Ravinia 2025 Issue 5

Ravinia acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council. OFFICIAL PARTNERS: Audi, Official Automotive Partner • Discover, Official Card Midtown Athletic Clubs, Official Club • TerlatoWines, Official Wine Sponsor LeadReachTeachPlaySponsor: @raviniafestival Connect With Us Vol. 18,No. 5 Aug.4– Aug. 17 BRINGING THE WRITE STUFF TO THE UNIVERSE OF DANCE JAMS DENSON Karl FALL& WINTER PREVIEW ONTHEPROWL& INTHEMARKET FORBLUEGRASS LOUISLANGRÉE ANDTHESOUL OFDIRECTION ONTHECOVER Karl Denson Photo: Steve Rapport Program notes start on page 61 4 Welcome 6 The Write Stuff Karl Denson rolls the universe for the singularity of dance jams. By Andy Argyrakis 12 Direct from the Soul Louis Langrée breathes the extra-musical. By Kyle MacMillan 16 Laying Down Roots Henhouse Prowlers and generations of bluegrass musicians keep Chicago a picker’s paradise. By Donald Liebenson 20 Fall & Winter Performances Late October & Early December bring four-day weekend concert series across the indoor stages at Ravinia. By Kyle MacMillan I N FORMAT I ON 24 Steans Institute 26 Reach Teach Play 29 Salute to Sponsors 36 Setting the Stages 39 Ravinia Supporters: Annual Fund, Corporate Partners, Matching Gifts, Fundraising Events, Reach Teach Play, Steans Institute, Leadership Donors, Endowment and Planned Gifts 56 Ravinia Festival Association: Board of Trustees, Women’s Board, Associates Board, Advisory Council 88 Park Information and Park Map Aug. 4 – Aug. 17 Contents 16 12 20 RAVINIAMAGAZINE • AUG. 4 – AUG. 17, 2025 2 PATRICKSWAMP(HENHOUSE);AJWALTZ(LANGRÉE);ANNNIKOLAENKO(KLEZMATICS)