Festival

Aug 10th & 11th

Thirsty ears 2019

ACM is proud to present the fourth 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 performance of our original radio play 1001 Afternoons in Chicago.

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

1758 W. Wilson Ave.
Public transportation options:
Brown line Montrose or Damen stop
Ravenswood Metra stop
Lawrence or Montrose Ave. bus

Parking is limited to street parking

 

  Hours

Saturday, August 10th – 1pm to 10pm

Sunday, August 11th – 1pm to 9pm

  Location

1758 W. Wilson Ave.

Parking is limited to street parking

 

 Event schedule

Check out this amazing lineup!

August 10th

main stage

1pm  ACM Student Showcase

2pm  Mio Nakamura

3pm  Tiffin Brothers

4pm  Liza Sobel/Nathan Canfield

5pm  Wurtz/Berger Duo

6pm  Marianne Parker & Megan Ihnen

7pm  Lakeshore Rush

8pm  ~Nois Ensemble.

9pm  Mini Sound of Silent Film Fesitval

August 11th

MAIN STAGE

1pm  Chicago Chamber Music Festival Young Performers

2pm  Douglas Johnson and Michael Miller

3pm  Lishan Xue

4pm Picosa

5pm  Ravenswood Winds

6pm  Ian Maksin

7pm  Chicago Ensemble

8pm  1001 Afternoons in Chicago

sponsors

Meet Our sponsors

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

  • Thirsty Ears Festival

    Thirsty Ears Festival 2024 2023

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

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    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

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    Thirsty Ears Festival 2021

    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.

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    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 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