Ravinia 2007

Last night commenced my Ravinia 2007 experience. On the north shore of Chicago there is a park built especially for holding marvelous concerts. The season runs from the end of May through mid-September, and they have incredible artists performing nearly every day. Actual tickets in seats under the pavilion are pricey depending on the performer, but there is a phenomenon called "Lawn tickets" that are generally about $10-15 no matter what. The performances go on rain or shine so the lawn can sometimes be a gamble, but for those willing to take the risk there are few things superior! The Chicago North Shore folk picnic in style, and among the crowd full spreads of champagne flutes and candelabras are not uncommon.

Last night was Latin Jazz night and Pink Martini (an eclectic little group that does world music fusions in a 1930s Havana big band style, that I thought no one had ever heard of!) was headlining. Lynn, Lili and I crammed ourselves and our canvas bags into a packed train and headed out to the park. 40 minutes later we arrived to stake out our patch of grass and set up our meager picnic. The evening was BEAUTIFUL, and when Pink Martini finally came on stage (after 2 opening bands) I thought I would die from the perfection that was the evening. China Forbes's voice was so rich and swirly that you could practically bite into it, and accompanied by Pink Martini's 12 piece orchestra it was all I could do not to lie back and be transported immediately to heaven.

I called Jennifer, who introduced me to the group about 6 years ago, twice to hold up the phone so she could get a whiff of the musical aroma that floated out over the lawn. Intoxicated by the music and the flickering of the fireflies people would spontaneously stand up and dance right where they were. No pomp. No circumstance. Just the pure joy of being carried by the music.