Festival

Aug 13th & 14th 2022

Thirsty ears 2022

Click here for the 2023 Thirsty Ears Festival

ACM is proud to present the seventh annual Thirsty Ears Festival: Chicago’s only classical music street festival!

For two days Wilson street between Hermitage and Ravenswood will be closed to feature seventeen stellar ensembles and soloists performing music from Beethoven to Shostakovich to Reich and everything in between on the main stage.

We’ll also have delicious beer, vendor booths, kid-friendly activities and food trucks on both days.

The festival is free with a $10 suggested donation.  Any proceeds benefit the ACM School of Music, a non-profit organization.

  Hours

Saturday, August 13th – 2pm to 10pm

Sunday, August 14th – 2pm to 9pm

  Location

1758 W. Wilson Ave.

Parking is limited to nearby street parking

The first 100 people to arrive each day get a swanky swag bag so come early!

 Event schedule

August 13th

main stage

2pm  Chicago Chamber Music Fest

3pm  Amy Gadd

4pm  Wurtz-Berger Duo

5pm  Rose Wollman

6pm  Black Oak Ensemble

7pm  Crossing Borders Music

8pm  Palomar

9pm  Mini Sound of Silent Film Festival

Kid Zone

2pm  Jenny Viets

3pm  Dawn Marie’s Toddler Jam

4pm  Instrument Petting Zoo with Sadie

5pm  Dinder Bros Family Circus

6pm  Magic With Rob

August 14th

Main Stage

2pm  Garden Unit

3pm  Lakeshore Rush

4pm  The Growlers

5pm  Laura Strickling & Daniel Schlosberg

6pm  5th Wave Collective

7:30 pm  Origin of Animal

Kid Zone

2pm  Lucky Trikes

3pm  Jenny Viets

4pm  Instrument Petting Zoo with Traci

5pm  Dinder Bros Family Circus

6pm  Magic With Rob

Vendors

Food by Urban Tables

Nomadic Ant
Hija de Nada
Basic Revolution
Recycled by Robin
Peckham Media Productions
Catherine Elizabeth
Gramovox
Po Campo
Xpressive Body Butters
Andersonville Chamber of Commerce
Pockimals
Matilda Pet Fashion
Dandelion Art Therapy
Glow Superfood
Sophie Calhoun

 

sponsors

Meet Our sponsors

The Thirsty Ears festival is made possible in part by generous support from these sponsors:

sponsors

Meet Our CONTRIBUTORS

The Thirsty Ears festival swag bags are made possible by these generous contributors

Some Photos From Last year

  • Thirsty Ears Festival

    Thirsty Ears Festival 2023 2023

    Chicago's only classical music street festival features two days of stellar performances, craft beer, food trucks, kid-friendly activities and community vendors

    View Event

    Thirsty Ears Festival

    Thirsty Ears Festival 2021

    ACM’s popular Sound of Silent Film Festival is a unique event featuring new short silent films in every conceivable genre screened with newly-composed musical scores performed live.

    View Event

    Thirsty Ears Festival

    Thirsty Ears Festival & Walking Tour 2020

    ACM is proud to present the third annual Thirsty Ears Festival: Chicago’s only classical music street festival!

    For two days Wilson street between Hermitage and Ravenswood will be closed to feature fifteen stellar ensembles and soloists performing music from Beethoven to Shostakovich to Reich and everything in between on the main stage.

    We’ll also have delicious beer from Empirical Brewing, vendor booths, kid friendly activities and food trucks on both days.

    $10 suggested donation, all proceeds support the ACM School of Music, a non-profit organization.

    View Event

    Thirsty Ears Festival

    Thirsty Ears Festival 2019

    ACM’s popular Sound of Silent Film Festival is a unique event featuring new short silent films in every conceivable genre screened with newly-composed musical scores performed live.

    View Event

    Thirsty Ears Festival

    Thirsty Ears Festival 2018

    ACM is proud to present the third annual Thirsty Ears Festival: Chicago’s only classical music street festival!

    For two days Wilson street between Hermitage and Ravenswood will be closed to feature fifteen stellar ensembles and soloists performing music from Beethoven to Shostakovich to Reich and everything in between on the main stage.

    We’ll also have delicious beer from Empirical Brewing, vendor booths, kid friendly activities and food trucks on both days.

    $10 suggested donation, all proceeds support the ACM School of Music, a non-profit organization.

    View Event

    Thirsty Ears Festival

    Thirsty Ears Festival 2017

    ACM is proud to present the second annual Thirsty Ears Festival: Chicago’s only classical music street festival!

    For two days Wilson street between Hermitage and Ravenswood will be closed to feature fifteen stellar ensembles and soloists performing music from Beethoven to Shostakovich to Reich and everything in between on the main stage.

    We’ll also have delicious beer from Empirical Brewing, vendor booths, kid friendly activities and food trucks on both days including Empanadas 5411, Pierogi Wagon and Bruges Brothers.

    View Event