You're Invited to Krannert Center's Opening Night Party September 4!
Krannert Center kicks off the 2025-26 season with our annual Opening Night Party on Thursday, September 4, and YOU’RE INVITED!
Traditionally held on the first night of performances of our new season, this year’s Opening Night Party coincides with the 20th anniversary of our biennial ELLNORA Guitar Festival, which promises a high-energy, family-friendly festival atmosphere with food, fun, and lots of FREE MUSIC all night long! This year’s performers are the perfect blend of established artists and incredible up-and-coming musicians.
The Opening Night Party kicks off with the blues-funk guitar of Nashville’s Grace Bowers and the Hodge Podge at 5:30pm. Bowers has exploded onto the scene in recent years, and her reputation is growing daily, thanks to monster chops and a tight band. Check her out; she’s the real deal.
At 17, Marel Hidalgo’s jazz quartet has already established itself on the east coast, playing an impressive mix of straight-ahead, bop, and Caribbean-influenced jazz. Marel Hidalgo takes the stage at 6:30pm in his first-ever appearance in Illinois.
Deadheads will delight at the chance to dance and shake their bones as BERTHA: Grateful Drag will play at our outdoor amphitheatre (weather permitting) beginning at 7:30pm! No Shakedown here… this Nashville-based septet are intimately familiar with the Grateful Dead repertoire and have some of the best soloists and vocal harmonies of anybody in the jam band scene today.
Direct from our nation’s capital, The Messthetics features former post-hardcore band Fugazi bassist Joe Lally and drummer Brendan Canty, along with the atmospheric, avant-jazz guitarist Anthony Pirog. In 2023, they joined forces with saxophonist James Brandon Lewis to elevate their fiery performances even further. They take the stage at 8:30pm and will close out the evening’s festivities.
While the music is the main draw at our Opening Night Party, there’s plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Lose yourself in the Glow Zone, a glow-in-the-dark playground with illuminated swing sets and see-saws for all ages. Big fun when the sun goes down!
Show your colors with face painting by Expressions Body Art and Design.
Grab your friends and loved ones for some snaps at our Opening Night photo booth, courtesy of Liv and Joy.
Prism Studios will be on site with a guided craft activity for the little ones, too.
Need to nosh? Michael’s Catering will have delicious food options available onsite, and our world-famous Intermezzo café will be open, as well. Our Stage 5 Bar will be open serving a variety of beverages, including cans of Ellnora Gold beer, locally brewed by our friends at Triptych Brewing.
With so much happening here, there’s nowhere else to be! Come Be Here for Krannert Center’s Opening Night Party and Day One of the 2025 ELLNORA Guitar Festival, Thursday, September 4, from 5:30-10:30pm. We’ll save you a seat…or room to dance!