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Kids Concerts Series Events at Ravinia West Parking Lot
Laurie Berkner – Sat, Aug 1, 2026, 11:00 AM
“The Adele of the preschool crowd” (New York Times) returns to Ravinia this summer, promising a joyful afternoon of family-friendly hits! With a catalog of favorites like “We Are the Dinosaurs” and “The Goldfish,” Laurie has earned a dedicated following, creating songs that kids love and parents actually enjoy hearing on repeat. Her high-energy performances turn every concert into an interactive, feel-good celebration—one that will have the whole family singing and dancing and clapping along.
Laurie’s journey from rock bands to beloved children’s artist was unexpected, but she quickly found that writing music for kids unlocked a whole new level of creativity. “The more I started working on material for children, the more I realized that it opened up creativity in me that I never knew I had,” she says.
A pioneer of the “kindie” rock movement, Laurie’s music is anything but ordinary—it’s “kids’-music alchemy at its finest” (Entertainment Weekly). Get ready to sing, dance, and play along as The Laurie Berkner Band transforms the stage into a musical wonderland filled with laughter, imagination, and nonstop fun!
The Great Lakes: Freshwater Treasure – Sat, Aug 8, 2026, 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM
A companion to Barb Rosenstock and illustrator Jamey Christoph’s picture book The Great Lakes, Black Moon Trio’s concert is a family-friendly journey through the scientific wonder of our five freshwater jewels, offering an approachable way to gain appreciation for their role in sustaining nature and culture.
Featuring music by contemporary composers Peter Winkler, Adam Scott Neal, and Harry T. Bulow, as well as two Black Moon Trio commissions by Yeeun Sim and Indigo Knecht, the program delves into the science behind the formation of the Great Lakes and the crucial importance of freshwater for life and culture. Along the way, audiences will take a dramatic journey of a single drop of water as it travels in this enormous water system. Audiences of all ages are invited to reflect on the profound importance of this vital resource and the ongoing responsibility to protect the six-quadrillion gallons of water they hold. This special program brings to life the complex relationship between nature, human civilization, and the ecosystems that depend on these precious waters.
Okee Dokee Brothers – Sat, Aug 15, 2026, 1:30 PM
As childhood friends growing up in Denver, Colorado, Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing were always exploring the outdoors. Whether it was rafting down their neighborhood creek, taking long bike rides into the country or discovering hiking trails through the Rocky Mountains, Joe and Justin were born adventurers. Now, as the Grammy-winning Okee Dokee Brothers, they have put this passion for the outdoors at the heart of their musical collaborations.
Winning praise from the likes of The Washington Post and USA Today, the two-time Parents’ Choice Award winners perform with delightful and indefatigable optimism, promising unforgettable adventures that spark imagination kids and parents alike. NPR’s All Things Considered writes “[The Okee Dokee Brothers] remind us of the American belief that we’re bound for better weather, celebrat[ing] everyday explorers, young and old, who rediscover that notion daily.”
Their nationwide fan base is drawn to their witty lyrics, strong musicianship and unique folk style—an uplifting spirit that echoes their lifelong optimism and invites every listener to believe that the next great adventure is just around the bend.
Divi Roxx Kids – Sat, Aug 22, 2026, 1:30 PM
Known for her extraordinary bass skills and dynamic artistry, Divinity Roxx is a Grammy-nominated powerhouse who built her career touring with 5-time Grammy-winning bass virtuoso Victor Wooten and sharing the stage with none other than the Queen B herself, Beyoncé.
“I believe that there is power in play,” Roxx tells Bass Empire Magazine. That love of play has led to two Grammy-nominated albums, Ready Set Go (2021) and World Wide Playdate (2024), as well as compositions that have been adapted into children’s books and adapted for television and theater. From writing a new work for the Peter Rabbit franchise to co-writing, producing, and performing the theme song for the Emmy-nominated PBS Kids’ show, Lyla in the Loop, Divinity continues to showcase her creative synergy across disciplines.
In an interview with NPR, Roxx explains she set out to write “a jam that’s appropriate for a five year old, that makes them feel good about being alive, and makes them think about life in a different way.” Through every groove and lyric, she channels that mission into music that uplifts, empowers, and invites audiences of all ages to embrace the joy of discovery.
Dr. Seuss Goes to the Opera – Sat, Aug 29, 2026, 1:30 PM
Would you? Could you? In a car? Bring the family, Ravinia’s not far! JAM Orchestra offers audiences of all ages a joyful introduction to opera, featuring professional opera singers in an interactive performance of the complete Green Eggs and Ham and Gertrude McFuzz Dr. Seuss stories paired with playful music to enchant all ages.
An orchestra experience unlike any other in Chicago, the JAM Orchestra was founded in 2018 by Justin Kono, Aaron Kaplan, and Michael Goldman. Guided by their diverse musical tastes and passion for introducing audiences to new music, the JAM Orchestra puts a new spin on the “pops orchestra” model. With original orchestrations, performances of lesser known works, and innovative connections between all genres of music, the JAM Orchestra is creating something wholly unique that exists across the musical spectrum.
The musicians of the JAM Orchestra are some of the finest musicians in the Chicago area and can be heard in orchestras, chamber ensembles, big bands, pit orchestras, and jazz clubs all over the city. Whether performing a Copland ballet, Nelson Riddle chart, Robert Russell Bennett orchestration, or Bernard Herrmann score, the JAM Orchestra reimagines every program with energy and fearless creativity.
