago House Music Festival, Chicago Gospel Music Festival, and the Chicago Blues Festival. Artistic endeavors in the film, arts, and theatre disciplines will also participate with their own music-oriented programming throughout 2020.
Highlights of the 2020 Year of Chicago Music
Chicago House Music Conference & Festival, May 21-23
DJs and live performances showcase the various sounds and styles of house music, the musical form born in Chicago that has gone on to revolutionize dance music internationally. For more information, visit ChooseChicago.com.
Chicago Gospel Music Festival, May 26–30
The Chicago Gospel Music Festival keeps the city’s gospel tradition alive against the mesmerizing backdrop of Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center. The festival explores the depth of this music genre, spanning traditional and contemporary, lively choral groups, extraordinary vocalists, dynamic duos, and more. For more information, visit ChooseChicago.com.
Chicago Blues Festival, June 5–7
The city’s largest music festival, more than 500,000 blues fans gather in Chicago’s Millennium Park for three days of performances during the Chicago Blues Festival — all free and open to the public — featuring some of the genre’s most revered musicians like B.B. King and Buddy Guy to Etta James and Koko Taylor, along with up-and-coming and local talent. Performances showcase the genre’s contributions to soul, R&B, gospel, rock, hip-hop, and more. For more information, visit ChooseChicago.com.
Grant Park Music Festival, June 10-August 15
Taking a leading role in the Year of Chicago Music, the Grant Park Music Festival will shine a spotlight on the city’s extraordinary legacy of local and international by presenting two genre-bending world premieres: Billy Childs’ Violin Concerto No. 2, performed by Chicago violin virtuoso Rachel Barton Pine, and a new work by Chicago composer Mischa Zupko. For more information, visit ChooseChicago.com.
For more information about hotels, attractions and events throughout Chicago, visit https://www.choosechicago.com.
Chicago Grant Park Music Festival – Photo Courtesy of Choose Chicago 2016 Chicago Gospel Music Festival – Photo Courtesy of Choose Chicago 2016 Chicago Gospel Music Festival – Photo Courtesy of Choose Chicago
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