The Excitement of Future Generations' Achievements

The world premiere of composer Michael Torke's Plans at the Grant Park Music Festival will serve as a fanfare for the much anticipated Burnham Pavilions in Millennium Park. Torke's five-movement composition for orchestra and chorus highlights a free concert in the Pritzker Pavilion beginning at 6:30 pm. The piece is based on quotations from Daniel Burnham and commemorates the Plan of Chicago, with its fourth movement's "extroverted orchestral passages and vocal shouts reinforcing the excitement of future generations' achievements," in Torke's words.

Take the day to immerse yourself in Centennial programs. Experience the beauty and power of the Pavilions on the South Chase Promenade throughout the day and evening and explore the interpretive panels and interactive kiosks to learn more about the Centennial. Or come out early and watch Plans in rehearsal at 11:00 am.

Join Pavilion architects and others who made this vision a reality at the Art Institute for a symposium from 2:00-3:30 pm. Admission is free but seating is limited.

The National Museum of Mexican Art's signature Centennial program will showcase the work of emerging Mexican Latino artists and architects as they envision the future of the city. An opening event for the exhibit is scheduled for June 11, 2009. [MORE]

From Burnham's Plan to the 2016 Olympics, Chicago Architecture Foundation's Chicago Model City features stories of the people who made Chicago a symbol of urban transformation. The exhibition centerpiece—a large-scale architectural model of the city—will inspire you to imagine the future of metropolitan regions everywhere. [MORE]

This summer, the Field Museum opens the fascinating, interactive Water exhibit to let you discover how water shapes our planet and impacts nearly everything we do. On June 20, the museum lets little explorers learn how to save water in big ways during Family Field Day. [MORE]

This short walking tour will introduce the Plan of Chicago and other relevant aspects of the city and put it into the context of the late 19th- and early 20th-Century trends in urban planning and architecture. This free event begins at the Museum of Contemporary Photography. [MORE]

Author Donald Miller will address Burnham's efforts to create an efficient urban community. He will examine how Burnham balanced opposing forces to create a better metropolitan city and how we can apply those lessons to Chicago today. [MORE]

This special evening of presentations features speakers discussing a variety of topics—from the Plan's impact on Southeast Chicago to completing the Last Four Miles of public lakefront. The evening will be filled with rich conversation. [MORE]

This snapshot lecture will provide insight into the untapped world of Edward H. Bennett. Arthur Miller of Lake Forest College Library will discuss how Bennett came into his own after Burnham's death in 1912. [MORE]

This presentation, supported by historical photographs, will show how the South Shore Rail Line transcends Burnham's vision and propels Northwest Indiana into the future. It is presented by historian Stefan Loeb and is open to the public. [MORE]

State of the art technology offers visitors the chance to "stroll" through The Columbian Exposition—also referred to as "The White City" or the World's Fair of 1893—which is a source of inspiration for Daniel Burnham's audacious 1909 Plan of Chicago. [MORE]

As things start to speed up this summer, be sure to keep up with all of the incredible things happening. To keep up to date and connect with us and others who share our vision, check our website often. You can also sign up for e-news and e-postcards by clicking here.

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Join in on the Centennial conversation and help stir our diverse community to action on a grand scale -building the best possible quality of life for all.