Ravinia Festival Announces 2018 Season

WDCB's Gary Zidek catches up with Ravinia president & CEO Welz Kauffman.

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WDCB's Gary Zidek talks to Ravinia president and CEO Welz Kauffman about the festival's 2018 summer schedule.

Ravinia president and CEO Welz Kauffman

"There are always surprises when it comes to ticket sales. You just never know what will (strike) people's fancy." - Welz Kauffman on predicting ticket sales.

When it comes to programming a season at Ravinia, Kauffman starts with the classical concerts and works from there.

Courtesy of Ravinia

Leonard Bernstein in his New York apartment between 1946-48. Photo by William Gottlieb.

One of the common threads running throughout Ravinia’s 2018 season and beyond, will be an ongoing celebration of Leonard Bernstein's centennial.  

Leonard Bernstein, 1973. Photo by Allan Warren

And what would a summer at Ravinia be without an appearance by the one and only Tony Bennett.  He'll perform, his 39th concert at Ravinia, on September 8.

Tony Bennett

Earlier in the summer, Grammy Award-winning jazz/funk collective Snarky Puppy will take the Ravinia stage on July 2.

Snarky Puppy

A number of pop, rock and r&b artists are coming to Ravinia this summer, including the legendary Diana Ross.

Diana Ross

Speaking of legends, how about a program from comedy legends Steve Martin and Martin Short titled AN EVENING YOU WILL FORGET FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE (August 12).

Steve Martin & Martin Short

Other concerts of note, soul singer Jill Scott will make her first appearance at Ravinia June 22 and Ben Folds will be there (along with Cake) on August 22. 

Jill Scott

Ben Folds

These are just a small sampling of the events coming up at Ravinia this summer. For a complete schedule go Ravinia.org  

Ticket sales will start on two separate days, June & July concerts will go on sale on Tuesday May 8, and August & September dates will be available on Thursday May 10. Ravinia donors will be able to purchase tickets as early as March 20.