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 2024 2023
Thirsty Ears Festival 2023 2023
Thirsty Ears Festival 2022 2022
Thirsty Ears Festival 2021
Thirsty Ears Festival & Walking Tour 2020
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.
Thirsty Ears Festival 2018
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.
Thirsty Ears Festival 2017
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.
2024
Thirsty Ears Festival 2024
ACM is proud to present the ninth 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.
2023
Thirsty Ears Festival 2023
ACM is proud to present the eighth 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.
2022
Thirsty Ears Festival 2022
ACM is proud to present the seventh 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.
Thirsty Ears Festival 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.
Thirsty Ears Festival & Walking Tour 2020
Thirsty Ears, Chicago’s only classical music street festival is back with an all-new lineup and a new format!
We’re thrilled to present an exciting combination of a musical audio walking tour and an in-person outdoor concert. Discover Ravenswood and Lincoln Square as you’ve never seen or heard them before!
Your ticket includes entry to all live performances at VIN312 except for Sound of Silent Film which is available at the Marquee level. Click the check boxes to tell us which shows you’re going to so we can ensure social distancing.
Ticket holders are also invited to explore ten sites in Ravenswood and Lincoln Square chosen for their historical and cultural significance. At each site, you’ll hear about its history and then hear a short piece composed especially for the site.
Each time you complete a site you unlock rewards from neighborhood businesses.
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.
2017
Thirsty Ears Festival 2017
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.