Chicago-born rapper Common (left) and the Latin music group Fruko y Sus Tesos (right) will headline a free, four-day celebration for Millennium Park’s 20th anniversary. (Courtesy of Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events / Brian Bowen Smith / Patrick L. Pyszka / Daniel Prada)
A free, four-day celebration for Millennium Park’s 20th anniversary will feature Chicago-born rapper Common, Latin music group Fruko y Sus Tesos, house music producer Steve “Silk” Hurley and the Grant Park Orchestra.
The celebration will take place July 18-21, two decades after the park’s official opening on July 16, 2004.
“Millennium Park is where we showcase the best of our city’s vibrant arts, culture, and talent from across the globe,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a news release. “I look forward to celebrating the Park’s milestone anniversary and its unrivaled art, architecture, and cultural events with unforgettable free programming all summer long.”
Here is the schedule for Millennium Park’s 20th anniversary celebration:
Thursday, July 18: Celebrations kick off with the ¡Súbelo! Festival, headlined by Fruko y Sus Tesos, the popular Latin music group from Colombia. The group will present “Fruko: 60 Years of Making the World Dance,” performing hit songs from Sonora Dinamita, Latin Brothers, Afrosound and Fruko y Sus Tesos.
Friday, July 19: The Grant Park Orchestra will perform “Star Wars and More: the Music of John Williams,” bringing music from movies to life as guest conductor Anthony Parnther leads the orchestra in favorites from Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter and more.
Saturday, July 20: Free arts programming across the park during the day will culminate in an evening concert from Chicago-born rapper, actor and activist Common, who will be performing alongside the Grant Park Orchestra with conductor Anthony Parnther at 7:30 p.m. Free online reservations are required; they will become available in the spring.
Sunday, July 21: Celebrations conclude with the “The S&S Chicago Experience,” presenting house music curated by Steve “Silk” Hurley and Shannon “Skip” Says, from 4-7 p.m.
More programming details for the anniversary celebration will be announced in the coming weeks, officials said.
The anniversary festivities will be in addition to the annual film and music series, music festivals and other programming offered during the summer at Millennium Park.
Here are the dates for some of the major annual festivals and special events taking place, announced earlier this year:
- Chicago Gospel Music Festival: June 1
- Chicago House Music Festival: June 2
- Chicago Blues Festival: June 6-9
- Grant Park Music Festival: June 12-Aug. 17 (Wednesdays, Fridays and most Saturdays)
- Chicago Air and Water Show: Aug. 10-11 (taking place a week earlier due to the Democratic National Convention)
- Chicago Jazz Festival: Aug. 29-Sept. 1
- Taste of Chicago: Sept. 6-8
Millennium Park’s residency program is also coming back for a second year. It will feature programming throughout the summer from five local cultural organizations: Experimental Sound Studio, Collaboraction and Teatro Vista, Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project, Vocalo Presents and the Old Town School of Folk Music.
More information about this summer’s residency program can be found here.
Contact Eunice Alpasan: @eunicealpasan | 773-509-5362 | [email protected]
