NIGHT OUT: STARRY NIGHT

Award-winning pianist Yunchan Lim joins global superstar and flutist Lizzo as headliners of the Ravinia Women’s Board 60th annual Gala Benefit Evening—a July 11 fundraiser that supports Ravinia and its Reach Teach Play education and community engagement programs

When Lizzo takes the stage at Ravinia’s 60th annual Gala Benefit Evening on July 11, she won’t be performing this year’s “Don’t Make Me Love U” blockbuster or any of her Grammy-winning hits. The American singer, songwriter, rapper, and actress will be playing the instrument that first sparked her love of music—the flute.

“There are some strong parallels between Lizzo and what we try to do with Reach Teach Play,” explains Susan Schmitt, chair of the Ravinia Women’s Board, which has raised more than $35 million for Ravinia throughout its six-decade history. “She learned to play the flute as a young person and grew up getting music education in the schools. As a result, she was motivated and mentored by her teachers to continue to believe in herself and that helped her get to where she is today.”

Lizzo will join award-winning South Korean pianist Yunchan Lim and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO), led by Chief Conductor Marin Alsop, as headliners of the flagship fundraiser, which supports Ravinia and its Reach Teach Play programs.

“She’s coming back into her own as a flutist and will provide a nice balance with Yunchan Lim, the youngest performer to win the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. He’s been at Ravinia once before but to have him perform on opening night is special on its own. Add Lizzo and it’s going to be spectacular,” says Schmitt, who led the committee for last year’s Ravinia Women’s Board gala, which raised an unprecedented $1.1 million. “I’m excited this year to have the gala not only on the opening night of the Ravinia season but also the opening night of our new Hunter Pavilion.”

A storied tradition now in its 60th year, the Ravinia Women’s Board gala is the only performance fundraiser benefiting the festival and its Reach Teach Play music education programs—which annually serve more than 50,000 community members, including 20,000 public school students in under-resourced Chicago-area communities and schools.

The in-park event starts at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, and includes a cocktail reception, premium seating for the concert, dinner, and sips and sweets in the evening. In addition to falling on the same evening as the grand reopening of the newly renovated Hunter Pavilion, this year’s gala also marks the 90th anniversary of the CSO’s Ravinia residency.

Isaac Sinnett, Ravinia’s newly appointed Executive Director of Education and Community Engagement, is honored to be entering his 19th year with Reach Teach Play.

“Our mission is to harness the power of shared live musical moments to inspire individuals, strengthen communities, and foster a more connected world,” he says. “Reach Teach Play takes students on a pathway of musical discovery and possibility—from creating that spark to a lifelong love of music.”

In addition to programs that teach the foundations of music and encourage children to engage in musicmaking, the Reach Teach Play umbrella also includes a community family music school, El Sistema–inspired orchestral programs that foster social development and musical excellence, and a mentorship program for high school jazz musicians.

Sinnett praises the Ravinia Women’s Board and its decades-long dedication to ensuring that opportunities like this remain possible for young people and their families.

“The Women’s Board has been an incredibly important part of our community and our history at Ravinia,” he says, explaining how the Opportunity Lawn Pass program it founded in 1965 planted the seeds for what is today Reach Teach Play. “That program still exists today, giving no-cost passes through social service agencies to welcome thousands of community members who otherwise might not be able to attend concerts at Ravinia.”

Schmitt, who has been a member of the Ravinia Women’s Board since 2008, says that every time someone purchases a ticket to a Ravinia concert or event, they are helping to support its mission to provide access to music for everyone.

“I think a lot of people think of Ravinia as a music venue but we’re also a nonprofit and the Reach Teach Play program is part of our ‘why’,” she continues, adding that next month’s Gala Benefit Evening also features performances by Reach Teach Play students. “I invite everyone to come out and see what Ravinia has to offer, and watch some of these talented young musicians perform live on stage.”

Ravinia Women’s Board’s 60th annual Gala Benefit Evening will be held on July 11 at Ravinia in Highland Park. Tickets start at $1,000. For more information, visit ravinia.org/galabenefit.