My husband has developed an affinity for Tony Bennett and mentioned that he would love to see him in concert. The closest spot to us is Chicago, the Ravinia Festival, in August. I don't really even know what that is but their website doesn't have the tickets listed for sale yet. Does anyone from Chicago have any insight into how to get good seats for this?

Ravinia is an outdoor amphitheatre about 25 miles north of downtown Chicago. It's like Tanglewood in Boston, Blossom in Cleveland or the Merriweather Post Pavillion in Washington.

There are pavillion seats and lawn seating where people bring blankets and picnic before concerts.

Unlike other similar venues, you can't see the stage from the lawn at Ravinia, so opt for the pavillion.

You can stay in downtown Chicago and take the train to the park. On concert nights, the train stops outside the main gate. There are also hotels nearby in Northbrook, Deerfield or Highland Park and many offer shuttle service to the grounds.

If you opt for staying in Chicago, you'd catch the Union Pacific-North line from Ogilvie Station. For info, check www.metrarail.com.

Sign up for the email list at ravinia.org
Tickets go on sale on-line at ravinia.org on April 17th.

There really isn't a bad seat in the pavilion at Ravinia, so even if you don't get front row seats, you will be fine sitting in the back of the pavilion.

Ravinia is a beautiful place, Tony comes every year, for at least 2 concerts...have fun!

I agree wholeheartedly with the last poster. Just get yourself positioned so you can buy tickets when they go on sale mid-April by going to the Ravinia website. I believe you need to set up a password, etc to buy tickets. Ravinia is a great experience. And the train deposits you right at its door. It should be an evening the both of you will never forget because of the artist and the great setting.

From 20 year's of experience, you do not have to buy pavilion seats to enjoy Ravinia. The pavilion is a lot more formal, granted, and people tend to dress smart casual as for a summer event. But, the lawn seats can be lots of fun - bring a blanket, wine, a picnic basket. You will see everything from semi formal affairs with tableclothes, china, and crystal to McDonald's/fast food. Even if you score pavilion seats, plan a nice picnic dinner, which you can purchase at many places in the Chicago area and plan to arrive early to "tailgate"/picnic.

For me, if you're not going to sit in the Pavillion where you can see the performer, you might just as well just buy a CD and stay home. I don't find watching pretentious picnickers all that much fun.