Ravinia 2025 Issue 6

HENHOUSE PROWLERS Formed in Chicago in 2004, the Henhouse Prowlers are dedicated to keeping authentic acoustic bluegrass music traditions vital, not only through international performances but also as devoted instructors throughout the Chi- cago area. The Prowlers don’t just play tradition- al songs; they also create original material rang- ing from lightning-fast picking to sentimental ballads, as well as covers of contemporary tunes. One of their biggest hits in the latter vein stemmed from the group’s numerous trips to sub-Saharan Africa with the support of the US State Department, covering the Nigerian pop hit “Chop My Money” in order to bring some- thing familiar to their audiences in addition to their own bluegrass fare. The cover proved so popular with all their listeners worldwide that it was included on the Prowlers’ 2015 album Still on That Ride . The Prowlers have been offi- cial cultural ambassadors since 2013 and often play over 175 shows a year, not only across the United States but to such far-flung areas as the Middle East and Siberia; they have toured more than 30 countries on five continents, often going to places traditional American music has never been. These global experiences have pushed the band in new directions musically, with songs from Africa and Asia appearing on several al- bums, but they have also moved the group to start the educational outreach program Blue- grass Ambassadors, using traditional American music as a foundation to talk about folk music and cultures all over the world. The Prowlers re- leased Bluegrass Ambassadors Sessions Vol. 1 in 2022, bringing together nine songs from around the world with guest performances from their global collaborators. Their latest record, Unravel (released in April), underscores the band’s resis- tance toward being contained—some tunes ex- pressing a modern Americana feel, others nod- ding to classic country and bluegrass standards. The subject matter largely encircles ever-chal- lenging life on the road, as well as reflections on war, personal quests, the passage of time, and tremendous loss, all rounded out by peaks of joy, lighthearted imagination, and hearts unbur- dened. The Henhouse Prowlers previously ap- peared at Ravinia in 2017, ’19, and ’22, and have also been guest artists in Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play programs. ALMOND&OLIVE Chicago-based duo Almond&Olive creates inspiring songs that span the folk and Ameri- cana genres while also incorporating the duo’s timeless vocals and distinct songwriting. A&O’s voices sound made for each other and guide their vulnerable storytelling through odysseys of hope, love, and loss. When Natalie Alms and Ollie Davidson started creating music, the songs they wrote catalogued the loneliness and heart- break of youth, but also the fighting spirit of the young and invincible, as well as exploring the issues of the day. In 2021, A&O was featured on the 20th season of NBC’s The Voice . LUCKY PICKERS Lucky Pickers is an acoustic trio from Northern Illinois, featuring singer-songwriter–multi-in- strumentalists Despina Pafralides and Caleb Peters with upright bassist Sean Carolan. Orig- inally a duo, the band blends Americana and bluegrass with heartfelt harmonies and skillful instrumentation. Playing a mix of traditional, modern, and original songs, they perform across the Midwest and beyond, when not touring with their full-time bands Miles Over Mountains and Fox Crossing Stringband. Wintrust Chair and Table Rental, managed by the Ravinia Women’s Board and operated by The Festival Shop, benefits Ravinia and its Reach Teach Play education programs. RAVINIA.ORG RESERVE LAWN chairs and tables when you order tickets by clicking “ADD-ON items.” Wintrust chair & table RENTAL HEAVY lifting to us. Leave the RAVINIAMAGAZINE • AUG. 18 – AUG. 31, 2025 68 LILYSHEA(PROWLERS)