Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced new virtual events for everyone missing Millennium Park’s renowned cultural programming. The new online Millennium Park at Home series on YouTube and Facebook will bring some of City’s beloved live events straight to concertgoers featuring many of Chicago’s most popular hometown genres and artists.
Millennium Park at Home begins Memorial Day weekend, May 22 and 23 with a virtual DJ house mix on what would have been Chicago’s 5th Annual House Music Festival. This year the City would have celebrated the 35th Annual Gospel Music festival.
Instead the Millennium Park at Home Series on May 29 and 30 will feature some of Chicago’s most renowned gospel artists will still bring the spirit through social media. Blues was born in Chicago and on what would have been the 37th Annual Blues Fest, June 5, 6, and 7 live Blues will still be enjoyed online.
For a full schedule and line up of artists, please click here.
Like many other cultural presenters, the City of Chicago and DCASE made the difficult decision to cancel these beloved music festivals out of an abundance of caution related to large public gatherings, following recommendations from the CDC and the guidance of Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, Governor JB Pritzker and City and State public health officials.
The Year of Chicago Music will continue this year and throughout next year, to amplify the excitement and momentum building across the local industry. Many of the initiatives planned for 2020 will extend into 2021 – specifically, Chicago In Tune and the return of the House music, Gospel music, and Blues festivals.
Grant Park Music Festival is also working on presenting online programming this summer. Additional Millennium Park online programming includes following the Spring bulbs which are on display here. The Chicago Cultural Center is also offering online programming related to the exhibitions and Meet the Artists events.
