Millennium Park is celebrating its 20th anniversary next month, and the occasion will be marked by more than just the reopening of the Bean.
The big, boldface weekend headliner is a free concert by Chicago rapper Common with the Grant Park Orchestra on July 20 at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, followed by fireworks. Online reservations for seats in the Seating Bowl open at 10 a.m. Monday, June 17, at gpmf.org — free while supplies last. Seating on the Great Lawn is free and open to the public until it reaches capacity, first-come, first-served and no reservations required.
Grainger Plaza, the area of Millennium Park that surrounds Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate, has been under construction since last August. The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events announced Thursday it would fully reopen by the end of June.
The anniversary weekend itself is July 18-21, some 20 years since the Park’s official opening on July 16, 2004. Also on Thursday, DCASE announced the full calendar of events; more information at MillenniumPark.org.
JULY 18
5 p.m.: ¡Súbelo! presents Latine music on the Jay Pritzker Pavilion stage. First with the Chuwi quartet from Puerto Rico mixes salsa, boleros and folk with hip hop, psychedelic and electronic music.
6 p.m.: Codigo FN, a Mexican regional group from Sinaloa, Mexico.
7:30 p.m.: Fruko y Sus Tesos with guest Sonora Dinamita featuring Alfredo de la Fe
JULY 19
6:30 p.m.: Grant Park Orchestra presents “Star Wars and More: the Music of John Williams.”
JULY 20
8 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.: Millennium Park Summer Workouts
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Artmaking with Somos Arte in the North Promenade Tent.
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Physical Theater Festival Chicago performances featuring the Chicago Boyz Acrobatic Team, Alexander D’Amazing, Eric Robinson and more in Wrigley Square.
2 p.m.: Dance performances in the North Promenade Tent.
3 p.m.: Heart of Chicago Soul Club, plus free cheesecake by Eli’s Cheesecake.
4 p.m.: Roving and pop-up performances by Los Pleneros de Don Segundo, South Shore Drill Team and Ballet Folklorico de Chicago.
7:30 p.m.: Common with the Grant Park Orchestra, conducted by Anthony Parnther. Selections include “Testify/Prince,” “Go/Chaka Khan,” “The Light,” “Glory” and more at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
JULY 21
11 a.m.: The Golden Horse Ranch Band with square dance in the North Promenade Tent.
Noon: Interactive Drum Circle and instrument-making led by Rhythm Revolution at Crown Fountain.
1 p.m.: Wonder Wagon puppets in Wrigley Square.
2 p.m.: Dance performances in the North Promenade Tent.
3 p.m.: Sonorama DJ collective with free dance lessons in Salsa and Cumbia, then dance party in the North Promenade Tent.
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.: House music led by Steve “Silk” Hurley and Shannon “Skip” Syas at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
