N-n-n-not Too Bad: Ravinia Announces Its 2009 Schedule

Photo from ravinia.org

Believe it or not, in a few months it's going to be warm enough to stuff your backpack full of food and drink and Metra it up to Ravinia for a music-filled suburban vacation.

The schedule, released today, has its usual mix of big names (Joe Cocker, Indigo Girls, John Legend), head-scratchers (an ABBA cover band - are Mama Mia!'s coattails really that long?), and gems perfect for a summer night (Femi Kuti, Goran Bregovic). Thrown in for good measure are concerts that you might start with ironic detachment but which could end in alcohol-fueled sing-alongs with your friends. George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Pat Benatar, Peter, Paul, and Mary - actually, there are a lot of these.

On the classical side, the programming concentrates on megahits performed by megastars such as Yo-Yo Ma, Thomas Hampson, and James Galway. Of note is a concert featuring acclaimed pianist Lang Lang and jazz icon Herbie Hancock.

Demand for Ravinia tickets apparently hasn't suffered in the current economy, and the shows are priced accordingly, with four non-classical concerts - Carrie Underwood, Steve Miller Band, Tony Bennett, and Diana Krall - topping $90 for a seat. Invest in a blanket and grab a lawn ticket instead, which range from $10 to $27. Lawn tickets to all classical shows are $10.

Tickets go on sale April 16.