Offbeat Ways to Experience Music in the City

Chicago is known for its rich spectrum of musical offerings and summer in the city only heats up what’s on offer and doubles it. You can’t beat the Grant Park Music Festival, or the Millennium Park Summer Music Series, especially if you have a cool drink in hand. There are free concerts at Navy Pier and street festivals in neighborhoods across the city and suburbs, not to mention at cafés on the Riverwalk. Or grab lunch while listening to Hyde Park’s Jazz in the Court. And then there are iconic music venues that require a ticket or charge a cover fee, like the Empty Bottle, the Green Mill, or Symphony Hall. But there are other, lesser known musical treats.

This summer, step outside the usual fare and discover new and unexpected ways to celebrate music and the arts. In addition to singing in a Sounds Good or Good Memories choir (or attending one of our Summer Rocks concerts), here are ways to bring even more music into your life.

Pianos in the Parks

Yes! Real working pianos have been placed outside in parks throughout Chicago. All you have to do is walk up and play them or sit on a bench and listen to someone else play. You can even get a free piano lesson. No joke. And it’s free! Visit www.MakeMusicChicago.org to see the parks with pianos, a schedule of when lessons are offered, and bios of the piano teachers.

Tunes at the MCA

Officially known as Tuesdays on the Terrace, this free weekly summer concert series specializes in contemporary Chicago jazz but has expanded to include Chicago artists in genres like pop, soul, R&B and more. Sponsored by the Museum of Contemporary Art, Tuesdays has been happening for 26 years, but isn’t as well known as its Grant and Millennium Park neighbors at the other end of Michigan Avenue. Seating on the terrace and lawn space is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis, so use the Fast Pass option to book a place in the expedited line. Gates open at 4:30 pm, with performances running from 5:30 pm until 8 pm, including a set break. Light refreshments are sold or you can bring your own, except no outside alcohol. Usually starts in June and runs through August. Check www.mcachicago.org for the most up-to-date schedule and information.

Sound Walks

Grab your headphones and head for one of the city park’s trails that has its own playlist curated specifically for that walk by the Chicago Philharmonic. Look for posted signs along the trail with marked with the Chicago Philharmonic Soundwalks’ QR Code at the Main Entrance & Exit Points and at the Gathering Spaces on the trail: Caracol, Set in Stone, Sounding Bronzeville, Sakofa for the Earth and La Ronda Parakata. Then simply scan the code, put your headphones on, and enjoy the sounds that make our city special! Visit Chicago Philharmonic to preview the playlists and the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks for the schedule.

Le Piano

You can start or end your day by sneaking into the soon-to-no-longer-be-secret Le Piano club in Rogers Park. On its website, Le Piano pertly says it is “Certainly not to be construed as a piano bar,” but is instead “a listening room designed around a magnificent grand piano where intimate performances are featured every evening by Chicago’s finest pianists.” Nestled on a cobblestone street in East Rogers Park, Le Piano has received rave reviews, including this from “Secret Chicago” writer, Elliott McGowan: “Alongside iconic and esteemed venues like South Loop’s The Jazz Showcase and uptown’s Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, Le Piano has emerged as a phenomenal new jazz hideout!” Visit Le Piano’s website or just drop in, although reservations are strongly encouraged.

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and enjoy the sounds of the city!