Festival

Aug 14th & 15th

Thirsty ears 2021

ACM is proud to present the sixth annual Thirsty Ears Festival: Chicago’s only classical music street festival!

For two days Wilson street between Hermitage and Ravenswood will be closed to feature seventeen stellar ensembles and soloists performing music from Beethoven to Shostakovich to Reich and everything in between on the main stage.

We’ll also have delicious beer from Empirical Brewing, vendor booths, kid friendly activities and food trucks on both days. Highlights include a special performance of our Sound of Silent Film Festival Saturday at sundown and, to close out the fest on Sunday, a classical remix from Origin of Animal.

  Hours

Saturday, August 14th – 2pm to 10pm

Sunday, August 14th – 2pm to 9pm

  Location

1758 W. Wilson Ave.

Parking is limited to street parking

 

 Event schedule

There are two stages each day: the main stage and the Kidzone stage.

August 14th

main stage

2pm  Frederick Rzewski Tribute

3pm  Chicago Chamber Music Festival

4pm  Lakeshore Rush

5pm  Wurttz-Berger Duo

6pm  Chicago Ensemble

7pm  Jonathan Hannau/Kyle Flens

8pm  Palomar

9pm  Mini Sound of Silent Film Fesitval

August 15th

MAIN STAGE

2pm  Marianne Parker

3pm  5th Wave Collective

4pm  Quijote Duo

5pm  Lapis Trio

6pm  Michael Hall

7pm  The Growlers

8pm  Origin of Animal Classical Remix

 

August 14th

KIDZONE

3pm  Lucky Trikes

5pm  Dawn Hamilton

6pm  Magic with Rob

 

August 15th

Kid Zone

3pm  Jennifer Viets

4pm  Dinder Brothers

5pm  Instrument Petting Zoo

6pm  Magic with Rob

sponsors

Meet Our sponsors

The Thirsty Ears Festival is made possible in part by support from these generous sponsors.

  • Thirsty Ears Festival

    Thirsty Ears Festival 2023 2023

    Chicago's only classical music street festival features two days of stellar performances, craft beer, food trucks, kid-friendly activities and community vendors

    View Event

    Thirsty Ears Festival

    Thirsty Ears Festival 2022 2022

    Chicago's only classical music street festival features two days of stellar performances, craft beer, food trucks, kid-friendly activities and community vendors

    View Event

    Thirsty Ears Festival

    Thirsty Ears Festival & Walking Tour 2020

    ACM is proud to present the third annual Thirsty Ears Festival: Chicago’s only classical music street festival!

    For two days Wilson street between Hermitage and Ravenswood will be closed to feature fifteen stellar ensembles and soloists performing music from Beethoven to Shostakovich to Reich and everything in between on the main stage.

    We’ll also have delicious beer from Empirical Brewing, vendor booths, kid friendly activities and food trucks on both days.

    $10 suggested donation, all proceeds support the ACM School of Music, a non-profit organization.

    View Event

    Thirsty Ears Festival

    Thirsty Ears Festival 2019

    ACM’s popular Sound of Silent Film Festival is a unique event featuring new short silent films in every conceivable genre screened with newly-composed musical scores performed live.

    View Event

    Thirsty Ears Festival

    Thirsty Ears Festival 2018

    ACM is proud to present the third annual Thirsty Ears Festival: Chicago’s only classical music street festival!

    For two days Wilson street between Hermitage and Ravenswood will be closed to feature fifteen stellar ensembles and soloists performing music from Beethoven to Shostakovich to Reich and everything in between on the main stage.

    We’ll also have delicious beer from Empirical Brewing, vendor booths, kid friendly activities and food trucks on both days.

    $10 suggested donation, all proceeds support the ACM School of Music, a non-profit organization.

    View Event

    Thirsty Ears Festival

    Thirsty Ears Festival 2017

    ACM is proud to present the second annual Thirsty Ears Festival: Chicago’s only classical music street festival!

    For two days Wilson street between Hermitage and Ravenswood will be closed to feature fifteen stellar ensembles and soloists performing music from Beethoven to Shostakovich to Reich and everything in between on the main stage.

    We’ll also have delicious beer from Empirical Brewing, vendor booths, kid friendly activities and food trucks on both days including Empanadas 5411, Pierogi Wagon and Bruges Brothers.

    View Event