The Chicago Botanic Garden supports the bitter jester music festival

Check out what the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois, has to say about the Bitter Jester Music Fest!

The Chicago Botanic Garden is proud to present Music on the Esplanade, a vibrant summer concert series that invites visitors to experience live music in the heart of nature. Set against the stunning backdrop of our lush gardens, these performances offer a unique opportunity to relax and enjoy live music while immersed in the beauty of the outdoors. We are thrilled to share this special experience with the community, bringing together the joys of music, nature, and connection.

These performances are made possible through valuable partnerships with local organizations within the Chicago community, showcasing the strong level of talent within the region and ensuring a diverse and dynamic lineup from year to year.

We had the unique opportunity to partner with the Bitter Jester Foundation for the Arts to present two concerts in June 2024. These two concerts were an excellent way to kick off our season, receiving many positive reviews from our regular members and visitors who attend our concerts each week. The performances, featuring alumni of the festival from previous years' competitions, set a high standard for the season ahead.

The most exciting part of working with the Bitter Jester Foundation for the Arts was the surprising amount of talent and professionalism displayed by the young performers. It is clear that Bitter Jester not only emphasizes technical skill, but also the significance of teaching their performers about sound setup, adapting to new venues, and collaborating with other musicians and staff. The performers were highly skilled, polite, and punctual, arriving on time and eager to showcase their talent. They demonstrated exceptional flexibility, handling any slight hiccups that arose - beyond anyone's control - with grace and professionalism.

All of these positive qualities were greatly appreciated by Garden staff, who face the challenge of working with a different musician every night. This task is always more demanding when working with a new group, yet the young performers, led by Nic DeGrazia and his team, allowed for a seamless collaboration. We appreciated Nic's organizational skills and his ability to put together an exciting lineup that perfectly aligned with the constraints and expectations of the Garden. His thoughtful planning ensured that each performance ran smoothly and met the high standards we strive for, creating an exceptional concert experience for both the performers and the audience.

The Garden looks forward to partnering with Nic and the Bitter Jester Foundation for the Arts in the summer of 2025. We are confident that it will be a highlight to our busy series of summer program offerings, and we can't wait to meet the talented performers who will join us on our Esplanade lawn.

Rachel Lockett, Coordinator, Visitor Events & Programs,