Elgin Symphony League offers trips to Ravinia, Anderson Japanese Gardens
The Elgin Symphony Orchestra ended its season on May 1, but music lovers can fill the summer months with two "Out and About" trips, one on June 26 to the Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford and the other on July 26 to Ravinia in Highland Park.
Reservations for these Elgin Symphony League events can be made by calling the ESO box office at (847) 888-4000.
Enjoy chamber-style music at the exquisite Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford on Sunday, June 26, with "Strings on Sunday" featuring the music of the Turtle Creek Chamber Orchestra. Tickets are $50 each and include admission and round-trip transportation, which departs at 1 p.m. from the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin.
"There will be time to stroll the lovely garden paths before the concert begins outside the pavilion. Bring your own picnic, and blankets or chairs to dine on the lawn," says Jane McBride, Elgin Symphony League special events chairwoman. The performance include a mix of popular show tunes, pop music, bluegrass and classical selections.
On Tuesday, July 26, Ravinia presents an exciting premiere staging of Stravinsky's "The Firebird" with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Ben Gernon. Created by Janni Younge of South Africa's renowned Handspring Puppet Company, the visual performance was inspired by the profoundly moving music of "The Firebird" and portrays the many complex emotions the music evokes, ultimately resulting in a magnificent creature animated by 15 dancers and puppeteers working in unison to give it life. The staging is created by the same company behind Broadway and London's sensational "War Horse." A bus will depart from the Hemmens Cultural Center at 3 p.m. Tickets for transportation and pavilion seating are $80 per person and do not include dinner.
"So bring your own picnic, or dine in one of Ravinia's eateries," suggests McBride. Seating is limited to 30, so make your reservations early. To make reservations for either event, call the ESO box office at (847) 888-4000.
The Elgin Symphony League was established in 1971 to support the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and to be its ambassadors in the community. League members have contributed many thousands of hours of time and talent in their support of the award-winning Elgin Symphony Orchestra. Members also promote ESO concerts, volunteer to help with events and raise money, and meet other ESO supporters at League general meetings and events that feature presentations by special guests, including Music Director Andrew Grams, guest artists and ESO musicians. For the 2016-17 season, the Elgin Symphony League will meet on Thursdays: at noon Sept. 22, March 2 and 30; and 5:30 p.m. Oct. 13, Nov. 10, and April 27. All meetings are held at the Evangelical Covenant Church, 1565 Larkin Ave. in Elgin. Meals are $15. The first meeting is free for potential new members. For reservations, contact Jeanne Hebeisen at (847) 741-6264 or jeanne@mc.net.