And for the first time, Taste attendees will be able to purchase tickets to the seating area at the bandshell. A total of 3,000 seats will be available beginning in late May for only $25. Details on how to purchase tickets to the seats will be available on the Taste of Chicago's Web site. Lawn seating for more than 30,000 people remain free.
The Taste of Chicago opens on a Wednesday this year (July 11), and kicking off the festival’s concert series is Jennifer Hudson. The Oscar and Grammy® Award winning actress grew up singing in the church choir and attended Dunbar High School in Bronzeville. Hudson's participation in American Idol led to an audition for the coveted role of Effie in the film version of Dream Girls. Hudson will take the stage at 6:45 p.m. following an opening act beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Thursday evening is the Taste's 25th Annual XRT concert featuring Death Cab for Cutie. The band formed at Western Washington University in Washington and has been touring recently promoting its seventh studio album, the Grammy nominated Codes and Keys. Death Cab will take the stage beginning at 6:45 p.m. following an opening act at 5:30 p.m.
Performers for Friday evening, July 13, can be found on the City of Chicago's Web site.
Chaka Khan headlines the V-103 concert Saturday night at the Taste. Opening for Khan is yet another Grammy award winning artist, Raphael Saadiq. The singer, songwriter, and record producer "carries the torch for old school R&B." Music begins at 5:30 p.m. (Tip: Earlier on Saturday will be a free concert for kids presented by Radio Disney. Following the Fleet Feet Kids Dash, which happens at 9:30 a.m., families can enjoy the Taste as it opens at 11 a.m. and then enter the Petrillo Seating and lawn areas for a free concert beginning at 11:30 a.m.)
The Taste of Chicago is going country on Sunday, its final day, with the Bud Light concert featuring Grammy nominated Dierks Bentley who performs at 4:45 p.m. Opening for Bentley at 3:30 p.m. is singer Lindi Ortega, a country artist from Canada.
