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Jay Pritzker Pavilion facts for kids

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Jay Pritzker Pavilion
Four images of the same bandshell: top left is a large crowd seated on a lawn beneath a large metal trellis hung with speakers. The crowd, seen from behind, is watching a performance in a bandshell framed by curving shiny metal, with large buildings in the background. Top right is an aerial side view of the bandshell and trellis in a green park, with a large road running horizontally at bottom and a row of skyscrapers behind it at top. A curving metal bridge crosses the road. Bottom left is a large stage with a full symphony orchestra and two choirs behind it on risers. The stage walls and ceiling are paneled in wood. Bottom right is a large green lawn with scattered people playing on it. The trellis is overhead and the bandshell and skyscrapers are behind.
Views of the pavilion, clockwise from top left: 2009 Grant Park Music Festival season-ending performance of Beethoven's 9th Symphony; aerial view from the east; from the Great Lawn; stage during rehearsal.
General information
Address Millennium Park
201 E. Randolph Street
Opened July 16, 2004
Owner City of Chicago
Design and construction
Architect Frank Gehry
Other information
Seating capacity 11,000 (4,000 fixed, 7,000 lawn)
Parking 2218 (shared with Millennium Park)

Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Pritzker Pavilion, or Pritzker Music Pavilion is a band shell in the Loop community area of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is located on the south side of Randolph Street directly across from some of the tallest buildings in the world and east of the Chicago Landmark Historic Michigan Boulevard District.

It is the park's outdoor performing arts venue and the new home of the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. As home of the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra and Chorus it is also the home of the Grant Park Music Festival, the nation's only remaining free outdoor classical music series. The structure is built partially atop the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, the park's indoor performing arts venue. It serves as the centerpiece for the park that was opened on July 16 2004.

Pritzker Pavilion band shell Millennium Park Chicago
From Michigan Avenue

The performance venue is designed with a large fixed seating area, a great lawn, a trellis network to support the sound system and a signature Gehry stainless steel headress. It features a sound system with an innovative acoustic design that replicates an indoor concert hall sound experience. Millennium Park is built on top of a large underground parking garage. Construction started before the park's design was completed, and in January 2000, 17 additional caissons had to be added to the partially built garage to support the weight of Gehry's pavilion. In April the tops of all these caissons had to be rebuilt for changes in the pavilion's foundation.

The pavilion was named after Jay Pritzker, whose family is known for owning Hyatt Hotels. The building was designed by architect Frank Gehry, who accepted the design commission in April 1999; the pavilion was constructed between June 1999 and July 2004, opening officially on July 16, 2004.

The the pavilion is available, as is the entire park, as a venue for private events year-round. The stage's glass and steel doors enable it to provide indoor space protected from the elements when necessary.

Images for kids

  • 2005-10-13 2880x1920 chicago above millennium park

    The Great Lawn, trellis and pavilion with the adjoining Harris Theater, within Millennium Park

  • Grant Park Music Festival Pritzker Pavilion Red View

    Grant Park Music Festival night view of Frank Gehry's Pritzker Pavilion

  • Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, Estados Unidos, 2012-10-20, DD 08

    The pavilion and Chicago skyline in October 2012

  • 20070919 Pritzker Pavilion bandshell

    The pavilion bandshell is designed to reflect sound for optimal acoustics.

  • 20070919 Pritzker Pavilion from stage

    Stage view of the pavilion's seats, trellis and Great Lawn, with Millennium Park and the Historic Michigan Boulevard District behind

  • Millennium Park from Sears Tower

    View of the pavilion with the Harris Theater (left), BP Pedestrian Bridge (above) and Lurie Garden (right), as seen from Willis Tower.

  • 20070919 Pritzker Pavilion speakers

    Speakers close up

  • Andrew Bird at Pritzker

    Andrew Bird performed at the pavilion in September 2008.

  • 20100228 Pritzker Pavilion Chicago Winter Dance 2010

    Chicago Winter Dance participants

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Pabellón Jay Pritzker para niños

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