The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) is inviting travelers to groove to the sounds of the City with a packed summer entertainment program at O'Hare and Midway International Airports, officials announced. In addition to the usual airport hustle, flyers can expect live performances spanning a variety of genres including blues, jazz, house music, and even a violin show, creating an ambience that's anything but your standard terminal experience.
"Chicago is a world-class destination for culture and entertainment, from our globally renowned music festivals to our thriving neighborhood music venues," CDA Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee said, serving up Chicago flavors to a global audience starting in June, the series aims to enhance the travel experience by coinciding with major city events such as Juneteenth, the Chicago Pride Fest, and other cultural celebrations. With this summer's lineup spanning from acoustic blues to Latin American sounds, there’s a beat for every traveler making their way through the city's airports.
Opening the series, DJ First Lady, an icon of house music with more than four decades behind the decks, will spin tracks at Midway on June 3, aligning with the Chicago House Music Festival. Blues artist Eric Noden, known for his fingerpicking prowess and "honey and whiskey-tinged voice," is scheduled to perform at O'Hare on June 6, as part of the Chicago Blues Festival tie-in.
As O'Hare and Midway dress up in pride colors, City Performing Arts will showcase its ensembles during the Pride Fest weekend and travelers can expect a mix of musical styles; and on Independence Day, "Uncle Sam" will stroll through the terminals echoing the spirit of America’s birthday. As the summer rolls on, airport visitors will be greeted by a diverse range of artists, such as Emily Kuhn, a jazz trumpeter who mesmerizes with her harmonic prowess, and folk-soul band Luna Blues Machine, which infuses Latin beats with hip-hop, duo Belinda and Maritza Cervantes who will perform on August 15 adding to the summer’s musical tapestry.
A full schedule of the summer's entertainment is available on the FlyChicago website, where you can find additional details on the performances and other artists joining the festivities. Whether you're just arriving, departing or on a layover, the #ChiOnTheFly summer entertainment series is set to deliver Chicago's vibrant culture right to your terminal gate.
