Chicago Symphony Orchestra

The world-renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) performs at the grand Symphony Center on Michigan Avenue in the Loop. The CSO is led by Music Director Riccardo Muti, and often collaborates with some of the biggest names in classical music. In the summer, the CSO takes up residence at the outdoor Ravinia Festival in north suburban Highland Park. Photo credit: Todd Rosenberg as photographer for CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

CITY: Chicago

Alton Riverfront Amphitheater

The 4,000 seat Alton Riverfront Amphitheater hosts a variety of events from community festivals to live concerts throughout the summer months. With the Mighty Mississippi River as a backdrop, bring your blanket and spread out for an evening under the stars. Check out our website for a list of upcoming events.

CITY: Alton

Laugh Factory

World famous comedy club seats 375. Private booths, cabaret seating, open 7 days a week, private events, group outings.

CITY: Chicago

Aragon Entertainment Center

Built in 1926, this historic ballroom quickly became Chicago's premier place for world-renowned live entertainment. Its unique architecture, design and ambiance have made it a multiuse facility that often hosts live concerts.

CITY: Chicago

Egyptian Theatre

The Egyptian Theatre hosts film festivals, special movie screenings, and live entertainment events. This theatre is a 1929, fully restored Egyptian Art Deco movie palace and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The Egyptian is also available for rentals, tours, weddings, graduations, parties and receptions. Capacity: 1,419 Raised stage with dressing room below; balcony and lobby space.

CITY: DeKalb

Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts

Built in 1922 to house the original American Passion Play, the former Scottish Rite Temple is the centerpiece of downtown Bloomington's Cultural District. The Performing Arts Center has a 1,200-seat theater and 1,000-person ballroom.

CITY: Bloomington

Odeum Sports and Expo Center

DuPage's largest sports and exposition facility, includes a 5,500-seat arena, meeting rooms for up to 5,000, food service from casual buffets to elegant sit-down dinners.

CITY: Villa Park

Rockford Symphony Orchestra

The Rockford Symphony Orchestra has been serving Northern Illinois for more than 75 years and has a strong tradition of presenting classical and contemporary orchestral music of the highest caliber in Rockford's beautiful and awe-inspiring Coronado Theatre. Nationally known guest artists frequently serve as soloists for RSO concerts, adding tremendous variety and diversity to each season. In addition to a wonderful array of Classics and Pops Concerts, each season the Rockford Symphony also presents The Nutcracker in collaboration with the Rockford Dance Company. The Rockford Symphony Orchestra also brings the joy of music to thousands of students each year through its comprehensive educational programming, including Youth Concerts and the Rockford Symphony Youth Orchestra. In 2007, the RSO was named the Illinois Orchestra of the Year.

CITY: Rockford

Old Town School of Folk Music

The Old Town School of Folk Music provides a wide range of music, dance, theater, and visual arts courses to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Whatever one's interest, the Old Town School provides broad access to more than 700 accredited class offerings, private lessons, and workshops that span an array of artistic genres.The school features a main stage where concerts are held year round, along with a great shop that sells music and instruments.

CITY: Chicago

Dvorak Concert Hall

This hall offers a wide variety of recitals and concerts year round, and is home to the renowned Eastern Illinois University Symphony Orchestra.

CITY: Charleston

Norris Cultural Arts Center, Theatre & Art Gallery

A 1,000 seat live theatre providing family entertainment for more than 20 years. Season tickets are available. Call for gallery hours and reservations.

CITY: St. Charles

Peoria Symphony Orchestra

Professional symphony orchestra performing 7 classical concerts per season and various pops and youth performances.

CITY: Peoria

Edman Memorial Chapel - Wheaton College

This large auditorium, seating more than 2400 people, is the site of campus chapels, concerts, commencements, and various community-related events such as the Artist Series.

CITY: Wheaton

Fox Valley Symphony

Top-notch pop, classical and family performances are presented under the guidance of Maestro Fusao Kajima.

CITY: Aurora

Merle Reskin Theatre

1325 seat proscenium theatre provides performance space for the nearly 200 public performances of the DePaul Theatre School.

CITY: Chicago

Sears Centre Arena

A new 11,000 seat arena located in Hoffman Estates featuring world-class entertainment including concerts, family shows, and sporting events. Home of the Chicago Slaughter Indoor Football (IFL) and Chicago KICK Indoor Soccer (MISL).

CITY: Hoffman Estates

Decatur Civic Center

The Decatur Civic Center hosts trade shows, concerts, expos and more.

CITY: Decatur

Music of the Baroque

Music of the Baroque performs classical pieces in venues around Chicago.

CITY: Chicago

The Pavilion of the City of Marion

Nestled on a 12-acre lake, this massive multi-purpose facility hosts special and sporting events.

CITY: Marion

Northern Illinois University

Come tour the Northern Illinois University, catch a show preformed by their Theatre or Dance department, or explore one of their Art Galleries. There is much to do on campus including their new Anthropology Museum, an Observatory, and the Huskies Den. Their Museums are free to visit, some fees may apply for shows or School of Music Concerts. There is never a dull moment on campus!

CITY: DeKalb

Rosemont Theatre

The plush Rosemont Theatre is your ticket to lavish Broadway musicals, full-scale productions and world-class entertainers. We also get raves for our extra-wide aisles, on-site parking, and our superior sound system. The Theatre presents unforgettable show-going experiences.

CITY: Rosemont

Metropolis Performing Arts Center

More than 40 productions and 360 performances each year ranging from musical theatre, plays, live music, dance, family shows, The Second City Comedy and professional regional children's theatre.

CITY: Arlington Heights

Lincoln-Way North Performing Arts Center

Now in its 35th season, the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) is the largest performing arts organization in Chicago’s Southland - providing professional orchestral music of beauty and excellence to the region. The IPO’s repertoire ranges from Baroque and Classical masterpieces, to world premieres and modern favorites.

CITY: Frankfort

Arie Crown Theatre

McCormick Place's theater located in the Lakeside Center.

CITY: Chicago

Jack Benny Center for the Arts

Jack Benny Center for the Arts -- Waukegan Symphony Orchestra & Concert Chorus and Bowen Park Theatre & Opera Companies. Bowen Park Theatre provides professional theatre and opera as well as children's theatre in the summer months, spring, and in December. The Jack Benny Center is the home of "The Old Time Radio Show" that holds performances quarterly.

CITY: Waukegan

The Riviera Theatre

One of Chicago's oldest concert venues still hosts national headliners, up-and-coming acts, and even the occasional movie, including The Break-Up.

CITY: Chicago

Woodstock Opera House

Built in 1889 as City Hall, the Woodstock Opera House has long been one of the top performing arts centers in the Midwest. Its illustrious history also includes a cameo in Groundhog Day.

CITY: Woodstock

Effingham Performance Center

Arts Connection of Central Illinois has been established for the citizens of Effingham County and beyond to showcase arts and entertainment, to encourage interaction with and appreciation of live performance, to endorse the educational process and to enhance the quality of life and cultural vitality of the region.

CITY: Effingham

Rammelkamp Chapel - Illinois College

Rammelkamp Chapel is the home of religious life on campus as well as the site for various events ranging from weekly chapel services, mass, convocations, concerts and ceremonies.

CITY: Jacksonville

Park West

One of Chicago's best equipped multimedia facilities, this historic theatre has been an integral part of the entertainment scene since it opened in the 1920's. Capacity 100-1000.

CITY: Chicago

Elgin Symphony Orchestra

Named "Orchestra of the Year" an unprecedented three times by Illinois Council of Orchestras, the ESO performs over 60 concerts a year thrilling more than 50,000 patrons, from Chicagoland to Wisconsin and Indiana.

CITY: Elgin

MetroCentre

Hosts a variety of world-class entertainment: concerts from the biggest stars in music and comedy, circuses, rodeos, motor sports, family shows. Home to three different sports teams: ice hockey, indoor football and indoor soccer.

CITY: Rockford