Concerts & Events

Old Town School of Folk Music's Global Carnival - a dynamic, immersive performance experience that will feature Afro-Brazilian carnival block Ilê Aiyê and New Orleans Black Masking Indian artists Flagboy Giz & The Wild Tchoupitoulas. With additional performances by local ensembles such as the Windy City Ramblers, Muntu Dance Theatre, Azania Drum, Team Jukeboxx Mas Band, and the Epic Steel Orchestra!

Using various areas of Millennium Park as well as a main stage performance, Old Town School's Global Carnival will weave together performances found in celebrations across the Black Atlantic.

Carnival season is a well-known tradition throughout the Caribbean Basin and Latin America, with famous celebrations in Brazil, New Orleans, and Trinidad. While Chicago boasts sizable populations from the regions that participate in the Carnival tradition, large-scale outdoor celebrations are often difficult in the traditional lenten season in winter.

The celebratory feeling found in Carnival celebrations engage the healing possibilities of releasing pain, stress, frustration and creating opportunities to embrace freedom, liberatory joy, and revelatory experiences with your shared neighbors and community.

Global Carnival will bring an exciting evening of these experiences to Millennium Park, following Old Town School's commitment to the folk tradition: sharing stories and performances from one culture to another.