Produced by the city Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, this free program celebrating the city’s creativity is Chicago’s version of the Kennedy Center Awards. Like last year’s rousing inaugural event, it will honor five stalwarts of the local arts scene, selected by DCASE and members of the mayor’s Cultural Advisory Council. The 2015 honorees are author Sandra Cisneros, children’s music icon Ella Jenkins, architect Stanley Tigerman, longtime WXRT program director Norm Winer, and the Joffrey Ballet, which has been a Chicago company for the last 20 of its 60 years. Performers will include the a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock, NTO (the Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra), Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and the “XRT All Stars,” featuring Kelly Hogan, Frank Orrall, JC Brooks, and Jimmy Chamberlin. Last year winners were in the audience, but visible only on “tribute” videos on the big screen; maybe this year we’ll also get to see them on the stage.
Wed 9/16, 7 PM, Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph, cityofchicago.org, free.