Ravinia District Businesses Successfully Help Ravinia Festival Collect Used Instruments For Reach*Teach*Play Instrument Drive
RAVINIA DISTRICT, HIGHLAND PARK, IL (JUNE 15, 2016) - Children of the Lake County area will be thrilled to receive new instruments after a highly successful inaugural event where Ravinia District Businesses served as the drop sites for Ravinia Festival's Recycled Instrument Drive for the Reach*Teach*Play musical education program. Building on the previous success of the Ravinia Festival's original El Sistema program in Chicago's Austin neighborhood, the Reach*Teach*Play program, was recently expanded to include Lake County. During the months of March and June 2016, used musical instruments were collected to be refurbished, "recycled" and placed into the hands of Lake County kids.
The collaboration of the neighboring Ravinia Festival with Ravinia Business District merchants is a natural fit. The artistically minded business district houses a piano school and violin workshop that repairs and sells violins, violas and other string instruments. Live musical performances can frequently be found at Madame Zuzu's Tea House, outdoors throughout the summer at the corner of Roger Williams and St Johns Avenues and on Thursday evenings at Ravinia District Artisan Markets in historic Jens Jensen Park. The district supports the Ravinia Festival in its endeavor to make music of all types accessible to everyone.
Fifteen businesses served as instrument drop locations. Field Violin collected the most instruments, 20 of the total 60 collected. Ravinia Coffee Station collected nine instruments along with 8 music booklets. Participating businesses include: Design Quartet @ Ravinia, Field Violin, Full Circle Architects, Highland Park Bank & Trust, J A Palminteri Insurance Agency, Jeff Cohen Photography, Jewel Nail Spa, The Nail Shop and Spa, Piero's Pizza, Principessa, Ravinia Coffee Station, SoShee Boutique, Style Hunters, Weiland Flowers and Zina Katsman Piano for Everyone.
The instrument drive in the Ravinia Business District ended on June 10, although instruments will be accepted throughout the summer at the Ravinia Festival offices. The Ravinia Festival opens its doors for summer fun on June 9 while summer events kick-off in the Ravinia District including; Wednesday morning Farmers' Markets opening on June 8, Ravinia District Artisan Markets on Thursday evenings begin on June 16, Highland Park Bank & Trust Family Fest on August 18 and Harvest & Harmony Fest featuring two days of live music on September 23-24. For more information on District 'Doings' visit https://www.facebook.com/RaviniaDistrict.HighlandPark?fref=ts. For information on Ravinia District visit https://www.cityhpil.com/Index.aspx?NID=631.
ABOUT THE RAVINIA DISTRICT:
The Ravinia District is comprised of unique boutiques, popular restaurants and food specialty shops, high-end personal and professional services, and convenience retailers. All located within a few walkable blocks, this quaint, friendly and historic neighborhood offers nearly anything a person might be looking for. A lovely location to dine before and after visiting the Ravinia Festival or the Chicago Botanic Garden, Ravinia District is just east of Green Bay Road in Highland Park on Roger Williams Avenue and hosts the Ravinia stop on the Metra train service.