RAVINIA OPENS NEW ROOFTOP DESTINATION:
​THE BMO CLUB
   Ravinia, the oldest music festival in North America, will open a new gathering place with the launch of its 2019 season. The BMO Club will be located on the rooftop of the Experience Center building on the North Lawn. This newly built hospitality space will be a lively venue to connect with family and friends.
   “Ravinia is much more than a venue to hear fantastic music; it’s truly a social experience. So we’re genuinely excited to offer an impeccable yet comfortable new place for friends to meet up before a concert, with magnificent views of our famous Lawn. People-watchers never had it so good,” said Jennifer Steans, chairman of Ravinia’s Board of Trustees. “We are very grateful to BMO for its support of what promises to be a new hot spot at Ravinia.”
​   “BMO has been a long and proud partner of Ravinia, as well as an advocate of the festival’s inspiring education programs, providing funding and support for many years,” said Daniela O’Leary-Gill, Executive Vice President and US Chief Operating Officer of BMO Financial Corp. and Ravinia board member. “We are excited to have the BMO Club add to the vibrant scene Ravinia attendees have come to expect, with small dishes created from farm-fresh ingredients and artisanal refreshments all in the perfect space overlooking the picturesque Ravinia grounds.”
   The BMO Club will accommodate more than 170 guests on the rooftop of Ravinia’s new Experience Center building. In addition to bar seating, there will be a drink rail around the perimeter of the new space, which will be connected by an observation bridge to Ravinia’s Dining Pavilion, which was extensively rejuvenated with new restaurants for the 2018 season. A variety of refreshments and small-plate options will concentrate on farm-to-table and other locally sourced foods, including fresh baked goods and more. Executive Chef Michael Tsonton, who oversees all the spaces in Ravinia’s Dining Pavilion, predicts the North Woods charcuterie will become an instant sensation.
   “Of course, when it comes to opening a space like this, the three keywords are food, beverage, andambience, but the old real-estate joke about the three keywords being location, location, location, are also satisfied by the BMO Club,” Tsonton said. “Meeting great friends for live music under the stars over drinks and fresh eats? That’s a recipe for success.
   The BMO Club will open on concert nights when the park opens. Service will discontinue at the start of the concert for classical performances, but will continue through nonclassical concerts. Walk-ups are welcome. The BMO Club will be available for small private events. For information, call 847-266-5066 or email groups@ravinia.org.