Gavin DeGraw, Glen Campbell and More Join Ravinia Fest

Ravinia announces a mix of artist debuts and festival favorites. In addition to the permanent screens flanking the pavilion stage, the festival will also install a temporary large screen on the north lawn for all pavilion performances from June 25 through July 1, in addition to the first live videocast ever from inside the Martin Theatre for the June 26 performance by Zukerman ChamberPlayers.

Ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro makes his Ravinia debut on Sunday, July 1, with chamber orchestra A Far Cry, which also makes its festival debut. Shimabukuro, who was raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, mixes jazz, rock, classical, folk and traditional Hawaiian music, and will perform works with the chamber orchestra as well as solo selections on this 7 p.m. pavilion concert.

The next generation of jazz arrives at 8 p.m. on Monday, June 25, with the debut of bassist, vocalist and composerEsperanza Spalding, known for her unique multigenre style and recently featured as a performer at the Academy Awards. Her 2011 Grammy® win for Best New Artist was unprecedented, being the first time a jazz musician won the award.

For nearly a decade celebrated violinist/violist Pinchas Zukerman has teamed up with his most promising protégés to present chamber music concerts of impeccable musicianship. The Zukerman ChamberPlayers return to Ravinia’s Martin Theatre at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 26, featuring works of Brahms and Shostakovich.

Last seen at Ravinia in 1968, Oscar-nominated legendary Brazilian artist Sergio Mendes returns to the festival on a double bill with Ravinia Artistic Director of Jazz Ramsey Lewis in “Go Brazil!”at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 27. Lewis recently released his latest album, Ramsey, Taking Another Look, with a quintet that will join him at the performance. Back by popular demand, a tented dance floor will be set up on the north lawn, and guests can enter the festival’s sixth annual dance contest hosted by the Women’s Board of Ravinia Festival.

Ravinia celebrates the festival debut of legendary artist Glen Campbell on a double bill with singer and pianist Ronnie Milsap at 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 28. Campbell has released over 70 albums, sold 45 million records, been nominated for an Academy Award and hosted the television show The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour. Most recently he was featured at the Grammy Awards, where he appeared in his own tribute performance and received the Lifetime Achievement Award. This concert is part of The Goodbye Tour. Over a span of more than 40 years of creating crossover music, Milsap has earned six Grammy Awards and created 40 number-one country hits.

Grammy Award-winner Sarah McLachlan, who is best known for her hits “Angel,” “Building a Mystery” and “I Will Remember You,” makes her debut at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 30, joined by the Ravinia Festival Orchestraconducted by Sean O'Loughlin. June 30 also features the Ravinia Ultimate Picnic Contest sponsored by Terlato Wines International, a fun and creative way for Ravinia fans to generate their version of the ultimate picnic. Ticketholders to this completely sold-out concert can register to participate in the contest at Ravinia.org/picniccontest.aspx.

Gavin DeGraw has enjoyed chart-topping success since his platinum-selling debut album, Chariot, in 2003. DeGraw’s hits include “I Don’t Want To Be,” “Follow Through,” “In Love With a Girl” and the gold-certified “We Belong Together.” He makes his Ravinia debut at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 29, with singer/guitarist Colbie Caillat, whose single “Bubbly” spent 14 weeks at number one on Billboard’s Adult Top 40 chart and was certified platinum. Singer/songwriter Andy Grammer, best known for his single “Keep Your Head Up,” makes his festival debut opening the show. This concert is sold out in the pavilion and on the lawn.

Ravinia’s summer music conservatory, the Steans Music Institute, offers programs that are free and open to the public. Participants in the program for piano and strings will appear with legendary pianist Menahem Pressler as he leads a masterclass at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 26, and SMI artists will give free concerts at 2 p.m. on June 29, June 30 and July 1. Seating is first-come, first-served for these Bennett Gordon Hall performances.

In partnership with Camping World, Ravinia will present a four-day sale from June 28 through July 1. Featuring a great selection of outdoor chairs, tables and picnic accessories, the sale will be held next to the Camping World Chair Rental Tent just north of the Martin Theatre. Proceeds from the sale will benefit Ravinia and its REACH*TEACH*PLAY education programs. For more information or questions, contact giftshop@ravinia.org.

Ravinia Festival is located at Lake Cook and Green Bay roads in Highland Park. Tickets are available by visiting Ravinia.org or calling the Ravinia Festival Box Office at 847-266-5100. A $7 service fee is added to all online and phone ticket orders. Ravinia welcomes all festival fans to follow, connect and interact online at backstage.ravinia.org, facebook.com (search Ravinia Festival) and twitter.com/raviniafestival. Ravinia Festival is a not-for-profit organization.

Photo Credit: Patrick Fraser